Brynderwyn, NZ: By Boat, Train, and Bus

It was a short bike ride to the dock in Picton from our little cove in Queen Charlotte Sound. From here we used a series of alternate modes to get us to the far north of New Zealand. The viewing deck on the ferry is better than any big-screen...

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Moetapu Bay, NZ: Goodbye, South Island

The Southern Alps are the major geographic feature of the South Island. This mountain range controls everything here -- weather, waterways, roadways, and the movement of people and their vehicles. So steep and impenetrable, there are really...

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Hanmer Springs, NZ: Canterbury Tales

For two weeks we crossed the broad apron of land that lies east of the Southern Alps and extends to the South Pacific Ocean. It is generally flat farmland for miles and miles (or kilometers and kilometers). It makes for easy cycling if the...

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Rangiora, NZ: A Love Story

I am afraid my husband's heart belongs to another.  It is not surprising -- she can be really smooth, with a natural style and impeccable taste.  Apparently this passion has been going on for years, long before we were married, when...

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Aoraki Mount Cook, NZ: Stunned

We are stunned by the kindness of strangers. Lee and Frank met us for five minutes in Nelson two months ago and invited us to their home when we reached Twizel. So we contacted them, and they offered us so much. Wine and food, a little house...

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