New Zealand—January 26-March 9, 2025

New Zealand—the North Island

So this trip, like Ireland and Scandinavia, was one we wanted to take before COVID and we're thrilled to finally get here. This trip is primarily a walk and gawk one where we hope to visit beautiful places and just hang out. Of course, we'll visit some historical sites, but most of all, we're taking in some of the world's most beautiful places. As always, we're embracing serendipity, knowing we'll have happy accidents along the way.

On the road again

 Auckland and Surrounding Area—January 28-February 1st

 It's been a long day. We're in Auckland and have been awake since 7AM PST 

 and it's now 4:15PM local time; that's 36 hours we've been awake except for 

 the catnaps we took on the 13 hour flight. 

 

 

 

Took an orientation walk shortly after arriving at our Holiday Inn Express situated just up from the harbor. We found the iSite office and got a terrific driving map which will be invaluable when we rent a car to tour the south island. We also purchased ferry tickets to Rangitoto Island where we'll walk a trail that circles the island and we may even climb the summit of its extinct baby volcano if we're not too jetlagged.

Hoping to get lots of pictures of our walk around the island January 28th.

 

Vancouver International is lovely and spacious.

This huge carved mandela is so Northwest.

 

 

Vancouver International has lounges 

where weary travelers can stretch out 

on comfy sofas. So civilized!

More artwork.

What a great idea, a doggie potty room!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scandinavia—Copenhagen, a longish stroll—October 5th

Copenhagen, October 5th

Today was another free and easy one. Hung out in our suite and watched locals and tourists enjoy the sunshine on the pier/square below our window. Since our head colds had diminished a bit, we decided to make a loop around the center of the city, staying away from the crowds. We managed that without any difficulty. Even with a wide loop we only managed 4 miles; everything on the map looks as if it's farther than it is. 

So here are some pictures of our lazy Saturday.

Enlarge and check out the explanation of the meteorite.

We only entered the museum in search of a toilet.

It's the white door on far right. ;-)

Museum of Natural History door handle.

We enjoyed the Botanical Garden.

This placard refers to the above tree.

Torvelallerne Food Market was busy, but it was too nice to sit inside, and
besides, a flea market was in full swing as well. Lots to eat and ogle.

 

Click to enlarge for detail.

At both the beginning and end of the day it was fun seeing families enjoying the play structures in St. Annae's Street meridian outside our hotel.

After our walk around the city center and spending a few hours at our hotel watching the world go by (again), we headed back over the kissing bridge for a bite. We decided on pasta and a glass of wine. What is fun about Broen's Food Court is that the seating is open and you never know who you'll end up sitting next to and striking up a conversation with. Tonight was no different. We had a lovely conversation with two Mexican couples who spent two weeks visiting Helsinki and Estonia before taking a ferry over to Stockholm and eventually making their way to Copenhagen.

So, besides sharing a pretty good (for street food) bolognese and rigatoni meal we had a great conversation and enjoyed really good music playing throughout Broen's Food Court. 

The boat traffic along the canal is fun to watch.

This border collie caught our attention.

       The party is just getting started!

(5.6 miles today.)

Scandinavia—Copenhagen, an easy day—October 4th

Copenhagen, October 4th

Today was sunny and warm and not a breath of wind. We made the most of the day after taking in a graffiti exhibition at the Maca Museum. It's less than a block from Scandic Front (our hotel), and we've passed the poster advertising Banksy (the main draw, of course) the last two days so today we gave in and took a look.

The rest of the afternoon we sat out on the enormous harbor pier that looks out to the Opera House and baked our colds out (tried to anyway) in the afternoon sun and watched the world go by along the main canal. The view from our room is so spectacular that it's difficult to put some miles on our feet, so today, we didn't.

Sunrise from our room.

Double sunrise?

Click on pics to enlarge for detail.

Banksy anti-war.

Shepard Fairey's Iraq War protest poster.

Dolk's style is similar to Banksy's.

We all know this work by Fairey.

 

Banksy

Check out Banksy on Street Art.

Dolk. Check out Street Art here.

Dolk

                                I took a close up the names of women who inspired Bambi.

 

Watching the world go by—on the pier and from our room!