Pity the place is so far away, otherwise, it would be perfect. On the other hand, if it was closer, it would lose much of what makes it so perfect.
New Zealand is made up of two islands, the North, with Auckland, and the South with ChristChurch and the Southern Alps. Both are wondrously interesting and varied, with enough of everything anyone would would want to see. Great hiking trails and natural beauty everywhere.
The west coast of the south island of New Zealand is as beautiful as any place on earth. You think you have died and gone to heaven. But the north island is nothing to throw away, either.
On the north island, we stayed at a place near Lake Taupo- at the very same where Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip stayed when they made the Grand Tour a few years ago. In fact I was in the same bed the Queen was in. Get your mind
out of the gutter. Same bed. Not at the same time!
There are no clocks here, the better to help you enjoy the leisure pace. How do you know, then, when it is time for dinner? They have a unique solution. Just before cocktails are served, this fellow showed up on our patio:
This place is famous for its fishing. Hard to wade into the water in a wheelchair, so the maitre d’ came up with a neat suggestion: He would book us an afternoon sail on the lake. We could fish (neither of us ever had), and the
crew would cook whatever we caught for dinner. Just to be on the safe side, he packed us a full picnic basket and a bottle of wine. You know, just in case.
He need not have worried. We caught several fish. The captain and his mate filleted them for us, and then cooked them over a small barbie they had on board. Best darn seafood meal we ever had!
We really appreciated being cared for by someone who could not only “think outside the box”, but was willing to go the extra distance required to meet the needs of a physically challenged person.
****************************************************
On the South Island, we took a car from Queensland to Milford Sound, driving much of the distance along the west coast, which we have already described as some of the most spectacular scenery we have viewed on the planet. At the end of the trip is this enchanting view of Mitre Peak:
There are boat cruises around the area. We took one, and enjoyed a most delicious lobster tail lunch while sailing the lake. It was one phenomenal day!
Our son, daughter-in-law and our two grandchildren moved to New Zealand a few years ago. All the rest of our family is located on the East Coast of the U.S., and everyone here figured our kids would be there for a year or two, then come back. Nancy and I, however, having been to New Zealand, knew otherwise. So far, we are correct. Our kids love the natural beauty, the environmental consciousness, and the cultural ease to be found there. Our grandchildren are already "Kiwi's", and we seriously doubt they will ever leave to return to the States.
On the North Island, Read About the Maori Challenge
Up the North Island near Auckland is a museum/culture center devoted to the teaching of ancient languages, songs, dances and customs.
Long ago, whenever strangers came into the midst of the Maori Natives, it was necessary to determine if their purpose was peaceful or not, and so this ritual was developed:
A warrior would advance, gesture menacingly, then throw down a bit of greenery or a flower. Depending on the visitor's response is how things went next.
Having been well coached by the woman you see just behind me, I responded appropriately by smiling and picking up the flower. The warrior got up, touched noses twice with me, then welcomed me and all the other visitors to their camp.
Even though I had been told what to do and say, the fellow and his spear really threw a fear into me. Just imagine: In the old days, if I had not responded properly, I would have been the first to die. See a video of this ceremony. |
