Eagles fly street side

The Bald Eagle, apparently, I’m yet to see, situate themselves on Canada’s west coast during the winter months to take advantage of the salmon in rivers and streams. Though the topic here isn’t about the eagles haunting the natural environment, rather those which are spawn the pavement and sites around the Vancouver’s Downtown area. The BC Lions club has initiated the street art movement. They have had a couple of previous features and this year it is 2m fibreglass eagles painted and decorated individually by artists. The range of takes on decorating the eagles is great to see and certainly provides alternate views whilst wandering the city.

Where am I now ?!

So I'm taking a detour from order of travel, and jumping about 9 months, to let you know where I am and what up to, also in the lead up to the holiday season there is much occurring.

So I arrived in Vancouver, Canada early November on a work visa that allows me a two year stay, which makes many other work holiday makers jealous, as most countries have a one year agreement. Anyway settling in has been fun. Certainly strange to be in one place and getting into routines, looking  for somewhere other than hostel and hotel accommodation to live, and meeting people outside of the traveller circuit.

The best of NZ

As with the end of any trip or holiday, always the question arises - 'so what was the best part'.
Common response - 'so many wonderful memories, it's too difficult to find a singular place, time or event'.
I've never liked playing favourites!

Read on to view my video, or is a small version on side panel :)

And New Zealand trip comes to an end

Sat 28 Feb, 2009 - Tekapo to Christchurch
It was a little sad leaving behind the calm and serene surroundings of Lake Tekapo. Not just because it means that I’ll be heading home tomorrow but it was such a beautiful morning watching the sun rise - could have had another day of peace, though with no bus tomorrow that would be a little problematic.

Mt Cook, NZ

Fri 27 Feb, 2009 - Tekapo and Mt Cook

Picked up a 8am with the weather looking a little doubtful. However since we were heading back toward the west coast I had looked at the wrong forecast. Even though access to Mt Cook is from the east the weather is predominantly determined from conditions in the west. Anyway there was a chance of light rain in the morning and clearing in the afternoon. Never got the rain and when the cloud really cleared around midday got blue skyline behind Mt Cook so fabulous photos. Considering it rains 143 days in the year here and the majority are cloudy I was very fortunate. Needless to say I have many photos as with each step on the way back I was going wow look at that - even better!

Dunedin and Tekapo, NZ

Wed 25 Feb, 2009 - Queenstown to Dunedin
Headed off out of Queenstown on the old gold mining route and got to see the scenery of Central Otago. It slowly transformed from the huge mountain ranges to smaller hills. Finally making it to Dunedin, known as the Edinburgh of the South (can’t comment fully as never been to Edinburgh- later in the year!?). The city is very much a university town with a busy café and bar strip. The university year was just kicking off so a little quiet still. Stayed at On Top Hostel which was situated on top of a bar.

Wandered around a looked at all the old buildings. Also say the Cadbury Factory. Looks quite small from a distance however when near it takes up a whole block of town. Jen went to the movies in the late afternoon. I spent time on the internet trying to organise the next part of my travels! Otherwise a quietish night.

Amazing southern views, NZ

Mon 23 Feb,2009 - Queenstown and Milford Sound
A long amazing day. Picked up at 7.45am and were at Milford sound at 1.45pm. Back on the bus at 3.45pm and arrived back into Queenstown at 7.45pm. Drove basically straight through to Te Anau with a couple of brief photo stops and to fill the water bottle up in a river that is 99.9% pure due to run of from glaciers. Made way through Fiordland National Park for a Cruise along Milford Sound out to Tasman Sea.

A little icy, NZ

Sat 21 Feb, 2009 - Greymouth to Franz Josef

Set off from Greymouth for Franz Josef and the Ice Glaciers. Unfortunately looked like the rain had settled in so who knows if the half day glacier hike will occur. Well found out that the hikes run regardless of the weather - hmmm do I want to do it with no views? The further we continued down the road the more uninterested in the whole concept I became. Jen really wanted to do the heli-hike but no flights today due to the weather so she was going to do the half day hike.

On the way stopped at Bushman’s Hut which was a centre for the area which explained the process from wild to farmed deer. People’s reactions to the centre were very different. Obviously killing of any animal can be seen as brutal though the reasons for the catching of deer and now possums is for the survival of the native wildlife. The owner had quite a sense of humour which could also be taken.

Wild West Coast, NZ

Fri 20 Feb, 2009 - Nelson to Greymouth

Today was basically a travel day which we nearly didn’t undertake… our names weren’t on the list. Don’t quite know how and never will but something to do with changing our minds and the head office paperwork not being updated correctly. So at 7.45am standing in the rain with our bags packed and in line to get on the bus, reach the front and ‘sorry the 52 seater is fully booked and your names aren’t on the list’. But why not??? We got off the bus three days ago and left our names with the last driver. So we went to the back of the line and waited to see what would happen next. Jen stressing and me going whatever another day here… Finally everyone was boarded and hang on two were missing … the driver asked others on the bus … no answer. As luck would have it two seats were now available! So we jumped on, crossed fingers and urged (quietly) the bus to go - just in case two heads suddenly appeared from around the corner.

Abel Tasman, NZ

Thur 19 Feb, 2009 - Nelson and Abel Tasman National Park

Today we took a day tour out to the Abel Tasman which involved kayaking and hiking (a walk - wouldn‘t call the section we did a hike!) Departed Nelson at 7am with the rain coming down and Jen saying we should have done this yesterday - better weather! Half way around to the Abel Tasman however the sky began to clear and we saw the sun - Yeah! Arrived at Marahau about 8.30am.

So did the whole safety and how to thing with the sea kayaks then we were ready. With our packs stored in the kayaks and loaded onto the tractor trailer we walked to the water. Low tide so we had to walk out across the sand/ calf deep water to appropriate launch depth. No waves here so nice and calm start - possibly won’t lose my drink bottle today!! The kayak itself took about 3½ hours. We stopped on the beach of Adele Island, the larger of two islands just off the coast, for morning tea. Even managed to get plunger coffee - not instant! Two girls braved the cool waters and had a swim. The tour guide, Steve, laughed at Jen and myself as the water was too cold for the Aussies! Headed back to the main land and reached Observation Beach for lunch. A lovely salad roll and a huge raspberry muffin.