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Continuing on from the South Island after the holidays, I enjoyed 6 more places!!  Starting with Auckland and walking Parnell Rd., I admired the architecture; Victorian, Edwardian, Art Deco and Modern.  Heading up to Paihia I spent time cruising to Russel, the first permanent European settlement and seaport in New Zealand, lots of history there.  Seeing the inlets and islands, bays and estuaries made for an amazing time and appreciation of a different landscape than the South Island.  I then headed back to Auckland stopping off at Whangarei and seeing the Whangarei Heads, an amazing place where one can walk up and over rolling hills with cows and pathways that lead to incredible beaches.  I loved standing on the top of one hill looking both ways to see the sea with the various inlets that are created.

Time for some city and then head down to Rotorua, a Māori area, so was excited to see some of their culture.  I enjoyed the Hamilton Gardens where one can admire various semi over-the-top examples of world gardens and spent the most time in the English Garden.  Rotorua is a place I would like to revisit with more personal interaction for I was only able to do the very touristy section, however, what I saw I did enjoy.  There was an Arts & Crafts Center with old traditional Māori crafts being taught and practiced; weaving along with stone, bone and wood carving.

I am now back in Nelson and feel I have made a good trip all round of getting to see New Zealand.  I have one more exciting event occurring...taking a train with my friend here in Nelson from Christchurch to Greymouth across the South Island next weekend.  It will be a first for my friend also so it will be fun for us both!

A total of 2 months here in this beautiful country, I feel very blessed.  Changing my plan a bit to paint my next works back in Bali in the quiet solitude of the north part of the island, I am excited to allow that piece to flow.  It is a new try for me with a long thin works made from 2 pieces of paper, a Cherry Blossom branch with some petals floating into the air...more on that later!