New Zealand Photo Album - #1
of 4
(before wedding
- October 7-9 2004 - Thu-Sat.)
.
With our eldest son Richard getting married in New Zealand, we left northern
California early on Tuesday, October 5th. We flew Qantas Air across much
of the Pacific, the equator and the date line. We arrived in Auckland, NZ,
on the Thursday the 7th "their time/date." As the wedding was
to take place mid-October in the bride's home town in the north end of the south
island, we had time to do a little touring and visiting both before and after
the wedding. Here is the 1st of 4 albums of such
touring. (To jump to the 1st of 3 Wedding Photo Albums, CLICK
HERE.)
|
|
|
|
| The Aspen House B&B
on a quiet street in downtown Auckland
where we stayed for the first two days. |
|
|
|
|
| A little park across the
street from the hotel had some amazing and well-cared for ancient trees |
|
|
|
|
| It was October &
Spring in this hemisphere, along with the requisite rain which made all the
green happen. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Here is a photo looking
up at Auckland's signature logo, the Sky
Tower -- over 1000 feet high (328 metres). |
|
|
|
|
| From the observation
level, we saw this view of the downtown and our hotel area approx. NNE. |
|
|
|
|
| To the NW lies the
Auckland Harbor Bridge and the huge Westhaven Marina. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| It was breast cancer
awareness week & this tractor is painted pink for the occasion. |
|
|
|
|
|
| The entrance to this
world class museum which holds extensive treasures of NZ history &
culture. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Keith appreciates
this classic Maori structure -- a pataka or storage house (a stabbur?). |
|
|
|
|
| Peg appreciates the fine
example of early boating of the Maori peoples. |
|
|
|
|
| A special exhibit of
fashion wars. This may not have been 1st prize, but it caught our eye. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The many and various
treasures of Maori carving were awesome and impressive. |
|
|
|
|
| Then we rented a car
which Peg drove (on the left mind you) to Wellington over the next few
days. |
|
|
|
|
| Once out of the city, the
frequent and accessible rest stops seemed to always have resident chickens. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| We stopped often just to
get a feel for and enjoy the different flora. |
|
|
|
|
| Here the photo does not
do justice to the lush tree fern forests. Think -- redwoods, folks. |
|
|
|
|
| Peg, always
enjoys an arrangement of stones. These were almost as beautiful as
Norway. |
|
|
To
Wedding Album
Return to N.Z. Trip Photo
Album Index
To Album #2
