And then we were off from Queenstown back to the North island for more adventures. Here are some views from the airplane (and coincidentally closer to where I was too have between skydiving.)
Our flight back from Queenstown was diverted to Hamilton as there was debris on the runway. There is just one runway at Auckland airport so that causes quite a problem. Or plane needed refueled as well. That delayed our plans to wander around with a rental car as it took 3 hours longer to get there.
On the radio we heard that a 737 from Singapore had to be diverted to another city and that it was just as small. They usually don’t get larger planes like that.
It took a little over two hours to drive to Te Anamuto and stay at the Old School House. It is beautiful and was a school house beginning in the 1800’s. They provided historical articles about the schoolhouse. The owners are friendly and had just made bread and chocolate cookies for us. They also stocked eggs, milk, and butter in the fridge.
We stopped in the town just before to grab something to eat at a grocery store as we really did not have lunch either. We also picked up items for breakfast and snacks the next day. Before eating our dinner, we strolled down the lane and snapped some pictures at sunset.
The next morning we headed to Waitomo and the glow worm caves. As it next stop after that is in the middle of nowhere, I may not be able to post right away.
Here are the rules for being a school teacher in 1915.
I really wanted to skydive from Glenorchy (with skydive southern Alps) which is nothing but landforms and an hour and a half drive from Queenstown. Unfortunately, mountain ranges and the Sea make for wild wind currents and it is often postponed. We headed out again for the second time and halfway there they radioed to say it was cancelled.
I decided to flip my reservation to NZ Zone in Queenstown and would skydive a few hours later. It still offered fantastic views but not the Mordor/Lord of the Rings view I had wanted. I had a little time to find lunch and walk around. It took a long time as there were many bookings and it was a beautiful day.
I had to wait longer than anticipated as this skydive zone is near the airport and their flights are on hold when airplanes are flying in or out of the airport. As it is Chinese New year, there are more flights than normal. I met a wonderful woman from Finland who is an au pair in Auckland. We chatted for a few hours.
Finally it was time. I took the preschool mascot, Percy, with me. Caroline brought him along on our trip but she was not going sky diving. He is having an adventure and the preschool class is looking forward to what he had done. I was a good sport to take extra pictures of him at the skydive center.
They had some games including this large chess set to occupy families waiting for people to land.Watching the people land.He didn’t go skydiving with me but the kids won’t know that.
My tandem partner was Will. I paid for the photo and video package where Will interviews me and films while we are sky diving. As I did not bring a computer on the trip with me I will have to post these separately. I know they make an adapter for phones to use with USB and will have to try to find one of those!
I was more concerned with being on the edge of the plane waiting to jump out but once your are in position it is a split second. I was also worried about the somersaulting we would do initially but it was the easiest part. Once you are free falling the force on your face and ears is immense and a bit disorienting. Once we reached terminal velocity, he opened the parachute and we were gliding. Of course the spinning around had my stomach in knots but it was fun. The landing was easy. They are a top notch facility and the views in NZ make it stunning. One more thing off the bucket list.
Afterwards I met Caroline and we took the gondola up the mountain to the luge track. It was impossible to film the luge while running the cart, but you can see part of the luge in one of the pictures. It was incredibly fun.
On the gondola ride.
We ate at Public near the beach. It was great. Beetroot salad, grilled cauliflower with carrot mash and fried squid rings. They source locally and have local foods. I also tried alcoholic Ginger beer and a nice ale.
The next morning I had to pick up the USB with the photos and video from NZ Zone. I ran through the gardens to the store then back to the Queenstown motel apartments which was a great place to stay. I did not get to hike much for to all the cancelled skydiving attempts but will be hiking back in the North island.
At the airport to go back to Auckland I love how laid back everything is. You easily print boarding tickets and luggage tags and then drop off your bags. Mine was under the 7 kg limit so was able to carry my luggage on. You have to wait if you are too early before going to the gate. This is how they let you know.
You also walk to the tarmac and board the plane there. Yes it is a small airport but everyone is friendly, helpful, and laid back. I really like Queenstown and New Zealand!
After arriving Queenstown and renting a car we found somewhere to eat and I headed to sky dive. We missed it on the renting if this spectacular vehicle.
The panda bear on the roof is Percy, the preschool mascot. He is accompanying is on the trip for an adventure.
Queenstown is beautiful.
View from the plane.
On the way to the skydiving site the company had to cancel the flight due to a horrific accident blocking the road. There is only one road out to the area. I rescheduled for two days later and we were able to start driving to Te Anau where we would spend the night before being picked up for kayaking. It meant we could travel in the day instead of when it was getting dark. There already is a learning curve with driving on the left side of the road.
We also had time to get in a run before dinner. Te Anau is quiet and beautiful.
It was a two hour drive from TeAnau to Milford sound for kayaking. We left the rental car at the hotel and traveled with the tour company (Rosco’s is one of the best). Milford sound does not have residents just the dozens of people who work seasonally there. The kayaking was in the open Sea so much choppy water, frigid water temperature, and cool temperatures.
I took a lot of pictures and videos while kayaking but they are in my go pro and need a computer to get them uploaded which I will do when I return to China.
Yes there actually is a nude run through the tunnel to get to the sound.
On the way back we stopped to look at some of the sights. First stop was a waterfall at a place called the Chasm.
Another few stops along the way.
We drive back from TeAnau to Queenstown and checked into a motel apartments. Here we meet up with some of Caroline’s friends from when she taught in Cairo.
We traveled to the CBD, Central business district, to pick up the ferry to Waiheke Island. It is best to book a hop on hop off tour that includes a ferry ride to and from.
The view from the ferry looking at Auckland.Waiheke Island at the Port of Matiatia.
We boarded the hop on hop off bus at the ferry terminal and went to the first stop at Oneroa Village. This is the heart of the island with many cafes, art galleries, and shops.
Panoramic view of the beach at Oneroa. We did walk down to the beach and dip toes in the water.
We did some shopping in the galleries and shops. Many beautiful things to look at. This island is so beautiful and quiet. It would be fun just to stay here for awhile.
I loved this artist gallery. There are kiwis in a boat!
We took the next bus to the stonyridge winery. They also have Olive trees on the property and the setting is very picturesque.
We ordered wine with a cheese plate that included Manuka honey..
Before we went to the winery we inquired about ziplining. Usually advanced booking is required but we were lucky to get two of the last few spots available. We were picked up by a van to go to the ecozip line stop. This is something I have always wanted to do. It was pretty fun and the company owns the land over an old section of jungle. Ziplining with them helps to preserve the area from development.
The first section over the vineyard.The second section.Getting ready for the third section which was the longest and steepest. This is Carolyn with the preschool mascot she brought with her on the adventure.Others finishing the third section.
After the ziplining there is a 25 minutes walk back where they give history of the area and point out various plant species.
These trees are part of the old section of the jungle that have been undisturbed as they are part of a wet valley unusable for farming. They are 600 years old.Yes, I am a tree hugger.
Onetangi beach was our last stop. Here i waded out into the waves then walked along the beach. I also enjoyed blood orange sorbet.
After the ferry ride back, we stopped along the water to eat raw oysters before stopping at a grocery store to pick up salads to take back to the hotel.
Now to reorganize bags as we will leave some here at this hotel as we fly to Queenstown in the South island for a few days before coming back up to the North island.
I did manage to get some sleep but my body does not know where in the world I am. We are staying at the Holiday inn Auckland airport which is a 6 NZ ride on the yellow bus from the airport. It is also walking distance to the winery. The views on the walk were gorgeous. We actually ran along that beach in the race.
My 10k at the Villa Maria winery was a little slower (59:04) than my usual but not bad considering. The winery is just beautiful. It actually is located in an old volcanic crater.
Carolyn and I before the race.If course we had to do some wine tasting and but some wine. We are staying with some of Carolyn’s friends at the end of this trip and wine would be a great gift.
Afterwards we took an Uber into Auckland and visited Mission Bay. We saw ice cream and my general rule is that I get ice cream flavors that I have never had before. We chose a gelato shop and I had a cone with green apple and pineapple lumps. Pineapple lumps is a pineapple lolly candy covered in chocolate. Both were good and I found some of that candy in a convenience store to take home.
We visited the Michael Joseph Savage memorial. He was the first Prime Minister of the Labour Party and died while in office.
Views from the top of the park.
This is a Norfolk pine. It looks like a pointer but the branches look more like palms.
We then walked along Biddick’s Bay. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon and if course I dipped my toes into the water. It was cool but not too bad.
We stopped at a Good George Craft House to try some local beer and have a bite to eat. I chose battered fish and if course there was fries and fried cauliflower. Not my usual fare and left me very full despite the fact it was not heavily fried.
A good first day and tomorrow we explore Waiheke Island.
It was great that Harlan Chambers was able to visit me here in Guangzhou. He is working on his doctoral dissertation in Shanghai. He was excited to see museums and eat all the food in Guangzhou. Once he arrived he fell in love with this city. It really is a great place to live.
When we had time we toured the area as I still had classes and this is the last week before Chinese New year holiday.
I had not yet visited many of the museums here and only a few in Dongshankou. He did his research! It was nice to see areas of the city I had not explored and especially try new restaurants. Harlan is fluent in Mandarin and made it so much easier though I am happy that I am able to figure out some of what is being said with some of the vocabulary I already know.
The Martyrs Memorial Park commemorates the death of the Chinese communist party against the Kuomintang in the Guangzhou uprising.
Chinese and Korean people and Chinese and Soviet people blood Pagodas.
There was much singing in the park and I love when you can see the love people have for their country and their history.
After touring we realized we were close to Beijing Lu and I thought he would want to see the old temple, Jade Buddha, and eat at the restaurant in the temple. It was tough to only make a few choices to eat and not order too much food.
The Jade Buddha from the balcony in the temple.
Guangdong history museum was very enlightening as I had only a small knowledge of Chinese history. I now know a little more but will really have to start at the beginning to put it together as there is such a long and complicated history here.
Peasant Movement Institute was a school with a united front to assist peasant and worker movements. It brought together the nationalists and communists along with an alliance with Russia in the 1920’s. Many of the former students were killed in the 1927 failed uprising and are memorialized in Martyrs Park. Sun Yat Sen, Peng Pai, and Mao Zedong were key in this movement.
Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall. This place was fabulous with an octagonal roof. There was history of Sun Yat Sen and his influence throughout the works when he worked with other revolutionaries and fled or asylum.
All the building specifications had to be exact to be able to achieve the roofline and make a sound building. In the center is a large theater. Sun Yat Sen was devoted to education and helping common people for their future. This is a lasting legacy to his work as the theater is used for that purpose.
Walking behind the memorial Hall are monuments. Lots of stairs to get to the top where the memorial monument to his life is found.
This memorial is a part of the Yuexiu park which is massive and the largest park here in Guangzhou. We only covered 1/3 of it but it is spectacular and a park I had yet to see. I will come back to look more closely.
The 5 rams sculpture is based on a legend of 5 immortals riding on rams into the then barren land of Guangzhou 2000 years ago carrying sheaves of rice. Once leaving the rice behind, Guangzhou became prosperous.
The 5 Rams statue is iconic
This is the old Guangzhou city wall which is an ancient relic here in the park. I love seeing how these trees will find ways to send roots into the ground. Nature is fantastic.
As it is now a couple weeks to chinese new year, the decorations are now going up. This year is the year of the rat. Displays are impressive everywhere you go.
In Huacheng Square, the pedestrian street I like to run is also creating displays.
The Canton Tower at dusk.
On the way back home we went through Taikoo Hui. It is a very upscale mall and of course we stopped for fabulous ice cream. In the valet area we saw this car. It must be expensive and rate a as everyone was taking pictures of it.
THE bookstore in Tianhe. 6 floors of books and other items and you can find people reading in the aisles…. You will not see this in America.
There is some odd looking good that taste fabulous. This is matcha, black rice, and blueberry cheese.
A Tom and Jerry exhibition in the One Link mall in Tianhe.
At school we had another lion dance celebration which is fabulous. This is long but showed the athleticism, culture, and acrobatics.
After making sure I was recovered and packing for my trip back to China, I set out to explore near the Acropolis one last morning. What a difference two days make. It is warmer, calm wind, and sunny. I toured on one of the coldest days and glad I was able to make use of the beautiful morning.
I walked to the Acropolis and climbed up Mars Hill/Aeropagus which is where St. Paul once preached. What a great view! I noticed another Archaeological site and went to explore.
Archaeological site below.
I did not enter the archaeological site as the pass was expensive considering I only had a few hours before leaving for the airport and included places I have already seen. This is the site of the Roman Agora and I walked around the perimeter.
A house within the confines of the site.
I’m glad to stretch my legs before the many hours flight back to China.
Despite having intestinal issues overnight and lack of sleep, I believed I was getting better and decided to continue with my planned cruise. Once arrived I wasn’t feeling great and saw how packed the general compartments are. It is worth the money to pay double for the VIP lounge which I did.
Places to lay down, personal service including drinks.I did try ouzo which tastes like licorice.
The island of Aegeana.
From the Apollon which is 5ooo BC older than the Parthenon.
Pistachio trees are the biggest produce from this island as well as olives. These are pistachio trees.
Peloppoinase mountains on Athens with snow.
Mother of aegenae statue.
Monastery on the island is just beautiful.
Bones of the martyr Saint Cugat.
Zeus and Aegaena were in love but she needed to be hidden away. Their son is Ercos who became the first ruler. Zeus made inhabitants of the island out of ants as the legend goes. Hercules is the most famous Greek from this island.
We were to visit hydros which is a small beautiful island but tough ranges made docking impossible. At least it was calmer than the day before which caused the tour to be cancelled.
The islandof Poros
The next island was a chance to walk around and visit shops. I bought a pair of silver post earrings in spirals which is good luck in Greece. Here are some views of walking around which I was able to do after drinking ginger ale unsuccessfully which gave me a little time before the next wave of sickness.
A rough day. I slept about 4 hours of the trip and made many trips to a bathroom but still glad I went as it was nice to walk in the sunshine in such a beautiful place! I will have to come back when it is warmer and hopefully not feeling poorly.
After purchasing a hop on hop off tour I decided to walk to the acropolis as it is close to my hotel and the first stop where your ticket must be activated. Along the way there are spectacular sights.
The church of the metamorphosis.
I arrived early and explored the hill of the muses that is near there.
Socrates prison. This is the alleged prison where he was believed to be housed.Polipponas monument. Beautiful view of the acropolis here. An ancient road between the two hills.Church of nymphs Observatory.
There are many places to visit on the hill but most pictures just look like any national park. This actually is an area where people bring their dogs in the morning for a walk. Beautiful trails and a lovely place to walk and enjoy nature.
The Acropolis
This ancient citadel dates back to the 5th century BC.
The Parthenon.
Ruins of the temple of Rome and Augustus.The temple of Athena Nike.Remnants of the sanctuary of Artemis.The old temple of Athena.
National Archaeological museum
The museum is huge and has many antiquities.
From the paleolithic age and shows fascination with male anatomy.Gold leaf death masks and body for children buried found in a Mycenaean site.Aphrodite.Apollo.Hermes.Artemis.Aphrodite and Eros from the sanctuary at Delphi Minoan culture from Crete is evident in pottery and metals. They were revered in Egypt and Greece.The spring fresco wall painting is the only one still existing depicting the Theran landscape before the volcanic eruption.Statue of a kouros. The statue is larger than life and enhances the musculature. A kouros is a statue of a standing male.The Minotaur.Funerary stele from after the Peloponnesisian war when there was unrest and poor prosperity leading to a plague. Many funeral stele were found from prominent families. Here two children have died.Funerary stele. The person seated is the one that died, in this case a young mother.Zeus.The planospheric astrolab. This device talked astronomical movements and therefore also time. The gears were used to line to different constellations. Ptolemy’s astrolab.This sculpture shows incredible detail to the muscles and look on the child’s face. 5th century BCA larger than life boxers arm showing bandages to protect the knuckles. 2nd century BC. The arm was cast separately from three rest of the statue of the boxer.Ancient medical instruments.
The Benaki museum
This museum is beautiful and houses cultural artifacts from Greece.
The inside of the museum is just gorgeous.Wood carved distaffs for the spinning of wool from the early 1900’s.Glass ampullae along the top made from molds. The grape ampullae is beautiful.Poles extend on both sides through the stirrups to carry nobility through streets.The Nativity from the 15th century.Virgin and child from 1400.A reception room from 18th century Macedonia.Lyres and other musical instruments.Bible covers.
After the museum I wandered back to the acropolis to pick up a bus to the Riviera area.
The changing of the guard for the tomb of the unknown soldier.Temple of Zeus.Gate of Hadrion.Mosaic floor of the House of the Roman Mosaic from 200 AD.In constructing the metro they came across this bath complex during the time of emperor Hadrian after the temple of Zeus was constructed. Odeon of Heredes Atticus.
Views from the bus tour along the Riviera beaches. I met a kind Egyptian man on the bus ride. He lives in Virgina and we talked about living in different places. If I would have known that where I was headed to eat would give me food poisoning I would have continued with the conversation with him on three next bus. But my hotel read close by…
Happy New Year! I flew from Cairo to Athens and not only received a complete meal (2 hour flight, why can’t the US do this) but they have away these 2020 wishes as I left the gate in Athens.
I arrived mid afternoon, checked into my hotel, and bought a couple of tours online. I had done some research but did not actually book tours before arriving. Since I have only two whole days here in Athens I chose to use the hop on hop off tour with entrance to attractions for one day. It is cheaper this time of year. I’ll have to start early.
I also bought a one day multi island boat tour. Usually they include a stop for swimming but it is winter now. There is a luncheon and dance show. You can also learn traditional Greek dance. Looking forward to this tour.
As a vegetarian usually there is a choice on airplane food or at least most of which I can eat. Not this flight. There was cheese but also a large amount of meat. One flight attendant found an extra vegetarian sandwich. Since I hate throwing away food, I first offered the meat to those around me, but then decided to wrap it up and bring it to the hotel when no one accepted.
My goal was to find a deserving kitty or dog to give the meat to. There are not as many cats visible here as there were in Egypt.
I started touring places that would not be included in the hop on hop off tour. I found a small church where buildings have been built around it.
Ekklisia Agia Dynami is a Greek orthodox church.
Next is Syntagma Square which is on front of the old palace (where parliament currently is). It is the central square in Athens.
From here I noticed the national garden. I love to walk in nature. I also noticed the first cemetery of Athens on the other side.
On the way to the garden. You can see the snow on the peaks in the distance.One of the entrances to the national park.
I do like looking at old cemeteries and I’m sure I’ll find some cats there. I followed paths out one of the sides of the park to get to the cemetery. The word “oikos” means house which is used to announce the family name on the crypts.
And yes I found some deserving cats for the meat from lunch.
I love the narrow streets that I walked through.
Statues…
The stadium of the first modern Olympic games: Panathenaic stadium. This is a reconstruction from the 1800’s that recreates the ancient stadium that originated from AD 117.
Metropolitan church of Athens. This is an 1800’s cathedral church with Greco-roman styling and phenomenal architecture.
