Author archive
2 April 2021
Today we head from Hanmer to Timaru, a four-hour journey via Christchurch. We set off after some muesli, fruit and milk at the hostel. The drive was all good but as we approached Christchurch, we were shocked by the exodus of vehicles from the city. It made us so pleased that we had left the […]
1 April 2021
Honda NSX Despite being on holiday, we needed to be out of the house at 0800. Kim was helping a friend out with a pre-purchase inspection of a Honda NSX. We had to go to Belfast to meet a mechanic who then sent his apprentice to lead us to an old chicken farm in Rangiora […]
31 March 2021
At Christchurch, we picked up our rental car and drove to a friend’s place for a late/light lunch. We stopped at Copenhagen Bakery along the way to buy a few bits to bring along. Fortunately, we didn’t buy too much because our host was well prepared with food already. After a good catch-up, we continued […]
31 March 2021
We were meant to fly to Christchurch today as part of a roadtrip to Blenheim for the Omaka airshow. But the airshow got cancelled, not so much due to Covid-19 but the uncertainty and possibility of having a lockdown. And that’s despite New Zealand having hardly any community transmission for many months. Despite the airshow […]
22 March 2021
Kim needed to go to Hamilton to look at a car he was interested in purchasing. I decided it would be a good opportunity to go visit Hamilton Gardens. We would go in one car and come back separately if he does end up buying the car (which he did). It was a 90 min […]
13 January 2021
Having gone to the sleep with the curtains open I woke at 0540, over an hour before my alarm. I had planned to start driving to Nelson airport at 0800 in time for my 1125 standby flight back to Auckland. Knowing that making it to the airport for the earlier flight possibility at 1000 seemed […]
12 January 2021
Last day Today is my last day in Takaka before flying home tomorrow. I wanted to make the most of it, especially with the stunning weather. Wharariki Beach had been highly recommended but it is only worthwhile visiting within 2h each way of the low tide time of about 1600. That gave me a relaxing […]
11 January 2021
Note: All photos on this page have not been manually edited or enhanced (except for the one as indicated) because they were rather stunning already! Sea-kayaking I had put off my sea-kayaking here until the weather was good. When I was satisfied with yesterday’s weather and the forecast had indicated that today would be good, […]
10 January 2021
Note: All photos on this page have not been manually edited or enhanced because they were rather stunning already! Labyrinth Rocks Today, the weather turned glorious and remained so for the rest of my stay at Takaka. How lucky for me. I started the day with some yoga in the dining room before taking my […]
9 January 2021
Above: Wood-fired outdoor bath at my accommodation. With damp and changeable weather, I deferred my sight-seeing plans and went to the supermarket. I got some canned tuna, tomatoes, cucumber and a fake baguette for my next few meals. Supermarket baguettes in New Zealand are just ordinary bread in a different shape. But it was probably […]