Auckland, April 2009. Ajr I feel like I've been following this billboard all over New Zealand. I took this version on one of Auckland's city buses
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Hotel with MOOD!
Wellington. April 2009. Ajr When I first walked into the lobby of Wellington's Museum Hotel, I thought I'd tripped and fallen into a classy bordello. It's all over-the-top opulence with luscious fabrics, gilt framed mirrors, dripping crystals and one of the craziest art collections I've ever come across. Nonetheless, I loved it. It's quirky and colourful and I'm always a fan of things slightly left of centre. And it must be one of the few hotels in the world that has been placed on rollers and shifted along the street to a new location. www.museumhotel.co.nz
Friday, May 15, 2009
Coffee for the People
Wellington. April 2009. Ajr One of my best little discoveries in Wellington this trip, was People's Coffee - specifically their dinky little cafe just off Cuba Street. Quite apart from the excellent, very friendly service and the interesting people coming and going, their 'lampshade' is definitely worth checking out - it's made of car bumpers all scrunched up and suspended from the ceiling. www.peoplescoffee.co.nz
Above the Clouds
Image Supplied by Treble Cone I love a good ski or snowboarding shot and since I'm neither a skier nor a snowboarder, I rely on the generosity of other photographers to make my blog look pretty in winter. This lovely image was sent to me by the team at Treble Cone Ski Field, near Wanaka - one of the more challenging fields in the country with lots of very steep areas and narrow valleys to keep the experienced skiers happy. www.treblecone.co.nz
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Peeping Through a Window
Matakana, Northland. April 2009. Ajr I keep seeing these melon-like ceramics all around the country, so when I found them at Matakana - and the shop was shut, I consoled myself with a photo taken through the window. I don't know who the artist is - maybe someone could enlighten me? I love them. I'd like the whole collection please!
Snow Time!
Cardrona Alpine Resort, WanakaOne of the Best Family Ski Fields
In the Country
And Let's Not Forget the Spectacular Scenery
Image Courtesy Cardrona Alpine Resort
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Dressed in Red
Wellington. April 2009. Ajr Call me easily pleased - or just plain crazy - but I'm never happier than when there's a crane on a busy city skyline. It was an ecstatic moment in Wellington therefore, when I snapped three all hovering over the same red-wrapped building. Simple pleasures! Can't beat them.
Just Desserts
Image by Stephen Goodenough Courtesy The George Chocolate Heaven
@
Pescatore Christchurch
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
An Untouched World
Images supplied by Dart River Safaris Anyone following this blog will remember that I've featured Dart River Safaris before ....just click on their name in the index line below this posting to see other fabulous photos. These two shots put the adventure in context - in a remarkable untouched landscape that dwarfs anyone in it. There are many good jet-boating operations in New Zealand but few that transport you into territory like this. www.dartriver.co.nz
Monday, May 11, 2009
World Famous Fish & Chips
Mangonui, Far North. April 2009. Ajr I'm afraid to say that little has changed in the little Far North fishing village of Mangonui in the decades since I last stayed there - but maybe that's a good thing. One thing that has become clear, the Mangonui Fish Shop has taken it's popularity seriously, now billing itself as The World Famous Mangonui Fish Shop. I'm always fascinated by claims like these and wonder just how they arise.
Barry's Provocative Unpublished Minutes - 54
"Inflight Information Upgrade."Here's another inkjet print from one of New Zealand's leading printmakers.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Vehicle Graphics
Auckland. April 2009. Ajr Loved this bright Charlie's truck on Ponsonby Road in Auckland.
A much-needed splash of colour on a dull day.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Capital Architecture
Wellington. April 2009. Ajr I loved these architectural shapes glinting in the afternoon sun in Wellington's Civic Square a few weeks ago (bottom image). And the top image - of another under construction and all wrapped in blue. www.wellingtonnz.com
Friday, May 8, 2009
Going Potty
Matakana, Northland. April 2009. Ajr I couldn't resist a snap of these colourful pots in a corner at Morris & James Country Pottery on the outskirts of Matakana, an hour north of Auckland. They're well known for their large terracotta and glazed garden pots - something they do well. Their attempts at platters and decorative ceramics though, don't take my fancy at all. Win some, lose some I guess. www.morrisandjames.co.nz
In the Blue Corner
One of Wellington's Eternal FavoritesThe Lido Cafe
I can never resist at least one visit
Looking Up
Auckland. April 2009. Ajr I think I became a little obsessed with photographing Skytower! I never realised I came away from Auckland with so many photos of it - one for almost every climatic variation.....which is perhaps is not something I should publicly confess to. www.skytower.co.nz
Lillies in the Lobby
The george, Christchurch. April 2009. Ajr There's nothing more intoxicating for me than the look and smell of white lillies. I adore them! No surprise then, that I took these photographs in the lobby of The George Christchurch - where I could happily have spent the day, lounging back on white leather sofas, drinking in heavenly lily perfume. www.thegeorge.com
Thursday, May 7, 2009
NZ's Northernmost Winery
Karikari Estate, Karikari Peninsular, Far North. April 2009. Ajr This was where I spent my birthday last week - well.....not actually sleeping over in the winery, but very nearby at Carrington. And this is Karikari Estate, New Zealand's northernmost winery and vineyard, steep on a hill overlooking spectacular beach views.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Billboard of the Week
Rotorua May 2009 Ajr As seen on the rear of a backpacker bus this afternoon in Rotorua
Blue Skies in the Far North
Cable Bay, Northland. April 2009 Ajr It was a perfect blue day when I stopped at Cable Bay in the Far North last week. I had this gorgoues little pinky-white sand beach all to myself but for a mother and a small child playing on the edge of the water. It's true what they say about the winterless North!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Shapes and Shadows
Auckland April 2009. Ajr A Quiet Moment at Cafe Reuben at the New Auckland Art Gallery. Nice shapes I thought - stool legs and the tree branches outside the window.
Signposting Art
Auckland. April 2009. Ajr Here's another of my art gallery signs. I love all the angles and shadows and tonal variations on what, at first glance, appears to be a very plain building wall.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Art in the Street
Wellington. April 2009. Ajr I haven't always been a Paul Dibble fan. I love some of his sculptures and hate others. But I was very taken with this one outside Paige Blackie Gallery, in central Wellington. It's a 2006 bronze that stands its ground very well.
Pink Bananas!
Matakana, Northland. April 2009 Ajr You can't really complain about winter when you live in a climate where bananas are appearing on trees in late April can you? I took this snap in the very trendy Matakana shopping area. The pink bananas appealed to me far more than any of the expensive boutique stores that look like they've been transplanted from Parnell!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Coffee and Cuddles
Wellington. April 2009. Ajr Here's a slice of life from Wellington's bohemian Cuba Street - coffee fiends at Midnight Espresso and a little public display of affection further along.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Billboard of the Week
Wellington. April 2009. Ajr More visual inspiration in the heart of the capital!
An Adventure Worth Having
Images Supplied by Dart River Safaris In the course of writing the travel guide Frommers New Zealand, I think I've been on almost every sort of boat there is - from steamships and yachts to cruise vessels, fishing boats and jet boats. One of the most memorable adventures MUST be Dart River Safaris, who whisk you into the remote reaches of the Dart River, 40 minutes from Queenstown. If you get the chance, don't say no! www.dartriver.co.nz http://www.frommers.com/
Friday, May 1, 2009
A Northern Breakfast
Leigh. April 2009. Ajr I love it when B&B owners go to a great deal of effort to establish a point of difference and to make their guests feel great. You can be guaranteed of that with Marshall and Teresa Gibson-Lefferts of Tera del Mar at Leigh, near Warkworth. They've built this enormous house - replicating (very well) an old two-storied Victorian villa with huge balconies, with enormous rooms for guests to sloth about in. And breakfast is a visual delight! The night I stayed, the mists came in and it was surreal and spooky and gorgeous. When I woke next morning I could see for miles across the ocean and all across to the beautiful pristine horseshoe that is nearby Pakiri Beach. www.teradelmar.co.nz
On the Edge
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Bay of Islands, Northland. Images Supplied by ExploreNZ Apologies to my Christchurch friends but I HAVE to gloat! This is where I am. Understandably, winter in the deep south seems a long way away! But, as that thoroughly thrashed cliche goes, 'someone's gotta do it.' www.explorenz.co.nz
Barry's Provocative Unpublished Minutes - 53
"The Surgical Nightmare"This is one of my favourite series - witty, provocative visual 'thoughts' from one of New Zealand's leading printmakers
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