The drive from sea level at Kihei to the summit of the volcanic peak at Haleakala is 49 miles, takes about 1-1/2 hours, has at least 28 switchbacks and finishes at the summit building on Red Hill, 10,023 feet above… Continue reading

Travel days will pull the stuffing right out of you. Lots of hauling, negotiations, stress and sleep deprivation, that’s all worth it for your final destination. Upon arriving into the condo, we dropped at 5 PM and slept for over… Continue reading

We have a flight later in the afternoon back to Sydney, so there’s a bit of time for a couple of to-see sites. The first site is the transitional home of the Anglican Congregation of the original Christchurch Cathedral, which… Continue reading

In wine, there is truth – attributed to Pliny the Elder. Contrary to the forecast the sun is fighting to be the dominant player today, although it has turned a bit windy and chilly for spring here, as the locals… Continue reading

In the fall of 2010 and the spring of 2011 an earthquake and a major aftershock rocked the City of Christchurch. Building and infrastructure damage was extensive and 185 people lost their lives, 105 in the collapse of just one… Continue reading

Morning views from the Waimakariri River’s edge at the river walk from the Bealey Hotel. Morning brings the opportunity for another trek, or in this case a hill climb, up to the base of the 130 meter bridal veil falls… Continue reading

After spending the night in the former Hokitika fire station that has been very nicely renovated as a five-room hotel, we heard that the Hokitika Gorge is a don’t miss it side trip. The area outside of town is all… Continue reading

Emerging from underground, part two of the day was the remainder of the coast drive to the overnight destination, the historical gold-rush town of Hokitika. Heading south along coastal Route 6 the water is on our right with the sun… Continue reading

We have been on water in ferries, dive boat, water taxis, sea kayak and also under the water. We have been running around land on foot, trams, trains, cars – so when there was an opportunity to go underground, why… Continue reading

The remnants of the storm are not quite done with us, but we took a walk across the road and out to the beach. About 15 km south of Carters Beach is Cape Foulwind (no joke, so named by the… Continue reading