We drop off our rental car in Wellington, take the 3-hour ferry to NZ’s South Island, pick up a different car, and head northwest, continuing to tramp the countryside day after day from Marlborough Sounds to the northernmost point at Cape Farewell. It’s glorious!
In this region there seems to be considerable environmental interest, concern about all the chemicals on crops, genetic engineering of foods promoted by the US, efforts to conserve water, etc. In Nelson we go to the well-known and wonderful open-air Saturday Market for fine produce.
In Tasman we stop at the Jester House Café. Its “light earth” wall-construction is similar to straw bale, they have composting toilets inside, a meandering sculpture garden outside, and a stream full of eels that we are invited to feed!
The tiny town of Collingwood on Golden Bay proclaims itself as NZ’s first town to be plastic shopping bag free. And everywhere we go there is scenery to take our breath away, from seas and estuaries to mountains and rain forests.
A major treat is the surreally landscaped, totally un-peopled (except for us) Wharariki Beach where we happen upon a fur seal colony shortly after dawn.
Or maybe it’s the day-care center: there are about 10 babies and 2 adults. We approach closer and closer without alarming them. The 2 adults even go off into the sea for a swim and bodysurf (really!) while the children frolic in a small pool at our feet.
Did you know that you can just click on any photo here to enlarge it?
11 comments:
Hey You Ywo, So fun to tap into your journey! I have wondered. Thanks for all the great photos & stories. We'll keep tabs on you now we know where. What a place NZ, huh?
Oh brother, I am about to weep. Can we PLEASE trade lives for just one week?! Glory glory hallelujah!
How long did Art have to hold that pose to have his profile reproduced in stone? Thank you so much for sharing all this with us. Happy Valentines Day. Char (and Ralph)
When they ran out of room on Mount Rushmore, who knew you could just go to New Zealand where they have plenty of spare rockfaces to carve?
Excellent! I am proud to be able to say that's my bro-in-law!
What beautiful landscapes! Wish we were there with you.
Hugs and Kisses from the Vermont MacDonalds!
I am so glad to see all the wonderful photos and hear the stories. It makes me so envious of you both.
Lou and I keep track of you all the time so keep up the good work.
Hey Yaya and Papu! Your trip sounds so cool! omg those seal/otter things are sooo cute! i wish i could be there and im glad you guys r having so much fun. C ya!
Sure sounds like you are having a great adbenture. We are really enjoying the pictures and commentary. We also want to wish Art a very Happy Birthday. You are finally having a real SUMMER BIRTHDAY!!! Barb and Lou
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PAPU !!!!! :) love and kisses from Malita :) :)
Hey, now that my birthday's over, it must be ... ART's!!
And, wait, oh this can't be true.... if I flip over a big one, doesn't Art do the same?!?
This whole time thing just boggles my mind.
Art, nothing slows you down. You and Sally are a match made in heaven. Keep up the good work, um, I mean, play!
Hola Art & Sally
Que buen ! Really enjoy your blog. i will no doubt have dreams about the eel picture --which i enlarged!!
Thanx for your email,
jose el canadiense
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