Kia Ora

Kia Ora

Interesting facts.

NZ. or Aotearoa In Maori, means 'The Land of the long white cloud'. It is quite a young country, geologically active, with tectonic faults and volcanoes, glaciers and rivers constantly building and eroding land. It consists of many islands, the main ones being the North and South island. It used to be part of one land mass, Gondwana, and split off 80 million years ago, taking with it its unique plants and bird life. The first Eastern Polynesian settlers arrived 750 years ago, and the first Europeans to settle arrived in 1769 after discovery by James Cook.

As it is a long thin country, there are several climates and micro climates within, from sub tropical in the North and temperate (similar to UK) in the South. The total population is around 4.2 million ( UK has nearly 63 million) of which 1 million are based in Auckland. Auckalnd also known as the 'The city of sails' (due to a high proportion of boat ownership) is the biggest city, though not the capital, which is Wellinton. Auckland’s weather is warm/hot long summers with mild and wet winters. (average annual sunshine hours= 2050. Manchester=1200 hrs) and (annual average rain=1240mm. Manchester=810mm!) most rain falling as heavy tropical showers in the winter months of June-July

Saturday, 5 March 2011

south island tour

a week off work, cheap flights and a Tiki-tour planned of the Upper half of the South island.
holiday route
Akaroa- was a volcano


we had just the first nights accommodation booked and then we'd make it up as we go along. we landed in Christchurch and picked up the hire car. we didnt want to linger too long due to the recent Earthquakes, so we zoomed off to the Banks Peninsula, and the French influenced town on Akaroa. we booked into a lovely back packers there called Half moon cottage, but due to the weather taking a turn for the worst and the grim forecast, we decided to only stay the one night and head West, and follow the sunshine.




walked along the rim- partially submerged at high tide.
swirls of Lava

a long but beautifully scenic drive took us along Porters pass and Arthur's pass highway. amazingly there has been the first snowfall the night before and some of the mountains had a light dusting. the locals said this was unusually early for this to happen
Green gryke, with snowy mountains behind
we saw these amazing stone sculptures and had to make a stop- there was also a cache there would you believe! we had fun exploring these amazing vast sculptures
ant people at stones
jax at stones


Next stop was 'Greymouth'. just to prove to Jacqui that its not as grim as its name suggests, andnot always as we had seen it on TV- grey, and rainy. it was a blue zinger sky day and Jacqui had to admit that Greymouth was'OK'


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