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Exploring Australia & New Zealand, 2012

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A Once-In-A-Lifetime Adventure In Paradise!!

Source: Dave Hagen
10 Dec 12

[Relax!] [Explore!]

Dave & Patty were finally able to realize the opportunity to explore New Zealand from top to bottom (literally horizontally and vertically) and to stop in at Sydney to see our wandering friends Debbie & Chilly Pustetto in their home town. We met on our Danube Cruise in 2007 and it took us 5 years to live up to our threat to visit them "Down Under"!!

After the Pustettos graciously hosted us by giving us a Royal Treatment throughout the Sydney harbour, we flew to Auckland to undertake a thorough expedition of the mysterious volcanic island country of New Zealand.

We covered both islands thoroughly, from sea to mountain, from city to town. But we spent most of our time on the South Island. It is the size of Minnesota, but lightly populated by 1/5th of our home state. Still, they have nearly all the scenic thrills of the full USA, from Maine to Southern California!!!

Inhabited only recently (Maori about 1300, European about 1700), and still forming with volcano eruptions still quite recently, NZ is pristine and over-powering scenically. We stayed principally in B&B's who were operated by well-informed and helpful folk who taught us how to enjoy the home country that they are all so proud of!!

Milford Sound was the most spectacular venue, and we were lucky enough to be able to fly in and out on the clearest of days to see the fjord, the mountains, the sea and the wildlife! And among all the boat explorations, winery visits, mountain trail riding and spectacular hiking tracks, we were never without jaw-dropping scenery!!


[Hagens on Akaroa]

Few Spots On Our Globe Can Match New Zealand's Scenic Beauty!!

[Sydney Harbour] [Debbie & Chilly]

Deb & Chilly hosted us in Sydney

Where people party continually

[Patty Hiking Daily] [Charlotte Sound]

We found spectacular lodging in NZ

And Patty was able to hike wonderful trails

[High Mountains] [Dunedin Harbour]

The lovely Dunedin Harbour

Snow- capped mountains everywhere

[Penguin Babies] [Yellow-Eyed Penguins]

We visited the Yellow-Eyed Penguins

Just after their young had hatched!

[Fjordland Mtns] [Milford Sound]

We cruised Milford Sound

By flying in & out through the Mountains!

[Milford Runway] [Milford Plane Trip]

We flew on a super, clear day

And landed on the mini Milford runway!

[Friendly Parrots] [Long Way to Queenstown]

We were a long way from home

But all creatures were very friendly!

[Stop For Elderly] [Seals & Gulls]

The animals welcomed us

And the people watched out for our safety!


[Milford Dave] [Charlotte Bay] [Dunedin Nite] [The Shire] [Train Ride] [Sailing] [Rotarua] [Mountains] [Small Plane] [Milford Patty] [Mtns] [Akaroa] [Glatier Lake] [Milford Mtns] [Train Station] [Mynahs]

Great Adventure, Breath-taking Views, Countless Friendly & Helpful People!


For more information

Dave Hagen
PO Box 134
Birchwood, WI
715-354-7503
hagen050@tc.umn.edu

http::/www.tc.umn.edu/~hagen050/project15f.html-- Revised: 1 December, 2013
Copyright © 1999 Hagens' Hobbies
hagen050@tc.umn.edu

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