Budget Cabins, Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park, New Zealand

Taken with Canon powershot A75, dated Nov 2004


A container with a small kitchen, and in front of kitchen's basin is two windows that allow natural light in. The cabin contain beds, a heater, electric jug and microwave. Except that each cabin share the communal toilets and showers. However it was a simple basic accommodation that we spent a night in Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park. It was a great experience especially in the chilly night, really.

Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park situated on the south shore of Te Anau township and Lake Te Anau. Te Anau town is a convenient base for exploring Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound and the Great Walks.

Puzzling World, Wanaka, Otago, New Zealand

Taken with Canon powershot A75, dated Nov 2004


The Puzzling World of Stuart Landsborough, located near Lake Wanaka, about 2km from the lakefront, in the South Island of New Zealand. It is an interesting place for everyone from children to adults. Puzzling World features "The Great Maze", the first of the world's modern-style mazes. It is two storey maze and has 1.5 km of confusing passages.

Outside of the Puzzling World building with the "Leaning Tower of Wanaka". This tower leans at an angle of 53 degrees to the ground and balances on one corner. The clock on the tower actually runs backwards. It was started on the stroke of the millennium and is ticking backwards into the 20th century.

Puzzling World also offering an incredible Illusion rooms, a puzzle centre and cafe, a large gift shop and eccentric architecture and oddities. Besides, there is a mural of the Roman-style toilets which is painted on a wall separating the gents and ladies. Fun to visit.

The Cenotaph Monument, Cathedral Square, Christchurch, New Zealand

Taken with Canon powershot A75, dated Nov 2004

A war memorial by William Trethewey to commemorates all of the New Zealanders who died during World War One. A group of six figures representing resignation, sacrifice, protection, peace, youth and justice. Above was the figure of victory breaking the sword of battle. It was unveiled near the Christchurch Cathedral in June 1937.

Lake Tekapo, Canterbury, New Zealand

Taken with Canon powershot A75, dated Nov 2004


Lake Tekapo is located in the Mackenzie Basin on the South Island of New Zealand. With its stunning jewel of turquoise blue waters, contrasted by the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps and surrounding yellow-tussock farmland have given the breath-taking panorama.

The remarkable turquoise coloured lake water of Tekapo is the result of ancient glacier ice crushing mountain rock sloping gently down to the water's edge. Lake Tekapo is fed by two major glacial, the Godley and Glassen. The lake is 32 km long and 120 meters deep at its deepest part.

An obvious short walk is to the famous Church of the Good Shepherd, where the altar window frames a perfect view of Mount Cook. Close by is the sheepdog monument. Lake Tekapo is about two and a half to three hours drive south-west of Christchurch. One hour drive to Mount Cook National Park and village.


SEE ALSO:

• Church of the Good Shepherd
• Sheepdog Statue
• The Russell Lupins

Lake Taupo, Taupo, New Zealand

Taken with Canon powershot A75, dated Nov 2004


Lake Taupo is a lake on the volcanic plateau of central North Island of New Zealand. The lake was created after a massive volcano eruption thousands of years ago. With a total area of 619 square kilometres, the lake offers visitors a multitude of outdoor activities including water skiing, fishing and boating.

More than 30 rivers and streams flow into Lake Taupo, but with only one outlet - the Waikato River.

Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand

Taken with Canon powershot A75, dated Nov 2004


The highest peak of New Zealand was named Mount Cook (after the British explorer Captain James Cook). This dazzling mountain soars to 3,754 metres, lies in the Southern Alps, within the 700 square kilometres of Mount Cook National Park. The Mount Cook National Park has alpine in the purest sense with skyscraping peaks, glaciers and permanent snow fields, located in the central part of the South Island. Aoraki/Mount Cook village lies within the park with Twizel the nearest town outside. Mountain walks, glacier viewing and skiing, and mountaineering are the key activities in the park.

Mount Cook is also called Aoraki (or Aorangi, ao meaning land, rangi meaning sky) by the Moari.

St Pauls Church, Oamaru, Waitaki, New Zealand

Taken with Canon powershot A75, dated Nov 2004


St. Paul's is the oldest Presbyterian church. Completed in 1876 and situated in Coquet Street, Oamaru on South Island of New Zealand. The building is structured in fine Oamaru stone and this gorgeous structure is the work of Thomas Forrester.

Te Puia - NZ Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, Rotorua, New Zealand

Taken with Canon powershot A75, dated Nov 2004

The New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute at Te Puia was set up to foster and promote all types of Maori culture, the practice and appreciation of Maori arts and crafts, train Maori in Maori arts and crafts, provide demonstrations, exhibitions and performances and assist in the preservation of Maori culture.

Te Puia also offers the wonders of Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley including hot springs, mud pools, and geysers - Pohutu is the most famous geyser. Besides that, visitors have the chance to see New Zealand's most well known bird, the kiwi in Kiwi House. However, this is the only place where photography is not permitted.

The Te Puia is in Rotorua on North Island of New Zealand.


SEE ALSO:

• Bubbling Mud Pool

Dunedin Railway Station, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand

Taken with Canon powershot A75, dated Nov 2004 (light photoshop touch-up)


The Flemish Renaissance style station is built of white Oamaru limestone facings on black basalt rock. The Dunedin Railway Station is designed by Sir George Troup and constructed in Dunedin city, Otago, East Coast on the South Island of New Zealand. The sheer size, grandiose style and rich embellishments of the station has earned architect the nickname of Gingerbread George.

An excellent tourist excursion service is the only train now using the station. Much of its ground floor is used for a restaurant, and the upper floor houses an art gallery and a sports hall of fame. The landscape surrounding the station is beautifully maintained with the colourful gardens and decorative maze of greenery.

Cathedral Square, Christchurch, New Zealand

Taken with Canon powershot A75, dated Nov 2004

Cathedral Square located in the heart of Christchurch in New Zeland. The square is dominated by the Christchurch Anglican Cathedral, built in Gothic Revival style and symbolising the Church of England bedrock of Christchurch city. Public can access to the 63 metres high Cathedral spire for a good viewpoint over the centre of the city.

Alongside the Cathedral, there was a 18 metres high Metal Chalice sculpture in the square. Forty-two leaf patterns featuring different native plants make up the Chalice, created by prominent New Zealand artist Neil Dawson to acknowledge the new millennium. The square is a busy place in the city and is also the best place to start exploring the city.


SEE ALSO:

• The Cenotaph Monument

Christchurch Tram, Christchurch, New Zealand

Taken with Canon powershot A75, dated Nov 2004


Ride through the city centre in the historic tram, is a unique way to experience the Christchurch city in the South Island of New Zealand at your own pace. The one can hop-on and off at any of the tram stops to explore the sight and attractions up close. Besides, tram driver also provide a live entertaining and informative commentary throughout the journey.

Lady Knox Geyser, Waiotapu, New Zealand

Taken with Canon powershot A75, dated Nov 2004


The Lady Knox geyser is one of the fascinating sight to see at Wai-o-tapu thermal wonderland, near Rotorua, on the North Island of New Zealand. Each day at about 10 am, with the help of a little soap-like ingredient the geyser will froth and buble before whooshing out up to 15 metres high. The eruption is lasting up to an hour in length, but the start-up is the really fun part.

This is actually an artificially induced geyser. It was determinde years ago that the hot spring that is the source for the geyser, could easily be induced into eruptiong. Theoretically, the geyser has two water chambers, one lower, hot one and one upper, cold one. The upper chamber cools due to a larger opening to the outside. The lower one heats up due to the volcanic activity below. When soap is thrown into, the lowered surface tension of the water allows it to mix with the hotter water below, causing the eruption. The geyser's cone is also an artificial construct but now completely covered by sinter.

Sheepdog Statue, Lake Tekapo, New Zealand

Taken with Canon powershot A75, dated Nov 2004

The Sheepdog statue, standing pround atop a rock, on the lakeshore of Lake Tekapo in Canterbury on the South Island of New Zealand. It is a monument to the hard working Collie Sheepdog who worked on the farms in the Mackenzie Country. Without the help of these sheepdogs, the grazing of this mountainous country would be impossible to keep intact.

Church of the Good Shepherd, New Zealand

Taken with Canon powershot A75, dated Nov 2004


The Church of the Good Shepherd, a unique stone church, sits on the banks of Lake Tekapo on the South Island of New Zealand. It was built in 1935 as a memorial to the pioneers of the Mackenzie Country. The church's interior matches its natural surroundings with its traditional wooden pews, exposed ceiling beams and a large window behind the alter that provides romantic views of the lake and mountains beyond. Because of the spectacular scenery of Lake Tekapo, the church has became a vast choice of wedding venues in the Tekapo area, both for New Zealanders and for people from abroad.

Lake Pukaki, Canterbury, New Zealand

Taken with Canon powershot A75, dated Nov 2004


Lake Pukaki is situated in the central west of the South Island of New Zealand. It is 2km northeast of the Mt. Cook turnoff. The icy blue water of Lake Pukaki is due to the fact that this waterway is glacier fed covering approximately 80 square miles of the landscape. The lake is high content of rock flour (finely ground particles of rock held in the glacial meltwater). There are 3 lakes in the Mackenzie Basin (the others are Lake Tekapo and Ohau) with Lake Pukaki being the largest, all which are surrounded by trees and bush native to the New Zealand region.

At the northern end of the lake are some of the most impressive mountains of the Southern Alps. Among them are Mount Cook (Aoraki) and Mount Tasman with its snow-capped peaks. On a clear day from the sterling lookout, you will see the lake in all its glory with Mt. Cook standing tall behind it, this is definately a breathtaking view you will not want to miss.

Moeraki Boulder, Otago Peninsula, New Zealand

Taken with Canon powershot A75, dated Nov 2004


The Moeraki Boulders are a number of huge spherical stones, occur scattered either as isolated or clusters of boulders within a stretch of Koekohe Beach between Moeraki and Hampden on east coast of the South Island of New Zealand in Otago.

These boulders are grey-coloured septarian concretions which have been exposed through shoreline erosion from black mudstone coastal cliffs that back the beach. Each boulder weighs several tonnes and is up to three metres high.

Red-billed Gull, Lake Rotorua, New Zealand

Taken with Canon powershot A75, dated Nov 2004


The red-billed gull has a white body with grey wings tipped with black then white. Their beak and legs are red. The gulls are 37 centimentres long, and mainly coastal and offshore island birds, with the exception of a few at Lake Rotorua in the North Island. They are found on the coast near food sources of plankton, small fish and marine invertebrates. They also scavenge around city parks and rubbish bins.

Russell Lupins, Lake Tekapo, New Zealand

Taken with Canon powershot A75, dated Nov 2004


Russell Lupins, these wild flowers are produced in abundance along river, lake and road sides throughout the South Island of New Zealand. They can grow to 1.5 meters in height with flowers that are displayed in rings which start at the base of the stem and end their way up to the tips. The Russell Lupins are principally blue, pink and violet, with some yellow, and are very attractive, providing colourful vistas with a backdrop of mountains and lakes.

Yellow-eyed Penguin, Oamaru, New Zealand

Taken with Canon powershot A75, dated Nov 2004


The Yellow-eyed Penguins were called Hoiho ("noise-shouter") by the Maori. Standing about 65-70cm tall and weighing 5-8kg. They gain their names from their yellow iris and the characteristic yellow head band. They can be found on the south-east coast of South Island in New Zealand, as well as Stewart, Auckland and Campbell Islands. Rarest of all the penguins, the Yellow-eyed penguin is unique in appearance and behaviour. They are forest or shrubland nesting birds.

Takiroa Maori Rock, New Zealand

Taken with Canon powershot A75, dated Nov 2004


Takiroa Maori Rock is a large limestone overhang on a hill with great views to the mountains. It is located beside the roadway near Duntroon, in the Waitaki Valley, North Otago, South Island, New Zealand. Under the limestone bluff, there is an impressive collection of ancient Maori rock art paintings that are executed in charcoal and red ochre dating from 1000-1500AD.