Microblog

Drove on the left on slow roads to Golden Bay in the far northwest of New Zealand’s South Island. We’ll chill for a week in an isolated VRBO (Vacation Rental By Owner) cabin.

A regularly scheduled catamaran appeared to take us along the coast and out of Abel Tasman National Park.

Today, Dwight took charge of the point-and-shoot. While he tested the limits of the lens with vegetation he found interesting, I stared wistfully out at the Tasman Sea, or focused on a leaf, sometimes realizing how good it was to be in the moment.

Our splurge is three nights at Abel Tasman National Park, staying in the lodge, enjoying the trails and local food. Green-shelled mussels from The Marlborough Sounds with fresh pasta, salad veggies from the lodge’s gardens, Pinot Gris from nearby Nelson.

Green shadow of tree fern on trail. Abel Tasman National Park.

Rode a scheduled bus, carrying mainly backpackers, for the two-hour journey to Nelson, the second-oldest settled city in New Zealand. Over the next twelve days we’ll explore the northwest corner of the South Island by foot, boat, and car.

Continued our walk, another seven hours along the ridge to the end of the Queen Charlotte Track.

Hiked seven hours on a well-designed and maintained trail along a ridge separating Kenepuru Sound and Queen Charlotte Sound. Sometimes we saw Kenepuru, sometimes Queen Charlotte, sometimes both.

View from our A-frame, Punga Cove, Marlborough Sound, half-way through our hike.

Posted A Week in Honolulu.

After dropping us off at the trailhead for our multi-day, 72 km hike, the boat proceeded along Queen Charlotte Sound to deliver these essential supplies to Furneaux Lodge, our home for the next two nights.

Looked out at Marlborough wine country on the final approach in a de Havilland Dash 8-300. Later, thanks to Google, learned Geoffrey de Havilland, the founder of the aircraft company, and Olivia de Havilland (now 103) are cousins, Olivia’s sister is Joan Fontaine, and … . Enough celebrity gossip!

Flew Air New Zealand from Honolulu to Auckland. Appreciated the lavatory decor.

Walked to Vladimir Ossipoff’s IBM Building. The facade has staying power compared to many facades of the 1960’s. He designed the open-to-the-elements Honolulu Airport, and airports at Kahului, Maui, and Kona, Big Island. I once met his daughter, but didn’t realize the connection.

Ingested chemicals, including a legally prescribed controlled substance, to moderate coughs and let me sleep. Grateful for good care at UrgentCare almost completely paid by my insurance. Grateful I can get on a plane to New Zealand on Saturday, without alarming other passengers. Note: A few months later, an antibody test showed this was not… Continue reading UrgentCare

I was transported. Soba noodles, Kirin beer, a restaurant where everyone, except us, was Asian. A lady from Fukuoka, a place I love and have visited many times, commended me on my hashi skills. Broth and flattery: my bronchitic cold was temporarily forgotten.