Today’s trip took around 16 of us on a minibus to three wineries on the Mornington Peninsula, with some other assorted stops along the way. Well done Glen for organising and being tour-guide/announcer. Keeping with the Japanese theme, we finished at the Peninsula Hot Springs, a Japanese-style onsen next to the Moonah Links golf course at… Continue reading Sculpture park, wine tasting, a picnic with the kookaburras and soaking in an onsen
Month: February 2008
Lockley’s Pylon
I was in the Blue Mountains for a conference, and the Saturday afternoon was free time. Instead of taking the official “organised bushwalk” option, a group of us put together our own plan out to Lockley’s Pylon, borrowed a colleague’s car, and drove up Mt Hay Road out of town.
Mangatepopo to Ketetahi – Day 1 on the Tongariro Northern Circuit
The Tongariro Northern Circuit circles around Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe, right in the middle of the North Island of New Zealand. It’s a three or four day tramp (Kiwese for hike), depending on how quickly you walk. The Tongariro Northern Circuit is an extension of the Tongariro Crossing, which is billed as being one… Continue reading Mangatepopo to Ketetahi – Day 1 on the Tongariro Northern Circuit
Namdaemun, Seoul
In 2001, I was lucky enough to have a few days in Seoul. I was in Japan for Eriko’s wedding, and whist she and Aa-san were on their honeymoon, I ducked across to South Korea for a look. I really liked Seoul – I found it an energetic and bustling city with interesting things to see as a… Continue reading Namdaemun, Seoul
To Taupo on a Beech1900
OK, I’m a bit of a plane nerd. So instead of catching the highway bus from Auckland to Taupo, I had a bit of fun and caught a flight instead. The fare was quite reasonable, so I had a 40 minute ride on an Air New Zealand Link Beech 1900 – a 19 seat commuter plane.
24 hours in Auckland for Anniversary Weekend
On the way to Taupo and the Tongaririo Northern Circuit a few weeks ago, Mark, Jen & I overnighted in Auckland. We had no idea that dropping in on Auckland on a Sunday afternoon and Monday morning in late January would mean that our visit coincided with the Auckland Anniversary Day celebrations. The day celebrates… Continue reading 24 hours in Auckland for Anniversary Weekend
Descending the volcano – Mt Ngauruhoe
I just got back from a week in New Zealand, where I went tramping (Kiwese for bushwalking) on the Tongariro Northern Circuit. This is a four day walk around Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe, with overnight stops in well-equipped Department of Conservation (DOC) huts. It’s an extension of the Tongariro Crossing, which is a day walk. … Continue reading Descending the volcano – Mt Ngauruhoe