Water around the world – and waka, birds and mermaids

Really busy right now so instead of words here is a photo-based blog  of water from around the world – well not all over the world, just some that were already web-sized and still on my laptop.

China, India, Wellington and Christchurch, New Zealand and Florida too – which is where the mermaids are to be found.

Wellington New Zealand

Pretty as a picture in Florida

Avon River Christchurch New Zealand

Punting on the Avon Christchurch New Zealand

Christchurch New Zealand

Wildlife on the Avon

Home of the mermaids in Florida

Chasing her prey Florida

Self-evident

Florida

Florida

Florida well caught

Florida

Florida

Florida

Gujarat, India

Matui Somes IslandWellington New Zealand

Boatsheds Christchurch

Boatsheds Wellington

Wellington Chinese New Year

Christchurch New Zealand

Wellington Garden

Wellington Gardens

European river

Crystal Springs Florida

Gujurat, India

With John Haggins on salt plains india

Gujarat, India

India

Wellington New Zealand

Manatee Florida

Self-evident

Wellington from Matui Somes island

Mermaids in Florida

More mermaids

Punting on the Avon

More punting

Peacock fountain Botanic Gardens Christchurch

Crystal Springs Florida

Solace in the wind and missed

solace

Valentine’s Day

Soul is ready for rugby

Swans on an European river

More punting in Christchurch

The KiwiTravelWriter in Florida

Poplar trees along the Avon River

Wellington from Mount Victoria

Waitangi

Waitangi, Northland

Waitangi Day

Waitangi day at Waitangi

waka on Wellington Harbour

One of Wellington’s favourite sculptures

Wellington waterfront Writers walkway

Wellington waterfront

A new plaque is opened on the writers walkway

Enjoying the sun Wellington Harbour

New sculptures being installed

Wellington

Wellington

And yet more Wellington

Ready to play a tune Wellington waterfront

Xiamen library China

China

Waka & a Pickled Parrot (sad tale – great hostel)

Had just one night at the Pickled Parrot backpackers (on facebook too) in Paihia which got its name from a sad reason.

It seems a previous owner had a parrot, let it loose during the day, where upon it would eat and drink with travellers and ended up being picked quite often …  and pickled, despite being about preserving food, it is also another slang name for being drunk or ‘pissed’. Consequently the said parrot got aggressive and demanding more of the same and so its owner sold him. A sad tale I think.

However Rose, the current owner, does not have a parrot, drunk or otherwise,  and provides a free breakfast, and three dogs who are locked away at mealtimes so travellers can eat in peace of begging brown eyes . This backpackers will go in my list of Northlands top 10 when I write that.

Up at 5.50am, I’m was off to spend the day with Hone Mihaka of Taiamai Tours Heritage Journeys to participate in waka training to be ready for the Waitangi Celebrations. … this is a story all of its own, and now I’m off to see them arrive – dress rehearsals are over and today is Waitangi Day … New Zealand’s birthday as a nation.

More about Waitangi, the Navy, and last nights concert in another blog.

 

 

Once again many thanks to Destination Northland for helping with my itinerary and Rental Cars New Zealand (Auckland, Christchurch and Picon)  for the vehicle for this road trip: I can recommend both!