The Bay of Plenty is spectacular. Amazingly still mostly undeveloped. No highrises, low one-storey unpretentious houses, Caribbean-blue water, golden sand beaches and graceful sailboats crossing the harbours. We head out in a boat to see the Bay and hopefully see dolphins. Rules around dolphin watching are strict: limit your time, only watch a pod once,Continue reading “Day 7 & 8 – The outdoors”
Author Archives: Lizhk
Day 5 & 6 – Of Hobbits, Maori and totem poles
Today was tourist day. We drove out to Hobbiton, the film site where The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings were filmed. A tourist trap but I have to admit, it was worth it. The natural scenery was beautiful in a I-want-to-live-in-this-fairy-tale place and the film set was tastefully done. You are driven into theContinue reading “Day 5 & 6 – Of Hobbits, Maori and totem poles”
Day 3 & 4–Marae
We are near Rotorua (two lakes), four hrs south of Auckland. It is geyser, hot springs country with pockets of steam shooting up through a garden fence, between houses, behind a gas station, and pockets of air smelling of sulphur. The landscape has changed from rolling hills, tall trees with abundant evergreen foliage interspersed withContinue reading “Day 3 & 4–Marae”
Day 2 – Marae Piritahi
Day two was filled with culture. Janine, a Maori, is cooking for us and we discovered she us a fashion designer. Back in the 1980’s she went to fashion design school but realized she would never get to design unless she started her own business. So she did. The Onera Art Gallery just opened aContinue reading “Day 2 – Marae Piritahi”
Day one – Kia Piritahi
Māori are the tangata whenua (people of the land) of Aotearoa New Zealand. They have meeting places called marae. It consists of a field in front of a sacred building and another building next to it. The field is where visitors are greeted. The sacred house performs a similar functions as a big house orContinue reading “Day one – Kia Piritahi”
The Journey Begins
A good journey takes you back to where you started from but now with new eyesight. 22people. 11 youth, 11 adults. Off to New Zealand for a Maori cultural tour. 2hrs at Nanaimo airport, 13 minute flight. 2 hours in YVR, 14 hour flight. Watched Whale Rider on the plane. Great movie based on MaoriContinue reading “The Journey Begins”
Oct 21-23, Recuperating in Sitges!
I am not sure how I ended up in Sitges, just south of Barcelona but it may be because it’s so close to Casteldefells where we spent time as children fifty (OMG) years ago. My father had rented a villa. We all remember staying in France the night before and my father came into ourContinue reading “Oct 21-23, Recuperating in Sitges!”
Part 2, Day , Oct 18 to Santiago de Compestella – Last day
Postscript… I just realized this did not get published. Oops. Better late than never…. I only had 25k left but I was in no rush. I had 2 days before I had to be in Santiago to meet Diny. Diny was walking the Camino Frances and I had planned to surprise her but she figuredContinue reading “Part 2, Day , Oct 18 to Santiago de Compestella – Last day”
Part 2, Day 9, October 16 – Caldas de Rais to Padrón
Bad news and good news. The good news is I managed, after many emails, to snag a booking in a hotel that is a 15th century stone monastery that saves 20 rooms for pilgrims. http://www.hsanmartinpinario.com/ I started emailing for a reservation for two nights but they were full. Twice a day I would send anContinue reading “Part 2, Day 9, October 16 – Caldas de Rais to Padrón”
Part 2, Day 8, October 15 – Ponteverdra to Caldas de Rais
Things are breaking down today, or have been over the last few days but accumulating: First the blog is 5 or 6 days behind. I will blog out of order. Live with it. I hub a cold. It is raining! My umbrella has two ribs broken. If I adjust those ribs just so, I canContinue reading “Part 2, Day 8, October 15 – Ponteverdra to Caldas de Rais”
