C is for Champayne Pool: thermal wonders at Wai-O-Tapu

After Yellowstone National Park last year I was curious to see how I would experience the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland near Rotorua.

Nature is so strange and remarkable that I was completely taken in by the colours and in awe yet again. 

Champayne Pool is extraordinary, the bright orange rim around the pool in such contrast to the grey of the sinter edge. The steam wafting off the pool changes colour too, picking up the pink and yellow hues surrounding the deep, gentle bubbling water - so like champayne bubbles.

It was hot, the sulphur odours quite oppressive as we did the 3.5km trail around the park, burping mud pools, hissing fumeroles, and mostly very peculiar coloured pools - lime and avocadogreen! 

Champayne Pool from the viewpoint at Wai-O-Tapu

T is for Tramping: the Northern Walkway, Wellington

From Wiki: 'Tramping, known elsewhere as backpacking, rambling, hill walking or bushwalking, is a popular activity in New Zealand. Tramping is defined as a recreational activity involving walking over rough country.'

Today we set out tramping along the Northern Walkway. Our walk started in Johnsonville and we set out traversing the hilly crests and gorges to eventually end up at the Lady Norwood Rose Garden in the Botanic Gardens, at Picnic Cafe, where we devoured Cajun Chicken Burgers which were yummy, a distance of 12km.

Tramping the Northern Walkway

Well I certainly discovered that tramping is tough going, steep ups and steep downs, endless sets of stairs and even on the short sections in the suburbs the roads have tortuous gradients!

The route took us through the green belts that shape and define this scenic small city with its big reputation, Lonely Planet has described Wellington as the 'coolest little capital in the world'.

And it is!

The glorious views of the bay and the CBD along the walkway kept us in awe, as did the deep blue sky, the deep pink of the flowering foxgloves, and the ferns with their huge fronds and curly koru's.

View of the Beehive, the executive wing of Parliament from the Town Belt section of our walk

B is for Boxing Day Sales: Lambton Quay shopping

A treat, Peter Alexander Boxing Day sale for pyjamas for all

We shopped until all four of us were exhausted!

And I loved it too, except Craig, nothing fitted or suited him. The rest of us handled the crowds along Lambton Quay in downtown Wellington and the stores were deeply discounted, which makes the effort worth the return.

Shawni and I headed straight to Peter Alexander, a brand and store that I first experienced in Auckland when we were here in New Zealand for the RWC in 2011. It has been on my to do list ever since. I came out with bags of sleeping attire, t-shirts, tank tops, pants and even Twinkle Toes slippers.

I think I could love this Boxing day tradition, especially when Fred surprised me with a belated Christmas gift, a Kindle Paperwhite! So thoughtful and so special. Thank you again.

W is for Wellington Cable Car: a ride to the Botanic Gardens

Wellington looking so fine

The Wellington weather has been perfect, warm sunny days, clear skies, no wind and the views have been breathtaking, so we headed downtown to take the Cable Car, which links the city with Kelburn, as the Cable Car lookout has stunning views over Wellington. And it did not disappoint!

The Cable Car is charming, the ride short and very steep, the tunnel was twinkling with Xmas lights and it was a reminder of four years ago on our first visit to New Zealand.

The stroll through the Botanic Gardens, which were established in 1868, with Shawni and Craig, along the Downhill Path back to the city was a treat, Fred delighting in capturing the gorgeous blowsy blooms, roses, irises, lilies and the seasonal displays.

The summer in full bloom indeed.

Summer blooms at the Botanical Gardens

W is for Walking: a brisk climb to Mt Kaukau for expansive views

Wellington from Mt Kaukau

We started the day with a short, but steep climb to a high point in Khandallah, Mt Kaukau, for remarkable vistas across Wellington, the CBD, Wellington Harbour, and across Cook Strait to South Island which was clearly visible, we could even see a snow capped peak in the distance.

A perfect summer day, light breeze, big blue skies, good way for Shawni and Craig to start their summer holiday.

T is for Tui: a New Zealand native

The Tui, is a New Zealand endemic that has flourished and survived and thrived despite urbanisation and all the issues the other endemics have experienced here.

They have entered the consciousness of everyone in New Zealand, more than any other bird and they are a brand all of their own!

Their droll snow-white feathers on the neck are called poies and give me a thrill each time a glimpse them. The hind neck is ornamented with filamentous plumes, the tui's chortle and chuckle and then break out into amazing song. They can look black but their colour is a shining metallic green with bluish purple reflections on the shoulders.

What a treat to have them in the garden, along our morning walk, I am back in New Zealand when I hear the Tui call.

P is for Pohutukawa: the Kiwi Christmas tree

"The pohutukawa tree (Metrosideros excelsa) with its crimson flower has become an established part of the New Zealand Christmas tradition. This iconic Kiwi Christmas tree, which often features on greeting cards and in poems and songs, has become an important symbol for New Zealanders at home and abroad."

I was so looking forward to seeing these crimson flowers and what they symbolise for Christmas in New Zealand. 

And they are beautiful. 

So here I am, far from South Africa, on Christmas Eve with Shawni and Craig in their lovely Wellington home, appreciating where I am and loving the calls of the Tui birds, it is a perfect day.

C is for Christmas is Coming: a morning in Melbourne

Counting down, 21 December in Melbourne

The Melbourne city centre was alive this morning, packed, buskers, families, office workers, tourists and we loved being part of it. The weather was mild and such a pleasure not to be too hot.

The lights, decorations and activities made me realise that Christmas is around the corner, that New Zealand is calling. 

We ambled along the Yarra River, enjoyed the Lego display at Fed Square, particularly the Lego Koala hanging on for dear life at the top of the Xmas Tree, the window shopping was a treat, the Arcades dressed beautifully, we found pies and dumplings along the way, we road the 35 Tram, took the photo Lee suggested under the Flinders Street Station...

So nice to be part of it all...

We are now finished with the first part of our 3 months trip and are transitioning to New Zealand for a few months.

Wonderful Christmas build-up in Melbourne

Standing under the Flinders Station clock, just as Lee said I should.

N is for Night Lights: an evening stroll in Melbourne

I am taken with Melbourne.
My first stroll around the main spots, Fed Square, the Flinders Station clock entrance, late at night, watching the lights, the peaceful Yarra River, glimpses of the flowers, the water features, the call of the Museums and Concert Halls.

C is for Cricket: an evening at the Melbourne Cricket Ground

KFC Big Bash League at the MCG

Lee and I spent 3 days talking about the weather here in Melbourne, the fierce heat, the strong winds, and then yesterday, the rain came down and the temperature dropped 20 degrees in less than an hour.

Fred and I had popped into a local cinema to see our summer favourite, a James Bond movie. We did this to escape the midday heat, when we came out it was pouring!

Fred was not impressed as we had an evening at the MCG planned, a highlight, as this is a wish of anyone who loves cricket.

It turned out to be a perfect evening. The rain cleared, the weather cooled and it was a pleasure to be out and not a fly in sight either.

Much excitement as we approached Melbourne and saw the Yarra River and the city for the first time, the MCG, the Rod Laver Arena, such well known landmarks.

The MCG is fabulous, the music and atmosphere of the Big Bash T20, the Silver Gulls in their hundreds, mascots and cheerleaders, and we saw some entertaining cricket too. Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder - Jaques Kallis, Kevin Pietersen - the Stars only just lost too.

But the highlight was a Facebook post from Shawni in New Zealand, they had seen Fred and me on TV, did a quick freeze frame and sent it to us!

Such fun all round.

G is for Gum Trees: Australian stalwarts

Some of the tallest trees in the world

One of the pleasures of visiting Australia is to walk among the gum trees, their scale and their variety a real draw card, I was mightily impressed with the Australian Mountain Ash on this trip down from Mansfield to Melbourne.

Members of the Eucalyptus genus dominate the tree flora here and there are more than 700 species!  

They are known as gum trees because they can exude copious kino from any break in their bark. 

The appearance of the bark varies so much and the trees shed lengths of their bark fibres. 
The type of furrowing, the thickness, the hardness, and the colour is all fascinating to me. 

All mature gum trees put on an annual layer of bark, which contributes to the increasing diameter of the stems. Locals tells cautionary tales of the hazards of falling gum tree branches, car parks have a sign too that says 'beware of falling limbs'. So between the fire hazards and falling limbs these trees dominate in many ways.

How I love the names too, like the scribbly gum, and I notice the flowers and the nuts, along the trails. 

I found this pod on one of my walks, the form and colour remarkable.

This post is for Doreen, she too loves the trees.

F is for Ferry: Sorrento, Mornington Peninsula to Queenscliff

We got into Melbourne last night and settled into Lee's lovely home.

Our first Melbourne experience was a sunset outing to St Kilda's to see the march of the Little Penguins as they come in to roost along the rocks of the pier.

So dear!

Our early morning walk and flat white was in Lee's local patch, Jells Park, fortunately before it got too hot; my energy level is definitely affected by this sapping heat, so I walked measuredly and rather doggedly too and was very happy when Claire fetched us and cut the walk a little shorter.

We took a drive along the length of the Mornington Peninsula, a good strategy to keep out the heat in the air-conditioned car.

Fred and Lee did take a quick dip in the gorgeous sea at Safety Beach. As Fred said, fresh and refreshing. At times it reminded us of the colours of the seas of the Bahamas. Unexpected.

The highlight of our day was the Searoad Ferry between Sorrento and Queenscliff.  A 40 minute ride across the narrow mouth of Port Phillip, Melbourne looked so far away in the heat haze.

Gannets were active and so were the flocks of Silver Gulls.

The hot wind was blowing a gale on the way out, we were in the red zone, over 40 degrees but then on the way back it rained and there was a moment when Lee and I giggled about having goosebumps!

Melbourne gets you talking weather.

lld

Wind, heat and loads of pleasure to be on the sea!

Y is for Yarra Valley: visit to Healesville Sanctuary

A hot sleepy koala.

Fred seeing his first Koala! 

The wildlife here in Australia is not easy to see, except for the kangaroo. So we spent a few hours at the Healesville Sanctuary in the Yarra Valley on our way to Melbourne, even though it was very hot to be outdoors. 

Fred loved the slothfulness of the koalas; the quirky platypus entertained us with its own show; the wombat was inert in a cool spot in its cage; even the dingo was flat on its back. But still, it was special to see them all, the bird show went ahead too and was a treat - wedge-tailed eagle, rainbow lorikeets, owls, kestrel, cockatoos and gorgeous parrots.

Rather than wine tasting we headed for an Ice-cream spot which is legendary here in the Yarra Valley and my choice of salted caramel was a win.

I was blown away by the beauty of the Yarra Ranges and the Dandenongs with their towering Mountain Ashes, these trees dominate, tall and perfectly straight, the understory are magnificent tree ferns. The gardens and forest access points were closed because of the fire threat given the 40 degree temperatures but we did do a very short trail from Sassafras in the Dandenongs to get a feel for the forest.