Queenstown- an Orthopaedic’s Delight.

A 2 hour car ride back from Waipu to Auckland and a 2 hour flight and we landed in Queenstown- Tourist Central, but stunningly beautiful. I was unaware that it was such an old settlement of historical architecture and narrow lanes, full of bars, cafes and boutiques. A steady stream of ambulances wailing, assured us …

WAIPU…and WAI NOT.

Waipu is 2 hours N.E. from Auckland in New Zealand. Strangely enough it is next to Uretiti,and the locals find these to be perfectly normal names, and frown upon any sniggering and tittering. Waipu  was settled by dour pious Scottish and still retains a strong Scottish identity. The local pizza joint is called McCleods and …

S.O.F.T……Wonderful Waiheke Island and Wineries!!

What a treat Waiheke Island was! Many Australians have never heard of it, unless they have a Kiwi connection. It is 30 minutes by ferry from Auckland, and it reportedly was a mecca for hippies in the 70′s. They are still here and wearing the same outfits. However real estate is now over the top …

S.O.F.T….Russell and The Bay of Islands.

Another long bus trip, this time from Auckland to Paiihia. This took 4 hours on a bus with NO toilet, how I regretted that last coffee- but it did have WIFI, while The Premiers bus from the South Coast in Australia,has a toilet and no wifi..hmmmmm- which is better? Russell was once the capital of …