Reality in Kiwi land

Having 3 weeks holiday clears the brain and body of its lingering stresses and worries. My holiday with elderly relatives in New Zealand exposes me to an older way of living.
People do things by getting outside and talking to each other. No one has Facebook.

Holt's Forest, Tutira

My relatives enjoy company with endless rounds of lunches and coffees, supporting local jobs and produce growers. (Note including getting upset about NZ Apples not being allowed in Australia!)
Some have computers but most keep these in the background, not allowing these boxes to take over their waking life.
Marketers will not be able to track them as they rarely use credit cards, can't fill in their tax forms online and listen to radio, TV and read newspapers. No push email's for them.
My elderly relatives also don't care about debates on climate change. After all, they won't be around to see the effects. They also won't be around to get any benefit from energy savings apart from insulation.

Rangitoto Island - Now Pest Free!

But thank goodness for smart phones! At least I got a small drip of news and views of what has been happening in Australia. Thanks to push emails from Getup, Climate Council, ACF, Environment Victoria and other organisations.

But in New Zealand, the climate change debate continues with many a denier and whats worse, much apathy. The North Island is suffering another summer drought, and Christchurch was inundated with a 1 in 100 year flood, made worse by the land changes from the earthquakes.
I hardly saw a Solar Hot Water System, or Photovoltaic Array on any roof, and I was in one of the sunniest parts of the country. I saw few string shopping bags but much worry about rising Electricity costs. Petrol was $2.19c per litre.
For 100% Pure New Zealand, there is still lots more they can do to decarbonize their economy. But at least they have an Emission's Trading Scheme- https://www.climatechange.govt.nz/emissions-trading-scheme/

That's more than what we will have, come July 2014!

Easter Holiday in New Zealand

March is a lovely time to visit New Zealand. We spent a week between Napier and Rotorua having plenty of fun in wineries and thermal areas. One was a delight to the senses, the other an amazing assault on the nose but awesome and fun all the same.

Napier is world famous for its art deco buildings as well as the many fine wineries surrounding the town. We had a delightful lunch at the oldest winery, the Mission Winery in its fine chapel eating area.

A walk on the Marine Parade to view the gardens and wild stony beach is also a favourite.


Rotorua, with its smell and thermal wonders is a must see for all tourists. Although the geyser needed some soap to start it going, it was spectacular. And the thermal pools and craters were both smelly and steamy.

Welcome to my book and travel log

One of the perks of life is being able to travel occasionally to the great areas of the world. My last trip was to the west coast of the USA to take in the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park. On the way there, we also sampled the delights of LA, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Las Vegas.

I am now planning the family trip to wonderful New Zealand. We intend spending most of our time in that world famous Art Deco city, Napier. But we also have a little time for a side trip to Rotorua. Unfortunately a blog cannot convey the stench of that unusual geothermal town but hopefully a few pictures and descriptions will describe what it is like.

So here's to our Easter Holidays. May they roll on quickly.

But for now here is part of our life at home - a balmy evening at Melbourne docklands.