Kiwi Bee Buzzing

What to know when entering New Zealand

libbylullaby — Sat, 2 Aug 2014 05:59:00 GMT

Photos: Foret de Soignes

libbylullaby — Sat, 1 Dec 2012 05:16:00 GMT

Sonian Forest, Brussels

Photos: Brussels - Belgium

libbylullaby — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 04:02:00 GMT

Brussels - Belgium

Photos: Rarotonga

libbylullaby — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 15:08:00 GMT

Kia orana - live a long life

libbylullaby — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 14:47:00 GMT

Kia orana, the sweet welcoming words of the Cook Islands.

Right off the plane, the ukelele plays and a necklace of scented flowers kiss your neck. A smile, 'kia orana', and whip, hop to your accommodation awaits.

Rarotonga - a heartfelt location, warm in both air and beauty.

Talked up at a must getaway, you will not be disappointed. Staying at the Edgewater, everything was very easy. But, obviously, it's not the accommodation that makes Rarotonga such a stellar destination, it's the people. Always ready to give an honest smile and have a yarn, 'Island Time' is still very much alive in the beautiful islands in the South Pacific.

Ventured to a couple of activities - Captain Tama's Lagoon Tours and the Highland Paradise cultural evening, neither did disappoint.

For a good laugh and comedic cultural affair, Captain Tama's is a must. Greeted at Muri Beach with a group of shirtless, good looking island men serenading the audience into a euphoria of giggles and relaxation. Taken by a glass-bottom boat towards the roof, the opportunity to jump off and go for a snorkel offers an array of colourful fish and delicate coral beds to treat your underwater experience.

Next off is the little island just off the Muri coastline. Here you'll be serenaded some more, followed by a tantalising feed of barbecued fish and local fruits and vegies. Next comes a display about the 'tree of life' - the coconut tree. Opened by stick, Captain Tama and the team explain the wonders of the plant - from the use of the frongs for fibre and cooking, to the butter of the plant used for a skin remedy. An excursion I definitely recommend.

The Highlands' Paradise show was also great. For a commercial overview of the islands, it's also a must. Dancing and drumming are invigorating and the indigenous food cooked from a natural oven - the umu - is hearty. The taro leaf with curried coconut my personal favourite. Insight into how Rarotongans used to live is also appreciated and an important aspect as to who the people really are and where they've come from. A lot has changed since the missionaries arrived over 150 years ago, and they seem thankful for the experience. Unfortunately, a lot of their tribal symbolism was destroyed in the process.

While the beaches, swimming and sunshine go without saying, it is definitely the people (and dogs) that make up these beautiful islands.

A great assurance taken away from this trip was the understanding of their land system. Where it is easy for a lot of these idyllic places to be taken over by development, unfavouring the indigenous people, in the Cook Islands they are not allowed to sell their land, only lease it out for 60 years. All land is instead inherited.

Kia orana - live a long life.

Time to venture to Rarotonga

libbylullaby — Sat, 1 Sep 2012 17:01:00 GMT

It's been a full on couple of weeks - new job starting soon in Brussels, lots of work to tidy up in my current job, distance study and a half marathon. But, it's all worth it. There's a place for busyness, which is situated before and after relaxation.

In a couple of days, I'll be leaving the new spring of NZ for the sunny oasis of Rarotonga with my boyfriend. Ah, bliss awaits.

From all of the people I've talked to about Rarotonga, I've only heard overwhelming positive notions. While it could be mistaken for thinking all tropical islands in the South Pacific are an amazing escape, that's not such the case. Here and there you hear people talk about places such as Samoa and Fiji with not quite the warmth as you would hear about Rarotonga. I know , myself, having spent a summer in Tahiti for a French exchange that the reality of some islands is actually quite saddening. Stray and starving dogs, rife pollution, and dangerous alleys are just some complaints. But in saying that, no place is perfect and you have to take the good with the bad.

The Cook Islands, however, seem to put a spell on people, leaving them with a mesmerising and enchanted experience.

Anyway, I shall find out for myself - expectations diminished however.

Back next weekend.

Until then,

Aere Ra

Photos: South Styles

libbylullaby — Sun, 8 Jan 2012 16:31:00 GMT

Taken around the South Island, New Zealand

The sweet life in the South

libbylullaby — Sun, 8 Jan 2012 16:13:00 GMT

Recently I was fortunate to spend some time back down in my homeland - the south of New Zealand. It's always as refreshing and grounding as ever.

Time is slower, the days are longer and the air is fresher.

During my time there, I was able to go swimming most days in 30+ degree (C) heat, walk endlessly in bare feet and do whatever I pleased. Not to mention spend some quality and invigorating time with my family.

I recommend everyone who visits New Zealand to make the extra effort of travelling a few extra kilometers to the South Island; namely Southland and Otago. It really is worth it and is distinct from anywhere else in the country.

Preparing to traverse

libbylullaby — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:01:00 GMT

With the festive season comes the busy season and tomorrow will see us catching the ferry from Wellington to Picton and moving our way down the South Island to Invercargill over two days.

I must admit, I love this time of year. The sun shines (usually), people with smiles are out in droves, and it's the time of year when you can just kick back and relax. In my case, I like to find anywhere I can near water, have my bag packed, and lounge in seclusion - tis bliss.

I have a few spots - all very secluded - which I cannot recommend highly enough:

Waikawa Beach - Horowhenua near Wellington: you can easily find a spot on this beach and not see another soul. Great swimming beach too.

Find out more here.
Twelve Mile Delta - Queenstown: On the way to Glenorchy from Queenstown, there's a gravel road turnoff. Down the road, there are lots of alcoves along the river, very private, and situated near the lake. You can also camp here for a small fee which is payable when DOC (Department of Conservation) do a walkabout the area during early evening.

Find out more here.
Clutha River - Alexandra: If you find the main camping ground (which is a great experience in itself), there's a track to the river. Along with a river swing, you can walk along the river a bit and set up a nice wee spot for the day. Alexandra is a heat sensation in Summer so make sure you take your sunscreen. There are also some great walks as well as fishing spots.

Find out more here.

And for the best beach in New Zealand, without a doubt, I suggest Totaranui in the Golden Bay of the South Island; it is the epitome of a South Pacific beach. The sand is golden, the trees are tropical, and the weather is warm. It does get a little full, but it is a vibrant buzz of smiles and happiness. You can access it via Takaka (a NZ gem, well and truly), or by walking the Abel Tasman track. Camping is available at the site through DOC.

Wellington, j'adore

libbylullaby — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 06:36:00 GMT

Well, it's been nearly a year since arriving in the windy capital of New Zealand, Wellington, and it's been a fantastic year at that.

There's always something diverse on offer - from cafes, plays, gigs, scenery, events. It's alive with action, vibrancy and expression.

As the summer temperatures heat up, so does the atmosphere. Gigs are aplenty, beaches are buzzing, and the good vibes flowing.

Wellington is a cultural fusion, basking in a creative hub. Distinct from anywhere else in New Zealand, Wellington offers a place to live with a special je ne sais quoi.

Whether you're into outdoor pursuits or have an insatiable artistic thirst, Wellington is sure to satisfy even the most demanding of appetites.

Photos: Central Splendour

libbylullaby — Wed, 11 May 2011 07:27:00 GMT

Alexandra in Autumn

Central Heaven

libbylullaby — Wed, 11 May 2011 06:22:00 GMT

During Easter I was fortunate enough to hop on the ferry from Wellington to Picton and traverse down the South Island to Alexandra, Central Otago.

Central is renowned for its Autumn splendour with rich reds, yellows and oranges aplenty. There's something very special about the region, a real warmth about it. The landscape is diverse, from its barren bare and cracked high country to its abundant and majestic water scape.

The red rocks and hills around Alexandra are comforting, like a fire. There's a feeling of togetherness and belonging. The impressive Clutha River carved in the middle is equally so. The air is fresh, therapeutic even, and the sky is clean.

Central is very different to its neighbour, the Lakes District. Although both equally beautiful and spectacular in their own right, the Lakes District holds more pretention, more greed. The overwhelming statutes of the Remarkables and the depth and intrigue of the Wakatipu seem to consume the people. I love the place but at the same time it makes me sad. Development is everywhere and it's all about making a buck and satisfying the ego. Not by everyone of course and typically by the 'out-of-towners'. It's a place that serves an artificial, temporary high. Sure it feels great, but it's generally followed by a come-down unless you keep feeding the addiction.

Alexandra, and its surrounds, is more unassuming. There's a down-to-earth attitude there. One of the greatest thing is the appreciation for the arts and crafts and using the land to make an honest living - and a sustainable one. Not developing the land for some over the top holiday home more decadent than the average kiwi's home, but using the land the same as bygones ago to create world class products - fruits and jams, wool (home of merino and 'IceBreaker', wine (pinot especially), cheese, honey (wild thyme), gold...

Central Otago has a lot to be proud of but most of all because it's honest and it's kiwi.

Photos: Nestling in Wellington

libbylullaby — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 17:17:00 GMT

Moving onwards and upwards...

libbylullaby — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 13:19:00 GMT

Kiā ora folks,

Well, this is my first journal entry and no doubt it won’t be my last.

Currently living in the beautiful and windy Wellington, I feel I have been shown an untouched treasure, waiting to be discovered (thanks Anna!). It's the people that make it a defining place, as they value life as a gift, giving it what it gives them.

Community groups are rife, the arts stand strong and science and nature is appreciated in its deserved glory. People here immerse themselves in all things positive. From mountain biking and theatre to festivals and restaurants, it’s all here and I love it. The Wellington slogan is no joke – Absolutely, positively, Wellington.

I moved up here with my ‘other half’ Hunter, to live with my other ‘other half’ Anna, and her ‘other half’ James.

Made on a semi-spontaneous whim, Hunter and I decided to make the move at the end of last year. Previously living in Invercargill, home of the rugged and raw south, it was time to say 'farewell' to the old and 'kiā ora' to the new.

Invercargill, where our roots run deep, is a grounding place with an expiry date. As I pitch it, 'a great place to grow up, a great place to raise a family and possibly a good place to retire'. During its colonial survey, it was described as a swamp, unfit for habitation. But the hardy Scots and Englishmen forged ahead and formed what was later to become 'Invercargill' - Inver meaning river's mouth and Cargill in honour of Captain William Cargill, Superintendent of Otago at the time. Coincidentally our family has one of Cargill's old ornamental dressers that came off his ship. My great-great auntie Charlotte, or 'Aunt Lottie' as we used to call her, was married to Cargill's nephew, so the story goes.

The nature of the geography in Southland mirrors the heart of the people, solid and strong, tough and determined. It's almost like the swamp's dampness has chilled the core of many. Work hard or be lost. While there can often be found a keen spirit, there can often be found a snub nose abhorrent to the young and the new. This is the way, and the only way. An existence that forms both great and oppressive minds and crashes with the minds of youth like waves to the rocks.

However, it is this very landscape that has mapped me, shaped my soul and moulded my mind. I hold the southern pride as strongly as I hold the southern 'rrrraaaa!'. We breed em strong and we breed em proud. We'll stand up strong, we'll stand our ground.

Needing to spread our wings and soar new heights, we set on our merry way and made the voyage north where nothing is better than something and everyone is as good as someone.

While I love the south, I love middle earth too.

I am blessed in fortune for I now have yet another cloud to rest my head and carry my heart.

So hāeri mai to my journals of journeys - reflecting inwards, looking forwards.