WHATAROA, New Zealand – The cows are happy, and so are the customers, because Mom and Pop take such good care of them. New Zealand Gothic. That’s the portrait I’ll keep in mind of Caroline and Colin Dodunski, the proprietors of Sleepy-Hollow Farm on the lush west coast. He does the farming, she does the feeding and fussing with the guests. Between them they make you part of … [Read more...] about CALL IT NEW ZEALAND GOTHIC; CAROLINE AND COLIN TREAT THEIR GUESTS LIKE FAMILY
Travel
WINDY WELCOME; NEVER MIND THE WEATHER – GREAT BARRIER ISLAND IS A DELIGHT
GREAT BARRIER ISLAND, New Zealand – The “Lawn Ranger,” as he advertises himself, is oblivious to ominously rumpling clouds while he trims the grassy expanse amid surf-lashed crags that happens to be Claris Airport. A cyclone called “Fergus” is on the way, and this is the last flight in from Auckland “for a few days,” pilot Greg Morris informs five passengers. Plunking his … [Read more...] about WINDY WELCOME; NEVER MIND THE WEATHER – GREAT BARRIER ISLAND IS A DELIGHT
A DELICIOUS DAY IN NZ; A PICNIC NEAR LAKE WANAKA FOLLOWED BY FLORAL DISPLAY
WANAKA, New Zealand Delicious.Everything about the afternoon is just that: delicious.The picnic lunch was served on the sun-streaked and terraced green hillside of the Rippon Vineyard.Vivaldi-on-tape and the resident Chenin Blanc-from-bottle blended softly with the sapphire blue of Lake Wanaka a short walk below, and the big-brothering mountains beyond. “This scene . . . this … [Read more...] about A DELICIOUS DAY IN NZ; A PICNIC NEAR LAKE WANAKA FOLLOWED BY FLORAL DISPLAY
A DELICATE DANCE ON A GLACIER; NAVIGATING THIS GIANT ICE CUBE IS A CHALLENGE FOR A NEWCOMER
FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER, New Zealand – Ice dancing is an activity usually associated with the blade-sliding crowd, currently minueting for gold at an Olympic rink in Nagano. Years of effort have gone into their romance with frozen water, and they don’t have a lot of trouble standing up or waltzing. Of course, their wonders are performed on the well-known level playing field. … [Read more...] about A DELICATE DANCE ON A GLACIER; NAVIGATING THIS GIANT ICE CUBE IS A CHALLENGE FOR A NEWCOMER
GOLD AND GHOSTS IN BENDIGO
BENDIGO, New Zealand — This is an easy-score stopover for wayward census-takers or pollsters. If anybody can find the place, here are the questions and answers: Predominant profession? Mining. Favorite song? “I Don’t Stand a Ghost of a Chance With You.” Favorite movie? “Ghost Busters.” Favorite TV show? “The Ghost and Mrs. Muir.” Favorite book? “The Dan Quayle … [Read more...] about GOLD AND GHOSTS IN BENDIGO