It still hasn’t really sunk in that I will be flying to New Zealand for a family holiday this evening. We will be travelling around the south island. It will probably hit me when I’m driving away from Christchurch International Airport.
We’ll be taking in lots of scenery, probably do some standard touristy things like a jet boat ride, see some Lord of the Rings locations, visit the Cadbury factory, taste wine and beer and… there are lots of things my parents have earmarked in their extremely detailed travel itinerary spreadsheet. Of all the possibilities, I am most excited about gazing at stars. Perhaps I will get a shot to rival my blog header image, which I took in Central Australia in 2002.
(People often ask me how I took that photo. The short answer is that I aimed the camera towards the celestial south pole and left the shutter open for about two hours. The stars and the earth’s rotation did the rest. That short answer usually requires a more detailed explanation. =P )
Oh, and if I have the time, maybe I’ll check out this world-famous toilet on the second floor of the Sofitel at Queenstown. (Victor, I am quite sure you will comment on this.)
Our driving route is shown on the map above.
See you all in a couple of weeks! =)
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Maybe you should try the bungee jump. I saw them jumping from a bridge over a deep gorge.
central australia = braving the cold in the dead of the night to get that shot and almost going into anaphylactic shock whenever people came up to the hill with huge torches
ahh sweet memories…
have fun in NZ and say hi to the hobbits when you visit the shire =)
heya! hope you have fun in NZ..are u gonna be in the north island at all? If you are, and you’re somewhere near tauranga (where i live) or auckland, and you feel like it, gimme a shout!
South island’s definitely the more beautiful island - if you get the chance to, check out 2 lakes - lake pukaki (In between Mt Cook and Omarama) and lake tekapo (not far). Both are glacial lakes and so, are a beautiful blue. Standing at water’s edge at both lakes, I felt as though I’d walked into a postcard.
Also, on the shore of Lake Tekapo, is the church of the good shepherd, which was built in 1935 and is lovely - all stone, built by early pioneers, and the view from the inside is stunning.
Anyways, have fun!
cheers,
priyanca
Looks like you sure are gonna have a great time there! New Zealand is my next family destination sometime next year. Wonder though which time of the year is better to visit?
Ahh… I did a few adventure-type activities but not the bungee.
[quote comment="17026"]central australia = braving the cold in the dead of the night to get that shot and almost going into anaphylactic shock whenever people came up to the hill with huge torches[/quote]
That’s still a unique experience. The night sky wasn’t too kind when I was there. I didn’t even attempt to take a night sky shot.
[quote comment="17028"]heya! hope you have fun in NZ..are u gonna be in the north island at all? If you are, and you’re somewhere near tauranga (where i live) or auckland, and you feel like it, gimme a shout![/quote]
Hey Priyanca! Didn’t know you keep up with my blog. Unfortunately, my family only explored the south island. Promise to drop by if I ever visit the north. Thanks for the tips! You’re right about Lake Tekapo. I screwed up my shots there though. Oh well.
[quote comment="17047"]Looks like you sure are gonna have a great time there! New Zealand is my next family destination sometime next year. Wonder though which time of the year is better to visit?[/quote]
Yup, my family and I had a great time. It really depends on what type of weather you want. Sort-of-cold, cold or super cold. Heheh… In truth, we had a few warm (that’s above 20 degrees C) days. But I like chilly weather. 15 to 20 is just nice when the sun is out. Don’t use me as a gauge. I’ve got a thick layer of blubber to protect me from the cold. =P
Haha, sure I will comment, Kenneth. Maybe not immediately but I will, eventually.
I just came back from Taiwan with some toilet tales to tell too, eventually.
The photos are being uploaded - slowly - to my Flickr account. Yeh, Lake Tekapo is a living postcard. It’s just amazing. Silly me, I had the camera on the wrong setting, so the photos of Lake Tekapo aren’t as nice as they should be. Oh well, I have to go back then.
A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too!