New Zealand - pt5 - Crazy Flora

These are just a few examples of some of the crazy plants in New Zealand. These are certainly one of the most beautiful consequences of Australia and New Zealand being so isolated for so much of evolutionary history. As i mentioned, these are only a couple of examples. New Zealand is full of stunning plants that contribute their part to the stunning landscapes. Don`t even ask me what any of these things are called, because i haven`t the slightest notion.






Seriously now, this teetering defiance of gravity seems to be the Triffid`s prettier cousin...

New Zealand - pt4 - Taieri Gorge

The Taieri Gorge Rail Tour is definitely well worth both the time and the price. At first, as we pulled out of Dunedin, i thought it really wouldn`t be becuase it just looked like farmland. But then we passed into the actual gorge and the scenerry was so stunning that i started compulsively taking pictures. It was good that i went on the rail ride alone since it would`ve been hard to have a conversation whilst moving around from car to car taking pictures! The train goes out to Pukerangi and then they switch the engine to the other end of the train and head back along exactly thre same route, much to my relief since i was facing backwards in my seat during the first half of the journey (but of course you can move around the train at your leisure). All of the historical and anecdotal information provided by the guide over the PA system was fun and entertaining also.























There was a very touching story about a man named Arthur who used to stand on this knob of ground and greet the trains and the tourists as they came through here everyday and who passed away some years before. The details of the story were lost to the giggling of most of the passengers on teh train.


And this little video of the train going over one of the small bridges along the route. You might be able to hear in the audio the guide explaing that in fact the whole Gorge is within the Dunedin City limits.

New Zealand - pt3 - Penguins

These cute little guys are the Hoiho (the Maori term for the Yellow-Eyed Penguin, depicted on the back of the New Zealand five dollar bill). These are a particularly rare breed of penguin, a fact not aided by their low breeding numbers, loss of habitat, and their strong desire for isolation (even from each other!). "The Penguin Place" is a reserve set up (partially on a sheep farm) to help protect the Hoiho. We visited during moulting season, which gave us a chance to see some of the mating pairs helping each other by plucking out old feathers. It was all very very cute!











Tomorrow: Taeiri Gorge Railway.

New Zealand - pt2 - Dunedin

These photos were taken in and around the lovely city of Dunedin (though notably not as lovely as most of the other NZ cities), located in the far South of the South Island. Not quite the lowest tip, mind you, but pretty far South nonetheless. This is where Matt and Jaqueline are living for the next while. If anyone wants their adress to send them a postcard, feel free to inquire via my g-mail account and i would be more than happy to oblige.

This was taken on the way out to Otago Peninsula when Jaqueline and i went to see the penguins. (Those photos tomorrow!)


The view of Dunedin and surrounding hilss from across the water (on the Peninsula). The weather changes so quickly!


I forget the name of this beach area but these people were surfing in wetsuits despite the biting cold!


One of many strikingly beautiful buidlings in Dunedin. This one is across the street from the famous Dunedin Train Station (which is rumoured to be one of the most photographed buildings in the Southern Hemisphere - though i have to question how and why anyone would compile that statistic).


Here is another view of the same building with the train station in the background on the left.


Dundedin City Hall (with the cathedral in the background). I believe that Dunedin is designed on the layout of Edinburgh, spreading outwards from a central octagon shape, the cathedral is at the top of this octagon.


Street signs in the city centre.


Hell Pizza. This place was AWESOME!!! Each menu item was labeled after a dealdy sin or some equally disturbing concept such as "Wrath" or "Limbo" or some such thing. And the pizza was delicious. Also, after eating the contents, you can rfefold the box into the shape of a coffin!


Not the best photo ever, but this is the inside of the Speight`s Brewery. Speight`s Ale being "The Pride of The South." The tour was excellent and the sampling even better! Though Speight`s is quite popular and distributes throughout the North and South Islands, New Zealand is also in plentiful supply of marvelous micro-breweries, each town boasting at least one or two and most providing fine, flavourful brews.


One of the best pieces of street art/grafitti i have ever had the pleasure of coming across.


I`ve seen steeper. Oh wait, no I haven`t.


The view from the top of the World`s Steeeeeeepest Street. Not a place one would ever want to trip and fall.


Next Up: PENGUINS!

New Zealand - pt1 - Auckland and Christchurch

Well... i finally narrowed down the photos from New Zealand (sort of). So here goes. I`ll keep the comments to a minimum since in many cases the Scenery speaks for itself. i`ll also try and have all the entries regarding New Zealand up by the end of the week. がんばります！


I saw this sign as the airport bus carried me into Auckland. It pretty much set the tone for the whole trip. ;)


The SkyTower (reminded me of Toronto)


is it true?


yup, it`s true.


view from the SkyTower (reminded me of Vancouver)


more of the stunning view. Auckland is truly a beautiful city.
by the way, that island in the distance is an active volcano. yup. Kiwis really do like to live on the edge...


this was too funny not to take a picture!
(especially considering how much New Zealand reminded me again and again of Canada!)


downtown Auckland (reminded me of Montreal)


City of Sails skyline:


In the Aquarium (which was well worth the price of admission!)


This beautiful moment was actually on the tarmac in Wellington, where i had to switch planes (the curse of the cheapest ticket - but i feel lucky to have experienced it). Thanks to the lovely flight attendant who allowed me to stray from the path briefly to get this shot.


The Christchurch Art Gallery, which was amazing both inside and out.


Matt and Jaqueline (my gracious hosts and tour guides) looking non-plussed in Christchurch.


The clarity of the light and air and the purity of the colours astounded me throughout my trip.


Sunset on the drive from Christchurch to Dunedin. Thanks again to Matt for the absurd amount of driving he did during my stay. I`ll have to ask him the total kilometers we put on his car.


And the sheep. So many sheep....



More to come so stay tuned...