Tramping New Zealand

Hiking, trekking or tramping, whatever you call it, New Zealand does it best. If you were not a hiker before you visit New Zealand, undoubtedly you will be one when you leave.

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First 2021 Postcard is Overdue

If you enjoy wine, you have heard about the Marlborough region in New Zealand. Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is on the map. A week wine tasting in New Zealand proved to not be enough.

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Happy New Year’s from the Southern Hemisphere

Usually in my year end postcard I brag about the number of countries we have visited (and there are a lot); and I count up the miles traveled (and there are a lot). The number of hotels we have slept in (again, a lot). This year is going to be different, although we have never felt luckier. We covered two countries in 2020: Australia and New Zealand. We were not on even one train (our preferred mode of travel). There were a lot of hotels, and holiday rentals. We rented one car, and we are still in it; we should have brought the thing.

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Christmas and America’s Cup in New Zealand

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Dairy, Seafood and Tramping

Tour of a commercial dairy, kayaking, an arduous hike, and meeting and making new kiwi friends are just a few things that have happened to us this week

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Kia Ora from the most Southerly Civilization

One of the secrets to our travel is a blend of tourist activities, all the must-do’s, and getting off the beaten track. Lots of tourists think they get off the beaten track: they walk a street parallel to the main tourist drag and think they have “gone native”. True the street over will be less touristy, less ambiance, and probably cheaper, while often better food. Good on you. But to get way off the tourist track, our formula is house sitting.

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Rodeos, sheepdogs, earthquakes, and Guy Fawkes

Housesitting in New Zealand offers opportunities to live like a local. Here most locals are farmers, so we are getting our feet wet. Sometimes literally, taking care of farm animals.

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Spring has Sprung in New Zealand

Our extended vacation in New Zealand has allowed us to witness many changes. But nothing better than the emergence of Spring.

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We have a new winner

We were advised that this trail is not for the faint of heart. That it is for experienced riders only; expect narrow trails, steep long inclines, hazards and shear drop offs. OK, so we expected a cliff, some narrow trails and some rocks, but probably not at the same time, and probably not all of the time. Noooo. This trail was definitely not oversold.

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We were only joking!

For the past six months we have described our situation as “Stuck in New Zealand”. But to be honest, we have been more than happy to be here; and we really thought we could leave if we wanted to do so. Well… we can’t. What?? Seems as though when every country on earth says “No US citizens”, they mean it.

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