Franz Josef Glacier Tour

I spent a couple of nights in the small alpine town of Franz Joseph. Known for their glaciers,

hiking and helicopter tours.
I have been battling an injured knee so opted for the helicopter tour as opposed to the glacier hike. It was my first time in one and it was surprisingly comfortable and smooth.
The chopper took us over the 3 highest mountains of NZ and we landed on a glacier to take photos. We were lucky with the clear weather as the clouds started to roll in just after we returned. 

I got a little "snap-happy" with the camera.....I think you will be able to see why with all this natural beauty!

New Zealand Ironman

This blog is from my time in Taupo last week. Its a rare opportunity to witness an Ironman event. The athletes, both male and female range in age from 18 - 69, compete in the swim, bike & run event.

Canadian Scott Curry finished 5th in the event! It was really cool to see the athletes, spectators and thought it would be worthwhile to share some of the photos from the event.

6:50 AM in the pouring rain, hundreds of althetes are getting ready for the swim event.



After the swim they run to the change station to get ready for the bike event.





After the bike event they proceed to the run.



This is the closest I will come to seeing a finish line at an ironman!

Tsunami

Hello everyone,

This morning I woke up to the news that there was a Tsunami in Japan with the possibility of it reaching as far as the north island of NZ. Once again I avert disaster and am safe in Queenstown which is in the bottom of the south island.
Internet connection is very spotty and slow today. I will post more by sunday night NZ time.

Dianne

Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

The South Island

I flew from a rainy Taupo in the north island to Nelson in the south island the other day. I will spend the next 2 weeks exploring the south before I start work in Blenheim on the 21st.

I got up at 6am in Taupo to watch the 7am start of the New Zealand Ironman competition. What timing to be here to witness it! Not like the event is hard enough, the athletes started the event with their swim in Lake Taupo in the pouring rain and it continued on through the day. One of the top contenders is Scott Curry from Canada. While I was wandering the streets I met one of Scott's spectators who happens to live in Waterloo!

I departed Nelson and headed south on the Kiwi tour bus. We stopped at Lake Rotoiti which reminded of Lake Louise, ALTA. The snow covered mountain in the background is much more vivid in person.

Making our way further south and towards the west coast we visited Cape Foulwind and Punakaiki park.

So far I am enjoying the scenery of the South Island more than the North. The mountains are taller, more rugged and the ocean seems is more dramatic.

So here is a bit of a photo diary:

1) Christ's Church from Trafalgar Street in Nelson.
2) Lake Rotoiti
3 & 4) Cape Foulwind
5) Punakaiki Park


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The Swoop

This week I have been traveling south on the North Island to Mercury Bay, Rotorurua and Waitomo.

I have done some kayaking , visited the Polynesian Spa and "swooped".

So what is the Swoop? Three people are packed in a sack and lifted 130 feet in the air and in typical New Zealand style, they drop you and you swing in the air till you stop.

I found some friends from my tour bus to join me. Below is Joanna from Sweden and Derek from Oshawa.

I have a video below thats about 1.5 minutes. I wasn't able to rotate it to make it up right. Its ok, it just adds to the dizzying effect:) Joanna was the one to pull the cord to start the drop, brave girl. I'm the one screaming like a chicken of course. Very scary. You think you are going to hit the ground every time you get close to it. (sorry Dad...I know your scared of hights and don't enjoy seeing me falling form them!)

Kayak trip in Mercury Bay

Paihia & Cape Reinga

I recently visited the Bay of Islands area at the very top of of New Zealand. The weather was amazing and took full advantage of the sun with some new friends. I have been staying at hostels and have been meeting some great gals. During this time I had the company of girls from North Ireland, England, Netherlands, Germany and a guy from Sweden. One of the things I'm enjoying most about this journey is meeting people from other countries.

Here are some photos:
1) View at 6:45am in Pahina
2) Driving down 90 mile beach...and yes, we are driving right on the beach
3) Passing a police car
4) Boarding down a sand dune on a boogie board. Got my exercise in for the day climbing up that dune a couple of times.
5) View of Tasman Sea at Cape Reinga
6) Cape Reinga. This is the most northern point of New Zealand. The current you see is where the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea meet.

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Waiheke Island

About a 35 minute ferry ride from Auckland is a island paradise called Waiheke. The draw from me was discovering their wine region. They are known for producing great Bordeaux blends and are up and coming in Syrah.

I toured some wineries and the island in an organized group. I had the company of a Hematologist from Mac hospital in Hamilton and his family. Can't hurt to know a hemotologist right? Other than wine I also discovered many bay areas, beaches and Waiheke offers a great scene for foodies, artists, musicians....what a place! I'm having thoughts that this might be a good place to work a winery harvest next year...

View of Palm Beach



Gardens of Mudbrick Vineyard



Vineyards at Stonyridge