Lisa and Derek's travels

Monday, February 27, 2006

Did I mention the dolphins?

Whilst we were in Whakatane we spent the morning swimming with a large pod of common dolphins - a lot shier than bottle-nosed dolphins but easily as enchanting. The photos don't do them justice, or show their grace and elegance but here are a few that Lisa managed to take ...




Volcano diving - NZ's new xtreme sport

Yip, not content with living in a town on 3 active faultlines. We decided to go diving in the waters around New Zealand's only active volcano. The place in question is White Island about 50kms east of Whakatane in the Bay of Plenty. This is going to be one of those update with lot ofs photos but that's fine 'cos the diving was fantastic and I even managed to find scorpion fish so it must have been a good dive.

White Island
Honestly, he was happy to see us
One to stay clear of .....
These mad people have paid to walk onto a volcano - I know mad!
Another little cutie

A firebrick starfish

That is a lot of Blue Mao Mao
Sunset on Whakatane harbour

Saturday, February 11, 2006

It's been like Picadilly Circus around here ....

it's brilliant, we had people come to stay and they all brought wine and great company, what more could we have asked for.

First to stay at the Mortimer Motel were Christine and Alison - they even altered their holiday itinerary just to spend some time in Wellington. But I think we made it up to them by introducing them to Rasa, a fantastic Malaysian restaurant that even Lisa thinks is better than Wagamama's!

Then along came Phil and Jackie with their wild tales of trekking in the Andes, interrupting marriage proposals on Easter Island and eating guinea pig in Peru - never leave a hungry Donegal woman anywhere near your favourite household pet, you have been warned. Lisa, brought the guys out sailing in Wellington harbour where they came across a huge pod of common dolphins - Phil began to appreciate how hard it is to photograph the buggers!

No sooner had we put Phil and Jackie on the ferry for the South Island, but Kevin and Janine arrived - 'tho they shunned the delights of Aro Valley for Ngaio Gorge. As they're emigrating the long term price of wine has risen dramtically in the Welling ton region. Janine lived upto her CD status and avoided water at all costs - 'tho they should be diving on the Lemetov as I write.

Since Ms. Geismar insists on only photoing objects beneath the waves, we have no photos of our intrepid visitors, but honestly they were here - could this face lie? In fact, don't answer that one.

Here's a gratuitous shot from Jeremy's boat, "Blurred Image", taken on an evening sail in Wellington Harbour, just to fill up this posting ;o)

No excuses for it, we're useless ....

no blog updates and the world is left in the dark as to the current - no doubt engrossing - advetures of the dynamic duo.

Alright, there is one excuse, we've found that it's best not to blog under the influence of alcohol - that's precious overseas phone call time instead ;o)

I'll hopefully cover January's activities over the next few updates

Just to make up for it, here' s a photo from a recent trip to the Huka Falls - bring back memories Mazzie?