Big Pine Trees

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We noticed these very large trees on the way to the Hot Springs in Hanmer Springs. It seemed like 20 percent of the trucks on the road were logging trucks. In Christchurch, the harbour was piled with logs and being loaded on ships being sent abroad.

Road Rally

Now you want to see some serious road rally men. These guys brought their cars from England and are driving from South Island (Christchurch) to the north island. Must have passed over 50 cars, all classic ones. They had no trouble keeping up with the rest of the cars and trucks on the road. They all drive 100k and not more as witnessed by the ticket we got earlier.

Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa

This place is only 90 minutes from Christchurch or Kaikoura located inland and only 20 minutes to the ski hills. 9 open-air thermal pools, three sulpher pools (stinkie) and four private thermal pools ( now your talking). You will find the healing pools very hot. 42 degrees right out of the ground. Had a great Hotel. Good Food and the Olympics were on the tellie. Most people only watch rugby or crickett. Who knows about hockey. AS Mel Lastman says NOOOO BUDDY!!!!

Driving south down the east coast - South Island

The land falls steeply to the sea with a tiny ribbon of a road to keep your eyes on. Saw seals and penguins on part of the drive. This view is close to a town called Kaikoura. No, I was not driving backkwards in this picture. It was taken out the back window, yeah and I was also not driving, Brent was Sterling Moss of the trip.

For some of you that read the caption when pulled over by the police, it was Brent driving not I. Like so many of you thought. HaHa

South Island on the way to Hanmer Springs

These hwys are not like the #400, you have to be a rally driver to enjoy the drive. But the scenery is outstanding. Most of these rivers are filled with brown trout.

Nelson New Zealand Car Museum

Brent is checking out the Prowler.

New Dolly

Sorry to say This looks like the only Dolly I could get close to.

This Ripelys Believe it or not.

This is a 1952 sports car owned and operated by a transplated Canadian who lived at 126 Beswick Drive in Newmarket in the 1970"s yep. He is quite a hound. Carries his luggage in the back of the rig strapped on along with a lawn chair with a toilet seat attached. Quite the hurling cabinet. Yeah, the Nwkt hounds are everywere.

Eager Kiwi's looking forward to exploring the South Island. Little do they know there will be a 2 hr. delay as the departing ferry from Picton had issues closing the hydraulic doors. Could of been a sinking ship!

350 passenger on board. They are eager to get to the south island. Little do they know there is a 2 hr delay. Seems the last departing ferry from Picton could not close the hydraulic doors on the ferry.. Heaven knows we don't want a sinking ferry. They might get its wings wet.

As you can see its a BIG water cruise for a very short time. Brent & I met a couple from Denmark travelling in their rented motor home whom we enjoyed so much. Danes are great people.

As you can see the Ship holds lots of Cars, Trucks and Buses. Also Trains but I did not see any. 1/2 hr to load and unload. The Ferry was built in 1983 in Denmark, holds 125 cars, 70 motor homes and 350 passengers. Movie theater on board as well as a full catering for a Hot meal. Also cocktails were flowing.

Islander Car, Train, Bus Ferry from Wellington To Picton (South Island)

Islander Car, Bus,Train Ferry from Wellington to Picton in the South Island.
The seas were smooth, the Ship was packed, and we left on time at 10:30 am sharp. The arrival was 2 hrs late. Yep 2 hrs late. Seems the last ferry leaving could not close the gates. We didn't want the ships to sink so we waited. So we drained the Bar.

Inter-Island Car Ferry to Picton, New Zealand

Tomorrow we are catching the Inter-Island Ferry at 10:30 AM arriving in Picton at 1:30 pm. Its been very windy today so it might be a rough one. I'll keep you posted.

Chinese New Year-Wellington, N.Z.

Lots of floats in the street.

Chinese New Year Celebrations

Today being Sunday, and young ones celebrating the Chinese New Year, the streets were busy with parades with lots of childen dressed in costume for the event.

Feb 14/10 Wellington, N.Z.

Our home for the night.. Great location right on the waters edge, overlooking the harbour, city centre, and the ferry boats coming and going. Very good location and this one has all the goodies to make ones stay enjoyable. Shopping is tooo close!!!!

Not all Campers are Mafia!

Camping Near Rotorua can have many benefits if you park your camper close to a geyser.
Hot water at your finger tips!! You THINK..

Packing Heat at a Camp Site

This group was found travelling in the Bay of Plenty area near the city of Tauranga, North Island.

Mafia Gone Wild Down Under!

Most of the tripper are pleasant. You always find a crazy ones.

Oh - Oh this is not good!

Yes, They got us. They flip the switch @ 4k over the posted speed.

Hot Water Creek & Springs.

Three important dates dominate the history of the Valley. 1886, the Tarawera eruption; 1900 - 1904 when the worlds largest geyser was active 1 kilometer away. just beyond the hot lakelet visible from here 1917, the Frying Pan Flat eruption.

Hot Spots Down Under.

The is a HOT SPOT of Mother Nature.

Too Hot to swim in this Lake.

This Lake is located just south of Rotorua in the North Island. This area has sulphurous steam venting from thermal pools, bubbling mud, & shooting geysers. These volcanic hotspots certainly give you a fascination insight into the inner mechanisms of the earth.

You don't have to Dine out at a Restaurant to have Lamb with Mint sauce. Yep you can sit and watch the Telly with a cold Beer and enjoy the same taste.

Looks like the Stock yards. No its the back end of a Qantas 747-400 loaded to the gills on a 14 hour nightly trip from LAX to SYD. If you have to make that trip I suggest the front of the Bus in a bed.

This is not the real Niagara Falls,

Spent the late afternoon in a small town 2 hours north of Auckland exploring the sights. Ended up in a Restaurant that thought Jimmy Buffet was in town. Jimmy has teeth?

Nice to see the Bondi's have a cocktail Bar at the Airport in Sydney. As you can see the Air Canada ship is set to sail back to YVR for the Olympics.

This was the Big Bird that Qantas has running from LAX to SYD. As you can see the Back of the Bus is very busy for a 14 hr flight. May I suggest the front of the Bus in the upper deck is the way to go.

It was a long night for some of these pax.

Sorry for not working on this File Its been long days and Shorts

Airport Check in was easy but security was like pete & repete. Must of showed the boarding pass 20 times. Got to LAX and jumped on at Qantas 747-400 packed to the gills. Had a bed for the night in Bus. Cl. The only way to go. Arrived in Sydney 19 hrs later.

Doug has NO more Baggage

Today I feel naked as all my clothes are heading for Sydney Australia via DHL. So I don't have to carry a thing.