Wednesday, April 22, 2009

To the top of Mt. Taranaki!

Rick, his friend from England and several people from the surgery hiked to the top of Mt. Taranaki. They started seven in the morning and back down at five in the evening. Rick informed Adam the day he arrived that they were going up the following morning.... jet lagged and all.





"Wheats"


These are our friends Adam and Julie. They are visiting for two weeks from England. Adam and Rick have been friends since they met in Africa through the Peace Corp. They will be joining us on our adventure to Napier and then to the South Island.

Art Deco Napier




Kaikoura







The spot to have lunch in Kaikoura




The artist retreat in Kaikoura

This house was really sweet. It was made from salvaged church windows and old train tracks.


Christchurch

A city full of adventure and sights. You can entertain yourself by riding the tram....



walking through the arts market ..........







.....help raise money for these eclectic kids......
...take random photos in phone booths....









......interactive art at the museum......


........walk around the botanical garden and possibly if you have time play a game of chess at the city square.


Beach house at Punakaiki


Pancake Rocks of Punakaiki

Through a layering weathering process called stylobedding, the limestone has formed into what looks like piles of thick pancakes.


Pancake Rocks of Punakaiki




Just outside of Punakaiki


Murchison


Photo taken for our friend David. We miss you.
The guys also went white water rafting here.

Abel Tasman National Park

Nice walks along the coast with little treasures along the way.


A group of hippy artists near Abel Tasman carved images into huge tree trunks. The detail was incredible.


Rick was amused by this sign and had to stop in for some lunch. Lucky for me eels were not part of the menu.

Cable Bay


Father and son hike to the top.

Cable Bay, Nelson

We found the perfect house to build in Vermont. Open and cozy with incredible views from the deck.


Waiting to catch the ferry back home.


The working dogs get to ride in their own private suite.