New Zealand 2004 Album 2

Breakfast with Jim & Bette, a California classmate of Keith's who has lived in Tauranga for years.

Their cat "Saba" also enjoys this gracious home in the Bay of Plenty area of New Zealand.

An outing to Rotorua for some local culture & sightseeing with our local tour guides, Bette & Jim

Lake Rotorua has a healthy population of Black Swans.

Ohinemutu, & St Faith's church are near a main Maori settlement and some of the thermal activity

A classic Maori meeting house with elegant carvings is currently used by the local Maori.

Near the Maori village is this small park featuring structures & statues typifying Maori culture.

Known of its geothermal activity, we visit one of Rotorua's parks to view the boiling mud & water.

Heading down hwy 5, we stop at the Huka Falls observation area, where some brave souls were rafting.

The large Lake Taupo is an attractive area popular with tourists. We had lunch here.

Stopping at another roadside rest with waterfalls before arriving at Napier for the evening.

The ocean walk area of Napier, a fine Art Deco style town with many such pleasant features.

Just one of many examples of fine Art Deco style for which Napier is famous.

With driving & Wellington behind, we head to Picton on the south island across Marlborough Sound.

We pass the sister ship of this Inter-island Ferry on its return trip to the North Island from Picton.

Just a bit of the landscape to get the sense of the lovely ways the land meets the water in New Zealand.

Keith watches the wake & appreciates the island formations of Queen Charlotte Sound (thoughts of Norwegian fiords?).

This is the first glimpse of Picton as we arrive after a pleasant 3 hour crossing.

The Chateau Marlborough, in Blenheim, our perfect home for 5 days & through the wedding.

Keith takes in a bit of the Blenheim city walk along the Taylor River Reserve.

Another new & unusual plant for us: this one is Marlborogh daisy. We were able to get seeds from Tourist Info.

New Zealand Photo Album - #2 of 4