Contents

New Zealand 2011

  26th Aug. - 1st Sept.
  5th - 12th Sept.
  13th - 19th Sept.
  20th - 30th Sept.
  1st - 11th Oct
  12th Oct - 24th Oct
  24th Oct - 4th Nov

Other pics on Acro MCR

 

 

Pictures from New Zealand 2011

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My first backpackers' hostel; Bazil's of Westport. Not bad at all. Only had to share a room with two others for the princely sum of $26
13th Sept: My first backpackers' hostel; Bazil's of Westport. Not bad at all. Only had to share a room with two others for the princely sum of $26
Cape Foulwind living up to its name
14th Sept: Cape Foulwind living up to its name
A weka, often mistaken for a kiwi but it has a much shorter beak
A weka, often mistaken for a kiwi but it has a much shorter beak
Along Cape Foulwind
Along Cape Foulwind
Along Cape Foulwind
Along Cape Foulwind
The weka again. A bit of a poser
The weka again. A bit of a poser
Everywhere is far away, not small
Everywhere is far away, not small
London's that way - 16,286 kms
London's that way - 16,286 kms
Wall Island. It still has native plants which were burnt by Maori and settlers on the mainland
Wall Island. It still has native plants which were burnt by Maori and settlers on the mainland
Pancake Rocks. Impressive erosion
Pancake Rocks. Impressive erosion
The waves were giving it a good seeing-to
The waves were giving it a good seeing-to
Good example of the erosion
Good example of the erosion
Closer view of same
Closer view of same
Blowholes in the rocks
Blowholes in the rocks
We picked a good day to see the water in action
We picked a good day to see the water in action
Another view of Pancake Rocks
Another view of Pancake Rocks
The classiest place in Greymouth. No, really!
The classiest place in Greymouth. No, really!
Driftwood on the beach just behind Hotel Mahinapua
Driftwood on the beach just behind Hotel Mahinapua
The lads playing rugby. Next stop, Eden Park?
The lads playing rugby. Next stop, Eden Park?
Driftwood
Driftwood
Driftwood
Driftwood
Driftwood
Driftwood
There's a lot of it
There's a lot of it
The wind only blows one way on the West Coast. Inwards and hard
The wind only blows one way on the West Coast. Inwards and hard
Our second night's stop. Run by a bellicose old codger of 86 called Les Lisle
Our second night's stop. Run by a bellicose old codger of 86 called Les Lisle
First beer since Christchurch! It's Matsons and more to the point it's the Special at $8.50 for a litre jug
First beer since Christchurch! It's Matsons and more to the point it's the Special at $8.50 for a litre jug
Fancy Dress at the Hotel Mahinapua. The theme was Rugby World Cup countries. Justin as a redneck American. Hayden in the background as a Thai Ladyboy. Maybe he misheard
Fancy Dress at the Hotel Mahinapua. The theme was Rugby World Cup countries. Justin as a redneck American. Hayden in the background as a Thai Ladyboy. Maybe he misheard
Hayden. The tattoos are real
Hayden. The tattoos are real
Jenna, Greg, Aaron, Justin, not sure
Jenna, Greg, Aaron, Justin, not sure
Dan the Welshman as a sheep. This is one of the cleaner photos
Dan the Welshman as a sheep. This is one of the cleaner photos
Me as an Englishman on holiday and Jenna
Me as an Englishman on holiday and Jenna
The South Africans were being African pirates. Apparently. The man at the back is a ninja
The South Africans were being African pirates. Apparently. The man at the back is a ninja
An Argentinian, Elvis, the ninja, St George and the sheep
An Argentinian, Elvis, the ninja, St George and the sheep
An Englishman, an Irishman, a South African, an American and an Arab walk into a bar…..
An Englishman, an Irishman, a South African, an American and an Arab walk into a bar…..
The group photo with compulsory bunny ears
The group photo with compulsory bunny ears
Les, the old codger and Elvis (a Scot)
Les, the old codger and Elvis (a Scot)
Esther, an Austrian, someone with a Spanish theme, the ninja and Jenna
Esther, an Austrian, someone with a Spanish theme, the ninja and Jenna
The pub opposite The Bushmans Museum with a very enticing name. Perhaps it sells Watneys Red Barrel
15th Sept: The pub opposite The Bushmans Museum with a very enticing name. Perhaps it sells Watneys Red Barrel
Another Catholic church - Our Lady Of The Alps
Another Catholic church - Our Lady Of The Alps
A luxurious hostel room with en-suite at the Rainforest Retreat in Franz Josef. Only two of us in it as well. Sweet!
A luxurious hostel room with en-suite at the Rainforest Retreat in Franz Josef. Only two of us in it as well. Sweet!
The winner of the Monty Lookalike Competition. It's not unusual to see cats at home in hostels
16th Sept: The winner of the Monty Lookalike Competition. It's not unusual to see cats at home in hostels
The start of the 2km walk to the bottom of Franz Josef Glacier, having already hiked about 1km through rainforest to get to the river
The start of the 2km walk to the bottom of Franz Josef Glacier, having already hiked about 1km through rainforest to get to the river
The walk commences. Dan is now permanently attached to his sheep hat
The walk commences. Dan is now permanently attached to his sheep hat
The group ahead of ours start up the moraine with their newly fitted crampons
The group ahead of ours start up the moraine with their newly fitted crampons
Looking back the way we've just come
Looking back the way we've just come
The start of the terminal moraine
The start of the terminal moraine
Simon, our guide, giving some tips on how to climb up or down his very steep ice steps, not designed for short legs. I didn't take any pictures of the steps on the ascent as I was too busy trying to get up them. I had to keep reminding myself that at least I wasn't in ski boots with skis over my shoulder so it should be easy....
Simon, our guide, giving some tips on how to climb up or down his very steep ice steps, not designed for short legs. I didn't take any pictures of the steps on the ascent as I was too busy trying to get up them. I had to keep reminding myself that at least I wasn't in ski boots with skis over my shoulder so it should be easy....
That's me, that is, wearing the guide company's raincoat
That's me, that is, wearing the guide company's raincoat
One of many tunnels through the ice
One of many tunnels through the ice
A bit of the glacier
A bit of the glacier
A bit more of the glacier
A bit more of the glacier
Upwards, ever upwards
Upwards, ever upwards
It did get steep in places
It did get steep in places
Lunchtime, perched on a small slope of ice and getting a cold backside. PIE!
Lunchtime, perched on a small slope of ice and getting a cold backside. PIE!
Same slope without me in the way
Same slope without me in the way
We're going higher now. We were on the ice from about 11.30 till 16.30
We're going higher now. We were on the ice from about 11.30 till 16.30
The view down the valley from being higher now
The view down the valley from being higher now
Me in the way of the view
Me in the way of the view
Now it gets narrow
Now it gets narrow
That was a very tight sqeeze
That was a very tight sqeeze
Out in the open again
Out in the open again
A short rest, looking at, er, ice
A short rest, looking at, er, ice
Not sure why I was doing the paws. Possibly to keep my hands off the ice
Not sure why I was doing the paws. Possibly to keep my hands off the ice
Standing in the "Must Have My Picture Taken Here" Hole
Standing in the "Must Have My Picture Taken Here" Hole
And again
And again
The hole without people in it
The hole without people in it
"Now we'll just pop up this incline. No worries!" He's Oz so he doesn't say "Sweet as Bro!"
"Now we'll just pop up this incline. No worries!" He's Oz so he doesn't say "Sweet as Bro!"
Close up of air bubbles in the ice
Close up of air bubbles in the ice
We've just come down that bit.The camera can't do justice to how steep it really is
We've just come down that bit.The camera can't do justice to how steep it really is
The highest point we reached on the glacier. Shame about the clouds
The highest point we reached on the glacier. Shame about the clouds
Me and a girl called Katy who drifted unknowingly into the photo
Me and a girl called Katy who drifted unknowingly into the photo
Me looking very pleased with myself and why not?
Me looking very pleased with myself and why not?
A pool of melted ice. This was near the start of the descent off the glacier which was much quicker and easier than getting up as we took the easy route
A pool of melted ice. This was near the start of the descent off the glacier which was much quicker and easier than getting up as we took the easy route
A vineyard in the Wairau Valley, near Renwick, which grows grapes for Oyster Bay [Shurely shome mishtake - Ed.]<br>[Vic say's it should be 'a hole in the ice', but this is more fun]
A vineyard in the Wairau Valley, near Renwick, which grows grapes for Oyster Bay [Shurely shome mishtake - Ed.]
[Vic say's it should be 'a hole in the ice', but this is more fun]
"Ah yes. Umm, the thing is, I was supposed to offer these to you on the way up but I forgot. Never mind, you didn't need an ice axe, did you? It just gets in the way, to be honest"
"Ah yes. Umm, the thing is, I was supposed to offer these to you on the way up but I forgot. Never mind, you didn't need an ice axe, did you? It just gets in the way, to be honest"
Some of the Way Down was Up. These ropes were very useful but took the skin off your knuckles if they went taut by people hauling on them when you  had a hold
Some of the Way Down was Up. These ropes were very useful but took the skin off your knuckles if they went taut by people hauling on them when you had a hold
Some close-up ice detail
Some close-up ice detail
Near the bottom again
Near the bottom again
The uneven nature of glaciers. And we ski over this stuff!
The uneven nature of glaciers. And we ski over this stuff!
The Rainforest Retreat in Franz Josef. Very nice hostel and a rare moment of morning sunshine which didn't last
17th Sept: The Rainforest Retreat in Franz Josef. Very nice hostel and a rare moment of morning sunshine which didn't last
Mount Cook and mountain friends as seen from Lake Matheson
Mount Cook and mountain friends as seen from Lake Matheson
Lake Matheson with Mount Cook in background. Clouds closing in, unfortunately
Lake Matheson with Mount Cook in background. Clouds closing in, unfortunately
Lake Matheson
Lake Matheson
Lake Matheson from the other end, halfway round a very pleasant walk
Lake Matheson from the other end, halfway round a very pleasant walk
Lake Matheson from a viewing platform
Lake Matheson from a viewing platform
Fern and other rainforest flora
Fern and other rainforest flora
Fern. Would have looked lovely against a blue sky
Fern. Would have looked lovely against a blue sky
Prince Of Wales fern
Prince Of Wales fern
Pretty reflection on Lake Matheson
Pretty reflection on Lake Matheson
More pretty reflection
More pretty reflection
Trees, mountains, cloud. It's New Zealand
Trees, mountains, cloud. It's New Zealand
The absolute highlight of the trip so far. Whitebait Fun Day. Such promise!
The absolute highlight of the trip so far. Whitebait Fun Day. Such promise!
The anticipation grows for Whitebait Fun Day
The anticipation grows for Whitebait Fun Day
And this is it!
And this is it!
The sad bouncy casle in the rain. The kids were all sheltering indoors. And that was Whitebait Fun Day!
The sad bouncy casle in the rain. The kids were all sheltering indoors. And that was Whitebait Fun Day!
Thundercreek Falls on the Haarst River
Thundercreek Falls on the Haarst River
Thundercreek Falls on the Haarst River
Thundercreek Falls on the Haarst River
Thundercreek Falls on the Haarst River
Thundercreek Falls on the Haarst River
Fern
Fern
Fern
Fern
Underside of fern
Underside of fern
Lake Hawea. On the other side of the thin strip of land on the right, called "The Nick" (or Neck in English) is Lake Wanaka
Lake Hawea. On the other side of the thin strip of land on the right, called "The Nick" (or Neck in English) is Lake Wanaka
Lake Hawea
Lake Hawea
Just outside Wanaka
18th Sept: Just outside Wanaka
Just outside Wanaka
Just outside Wanaka
Amusing edifice at Puzzling World, Wanaka
Amusing edifice at Puzzling World, Wanaka
Puzzling World isn't a crossword museum, it's an attraction of optical illusions, puzzles and a maze
Puzzling World isn't a crossword museum, it's an attraction of optical illusions, puzzles and a maze
The Big Green Bus: my transport around the South Island. First one on bagsies the front seat for the best view. With my travelling companions' timekeeping, I've spent a lot of time in the front seat
The Big Green Bus: my transport around the South Island. First one on bagsies the front seat for the best view. With my travelling companions' timekeeping, I've spent a lot of time in the front seat
Pretty trees
Pretty trees
Spring has sprung in New Zealand
Spring has sprung in New Zealand
Puzzling World in its lovely setting
Puzzling World in its lovely setting
Puzzling World in its lovely setting
Puzzling World in its lovely setting
The entrance to the loos. Spot the join. You don't have to use these actual loos, by the way
The entrance to the loos. Spot the join. You don't have to use these actual loos, by the way
An Escher illusion
An Escher illusion
Kawarau Bungy Bridge. This is the small one - a mere 43 metre drop
Kawarau Bungy Bridge. This is the small one - a mere 43 metre drop
Being dunked into the water at the bottom of your jump is optional
Being dunked into the water at the bottom of your jump is optional
View from the bridge. The dinghy brings you in rather than you being winched up
View from the bridge. The dinghy brings you in rather than you being winched up
Ben, one of the Kiwi Experience gang. This is his warm up for the biggie above Queenstown. The Nevis is a mere 134 metre drop
Ben, one of the Kiwi Experience gang. This is his warm up for the biggie above Queenstown. The Nevis is a mere 134 metre drop
Missed him! I wasn't quick enough with the camera
Missed him! I wasn't quick enough with the camera
Down he goes. He chose not to be dunked
Down he goes. He chose not to be dunked
Rose is up next
Rose is up next
Yep, missed her too!
Yep, missed her too!
The loo signs at the bungy place
The loo signs at the bungy place
The lakeside at Queenstown. The gulls are staging a demonstration. "What do we want? Food! When do we want it? Now, Now, Now!" Hold on tightly to your chips or better still, eat them somewhere else
The lakeside at Queenstown. The gulls are staging a demonstration. "What do we want? Food! When do we want it? Now, Now, Now!" Hold on tightly to your chips or better still, eat them somewhere else
Gimme more chips!
Gimme more chips!
View from the lakeside
View from the lakeside
Why has it suddenly gone dark?
Why has it suddenly gone dark?
Oops, I'd accidentally switched it from the Auto setting. That's better
Oops, I'd accidentally switched it from the Auto setting. That's better
View from the lakeside
View from the lakeside
The Altitude Bar In Queenstown. Yes, the one with Mike Tyndall in it
The Altitude Bar In Queenstown. Yes, the one with Mike Tyndall in it
Lake Te Anau: our coffee stop on the way to Milford Sound
19th Sept: Lake Te Anau: our coffee stop on the way to Milford Sound
Eglinton Valley. There are a lot of mountain pictures coming up. You have been warned
Eglinton Valley. There are a lot of mountain pictures coming up. You have been warned
The Mirror Lake
The Mirror Lake
The Mirror Lake
The Mirror Lake
The Mirror Lake
The Mirror Lake
Tree at Mirror Lake. Quite a few tree pictures as well
Tree at Mirror Lake. Quite a few tree pictures as well
Branches and mountain tops above Mirror Lake
Branches and mountain tops above Mirror Lake
Reflection
Reflection
Mountain beeches at Mirror Lake
Mountain beeches at Mirror Lake
Reflection of mountain beeches
Reflection of mountain beeches
A view of Mount Talbot from Monkey Creek which was named after a road builder's dog. The creek, not the mountain
A view of Mount Talbot from Monkey Creek which was named after a road builder's dog. The creek, not the mountain
Monkey Creek and Mount Crosscut
Monkey Creek and Mount Crosscut
Mount Talbot and Mount Crosscut
Mount Talbot and Mount Crosscut
Tree and snow. The snow came right down to the roadside
Tree and snow. The snow came right down to the roadside
Feet in snow. Much of the highway to Milford Sound is an avalanche zone and frequently closed
Feet in snow. Much of the highway to Milford Sound is an avalanche zone and frequently closed
Mountain beech in the Southern Alps
Mountain beech in the Southern Alps
The landing stage at the start of the Milford Sound cruise
The landing stage at the start of the Milford Sound cruise
Milford Sound. Misnamed as Sounds are cut by rivers and this was cut by glaciers. The Sound was originally named Milford Haven by the Welshman who discovered the entrance from the Tasman Sea by accident when he was looking for shelter from a storm. Cook missed it twice in his explorations
Milford Sound. Misnamed as Sounds are cut by rivers and this was cut by glaciers. The Sound was originally named Milford Haven by the Welshman who discovered the entrance from the Tasman Sea by accident when he was looking for shelter from a storm. Cook missed it twice in his explorations
Bridal Veil Falls
Bridal Veil Falls
A camera can't do justice to this scenery, with or without the panoramic feature
A camera can't do justice to this scenery, with or without the panoramic feature
Justin, a South African, little old me and Jenna from Portsmouth. They fell in love on the Kiwi Experience bus. How romantic! Today was their last day together before Jenna flew back to Blighty
Justin, a South African, little old me and Jenna from Portsmouth. They fell in love on the Kiwi Experience bus. How romantic! Today was their last day together before Jenna flew back to Blighty
Bridal Veil Falls
Bridal Veil Falls
Bridal Veil Falls
Bridal Veil Falls
Bridal Veil Falls
Bridal Veil Falls
Bridal Veil Falls with rainbow
Bridal Veil Falls with rainbow
I took my eyes off the scenery for a few moments to capture this French chap's trousers
I took my eyes off the scenery for a few moments to capture this French chap's trousers
Milford Sound
Milford Sound
Blue sky. A very rare and privileged sight at a place where rain falls 200 days a year
Blue sky. A very rare and privileged sight at a place where rain falls 200 days a year
Yarrrr! It's Talk Like A Pirate Day and this is a bit Pirate-like. More so than our white plastic cruise boat
Yarrrr! It's Talk Like A Pirate Day and this is a bit Pirate-like. More so than our white plastic cruise boat
The entrance to the Tasman Sea. Over the water Australians are crying into their amber nectar after the Irish defeat
The entrance to the Tasman Sea. Over the water Australians are crying into their amber nectar after the Irish defeat
It's just so pretty
It's just so pretty
And majestic
And majestic
And steep-sided
And steep-sided
And wow
And wow
Pallisade Mountains with steps where glaciers have been busy over the mulit-millenia
Pallisade Mountains with steps where glaciers have been busy over the mulit-millenia
Sorry about all the mountains
Sorry about all the mountains
Seal Rock with basking New Zealand fur seals
Seal Rock with basking New Zealand fur seals
Stirling Falls which some member of the nobility named after himself
Stirling Falls which some member of the nobility named after himself
Look! Some mountains and water!
Look! Some mountains and water!
Look! Some mountains and water!
Look! Some mountains and water!
A textbook example of glacial striation. One for the geography teachers
A textbook example of glacial striation. One for the geography teachers
Spot the penguin! The first one I've ever seen outside of a zoo or a nature programme
Spot the penguin! The first one I've ever seen outside of a zoo or a nature programme
Here it is again. Those with high-powered telephoto lenses were very smug
Here it is again. Those with high-powered telephoto lenses were very smug
Lady Barron Falls, named after a member of the nobility's wife
Lady Barron Falls, named after a member of the nobility's wife
For those who need reminding that we're in New Zealand. I'd recommend the visit to Milford Sound to anybody. I didn't photograph it while in the bus but the vista that greets you as you come out of the Homer Tunnel is breath-taking
For those who need reminding that we're in New Zealand. I'd recommend the visit to Milford Sound to anybody. I didn't photograph it while in the bus but the vista that greets you as you come out of the Homer Tunnel is breath-taking
 

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