New Zealanders seem to have a great talent for turning nothing (or cr@p) into something. Remember my post about Centennial Gardens in Napier having a previous life as a quarry? (Of course you remember!!! You probably read the post at least five times because it was so fabulously well-written.) Well once again, New Zealand surprised … More From Garbage to Garden
Although the name “Huka” may sound saucy, this lady is no tramp. Her name is actually shortened from “Hukanui” meaning “Great Body of Spray”. Ummmm, yes, yes, alright. That too sounds saucy. But all jokes aside, Huka Falls is a magnificent force of nature that must be seen and heard to be believed. The Waikato River … More The Lady’s Not a Tramp
When strolling along a remote Wellington beach, I encountered the beautiful and unusual mollusc named paua. Pronounced similiarly to “power” (you can now reread the title of this post with the correct musical inflection), this sea creature is also known as abalone in some countries. Paua is a species of abalone that is unique to … More I’ve Got The Paua!
My mind was boggled when I visited Centennial Gardens in Napier on the North Island’s east cost. Situated along the Bluff Hill Walkway, Centennial Gardens is a treasure trove of flowers and water features. But surprisingly, this area wasn’t always so lovely. A quarry in a former life, these Gardens were created in … More Unnaturally Nice
In the Manawatu region of the North Island is a lov-a-bull town named Bulls. No bull, it really is! What I love about this place is that the town folk have taken its name and run with it. Running with Bulls… get it? James Bull, an English settler and carpenter, was responsible for some of … More A Bull-tiful Town
Whaka-where, you say? Why, Whakarewarewa of course! Whakarewarewa – The Living Maori Village is a uniquely stunning, albeit slightly whiffy, geothermal wonderland located in Rotorua in New Zealand’s North Island. Found aptly along the Thermal Explorer Highway, Whakarewarewa is not only a tourist attraction, it is also the home for people of the Tūhourangi/Ngati Wahiao tribe. … More Whaka-where?
Most people are familiar with the smell associated with Rotorua, but did you know Taupo has its own gassy aromas? Contrary to popular belief, I did not create the stink. Taupo, situated along the Thermal Explorer Highway in the North Island, has an extensive geothermal history including the mystical, lunar-like Craters of the Moon. There … More Smell ya later!
