I was recently going through some old manuscripts I had written, and came across an interview with award-winning New Zealand soprano Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. Dame Te Kanawa has sung at major opera houses throughout the world, including New York’s Metropolitan Opera, where I had the privilege of hearing her silken voice. During the phone interview, … Continue reading
Departing Mt. Cook, a Great Sights coach transported me to Christchurch. En route I remember passing lovely hillside towns and undulating meadows dotted with numerous sheep. It’s been a couple years since my visit to Christchurch, and I’m hoping that the city has recovered from the devastating earthquake of 2011. I only stayed overnight prior … Continue reading
My bus came to pick me up early in the morning for the three and a half hour ride from Queenstown to Mt. Cook. A word about the South Island’s bus service: I couldn’t write about the South Island without mentioning the bus transportation system. Motorcoach travel is well organized, and the coaches are comfortable, … Continue reading
My overnight at Te Anau was at Te Anau Hotel and Villas, a comfortable resort whose rooms featured floor-to-ceiling windows looking on to Te Anau Lake, right across the street. In contrast to bustling Queenstown, Te Anau is quiet, with a distinct laid-back feel. There aren’t the number of attractions that Queenstown has, but it’s … Continue reading
This is the second part of our post on my visit to the Glowworm Caves of Te Anau. Read Part I here. “Te Anau” in Maori, is actually said to mean, “the cave with a current of swirling water,” which led to the Glowworm Caves’ rediscovery in 1948. After a walk crouched down low, the … Continue reading
It kept spinning over and over in my head: “The Glowworm Song” that I remembered as a kid. “Shine little glow-worm, glimmer, glimmer….” It hit number one on the Billboard Charts in 1952, and there’s a Youtube video of the Mills Brothers singing it on the Nat King Cole Show in 1957. Since then, I’ve … Continue reading
The Milford Track has always held a place in my imagination. So when I learned that I could actually do a one-day “Milford Encounter” walk on the beginning part of the track, I jumped at the chance. I took an early morning cab into Queenstown – a five minute drive – to meet up with … Continue reading
Queenstown bills itself as the adventure capital of New Zealand. And no wonder. Here you can find arrangements for everything from bungee jumping and 4-wheel drive tours to paragliding and jetboating. Hugging the shores of scenic Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown makes an excellent base for exploring the surrounding area, from a trip down the scenic Glenorchy … Continue reading
Ever since I can remember, I’ve wanted to see New Zealand, especially the South Island. On my wish list were the Milford Track, Milford Sound, and the Southern Alps. I had the opportunity to visit last fall, when Goway helped me arrange the trip of a lifetime. My biggest problem was time. I had been … Continue reading
My introduction to a Flat White came unexpectedly when I missed a connecting flight from Auckland to Wellington. The Air New Zealand flight from L.A. to Auckland was packed. Qantas was on strike, and Air New Zealand was accommodating passengers booked on Qantas, filling every seat on the aircraft. Much to my chagrin, I had … Continue reading
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