Our trip was from February 12 to March 3, 2012 with two weeks in New Zealand and one week in the Cook Islands. Most of the time in New Zealand was spent on the South Island in the Fiordland area to visit such places as Queenstown, Doubtful Sound and Milford Sound. Our trip to the Franz Josef Glacier was an added treat before we took the train back to the east coast and then up to the North Island. We very much enjoyed the dramatic sights and the excellent food and wine. All of the local travel arrangements were made by Fine Tours New Zealand who did an excellent job both in terms of the areas to visit and the places to stay.
New Zealand split off from the super continent Gondwana about 90 million years ago and developed as a very isolated ecosystem without mammals. It was the kingdom of the birds, many of whom were flightless since there were no predators. This all changed with the arrival of man about 1,000 years ago along with rats, stoats and other creatures. A great deal of effort is being made to conserve some of the ancient habitats and to revive threatened species but the task is a very large one.
In the Cook Islands we stayed at a lovely resort on Aitutaki Atoll which has a population of only 1,200 and is one of the best Pacific Islands we have visited with a very large lagoon and lots of motus. It has not been highly developed and due to it's genuinely friendly people is one of the little gems in the Pacific Ocean. We also stayed at Rarotonga Island which is the big town with a population of 9,000. We found the people in the Cook Islands to be open, honest and eager to do a very good job of looking after visitors.
The first part of the photo collection is for New Zealand and the second part is for the Cook Islands. I have used flower shots for tranistions to new geographic locations. We commenced our trip at Queenstown on the South Island of New Zealand.
Autumn Rose
Botanical Gardens Queenstown
South Island New Zealand
Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu. Extreme sports capital where even Paulette went paragliding!
South Island New Zealand
Queenstown beach and Lake Wakatipu looking West. We experienced perfect weather!
South Island New Zealand
Lake Wakatipu with magical evening light. The Lord of the Rings movies were filmed in this region.
Orchid
Botanical Gardens Wellington
South Island New Zealand
TSS Ernslaw a 100 year old coal fired passenger ship on Lake Wakatipu is a working relic but does convince one that the advances made over the years are a great benefit to pollution reduction!
South Island New Zealand
Walter Peak High Country Farm. A beautiful sheep and cattle ranch with 20,000 hectares.
South Island New Zealand
Walter Peak High Country Farm homestead.
South Island New Zealand
Sheep being herded by the sheep dog so they can be sheared.
South Island New Zealand
Farmer Bill and his very efficient sheepdog.
Flowers were in bloom everywhere and our weather was lovely.
New Zealand split off from the super continent Gondwana about 90 million years ago and developed as a very isolated ecosystem without mammals. It was the kingdom of the birds, many of whom were flightless since there were no predators. This all changed with the arrival of man about 1,000 years ago along with rats, stoats and other creatures. A great deal of effort is being made to conserve some of the ancient habitats and to revive threatened species but the task is a very large one.
In the Cook Islands we stayed at a lovely resort on Aitutaki Atoll which has a population of only 1,200 and is one of the best Pacific Islands we have visited with a very large lagoon and lots of motus. It has not been highly developed and due to it's genuinely friendly people is one of the little gems in the Pacific Ocean. We also stayed at Rarotonga Island which is the big town with a population of 9,000. We found the people in the Cook Islands to be open, honest and eager to do a very good job of looking after visitors.
The first part of the photo collection is for New Zealand and the second part is for the Cook Islands. I have used flower shots for tranistions to new geographic locations. We commenced our trip at Queenstown on the South Island of New Zealand.
Autumn Rose
Botanical Gardens Queenstown
South Island New Zealand
Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu. Extreme sports capital where even Paulette went paragliding!
South Island New Zealand
Queenstown beach and Lake Wakatipu looking West. We experienced perfect weather!
South Island New Zealand
Lake Wakatipu with magical evening light. The Lord of the Rings movies were filmed in this region.
Orchid
Botanical Gardens Wellington
South Island New Zealand
TSS Ernslaw a 100 year old coal fired passenger ship on Lake Wakatipu is a working relic but does convince one that the advances made over the years are a great benefit to pollution reduction!
South Island New Zealand
Walter Peak High Country Farm. A beautiful sheep and cattle ranch with 20,000 hectares.
South Island New Zealand
Walter Peak High Country Farm homestead.
South Island New Zealand
Sheep being herded by the sheep dog so they can be sheared.
South Island New Zealand
Farmer Bill and his very efficient sheepdog.
Flowers were in bloom everywhere and our weather was lovely.
We now travel to Doubtful Sound
South Island New Zealand
An antique steam train engine at Kingston.
An antique steam train engine at Kingston.
South Island New Zealand
Lake Manapouri with Autumn colors and low clouds. We crossed this lake by ferry to get the the road going to Doubtful Sound
Lake Manapouri with Autumn colors and low clouds. We crossed this lake by ferry to get the the road going to Doubtful Sound
South Island New Zealand
Lake Manapouri with water fall reflection.
Lake Manapouri with water fall reflection.
South Island New Zealand
First view of Doubtful Sound.
First view of Doubtful Sound.
South Island New Zealand
Doubtful Sound from the sea. Named by Captain Cook who had his doubts about it as a safe harbor.
Doubtful Sound from the sea. Named by Captain Cook who had his doubts about it as a safe harbor.
South Island New Zealand
Doubtful Sound in a calm evening light. Note the waterfall on the right.
Doubtful Sound in a calm evening light. Note the waterfall on the right.
South Island New Zealand
Doubtful Sound with rainbow.
Doubtful Sound with rainbow.
South Island New Zealand
Doubtful Sound with amazing reflections. The stillness of the water was impressive.
Doubtful Sound with amazing reflections. The stillness of the water was impressive.
South Island New Zealand
Doubtful Sound: one of the very many waterfalls after a period of heavy rain.
Doubtful Sound: one of the very many waterfalls after a period of heavy rain.
South Island New Zealand
Waterfall with reflected sunlight.
Waterfall with reflected sunlight.
South Island New Zealand
Doubtful Sound evening reflections.
Doubtful Sound evening reflections.
South Island New Zealand
Doubtful Sound: Evening reflections
Doubtful Sound: Evening reflections
South Island New Zealand
Doubtful Sound: Early morning pink light and reflections.
Doubtful Sound: Early morning pink light and reflections.
South Island New Zealand
Doubtful Sound: Early morning light and mist.
Doubtful Sound: Early morning light and mist.
South Island New Zealand
Doubtful Sound with morning light and shadow.
Doubtful Sound with morning light and shadow.
South Island New Zealand
Morning mist and tree line.
Morning mist and tree line.
South Island New Zealand
Reflections and the wake ripples from our boat.
Reflections and the wake ripples from our boat.
South Island New Zealand
Reflections with ripples that are like an impressionist painting.
South Island New Zealand
Trees grow large on the steep sides of the mountains until a tree avalance occurs and nature starts all over again.
Trees grow large on the steep sides of the mountains until a tree avalance occurs and nature starts all over again.
South Island New Zealand
Tree ferns which are common in the region. Note the sheer rock face to which the plants grow on.
Tree ferns which are common in the region. Note the sheer rock face to which the plants grow on.
South Island New Zealand
Fern pattern and colors are such a subtle palette.
Fern pattern and colors are such a subtle palette.
South Island New Zealand
Morning mist and reflections.
Morning mist and reflections.
South Island New Zealand
Morning reflections: Note the mountain peak on the upper left.
Morning reflections: Note the mountain peak on the upper left.
South Island New Zealand
The crystal clear water provides a perfectly clear reflection so we can the brilliant blue sky and even see the mountain peak.
The crystal clear water provides a perfectly clear reflection so we can the brilliant blue sky and even see the mountain peak.
South Island New Zealand
Morning reflections and the wake of the boat.
Morning reflections and the wake of the boat.
South Island New Zealand
Morning mist and light.
Morning mist and light.
South Island New Zealand
Morning mist and light.
Morning mist and light.
South Island New Zealand
Departing from Doubtful Sound. This is a must see for any visitor. To us this was the highlight of our trip.
Departing from Doubtful Sound. This is a must see for any visitor. To us this was the highlight of our trip.
Wild Orchids.
Moving on to the famous Milford Track. We were drenched in rain but loved it anyway!
South Island New Zealand
Milford Track: The easy part of the track which we took for a 5 kilometer hike in the rain.
Milford Track: The easy part of the track which we took for a 5 kilometer hike in the rain.
South Island New Zealand
Milford Track: Rainforest with a South Island Robin.
Milford Track: Rainforest with a South Island Robin.
South Island New Zealand
Milford Track: Rainforest with hanging moss.
Milford Track: Rainforest with hanging moss.
South Island New Zealand
MIlford Track: Tree fungus.
MIlford Track: Tree fungus.
South Island New Zealand
Micro plants with a bright red color.
Micro plants with a bright red color.
South Island New Zealand
Milford Track: Rainforest along the river.
Milford Track: Rainforest along the river.
Flower
There are several unique birds due to the 90 million years NZ was isolated. The birds
depicted below were seen en route to our various excursions and were a major highlight of our trip.
South Island New Zealand
The flightless Takahe which was considered to be extinct but has managed to survive.
The flightless Takahe which was considered to be extinct but has managed to survive.
South Island New Zealand
A flighless Weka bird in the wild at Doubtful Sound
A flighless Weka bird in the wild at Doubtful Sound
South Island New Zealand
A flighless Weka in doubtful sound.
A flighless Weka in doubtful sound.
South Island New Zealand
A Paradise Shelduck.
A Paradise Shelduck.
South Island New Zealand
A native Pukeko that has some capacity for flight.
A native Pukeko that has some capacity for flight.
South Island New Zealand
The Kea which is a member of the parrot family and is a higly intelligent bird.
South Island New Zealand
Reflecting pond with wild Paradise Shelducks. The female has a white head and the male has a black head.
 |
Flower
We now move on to Milford Sound by road. |
South Island New Zealand
Darran Mountains on the road to Milford
Darran Mountains on the road to Milford
South Island New Zealand
Waterfall before the tunnel going into Milford. The single lane tunnel was drilled through solid rock and is the only way in or out of Milford.
Waterfall before the tunnel going into Milford. The single lane tunnel was drilled through solid rock and is the only way in or out of Milford.
South Island New Zealand
Tree ferns and forest
Tree ferns and forest
South Island New Zealand
Natural rock carved by a waterfall: Mermaid!
Natural rock carved by a waterfall: Mermaid!
South Island New Zealand
Top of a tree fern.
Top of a tree fern.
South Island New Zealand
Milford Sound: Mitre Peak is the English name but the Maori name is much more graphic and means penis.
Milford Sound: Mitre Peak is the English name but the Maori name is much more graphic and means penis.
South Island New Zealand
Milford Sound with cliffs that are thousands of feet high.
Milford Sound with cliffs that are thousands of feet high.
South Island New Zealand
Black ocean water due to the high tannin content from the trees.
Black ocean water due to the high tannin content from the trees.
South Island New Zealand
Milford Sound: Sterling Falls with 2,000 foot high Mountains.
Milford Sound: Sterling Falls with 2,000 foot high Mountains.
South Island New Zealand
Milford Sound: The 500 foot high Sterling Falls are very dramatic. This is 3 times the height of Niagara Falls.
South Island New Zealand
Milford Sound: Base of the Sterling Falls shows the poetic motion of water.
Milford Sound: Base of the Sterling Falls shows the poetic motion of water.
South Island New Zealand
Milford Sound: Sterling Falls on a Peaceful morning.
Milford Sound: Sterling Falls on a Peaceful morning.
South Island New Zealand
Milford Sound: Morning reflections of green mountain sides and dawn light for a Monet effect.
Milford Sound: Morning reflections of green mountain sides and dawn light for a Monet effect.
South Island New Zealand
Milford Sound: Morning.
Milford Sound: Morning.
Rose
Moving North to the Franz Josef Glacier.
Moving North to the Franz Josef Glacier.
South Island New Zealand
Lake Wanaka and the town of Wanaka.
Lake Wanaka and the town of Wanaka.
South Island New Zealand
Lake Wanaka
Lake Wanaka
South Island New Zealand
Lake Wanaka: Light and Shade reminds us of a Paul Henry painting.
Lake Wanaka: Light and Shade reminds us of a Paul Henry painting.
Rose
Franz Josef Glacier
South Island New Zealand
Franz Josef Glacier from the air: Morning. Due to warming the glacier is shrinking very fast and will soon be gone.
Franz Josef Glacier from the air: Morning. Due to warming the glacier is shrinking very fast and will soon be gone.
South Island New Zealand
Franz Josef Glacier from the air: Side glacier showing the amount of retreat.
Franz Josef Glacier from the air: Side glacier showing the amount of retreat.
South Island New Zealand
Franz Josef Glacier: Top of the glacier with morning light.
Franz Josef Glacier: Top of the glacier with morning light.
South Island New Zealand
Franz Josep Glacier: Detail of surface and cravasse field.
Franz Josep Glacier: Detail of surface and cravasse field.
South Island New Zealand
The tiny chopper we used to fly to the top of the glacier.
The tiny chopper we used to fly to the top of the glacier.
South Island New Zealand
Paulette with our Kiwi pilot.
Paulette with our Kiwi pilot.
South Island New Zealand
Mount Cook: Morning light. The highest mountain in New Zealand.
Mount Cook: Morning light. The highest mountain in New Zealand.
Rose
Moving from the West Coast to the East Coast by Train.
South Island New Zealand
Tranz Alpine view from the train. Southern Alps.
Tranz Alpine view from the train. Southern Alps.
South Island New Zealand
Moutain that, to me, is very similar to Croagh Patrick in the West of Ireland.
Moutain that, to me, is very similar to Croagh Patrick in the West of Ireland.
South Island New Zealand
High valley in the Southern Alps.
High valley in the Southern Alps.
South Island New Zealand
River flowing down to the Cantebury Plain with lots of sediment.
River flowing down to the Cantebury Plain with lots of sediment.
South Island New Zealand
Cantebury plain and foothills of the Southern Alps
Cantebury plain and foothills of the Southern Alps
Fern: Symbol of New Zealand
We now travel along the Pacific Coast from Christchurch to Picton.
We now travel along the Pacific Coast from Christchurch to Picton.
South Island New Zealand
Coast view that is similar to Tramore in Ireland.
Coast view that is similar to Tramore in Ireland.
South Island New Zealand
Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
South Island New Zealand
Pacific Ocean from the train.
Pacific Ocean from the train.
Flower
We now travel by ferry from the South Island to the North Island
North Island New Zealand
Arriving at Wellington the capital of NZ.
Arriving at Wellington the capital of NZ.
North Island New Zealand
Botanical Garders: Wellington: Gardners cottage.
Botanical Garders: Wellington: Gardners cottage.
North Island New Zealand
Monkey Puzzle Tree: Botanical Gardens.
Monkey Puzzle Tree: Botanical Gardens.
North Island New Zealand
Bark of a Japanese Cypress Tree.
Bark of a Japanese Cypress Tree.
North Island New Zealand
Bark of an Australian Eucalypt Tree
Bark of an Australian Eucalypt Tree
North Island New Zealand
Bark of a California Pine Tree
Bark of a California Pine Tree
North Island New Zealand
Flowering cactus.
Flowering cactus.
North Island New Zealand
Orange flower: Botanical gardens.
Orange flower: Botanical gardens.
North Island New Zealand
Beautiful plant with blue and yellow flowers.
Beautiful plant with blue and yellow flowers.
North Island New Zealand
Heading North by train. Some of the 40 million sheep can be seen dotting the hills in the background.
Heading North by train. Some of the 40 million sheep can be seen dotting the hills in the background.
North Island New Zealand
Mount Ruapehu: The highest point of the North Island and an active volcano.
Mount Ruapehu: The highest point of the North Island and an active volcano.
North Island New Zealand
Auckland which is the largest city and ranked one of the best cities in which to live globally.
Auckland which is the largest city and ranked one of the best cities in which to live globally.
North Island New Zealand
View of Auckland from Waiheke Island which has many wineries.2/29/2012: LEAP YEAR!
View of Auckland from Waiheke Island which has many wineries.2/29/2012: LEAP YEAR!
North Island New Zealand
A Pukeko tyring to find a gap in the netting protecting the grapes.
A Pukeko tyring to find a gap in the netting protecting the grapes.
North Island New Zealand
Magnolia flower with bees.
Magnolia flower with bees.
North Island New Zealand
Cicada resting. These insects were making lots of noise all over the island.
Cicada resting. These insects were making lots of noise all over the island.
North Island New Zealand
Olive trees: note the shape.
Olive trees: note the shape.
North Island New Zealand
Mobile sculpture inspired by the olive trees.
Mobile sculpture inspired by the olive trees.
North Island New Zealand
Sculpture at our restaurant.
Sculpture at our restaurant.
North Island New Zealand
Bovine Mailbox: Bye Bye New Zealand.
Bovine Mailbox: Bye Bye New Zealand.
Cook Islands: Hibiscus
We now move to the tropical Cook Islands.
Cook Islands: Aitutaki
View of the lagoon in from of our suite at the Pacific Resort.
View of the lagoon in from of our suite at the Pacific Resort.
Cook Islands: Aitutaki
Man with spears for fishing and his catch.
Man with spears for fishing and his catch.
Cook Islands: Aitutaki
Pacific Reef Egret fishing
Pacific Reef Egret fishing
Cook Islands: Aitutaki
First missionary church in the Cook Islands: Built in 1828.
First missionary church in the Cook Islands: Built in 1828.
Cook Islands: Aitutaki
White Terns with deep, piercing black eyes.
White Terns with deep, piercing black eyes.
Cook Islands: Aitutaki
Contrast of white and blue and green! White Terns
Contrast of white and blue and green! White Terns
Cook Islands: Aitutaki
Net fishing in the lagoon
Net fishing in the lagoon
Cook Islands: Aitutaki
Cleaning the fish
Cleaning the fish
Cook Islands: Aitutaki
Our entertainment on the lagoon cruise included good music and a coconut splitting lesson.
Our entertainment on the lagoon cruise included good music and a coconut splitting lesson.
Cook Islands: Aitutaki
Islands within the lagoon where the TV show Survivor was filmed.
Islands within the lagoon where the TV show Survivor was filmed.
Cook Islands: Aitutaki
Blue starfish.
Blue starfish.
Cook Islands: Aitutaki
Traditional dance performance for the visitors.
Traditional dance performance for the visitors.
Cook Islands: Aitutaki
Dancers perform for an evening dinner at our hotel.
Dancers perform for an evening dinner at our hotel.
Cook Islands: Aitutaki
Evening reflections in the hotel infinity pool.
Evening reflections in the hotel infinity pool.
Cook Islands: Aitutaki
Amazing flower in a private garden.
Amazing flower in a private garden.
Cook Islands: Roratonga
View of the island with several peaks. Most of the 13,000 national population live on this island.
View of the island with several peaks. Most of the 13,000 national population live on this island.
Cook Islands: Roratonga
Peaks with the bar Trader Jack's.
Peaks with the bar Trader Jack's.
Cook Islands: Roratonga
Trader Jack's where Paulette and I had a drink.
Trader Jack's where Paulette and I had a drink.
Cook Islands: Roratonga
Dancers performing on Market Day in the town square.
Dancers performing on Market Day in the town square.
Cook Islands: Roratonga
Dancer with an infectous laugh clearing having fun.
Dancer with an infectous laugh clearing having fun.
Cook Islands: Roratonga
Plumeria flowers were all around the islands.
Plumeria flowers were all around the islands.
Cook Islands: Roratonga
Evening Pacific sky at the hotel beach.
Evening Pacific sky at the hotel beach.
Cook Islands: Roratonga
Sunset viewed from our hotel the Crown Beach Resort.
Sunset viewed from our hotel the Crown Beach Resort.
Cook Islands: Roratonga
After sunset
After sunset
Cook Islands: Aitutaki
Paulette and John enjoying dinner and dancing.
Paulette and John enjoying dinner and dancing.
Cook Islands: Aitutaki
Lily pond in the lobby at the Pacific Resort.
Lily pond in the lobby at the Pacific Resort.
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