I was transfixed by what was out the window of the plane. What a day to show off Aotearoa. From Napier to Wellington - Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro (in the distance), and the Tararua Ranges in the foreground.
I found this quite interesting. Above this photo it said Ashley Clinton, and then when I clicked on Satellite, it showed what is below. I am not sure whether Ashley Clinton is the name of the area or someone's house?
Which city or town of Aotearoa would you like to live in? Palmerston North (Te Papa-i-o-ea)?
In the country?
Levin (Horowhenua)?
Paraparaumu? (Near Kapiti Island which is a bird sanctuary.)
Petone or Wainuiomata?
Ward Island? That is the little island in Wellington harbour we used to row out to with Great Aunty Marg. She lived in Eastbourne (the suburb closest to the island on the mainland). The island was full of birds. I was 10, so Great Aunty Marg would have been 44.
Or Seatoun in Wellington? The closest populated suburb here, and going to be the first completely predator free suburb (as in zero rats, stoats and possums) in New Zealand.
Or Rimutaka Forest Park?
Or Wellington City?
Or Karori or Kelburn, where we lived for ten years? (Please let the plane land soon, Ed.)
We land in Wellington (Te Whanganui-a-Tara), but just for 20 minutes and we're on to Nelson. The sun continues to shine. In the distance you can see the South Island Alps.
A close up look at the peninsular just as we leave.
The Marlborough Sounds.
A close up.
Picton with mountains in the background.
On the way to Nelson (Delaware Bay).
Nelson farmland.
Nelson City (Devon and Anne live close to this bay).
Paul and Pru live on one of these hills overlooking the sea. And then finally land in Nelson. What a ride from Auckland!
We hire a car and drive to Hokitika. Out of the car window, Kahurangi National Park.
Murchison for a food stop. Only in Murchison!
Main St of Murchison. Population of Murchison and surrounds - 500.
My kind of shop.
Murchison River.
It was a nice drive.
Beech trees near Inangahua Junction.
Upper Buller River.
One lane bridge across Buller River.
On a straight stretch.
Iconic old cottage.
Larry's Creek.
Lots of rivers. Larry's River in Reefton.
Blossoms out in Taylorville.
Rapahoe Range, Scenic Reserve. (Please let us get there soon, Ed.)
And we arrive in Hokitika.
