New entries next week

I am leaving on May 6 and going to Salt Spring Island. It is one of the gulf islands between the mainland and Vancouver Island. Hoping for some nice spring weather and a little rain! I'll be there for a week. I have been a few times now as I have friends who live there. I love the atmosphere and attitude and, of course, being near water. I have not been out at this time of year before so I am curious. I hope to get some good pictures to share.

Pukeka

I just love these - beautiful blue and red, white danger tail. In fields everywhere but in agricultural areas mostly.

Birds

I have really enjoyed many of the lovely birds to see. Here are some (many to follow). We were asked to take these summer visitors home with us.

Need a book?

We are waiting for ever in the Nadi airport and I'm out of things to read. Paperbacks here are $25-30. I spotted a fellow almost at the end of his book. I was watching covetting, and Linda asked if I wanted the book. She went over and asked the young man what his intentions were once he finished. Long story short - I got the book for $3 usa. Not bad. I never would have approached him but Linda had no compunctions. She's very good with strangers!

Last Beach

Driving back from the Bay of Islands to Auckland, I spotted this park with a great beach. Linda took a nap in the shade and I went for a walk on the beach. I was alone for much of the walk and then there were people from the campground. As I wandered down mostly looking at shells and the water, I did notice something was a bit odd. Apparently I missed the clothing optional sign (if there was one) and being in a bathing suit I was out of place! Just one of those places where the locals know the "rules" and the rest of us don't. Beautiful beach.

Happy St Patrick's Day

It is St Patrick's Day here as we are a day ahead of you. There is no shortage of Irish bars in NZ so we should have some fun today. We are heading back to Auckland (slowly) to be near the car rental agency and the airport for tomorrow. We are ready to come home but it will be hard to put away the sandals and shorts! So, cheers to you all and we will be in touch soon.

Almost the end

So, here we are in Paihai in the Bay of Islands and getting ready to head to Auckland tomorrow. The next day we head home. It has been a long holiday and we are ready to come home but we could keep exploring. We liked the van and would recommend it as a way to see NZ.

Some observations:
Food is very expensive and eating out is outrageous (bangers and mash $20)
Twisty roads are interesting for a couple of weeks and then it is tedious
Recycling is almost non existent in many places which is odd for such a small place
Human population: 4 million
Sheep : 40 million
Cattle: 12 million
Deer: (farmed) 4 million
Possums: 70 million
Most toilets have two speed options for flushing!
Most businesses close early afternoon - if you want a coffee in a small town get it by 3:30!
"life style" is the key phrase but wages are so low you can't do anything anyway
Property and housing prices are through the roof
"Life Style Property" is the key phrase for you can't afford it
I don't get it- there are lots of okay spots for sale for millions and I don't know who the buyers are.Shania Twain ownes property where I rode back weeks ago and NZ seems to be the new Calif.
There are tremendous efforts in reclaiming land once farmed and forested and mined. Lots of volunteers and even wealthy doing this for their land (keeps the sheep off). More later.