Since Abel Tasman ventured out three centuries or so ago and found the islands where the Maoris lived New Zealand has been forming and norming. Sitting on the Pacific plate it's been grinding its way under the Australian plate causing all sorts of tectonic upheaval recently witnessed as the Feb 2011 quake in Christchurch. Decimated city center which now after 3 years is like a Hollywood set of a WW II city hit by the Luftwaffe. We walked to get a bite from one of the restaurants that operates out of a shipping container - there is a whole mall built out of these. Surreal yet somehow in a odd way a testament to human resilience.
On our journey into the islands which officially began in Auckland on the northern of two main islands, took us through some mild but delicately perfumed Rotorua - home to the famous geo-thermal valley of Wakarewarewa. I bet some Sufi passed through at some point exclaiming praise for what he must have seen...or smelt..sulfur in the air....wa re wa.
Then onto the capital city of Wellington at the very southern tip of the north island by overnight bus. Not the best sleep we have had but it saves time that you can spend watching other interesting places.
It's their second largest city built amidst the backdrop of a hill and the Cook straits which is a body of water connecting the Tasman sea to the South Pacific. Pretty views from the top of the hill which we railed up on a historic funicular. Then amble down through the botanical garden to city center where you can get a tour of the government building.
Idea was to let commoners see whether their appointees were actually doing work. Also got to see some royal chairs and more royal silliness like the Ceremonial Mace that is carried by the speaker of the house. Stairs up and down were a Royal pain too.
One or two minor observations of the land - no crows to be seen or heard which makes for a somewhat quiet ambience along with the fact that these folk don't drive much anywhere but walk. And walk fast .. None of the cities we visited appear too vast or complicated but when the natives speak it's a verbal challenge to figure out how the queen got along on her visits.
Kiwi as the locals are called use a distinct accent and I even think language to communicate with fellow beings. On a scenic train ride from Picton on the South Island to Christchurch, further south along the east coast the train conductor kept encouraging new passengers to 'chicken' to the cafe car for some half priced 'feud' and the departing passengers to 'cheek' under their seats.
On our journey into the islands which officially began in Auckland on the northern of two main islands, took us through some mild but delicately perfumed Rotorua - home to the famous geo-thermal valley of Wakarewarewa. I bet some Sufi passed through at some point exclaiming praise for what he must have seen...or smelt..sulfur in the air....wa re wa.
Then onto the capital city of Wellington at the very southern tip of the north island by overnight bus. Not the best sleep we have had but it saves time that you can spend watching other interesting places.
It's their second largest city built amidst the backdrop of a hill and the Cook straits which is a body of water connecting the Tasman sea to the South Pacific. Pretty views from the top of the hill which we railed up on a historic funicular. Then amble down through the botanical garden to city center where you can get a tour of the government building.
Idea was to let commoners see whether their appointees were actually doing work. Also got to see some royal chairs and more royal silliness like the Ceremonial Mace that is carried by the speaker of the house. Stairs up and down were a Royal pain too.
One or two minor observations of the land - no crows to be seen or heard which makes for a somewhat quiet ambience along with the fact that these folk don't drive much anywhere but walk. And walk fast .. None of the cities we visited appear too vast or complicated but when the natives speak it's a verbal challenge to figure out how the queen got along on her visits.
Kiwi as the locals are called use a distinct accent and I even think language to communicate with fellow beings. On a scenic train ride from Picton on the South Island to Christchurch, further south along the east coast the train conductor kept encouraging new passengers to 'chicken' to the cafe car for some half priced 'feud' and the departing passengers to 'cheek' under their seats.
feud sounds like the Southern (Carolina) accent to me. Other gems are heels for hills, skaa for sky, and some more that I'll blog about if I remember them.
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