Tag Archives: New Zealand
Outside Inside – Weekly Photo Challenge – Container
Dear Friends, Judging by the labels on the outside of these containers, the contents might be a little unusual and you would be forgiven for thinking that New Zealanders make some very strange choices when it comes to food. But have a look inside and you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise. Don’t judge these containers …
The Heat Is On
Dear Friends, Strange things have been happening in Kuirau Park in the centre of Rotorua. First I saw this sign. What’s so dangerous about thermals? I wear my thermal underwear all the time in winter! Then I noticed steam rising from the water of this lake. The water looked so inviting, like a giant hot tub. It was crystal clear …
Sweet About Me
Dear Friends, My trusty Pocket Oxford Dictionary defines the meaning of the word ‘remarkable’ as exceptional or worth noting. From the outside, The Remarkable Sweet Shop in Arrowtown didn’t look all that exceptional, but once inside I was overwhelmed by the amazing selection of sweet treats. There was fudge, in flavours from passionfruit to hokey pokey …
On Top Of The World – Weekly Photo Challenge – On Top
Dear Friends, I love the thrill of coming across a pile of Travellers’ Stones. You know, the ones where travellers add to the pile as they go past. I always wonder about the people who’ve come this way before me. Some piles are small and stout, ready for the next stone to be added on top. …
Happiness Is Egg Shaped – Weekly Photo Challenge – Beginning
Dear Friends, An egg is the symbol of new life and new beginnings. Did you know that an adult chicken is 5.6 times longer than its egg and an adult ostrich is 11.6 times longer than its egg? An adult male salt water crocodile averages 5 metres in length while its egg is only 8 centimetres long. That makes …
Play That Funky Music – Weekly Photo Challenge – Grand
Dear Friends, You’ve all heard of grand pianos, but I bet you’ve never seen one quite as grand as this! It’s in the beautiful garden of The Giant’s House in Akaroa. I could have played all day! Justin.
Ice Ice Baby – Weekly Photo Challenge – Let There Be Light
Dear Friends, I’m not your ordinary beaver, as you’ve probably noticed, and one of the beaver-ish things I don’t do is venture underground. Sometimes though an opportunity too good to turn down presents itself and I take up the challenge. I was on Fox Glacier with Dean of Fox Glacier Guiding when he discovered a …
Skyhigh
Dear Friends, Given that I’m a high altitude beaver from the Bavarian Alps it’s only natural that I would enjoy heights. But there has to be a limit, even for me, and I reached that limit at Skyswing Rotorua. I watched as those foolhardy enough to try this ride were slowly raised to a height …
Walking in the Air – Weekly Photo Challenge – Infinite
Dear Friends, The mighty Matukituki River flows through the Mt Aspiring National Park in the South Island of New Zealand. The river is fed by ice melt from Rob Roy Glacier so even for a hardy beaver swimming across is not an option. Luckily there is a suspension bridge across the frigid, raging torrent. …
Count On Me
Dear Friends, With my background as a member of the Bavarian Mountain Rescue Service I am definitely an outdoors type of beaver. That’s why I’m such a big fan of Bear Grylls. He always knows just what to do in any situation and his survival skills are amazing. To upgrade my own survival skills to …
The Adventures of Justin Beaver 