Nelson Lakes National Park

We took a drive to Nelson Lakes National Park, about 1.5 hours from here. This is an area of glaciated alpine lakes in the Southern Alps, the mountain chain that forms the spine of this beautiful country. The water was crystal clear and the scenery spectacular. It was somewhat reminiscent of Glacier National Park. In the winter, this is a popular ski area.

We have a little Nissan rental car. I gassed it up for the first time yesterday. It came to $63 NZD, or about $50 USD. This was for about ¾ of a tank! Gas prices are $1.70 NZD per litre or approximately $5.25 USD per gallon. It’s enough to make you think before you get in the car.

Marlborough Sounds

The picture doesn’t do it justice. This must be one of the most beautiful places in the world. The sounds are flooded river valleys created by a shifting of the earth.

We watched some of the South Island Croquet Tournament today. Some of my new croquet friends are either running the event or playing in it. It is an interesting game that is much harder than it looks.

Chris and I played golf this afternoon. The day was the nicest since I’ve been here; mid to upper 70’s and beautiful sunshine. Christmas and summer seem like a good fit to me.
Happy birthday to Carol Swenson and Steve Eckes!

among the vines 28 Dec

Brenda and Chris missed their connection in Auckland on Christmas eve. They were lucky to catch another flight and arrived 4 hours later. 18 hours of air time and 13 hours of waiting make for a long trip. But they arrived safely.

Christmas day we had a traditional Christmas meal then went golfing! That's not too traditional. On Boxing day, we snooped around the town a little bit, then played golf in the afternoon. The weather is ever changing. It is likely to be beautiful, windy, rainy and beautiful again, all in the same day. It is hard to predict.

On the 27th, we drove to Blenheim about an hour 1/2 away. This is the epicenter of NZ wine country. Originating only 35 years ago, NZ is now renowned in the wine industry especially for their Sauvignon Blanc. There are 34 wineries in this small town. We took a wine tour of 5 vineyards with 5 kiwis from Auckland. It was a lot of tasting (except for Chris - he is legal here, just not interested. What a good kid!). Our guide was very friendly and made sure we got from place to place.

The 28th was a day on the water. After an overnight in Blenheim, we went to Picton and took a boat cruise on the Marlborough Sounds. This must be one of the most beautiful places on earth. The cruise we took is run by a company who has a contract to deliver mail to secluded enclaves on the sounds. We accompanied this mail trip. It was about a 4 1/2 hour cruise that was nothing short of spectacular.

Croquet anyone?

I was invited to join a croquet (pronounced crowkie here, rhymes with smokey) event yesterday. I gave it a whirl and it is much tougher than it looks. It is played on what amounts to a huge rectangular putting green. My partner, Manly (pictured), and I managed to dispense with our foes on 2 occasions. We were undefeated. Of course, I should tell you that Manly is the defending club champion (he got stuck with the American). The sheepish woman in the photograph is one of the losers. Her partner had already escaped for a spot of tea. It was fun and the sun gave me a burn wherever I didn't have sunscreen.

Brenda and Chris missed their connection in Auckland and are arriving on a later plane. They are due to arrive at 1:00pm as opposed to 9:45am.

Merry Christmas to all.

on the deck - 22 December

It was a beautiful day today. This is a picture of the deck at our house. Sunny skies and temps in the low 70's. I played golf this afternoon and the setting was spectacular. The golf course is located along the Maitai River valley. It is really something.

Before I went to play golf, I passed by the Nelson Croquet Club. I stopped in and was invited for a beginners event tomorrow. So, as the brits say, I think I'll give it a flutter!

The Saturday market was really a buzz today. It was obvious that more people are coming into the region because it was much more crowded than it had been . I'm sure the solicitors are happy with that. Speaking of solicitors, I learned another kiwi-ism. What we call street musicians or street acts they refer to as "buskers". Buskers in Nelson must get permission from the shopowner if they are going to perform outside the shop. Maybe that's true at home too since I have never been in the busking business.

hanging baskets, 21 December

The City of Nelson is launching into its summer activities schedule. Tonight and all Fridays throughout the summer they host an arts fair at the top of Trafalger St. There is live music playing and it is a pretty festive atmosphere.

One of the things they do to spruce up the town is to hang over 800 baskets of flowers throughout the city center. The area covered is about 9 square blocks. It's very pretty.

Brenda and Chris arrive on Monday. I'm looking forward to seeing them!

rain 19 December

This is a picture from the "Centre of NZ" overlooking Nelson. I took it on the 17th. It was overcast and threatening rain but it held off until yesterday. It rained cats and dogs yesterday and the creeks and rivers are absolutely rushing today. Anything that was short of water isn't anymore. I met an elderly couple originally from Minneapolis, now living here. They tell me this weather is unusual and will change soon. I hope so. I didn't venture from the house yesterday because it rained non-stop all day. Today is a little better.

The Centre of NZ 17-Dec

I took a hike up a hill to the acclaimed "Centre of New Zealand" today. That would be the geographic center of the country. It's about 3k from the house I've got. Don't ask me how they figure that out, but it just so happened to be on the top of a hill overlooking the town of Nelson and the bay. Something seems a bit fishy...

The summer activities are starting to rev up. I received a flyer in the mail yesterday touting all the summer outdoor activities upcoming such as street music, movies in the park, the Nelson Jazz Festival, etc. It seems very odd to see all this hub-bub around the Christmas holidays for summer events. Christmas carols in shorts is the order of the day.

I couldn't get my flash drive to fit into the computer so I'll post a picture tomorrow. Sorry.

pedestrian friendly 16-Dec

I attended a concert of the Nelson School of Music Friday night. I think it was their end of the school year show. It appears to be something like a magnet high school for music. They played some Tschaicovsky (sp) and Vivaldi among others. It was very well done.
Yesterday I went to the Saturday morning weekly market. Lots of produce as well as local arts and crafts. It is very lively and entertaining. I saw a kiwi fellow with a MN Vikings shirt and cap on. I asked him about it and he had been to MN and liked the Vikings. I also saw a guy with a Badgers hat on. I chose to ignore him. I bought a couple of tomato plants with the hope they might produce something before I leave to come home. It will be fun to watch them and see what happens.
Nelson is a very pedestrian friendly town and getting more so. NZ is promoting walking and cycling for environmental and health reasons. There are many pedestrian crossings throughout the city and ped's have the right of way. Another complication for drivers. Fortunately, I am without a car now and I like it that way!

gray skies 14-Dec

We've had a week of gray skies and off and on showers. I am told this is a little unusual especially considering they have been in the midst of a drought. The picture is of the Maitai River looking back up into the hills of Nelson.
Today was a little lighter and the sun has threatened to make an appearance. I rode my bike to the golf course (about 10k round trip) and played golf today. I managed to rent a locker there and I leave my clubs. It's perfect.
I know that there were no native mammals in NZ. I don't know the exact state currently, but I can say it is very strange to play golf and not see squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, gophers, etc. It is very odd. However, the songs of the birds are beautiful and different from ones I know at home.
I hope you are all well. Good bye for now.

Scott

dogs, cats and DaVinci 13 Dec 2007

Well, after a fews days of observation, I don't think the kiwis have the same fondness for dogs as we do. I haven't seen that many. The ones I've seen have been well behaved and I have not heard one bark! This is anecdotal evidence, but it seems that way to me. On the other hand, I have seen many more cats than I would normally see at home. Maybe the cats just roam free and the dogs require containment.

There is an exhibit of DaVinci inspired machines at one of the museums in town. If you have been to Amboise, France, it's a similar deal. Very interesting stuff from someone way ahead of his time.

The place I'm staying at has only broadcast tv, and that is not much to shout about. One saving grace is that "the Simpsons" is on every evening at 5:00!

And here, if you want to buy lowfat milk, it is called "trim" milk as opposed to "skim" milk. Oh those marketing folks...

Scott

School was never this fun!

I stumbled upon this before school activity today on my bike ride into town. It's hard to tell from the picture, but there are a group of kids on the top step leading a line dance for all the other kids. It was fun to see and the kids were very exuberant.

I was at the post office today and had an amazing thing happen. After standing in line for a couple minutes, when I got to the window, the clerk apologized for the wait! That is empathy I have never experienced in the USA. And I didn't even stand in line that long. What a great place!

For those of you who are cooks, have you ever considered what the correct temperature to bake your favorite pie or bread might be in Celsius? I had to get out the paper and pencil to do the calculation for my bread.

At the grocery store the voice over the intercom was giving some instructions about how to navigate your "trundler" around. I guess this is what they call their grocery carts. Something new every day:).

'til next time...

Scott

It's not supposed to rain here!

Well, they haven't had rain here for a long time but they're getting a little precip today. The golf course was so dry and brown on Saturday it was almost like concrete. The rain will hopefully green things up a little.

Lots of flowers are in bloom. It is like southern CA from a foliage perspective. Very lush, even without the rain. I'm not sure how that works.

Saturday night I was out looking at the stars. The sky is all new since all the old favorite constellations are in the northern hemisphere. I need to get a star chart for the southern hemisphere to sort them out. But, the amazing thing is the clarity of the sky. With very little light pollution and not much other pollution, the stars are very bright. Like nothing I've ever seen before. They twinkle like its some kind of Disney animation. One of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.

I dropped off my rental car today and am going bicycle only. Actually, I am glad to be rid of it. I am scared to death driving on the left side. Then, there was a story in the paper about some british woman who got in an accident and killed a couple motorcyclists and will need to stand trial- they took her passport away! Oh my goodness...

Speaking of driving, the "Yield" signs are a little interesting. Have a look.

'til next time.

Scott

it's Sunday here!

Well, the adjustment to the Kiwi way of things is progressing. It's still confusing in some ways. For example, I continue to go around to the left front door to get in the car, until I see that there is no steering wheel there! I'm going through digital withdrawal. I am so used to being able to log onto the internet at any time to see what is going on in the world. Not any more. That is a luxury I left at home. The CIA news story even ran here though. It must be pretty big.

I spent some time at the local weekly outdoor market here yesterday. Lots of produce, local crafts, food, etc. There were also some local musicians. One was playing a didgeridou (sp?)! At least I think that is what it was. Very (or veery depending on your accent) unusual sound. Picture attached.

I played my first round of golf yesterday. There were some highs and lows, but it was 70ish degrees F so mostly highs I guess.

The kiwi-ism for today is a Maori phrase "kia ora" which is a greeting. I've heard it a few times.

That's it for today. Hope you are all well.

Scott

it's Saturday

Well, I survived my first day here. I managed to navigate the left side of the street, get a little settled, and buy a second hand bicycle. I now have wheels and it seems a lot easier than driving.

There are no internet cafes here! I am currently paying $20 nzd for 4 hours of access. Bummer. I learned a new term on the plane over. That is "sleep rug" which in our terms is a blanket. Funny. I am going to try to add a "kiwi-ism" to each blog entry. Stay tuned.

The little grocery store about 1/2 block from my place has a beer dispenser that you can bring a 2 liter bottle to and fill 'er up. A novel concept in keeping with NZ's keen sense of recycling.

This morning was the weekly market at Nelson. Very fun. Some pictures are attached (maybe).

I will try to upload some pictures. 'Til next time.

i made it!

i survived the 17 hours of air travel and arrived as scheduled. I am wiped out and will probably go to bed early tonight. They are serious about keeping nz clean. They scrubbed my golf shoes!

The flight from la to auckland was very comfortable. It was a new boeing 777 that had individual entertainment systems at each seat. I watched the Bourne Ultimatum and the Simpsons Movie. Both were entertaining.

The weather here is fabulous today. The sky is a beautiful blue. I am typing this at a pay per minute internet site and don't know how to upload pictures yet. Once I figure that out, I'll do so.

So far I've only been honked at once - driving on the left is proving to take every bit of concentration I have. I am about to go grocery shopping at get some food in my stomach. I really haven't eaten anything since about 6:00 am this morning.

That's it for now. I will try to be a little more tech saavy tomorrow.

This is what it looked like at home on the day I left!