"My mind sees that I am nothing, my heart sees that I am everything, between these two poles my life unfolds."

Monday, May 28, 2012

We Begin Our Tour


Sometimes I wish I could be the 'Curator of All Things Miniature' :)


Monday Greetings! I trust your weekend was enjoyable. We had lovely weather and I spent a lot of time outside tending to my garden (mostly weeding) and reading in my garden shed (aka my 'summer office') - I was so relaxed, I even nodded off a few times - and that rarely happens to me during the day. I'm currently re-reading The Republic of Nothing (winner of the Dartmouth Book Award) by Lesley Choyce. It's a humorous, cozy story, set on mythical Whalebone Island, aka the 'Republic of Nothing', just off the coast of Nova Scotia and is chock full of some of the most wonderfully eccentric characters ever assembled into one book. The link above leads to a good brief synopsis.


As promised, here are more travel pics from our time in New Zealand. Our first morning there, we hauled ourselves out of bed (the hotel we stayed at was only a few hundred feet from the Rotorua Lake harbour front) and went for a long walk along the beach. My new header pic was taken that same morning.






Rotorua has an abundance of walking paths throughout the city. In all of their literature, and also posted along the walkways, is the reminder to keep to the tracks at all times, due to the geothermal nature of the area. We saw numerous mud pools and steam vents along the perimeter of the lake that were cordoned off. 


It was very lush and we heard a lot of beautiful, unfamiliar bird songs.



This is Mokoia Island, a rhyolite lava dome.
It's famous for the tale of Hinemoa and Tutanekai, an old local love story. 




Sulphur rock sparkling in the sun.


On Friday, I plan to share with you an exciting speed boat ride we took to the base of Huka Falls and a lizard some experts believe predates the dinosaurs that's born with an extra something you'll just have to see to believe... Also, I'll be announcing the June recipient of the 'Whoo Loves Ya Baby' award - and you can all breathe a sigh of reief as we say bid a fond farewell to the monthly caption contest - it's enough that you visit... you no longer need to be funny as well!
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39 comments:

  1. 35jupeMay 28, 2012 at 1:17 AM

    These photos are stunning. I especially love the ant, but they're all really wonderful.

    I really want to go, now, to New Zealand.

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    1. Jane May 30, 2012 at 4:03 PM

      Thanks Em, I was just thinking this afternoon how much I want to go back - now!!

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  2. https://booksthoughtsadventures.comMay 28, 2012 at 5:10 AM

    Love the photos!!!

    Love the black swans?

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    1. Jane May 30, 2012 at 4:05 PM

      Aren't they interesting looking? I don't think I'd ever seen black swans before - I love their dramatic-looking red & white bills.

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  3. turquoisemoonMay 28, 2012 at 5:17 AM

    Love all the pics, but the last one is my favorite.

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  4. Debra She Who SeeksMay 28, 2012 at 6:37 AM

    How idyllic! Such gorgeous white sand . . . .

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  5. Magaly GuerreroMay 28, 2012 at 10:03 AM

    Wow! I enjoyed myself and I wasn't even there. I'm sure it was pure bliss for you. I LOVE the first picture.

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    1. Jane May 30, 2012 at 4:09 PM

      Thanks for visiting Magaly and for becoming a new follower :) That's the fun part of visiting blogs - everyone plays the part of tour guide - be it a walk through their day, garden or half-way across the world.

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  6. The Dancing CroneMay 28, 2012 at 11:00 AM

    Eek! You didn't tell us the love story. Cruel, Jane, absolutely cruel. Unless of course you intent to tell us in some future post?? I love myths and legends so I was immediately hooked. But alas ... The other thing I wanted was to hear the bird songs. I am a demanding reader aren't I? But I come back because I love your blog!

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    1. Jane May 30, 2012 at 4:02 PM

      Hi Francie, Yes, now that you mention it, you are becoming a handfulI, lol!! I actually considered paraphrasing the legend it into a bite-sized version, but if you follow the following link, you'll see why I opted out - it's a long involved tale :)

      http://www.maoriweddings.co.nz/hinemoa.html

      As for the bird songs, I can't help you there. They were very loud and tropical-sounding.

      I do hope you keep coming back :D

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  7. LoreneMay 28, 2012 at 11:22 AM

    In my mind's eye I walked the path with you and loved every minute. Stunning photos and such interesting things I'm learning.

    Yum, fiddle heads, lightly steamed, then some butter and balsamic vinegar.....fit for a king.

    Is the last picture a type of Hosta? It's very pretty.

    Does sulphur rock have a use down there, its quite interesting. Looks like it might be picky and rough if one stepped on it with bare feet.

    Keep those lovely pictures coming.

    I'm looking at the link to the Republic of Nothing right away. Psst....that is where I thought I live....lol

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    1. Jane May 30, 2012 at 4:11 PM

      Thanks Lorene, I'm glad that you enjoyed the tour :) I love fiddle heads too - but the ones in my backyard are off limit...!! Yes, it's a hosta of some variety.

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  8. Sulky KittenMay 29, 2012 at 3:28 AM

    Great photos Jane. It looks so serene and beautiful, what a lovely start that must have been to your holiday. Love that little photo of Emma, did she pine for you while you were away?

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    1. Jane May 30, 2012 at 4:15 PM

      Hi Sulky, We were utterly exhausted, but I'm glad we got out there the next morning and didn't waste time laying about. Emma went to stay with friends of ours who also have a Morkie, named Ruby. She had a good time, but wasn't herself (nor was Ruby after Emma left) for close to a week. Shell-shocked and confused when we brought her home. I think it's pretty hard on them when we just disappear.

      I trust you had a good holiday yourself - welcome back :)

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  9. Plowing Through Life (Martha)May 29, 2012 at 3:57 AM

    Beautiful images! What a gorgeous place to stroll through. It's no wonder you came back with so many photos. Looking foward to seeing more!

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    1. Jane May 30, 2012 at 4:16 PM

      Thanks Martha, with incredible scenery like that, it's pretty easy to come away with great shots.

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  10. VictoriaMay 29, 2012 at 6:02 AM

    Wow Jane!!!!..stunning scenes from your magical adventure...and oh how I looove the beautiful black swans..mesmerizing!! and love the trees and sulfur rock...what a visual treat..thankyou for sharing your journey!!
    Victoria

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    1. Jane May 30, 2012 at 4:18 PM

      Hi Victoria, Thanks - it certainly was a magical adventure - reality bites, lol!! I found the black swans very regal.

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  11. TB at BlueCollarWorkmanMay 29, 2012 at 6:35 AM

    Haha, new headers are always dangerous... I usually check in here and when I got here this time my mind went, "Huh? Who's this? Is this the site?" Haha, we are creatures of habit. Great pictures!

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    1. Jane May 30, 2012 at 4:19 PM

      Haha, just keeping you on your toes! Thanks for stopping by :)

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  12. CraveCuteMay 29, 2012 at 8:35 AM

    Great photos! Love the black swans! What a magnificent place!

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    1. Jane May 30, 2012 at 4:21 PM

      Thanks :) Aren't they gorgeous - I can see why they figure in fairy tales.

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  13. Scrappy AngelMay 29, 2012 at 10:15 AM

    New Zealand?! Oh my peeps are gonna be so jealous....as always....beautiful photos! Thank you to you and Emma for my get well wishes....

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    1. Jane May 30, 2012 at 4:23 PM

      Hi Scrappy, Thanks for stopping by and I hope you are now on the mend. We enjoyed the pics you shared of your first day back outside :)

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  14. ElisabethMay 29, 2012 at 9:28 PM

    Such magnificent photos, Jane...the header photo, and all the others are picture post card amazing photos. As you know, I pinned your last one of your header photo on Pinterest. My most favorite is the sulphur rock sparkling in the sun! Gorgoeous, and magical photos which I would love to share on Pinterest!

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    1. Jane May 30, 2012 at 4:25 PM

      Thanks Elisabeth :) It was lovely and I would have liked to have tucked it away in my suitcase... I've checked out your Pinterest and you have a lovely collection of pics (including a few of mind :D - I just love all of your theme pages!

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  15. AnonymousMay 30, 2012 at 10:27 AM

    What a beautiful place. Gorgeous pics, the water looks so inviting!

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    1. Jane May 30, 2012 at 4:26 PM

      Hi Tracey, So many colours in the water and it was so clear. The mineral content is so high there, that when I ran a bath, the water was a rich blue - very inviting indeed :)

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  16. Introverted ArtMay 30, 2012 at 3:03 PM

    the photos are beautiful and like you, I have an obsession with all things "mini"

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    1. Jane May 30, 2012 at 4:32 PM

      Thanks Ana, I appreciate you stopping by. Like yourself, I find there's so much beauty when you take a closer look :)

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    2. Introverted ArtMay 30, 2012 at 5:11 PM

      Continue photographing and sharing such beautiful images and thoughts.

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  17. GigaMay 30, 2012 at 3:55 PM

    Jezioro, które pokazałaś z jego piaszczystym brzegiem wygląda cudownie. Woda też wydaje się być czyściutka. tam jest cudownie. Pozdrawiam.
    The lake, which you showed to its sandy shores looks wonderful. Water also appears to be czyściutka. There is wonderful. Yours.

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    1. Jane May 30, 2012 at 4:33 PM

      Hi Giga, We had a fantastic time. I've really enjoyed your travel pics as well :)

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  18. TatianaMay 30, 2012 at 4:18 PM

    I love the rocks under the ducks in that photo. So cute.

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    1. Jane May 30, 2012 at 4:38 PM

      They do add some visual interest to the shot - couldn't hardly take a bad pic Down Under - must be the lighting!

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  19. WebDebrisMay 31, 2012 at 3:20 AM

    That is a problem I never thought about. I am allergic to sulpher and any for of it makes my lungs close up. I don't know how I would react to being around it like that. Can you actually smell it in the air?

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    1. Jane May 31, 2012 at 4:56 AM

      Yes - it was very strong at times, depending on where you were, wind conditions etc. Bear in mind that this area on the North Island is quite well-known for smelling of sulphur - it has steam vents and mud pools all over the place. Other parts of NZ are not at all like this. I'd never considered the possibility of someone being allergic to it - thank goodness we weren't, although I did have a few moments where I'd caught a big whiff and couldn't breathe.

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