Author Archives: laurettepayette

1/7/23 – Wonderful Wanaka🥰

Thank you Russo for insisting that we spend time in your most favorite town – Wanaka🙏. Such a beautiful setting and a most amazing vibe. We slept in and then headed out to the Rob Roy Track (hike:). Hiking with sheep surrounding us was fun😊. The wild flowers were beautiful. The birds were singing. AndContinue reading “1/7/23 – Wonderful Wanaka🥰”

1/6/23 – Rainy Day on the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand

This morning we left the “Shining Star Holiday Park” in Hokitika and headed south on route 6 to Frantz Josef Glacier. Our first stop in Frantz Josef Glacier Township was the “Department of Conservation Visitor Center”. The employee/guide grew up in Phoenix, AZ and attended Kenyon College in Gambier, OH. He was so excited toContinue reading “1/6/23 – Rainy Day on the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand”

1/5/23 – Westport to Punakaiki

As we were leaving Westport we saw a new grocery store (Old World) that we just had to experience😊. But before entering the grocery we saw a sign for “pies” that intrigued us🧐. We went into the bakery to check out the pies and found that they all had meat such as venison in them,Continue reading “1/5/23 – Westport to Punakaiki”

1/4/23 – Blenheim to Westport via Nelson Lakes National Park

Left Blenheim via Route 63 passing many of the vineyards (over 150!) and cellar doors (around 37) that are so prevalent in the Marlborough region. Stopped at the Stuleen Cherry Orchard in Renwick to purchase very tasty cherries 🍒 Once out of the lush valley we began our climb to the Nelson Lakes National Park.Continue reading “1/4/23 – Blenheim to Westport via Nelson Lakes National Park”

1/3/23 – InterIslander Ferry Wellington to Picton & Marlborough Region/ Blenheim

A very early morning in preparation to queue for the ferry… camper vans are last to board🤨. A beautiful day to cross the Cook Inlet – sunny and very minimal wind made for smooth sailing that lasted 3 1/2 hours on the Kaitaki. Arrived in Picton at 12:15 pm and we were off to theContinue reading “1/3/23 – InterIslander Ferry Wellington to Picton & Marlborough Region/ Blenheim”

1/2/23 – Wellington and WiFi

Since last I wrote we have had several adventures and now we have WiFi😊. New Year’s Eve was spent in a Kiwi Campground. This proved to be quite the learning experience! We learned about a Kiwi Fob & Kiwi Cash for entering the campground, electric power, washing dishes, taking a shower, and exiting the campground!Continue reading “1/2/23 – Wellington and WiFi”

12/31/22 – New Year’s Eve in NZ🎊

Today began with a most wonderful tour at “Te Puia” – in the geothermal valley (Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley) just south of Rotorua city center (demonstrating 3 Maori crafts – stone carving; wood carving & weaving). It is home to the New Zealand Māori Arts & Crafts Institute and has a state-of-the-art Kiwi Conservation CentreContinue reading “12/31/22 – New Year’s Eve in NZ🎊”

12/30/22 – Finding internet and time to blog

12/29 was a very busy day! Breakfast at the hotel; Uber to the Auckland Domain (a huge park with the Auckland War Memorial Museum, Wintergarten, a Cafe, and lots of trails that we explored); Albert Park; Queen Street (the main thoroughfare); the Sky Tower ( we watched the bungee jumpers! Also saw a great 360Continue reading “12/30/22 – Finding internet and time to blog”