Making Plans for the Return to Adelaide

 

David left for Adelaide on 16 December with the intent of finishing up the galley/fridge project in time for my return. Knowing him, he'll work day and night and still not have it finished when I return. He's a workaholic and a perfectionist, so I may have to take drastic measures when I get there to insure he balances work and play. With that in mind, I've begun getting ready for my return trip to Australia.

First, I had to get a new passport. It wasn't until a couple of weeks ago that I realized my current passport expires next summer, so it was time for renewal. Most countries, including Australia, require at least six months left on your passport. Additionally, Australia, unlike most countries, requires a visa in advance of arrival. The application is available on-line and unless you plan to stay for more than three months (like us), it's free (except there's a $20AUD service charge for processing). Though it can take up to a few weeks to process, both David and I got our approved one-year visas within 10 days of our application via return e-mail. It's totally electronic and pretty painless (except for the fee part).

I've booked my return flight from Boston to Adelaide for 4 January on United/Qantas via San Franciso and Sydney. Another positive about David's early return is that he can figure out all the things we didn't order and I have a couple of weeks to gather it all together for my return. I keep looking for positives since this holiday separation is the pits. When he called from LAX, he'd already thought of something I needed to bring with me.

Having worked out all the logistics, now comes the fun part. Though there's lots of work to be done on Cups, we all know that “all work and no play make a dull boy” and a cranky wife. So as Nine of Cups' social director, it's my job to seek out what Adelaide has to offer and make sure there's adequate time to see it all. Lonely Planet has just named Adelaide as one of the top 10 cities to visit in 2014. How fortuitous … that's where we'll be. So far the Cleland Wildlife Park, the Botanic Gardens, the South Australia Museum and the Art Gallery of South Australia top the list of “to-do's” in addition to our usual city exploration. Frog cakes and pie floaters also require investigation. Stay tuned … we're in for some fun … along with all the boat work.

Kiwiana - the Unique Side of New Zealand

 

Since we've just been talking about New Zealand recently, I thought I should mention Kiwiana because it fascinated me. You've heard of Americana … those nostalgic, quirky things that are uniquely American like baseball and Burma Shave signs. Well, Kiwiana is the same, only it's New Zealand's uniquities and they're not usually mentioned on the tour agenda. First of all, let's define kiwi. A kiwi is a fruit (grown in, but not native to New Zealand). Kiwi is a popular nickname for a New Zealander akin to Yank for Americans and not an insult. It's also a slang for a New Zealand dollar and of course, it refers to New Zealand's native kiwi bird.

Before heading to New Zealand, I came across a website explaining Kiwiana. I made a list of all things Kiwi to seek out and once we got to New Zealand, we made an effort to see and/or try it all. It's not like visiting a specific place or doing a particular activity, it's more of an insider's look at what makes Kiwis … Kiwis. Like spotting an endemic tui bird and listening to his distinct song.

We've already mentioned the blue iridescent paua shell and greenstone (nephrite jade) used to create all sorts of Kiwi souvenirs. Kiwi birds, green-lipped mussels and Tui Beer are all considered extreme New Zealand. Ah, but wait, there's more. The Buzzy Bee! New Zealand's most iconic child's toy, the original Buzzy Bee was a pull-toy introduced in the 1970's in Auckland. Nowadays, you'll see this quintessential image as a sculpture in Wellington, a child's ride at the supermarket and, among other things, a child's pull toy in souvenir shops.

If you're in New Zealand in the summer time, look for the Pohutukawa tree. Known as the New Zealand Christmas tree, its bright red flowers will knock your socks off!

Okay, so sheep are not native to New Zealand; Captain Cook brought them. But there are more sheep in New Zealand than people by a big margin. And then, of course, there are all those sheep jokes. Red sheep, however, are not usual … except at Sheep World. They're definitely eye-catchers.

I've never recommended toilets before, but there are some pretty funky toilets in Kawakawa … the Hundertwasser toilets … and you know us, we hate to miss anything. No action shots permitted here.

The big kiwi in Te Puke, Bay of Plenty catches your attention as you drive by. Not sure if it's the world's largest kiwi, but it's pretty big.

In the food and drink category, you need to try an L&P to wash down your “fush and chups” and then have pavlova for dessert.

Take a look at a Billy T. James, Maori comedian, skit if you want a taste of Kiwi comedy.

Though you probably know that Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit were filmed in New Zealand, there's been many more filmed there as well like Avatar, The World's Fastest Indian and The Last Samurai, for instance. There are movies like Whale Rider and Boy that might give you insight into Moari culture.

There's certainly lots more and if you're there, the easiest way to learn more about the Kiwis is to ask a Kiwi. They're warm, welcoming and happy to share.

For more New Zealand and Kiwiana, visit our web page.

New Zealand's South Island - Pt. 2

 

Continue with us on our travels around New Zealand's South Island.

7. Akaroa & Banks Peninsula

The French settled in this little town early on and the French influence is strong. Even the street signs are in French.

The Banks Peninsula, named after the naturalist Joseph Banks who sailed with Captain Cook, is criss-crossed with hiking tracks and offers outstanding views of the harbors and bays below.

8. Christchurch

Christchurch is the largest city on the South Island. We were fortunate to visit before all the recent earthquakes. Residents there are resilient and working hard to recover their city. The cathedral which dominates the city center was severely damaged, but a “cardboard cathedral” has been constructed while reconstruction takes place. There's much to see and do there, but check before going to determine the current status of reconstruction.

9. Picton and the Marlborough Sounds

As you turn the corner of the South Island and head into the Cook Strait which separates the North from the South, the little town of Picton awaits you. It's a small town, but it's bustling with tourists and tours, little restaurants, and great access to miles and miles of hiking tracks. Check out the pedestrian bridge known as “the coat hanger”.

We hiked several miles on the beautiful Queen Victoria Track from our anchorage in Resolution Bay, but there's access from Picton and several other little towns along the Sound. We were particularly interested in this area because of its ties to Captain Cook. There's a monument to him in Resolution Bay worth checking out.

Another little town of interest on the north coast is Havelock, green-lipped mussel capital of the world. If you haven't tried green lips before this, now's the time.

10. Nelson

Nelson is a jewel of a city at the end (or the beginning, depending on which way you're coming) of the infamous Cook Strait. For many sailors, it's a respite after dealing with the Strait crossing. It's the sunshine capital of the South Island. The public gardens are lovely and the downtown area offers museums, lots of shops and a funky looking cathedral.

From Nelson, there's a great drive along Golden Bay to Cape Farewell at the extreme northwest point of the island. Though access to Farewell Spit is limited, the beaches along the way are outstanding with sea lion colonies and bird life. Look for black swans in the small bays and marshes along your route.

In the same area, Abel Tasman National Park is small, but beautiful with lovely beaches and lots of coastal track to hike.

Kahurangi National Park is on the way also. Though wilderness hiking is a big draw here, there are several short tracks to give you a taste of the park and what it has to offer.

11. The Chatham Islands

About 500 nm east of Christchurch lie the Chatham Islands. Though territorially part of New Zealand, they are, like most remote island groups, unique unto themselves. Most Kiwis have never even visited them. You can fly here via Air Chatham. Description of the islands requires a blog post of its own in the near future.

A few notes and things to look for when you're on New Zealand's South Island …

Greenstone (nephrite jade) is called pounamu by the Maori. Though greenstone jewelry and accessories can be purchased most anywhere in New Zealand, greenstone itself is only found in specific rivers in the South Island and has significant cultural significance for the Maori. One important aspect of greenstone – Don't buy it for yourself. Tradition dictates that it must be a gift and will keep the wearer safe.

Paua is a native abalone that's not only good to eat, but the iridescent blue-purple shell when polished is beautiful and used in lots of jewelry pieces. The Maori used paua as the eyes for many of their carvings.

Kiwi something – We saw our very first kiwi bird on Stewart Island and it was a thrill. The kiwi is a national symbol of New Zealand and it would be hard not to find a souvenir with a kiwi on it. From tea towels to t-shirts, you can't leave New Zealand without something kiwi.

Crayfish and green-lipped mussels … I already mentioned them, but man, they're good. Don't forget to give them a try. Wash them down with a Tui Beer or a fine Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

We used Lonely Planet New Zealand as our guide and we considered it an essential.

For a more in depth look at our travels in New Zealand, check out our website.