Archive for January, 2008

2008 01 08 – Big Trip – Day 252 – New Zealand – The Catlins

Sunday, January 13th, 2008

Newhaven Holiday Park, Surat Bay, South Island, New Zealand 5825km

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On the way to Jack's Blowhole, The Catlins

A beautiful sunny day in the Catlins began with the knowledge that we won’t be driving too much today. After a hearty breakfast with the grandparents, we took 10 steps from the campground to the beach and went to look for the hooker sea lions that inhabit the area. (more…)

2008 01 07 – Big Trip – Day 251 – New Zealand – Otago’s Penguins and Albatrosses

Sunday, January 13th, 2008

Newhaven Holiday Park, Surat Bay, South Island, New Zealand 5755km

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Moeraki Boulders

The last 2 days were well spent mostly on the eastern coast, in a region known as Otago.

Kurow yesterday morning was bleak, cold and cloudy. Nonetheless we went on a river stroll right behind the campground, just to say we got our morning exercise. We drove along the Waitaki River towards Omaru, stopping once at “ancient” Maori Rock art from the 1840’s. It was hard to disagree with mom who said that her 4 year old grandson could draw better. (more…)

2008 01 05 – Big Trip – Day 249 – New Zealand – Perfect Weather at Mt Cook / Aoraki

Sunday, January 13th, 2008

Kurow Holiday Park, Kurow, South Island, New Zealand 5325km

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Lake Pukaki with Mt Cook in the background

Yiddish Word of the dayShpatziren – To travel. That’s what my grandparents and parents did before they learned to speak Hebrew.

We spent the last 2 days in the Southern Alps, enjoying the views and the sunny warm weather. Yesterday we woke up to a damp and gray morning in Fairlie, but as we drove eastward the sky cleared up until we saw only blue. We stopped at Lake Tekapo for a breather and tasted the first glimpse of turquoise glacial water. At the second stop in Lake Pukaki, we stopped for lunch. The long and narrow lake is the terminus of some of the glaciers starting at Mt Cook and we could see the snow capped peak clearly from our vantage point. (more…)

2008 01 03 – Big Trip – Day 247 – New Zealand – A Family Reunion in Christchurch

Thursday, January 3rd, 2008

Fairlie Top 10 Holiday Park, Fairlie, South Island, New Zealand 4990km

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Meeting in Christchurch Airport

My parents, Abraham and Rachel, arrived from Israel yesterday afternoon and will be traveling with us for the next 3 weeks! Oh what joy for them to see the grandkids. And what glee for Paola and me, to have some adult company and also  to help with the kids. (more…)

2008 01 01 – Big Trip – Day 245 – New Zealand – Canterbury

Tuesday, January 1st, 2008

Top 10 Holiday Park, Akaroa, South Island, New Zealand 4654km

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Searching for Whales, Near Kaikura

Happy New Year!

It’s hard to believe that a year has passed so fast, and that we have been on the road for most of it. Time really does fly when you’re having fun.

The last few days have been blessed with dry weather and we even enjoyed some nice warm days with short sleeves (even Paola). (more…)

2007 12 28 – Big Trip – Day 241 – New Zealand – West Coast and Lewis Pass

Tuesday, January 1st, 2008

Top 10 Holiday Park, Hanmer Springs, South Island, New Zealand 4230km

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Pancake Rocks, Punakaiki

Shabbat Shalom!

The last few days we have covered quite a lot of km in the north western part of the south island. We started on Tuesday morning when we left Golden Bay and headed back to Motueka area. It had rained all night, but by the morning patches of sun became more and more evident. Close to Takaka Point we stopped for a short stroll to Hawkes Lookout, which Shir and Orr did all by themselves. (more…)