Visiting NZ Wish to Meet Kiwi Members.

[Baddad]

Hey Kiwi People, :):gday:

My lady and I are touring around South Island of the "Land of the Long White Cloud" 3 Sep 09 to 18 Sep. ;)

If you would like to meet for a beer or two PM me and we'll see how we go. Starting and finishing at Christchurch. We will be in a Pacific Horizon Motor Home. :) We're going pretty much around the island but an extra day stop in the northern end where the wineries are. :) :cheers::drink:

Like to meet some of you. :) :hi:

Cheers Marty

[DeanoNZL]

Marty,
Early spring will be nicer weather for sure.
Here is 1 of the list of wine growers for the "mainland" http://www.winesofnz.com/ :thumbsup:

[Baddad]

Hey Adrian,:)

That's handy. Thanks for that. Stay in touch.:thumbsup:
I'll check it out later it appears to be quite a large site.
I'm surprised there are so many wineries there.
Even down south on the Otago Plateau. Must suffer frost or snow problems that far south.

Cheers Marty

[Jen]

Awwww i miss out again Marty :lol:
Hope you have a lovely holiday :thumbsup:

[garyp]

Hi Marty,

There are a couple of us IIS members here in Timaru. Not far from Christchurch.

Not much in the way of wineries here, but there is plenty of dark sky :thumbsup:

call in if you are passing through.

Keep in touch:)

Cheers

Gary

[Baddad]

Thanks People,:)

I'll get details later Garyp. I'll certainly keep in touch.
Sorry Jen. Thanks for the well wishing anyway.

Have to go.

Cheers Marty

[garyp]

OK Marty, feel free to PM me anytime for any details.

Cheers

Gary:)

[Baddad]

Hey GaryP, :)

Thanks Gary.

In August I'll PM you and hopefully we can have a beer or three when Roslyn and I arrive in NZ after 3 Sep.

Cheers Marty:cheers:

[garyp]

Yep, sounds good Marty. Look forward to meeting in Sept when you come this way. You will enjoy the South Island. :)

Cheers

Gary.

[Baddad]

Hi Kiwi Members, :)

Roslyn and I, from Brisbane, Visiting South Island of the Land of the Long White Cloud. Arrive 3 Sep. Have booked rental motorhome.

Waiting for GaryP at Timaru to reply to PM. Like to meet some Kiwi IIS Members.:cheers:

Cheers Marty

[Octane]

I'm planning another photographic/campervan/driving holiday around that time. The 2nd is my birthday. Dreaded 30. :S

If I'm nearby, I'll holler.

Regards,
Humayun

[Baddad]

Hi Humayun, :)

I'll be registering a mobile phone once we arrive in NZ. I'll PM the number to you when I know what it will be.:thumbsup:

Cheers Marty

[garyp]

Pm sent thanks Marty.

Looking forward to meeting up with you when you arrive in NZ.

Gary:)

[mac]

If you get out to Lake Tekapo, be sure to check out the Mt John observatory. I went there during my honeymoon in the late 90's and the chap who operated the site was eager to show us around. He would've even opened up a dome, but it was blowing 100km/h winds outside so he wasn't able to. :(

Otherwise, have a good look around the South Island and enjoy yourself. Highlights include Milford/Doubtful Sound, Mt Cook, Fox Glacier, Blenheim wineries (I've been twice in the last year!) and the wild West Coast. If you're into wildlife, the East Coast has tonnes of seals/whales/dolphins/birds.

Sorry, I'm rambling... :whistle:

[Baddad]

Hi Gary, Hi Matt, :)

I somehow missed Matt's post. Thanks for that info. Some of those sites I very much want to see.:thumbsup:

Pacific Blue Airline cancelled the AM flight on 3 Sep. So we leave 2 Sep, arrive in Christchurch 1145PM.:mad2: Obviously not enough passengers.

I am contemplating spending a day around Christchurch then driving South to Timaru. How does that fit for you Gary? I'll PM you my phone No.

Hi Humayun, I'll do same for you. Happy Birthday to you coming up on Wednesday.

Cheers Marty

[Baddad]

Hi All, :)

We are about to depart Australia for the "Land of the Long White Cloud."

We will be meeting fellow IIS members. I won't be on net until 19 Sep.

Wish you all a good time in my absence. Hope you have good viewing conditions.

Cheers Marty

[Octane]

Marty,

All the best for your trip and thank you for the birthday wishes. :)

I, unfortunately, am unable to make it as I had initially planned. I have some other stuff on at the moment. I'll go back next year. :)

Look forward to seeing your photos!

Regards,
Humayun

[Jen]

:) Have a wonderful trip Marty :thumbsup:

[garyp]

Have a safe trip and see you when you get here.
I'll try and keep the skies clear for you.;)

Cheers

Gary:)

[Baddad]

Hi All,:)

Thanks for the well wishes.
We have returned from NZ. I could not do NZ justice if I tried to describe the country.
In a word, SPECTACULAR. I'll post photos once I process the video.

A special mention to GaryP and his wife, Christine. They made us feel more than welcome. We enjoyed the delicious dinner Christine put on for us. Viewed Jupiter, as it was a rare clear night. Before the moon began to rise and spoil the picture.

Retired to the warmth of the house and partook of the pinnacle heights of our palates' delight, Chivas Regal and soda.

Thanks Gary and Christine, You + 2 are very welcome to stay with us if you have the opportunity to visit Brisbane.

Cheers Marty

[Lumen Miner]

Bring on the photo's!! :)

[mac]

I'm glad to hear you had a good time!

[Jen]

:hi::hi::hi: Gday Marty :welcome: back :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
Looking forward to seeing some pics ;)

[garyp]

Hi Marty, I'm glad you made it safely back. I must say I really enjoyed the opportunity to meet you. I will remember your visit with fond memories. What a bonus to have a clear night as well for meeting a real Australian IIS member in the flesh. :thumbsup:

Thanks for the invite to visit you. I would like to get over to Brisbane one day.

I am glad the rest of your trip went well too. I am looking forward to seeing your photos soon.

Cheers

Gary:)

[Baddad]

Hi All, Jen, Gary, Mitch and Matt,

So many pictures. These are a selection of the first 3 days in NZ.
View Leaving Timaru 20kms
The rest are views around Lake Tekapu and its church.
Last, is the dog monument.

More to follow, over.

Cheers Marty

[Baddad]

Hi All,

Travelled through a tiny town. Fairlie, stopped for a nice lunch, a wine sandwich at the local pub and a bunch of locals welcomed us.:lol:

The last shot is what we saw as we left the fun pub and headed for Lake Tekapu. Yes they are out of order of travel

More to follow over. (Pics3)

Cheers Marty

[Baddad]

Hi All, :)

Lake P.. something near Twizel. I think that is Mt Cook where we head next

The road leaving Twizel.

Mt Cook camping area,lodges etc.

Incoming,
She who must be obeyed had to do the snowball thing.I wore it inside my shirt.
These were fine weather days. Once we hit the West Coast it drizzled and rained much of the time.

Cheers Marty

[garyp]

Some nice photos there Marty. Keep them coming. I'd like to see the rest of your trip.

A real colourful bunch those Farlie locals:lol:. I thought they at least should have changed out of their work clothes first before going out to the pub.:D

[Jen]

Nice pics Marty wow it looks so beautiful over there :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Baddad]

Hi Gary, Hi Jen & All, :)

Some more pics of our trip.

The first winery that we encountered in NZ. Northburn Station, as we closed in on Queenstown.
The view as a visitor sees the inside of Northburn Station.:drink:
A Cheese platter that looks good enough to eat.:cool::prey2::clap:
Leaving Queenstown for Franz Joseph Glacier
The van park at Franz Joseph.:campfire::zzz2:

I skipped Milford Sound trip here Because it deserves a show on its own. More to follow, over.:D

Cheers Marty