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Semi live from New Zealand
I flew Hawaiian Air with a short layover in Honolulu. the LGB to HNL flight was sold out. Left a bit late but arrived on time. Good thing I have short legs. Complete with crying sneezing baby behind me. You do get a nice little breakfast and a free rum cocktail which helped. It was a shortish connection by the time we landed and taxied, with a long walk and shuttle ride.
Other than being an hour late, the HNL to AKL flight was good. Seats are actually padded, you get blankets and a cute eye mask. I had both seats in a quiet back of plane row (40J) . I'll bet they held the flight for our bags. Watched most of Season 1 of Resident Alien. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ddadb10e75.jpg |
I'm at the Auckland Rose Park Hotel with a room overlooking the Parnell Rose Garden. My room 210 has a little balcony which came in handy during the cloudburst that just happened.
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Welcome back to New Zealand! Nau mai haere mai ki Aotearoa! Nice to hear you had a good flight with Hawaiian Airlines.
My husband and I have broken up our trips between Auckland and San Francisco with stops in Hawaii several times, though we've always spend a little time on one of the islands. I so much prefer this to the one long haul from Auckland to San Francisco, and I always enjoy a break in Hawaii. By the way, you asked before about Penguin Place in Dunedin. I have a update for you. Last week our local newspaper, the Otago Daily Times, announced the govt. had approved the sale of the 215 hectares farm (that's approximately 531 acres) to "Dwight Haldan and Jerad Boyd", currently of Portland, Oregon, who intend, "to obtain New Zealand residency and reside in the country [NZ] indefinitely." LINZ (Toitu Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand) listed the asset value of Penguin Place and the surrounding sheep farm at NZ$4 million (around US$2,459,011 at today's exchange rate), but the article did not say how much the property eventually sold for. The article said the new owners will continue to operate the sheep farm and "conservation, biodiversification, and ecological development." However, the new owners could not be reached for comment. I would have provided a link to the article, but it was only available to subscribers. You might also be interested in this other Dunedin bird news: https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/s...ross-egg-theft Who does such things? |
Awful and staff must be devastated. I hope they catch the buggers
Had an excellent meal of Blue Cod tonight at Rosie's here in Auckland. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...547317caf9.jpg |
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mlgb -
I'm along for the ride - I was surprised to see this post as I was under the impression you'd given up on NZ due to cost increases, etc. I very much look forward to reading your on the ground report. Enjoy that wine, chocolate and ice cream! |
It was a last-minute opportunity to join a group who had postponed and then had three drop out. Specialized bird thing. Exchange rate not too bad right now. I was supposed to meet with a friend who lives near the CBD yesterday. He came down with a cold so we postponed to end of trip. Who should I see in Countdown produce 6 feet away!
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What a gorgeous presentation of blue cod. We'll be having blue cod tonight, as well, as I found some at a discounted price at our local Countdown this morning, Otherwise, it's been selling for NZ$56 a kilo--I've never seen prices so high for this NZ favorite. The best blue cod I've ever had was at the South Sea Hotel in Oban--super-fresh and baked in a parmesan herb crust (I mentioning this as I know you'll be headed there, I hope their SI blue cod is still as good as I remember).
Those with US dollars are getting an excellent exchange rate right now. Enjoy this! Sadly, DOC thinks the mystery of the stolen albatross eggs might never be solved. |
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Beautiful! Muriwai's gannet colony! Thanks for sharing. This brings back good memories.
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Just outside Kerikeri last night at a new motel, Kerikeri Park Lodge.
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Along for the ride! Always been to NZ in winter, never the summer. How is the weather?
Didn't realise it was possible to stopover in Hawaii. We met up with some people some people from Hawaii on our first trip back in 2008 we keep meaning to gtg but it has always seemed too out of the way. A long way for birds, not so far for a decent bottle of Pinot Gris ;) |
crellston I have been before this late into the year but it isn't quite full summer yet. Rain jackets carried at all times, it's always 4 seasons in a day
We managed a full head on view of a massive female North Island brown kiwi while not far away there were record rains. Whangerai (Wanker-aye! graffiti on the first visit) has a flash new waterside center complete with locavore restaurant "Quay". All orders topped with microgreens and a good wine list (Opawa Pinot Noir Rose Marlborough). Of course I had fish. Unfortunately service took 2 hours for dinner in a packed restaurant. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f8d39574c2.jpg They topped most dishes with a ridiculous mass of microgreens but the fish was good. |
Continuing around Bream Bay to Waipu, Mangawhai for Fairy Tern and then to Tawharanui Regional Park for looks at forest birds and Brown Teal.https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...08b3757454.jpg
Tawharanui Regional Park |
Two nights in Warkworth with another boat excursion out to the Hauraki Gulf. Hopefully seas will be less choppy tomorrow ( we had 6 foot swells 2 days ago).
Delicious dinner at Bridge House Restaurant in Warkworth (Snapper again) https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e23b9fb0d9.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...789595986e.jpg And finally some interesting sorbetshttps://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d161bf2b25.jpg |
Dodging rain we went to several parks north of Auckland and a stop at Waiwera Beach.
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Gorgeous photo mlgb!
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Unfortunately the ferry to Tiritiri has been cancelled for a second day running so we aren't going there:(
Now headed toward Coromandel and the famous Miranda bird hides. Earlier we went on a short walk in Shakespear Regional Park. Lots of the big native pigeons. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...acc5ddf962.jpg |
Consolation for missing Tiri is that we had a third dinner at Bridge House. Main Divide Rose.
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Looking forward to hearing about your visit to Miranda Shorebird Centre. Did you see bar-tailed godwits and wrybills? Miranda has been on my bird bucket list for such a long time. I envy you!
You might enjoy this recent article one bar-tailed godwit's annual migration from Alaska to Tasmania: https://www.theguardian.com/environm...hern-australia Sorry to hear that you couldn't get to Tiritiri Matangi. As you noted in your earlier post, Hauraki Gulf can be rough at this time of year. But it sounds like you've already seen plenty of the same birds you would have viewed on Tiritiri Matangi, so you haven't missed much. Were your sightings of brown kiwi and brown teal at night or during the day? Have you seen any kōkako yet? It's that stunning bird on the $50 bill. If not, keep your ears peeled for their song, which has been described as "mournful" (this is how I first noticed one on a bush right behind me). Tawharanui, which you visited, is also supposed to be a good place for spotting kiwis. I was told so by a young CA woman who'd seen them there on this tour. I, too, was affected by the weather when I traveled to Tiritiri Matangi for the first time. I'd planned to spend only one night on the island, but on the following day ocean conditions were too rough, so salings were cancelled and those of us who'd planned on leaving had to spend an extra night. It was a blessing in disguise as we ended up having the island to ourselves (no day-trippers), but I also ended up forfeiting a prepaid night in a very nice Auckland hotel. While there is no shortage of great-tasting rosé in NZ, as you seem to be a fan of Nelson's Seifried Winery you might want to try their flavorful pinot noir rosé. It's one of our favorites and excellent buy when on sale for $15. |
We did see about 5000 Godwits at one hide and roughly 50 Wrybill at another area. Another highlight was Blue Duck. Unfortunately unless I extend my trip and risk going back to Tiri we have exhausted other Kokako options. It was one if my top three want-to-see species.
We going to Zealandia as consolation which has no Kokako. Last night we stayed in Havelock North in a nice motel (Wine Country Motel). One of the company owners lives here and hosted us for pizza, raspberries and salad from his veg patch and a pour of Elephant Hill Le Phant Rouge ( red blend). Walk in Boundary Hill https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8462a82885.jpg |
Our N Brown kiwi spot was at Marsden Cross near Kerikeri. We probably heard 30 calling and saw two, one huge female less than 10 feet away who turned her head straight at us! ( Normally you see a big butt facing away). Exceptional.
We are at Foxton tonight @ Celtic Motel. Seems newly outfitted (eg brand new towels). My TV is bigger than the one I have at home, there was a Whittaker's square and shortbread cookies with the tea caddy. We had grilled steak and chicken prepared by our guide again as the normal restaurant has decided to close on Sundays. Probably staffing issues. |
5000 bar tailed godwits and 50 wrybills sounds amazing to me! (I'd hate to be the person in charge of counting the godwits at Miranda.)
Very nice that you also saw a whio and two North Island kiwis, including one very large female! Did you see the whio at Miranda? I'm sorry you were not able to see a kōkako. Did you see the other two of your three want-to-see species? Even if you had gone to Tiritiri Matangi, you might not have seen a kōkako. Will you be visiting Pūkaha / Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre? I've not been there, but just read they have both wild kōkako flying around in their reserve as well as one kōkako that could not be released into the wild in an enclosure. That's a nice photo of the forest with the immense tree ferns. Is Boundary Hill in Boundary Stream? I'm sure you'll enjoy Zealandia. |
The Blue Ducks were at Turangi, where they do predator control.
Boundary Stream is north of Napier |
We made it to Picton by ferry last night although getting off was a bother as a big truck had stalled out on the exit blocking nearly every one. At first they said it had broken down but apparently operator error. Still made our reservation at Oxley and had a lovely fresh Orange Roughy dish. Did not realize there was still an active commercial fishery for that.
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Kaikoura today
1) Albatross Encounter 2) Crayfish lunch 3) Feijoa Sorbet (starter) 4)Deep South Hokey Pokey IC (had to be bought from supermarket) |
We went from Kaikoura to Arthur's Pass today with a stop at Sheffield for the world famous pie shop. I have to admit the pastry was spectacular.
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"Albatross Encounter" was that on the menu or a bird sighting??
Now that does look like a tasty pie! I wonder how many world famous pie shops there are in NZ and Oz. Keep and eye out for a "Who Ate All the Pies" pie. Their stay and bluff oyster pies was possible the best pie I have ever tasted (and there have been a few!) |
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Albatross Encounter , followed by https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...82191ad012.jpg Lunch. |
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WE are on the tourist trail now. View toward Franz Josef from Bella Vista Motel.Yes that is blue sky! Every motel has No Vacancy signs up and if your desired restaurant doesn't take reservations good luck. We missed getting in to Alice May by a few minutes due to a Russian group of 16. There was a buffet nearby so we didn't starve. Heard that a large batch of visas has been authorized to help with staff shortages. |
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One night on Wanaka at newly renovated Archway Motel and Chalets. BBQ in garden, with view of their stunning rose collection. |
Is that sunshine in Haast?
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Originally Posted by Melnq8
(Post 17418116)
Is that sunshine in Haast?
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Monkfish Fat Duck Te Anau Unfortunately they sat us at an table in the middle of the bar. Uncomfortable and noisy. Fortunately it was open on a Sunday night. The food was decent and the live guitar player a few feet away stopped 5 minutes early. Te Anau seems to have evolved into a miniature Queenstown. |
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