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
New Zealand
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