The Southern Lake District :: Arrowtown to Queenstown

If you're anything like me (a newbie photographer) you may find more often than not you get so excited on fresh outings and soaking in the beauty around you that you get a little snap-happy and take waaay more photos than anyone cares to endure as you give the play by play of your recent adventure...

This happens to me. Often. For those who know me well also know that I am quite skilled at over-complicating just about anything... I'm about the details, which can leave me down in the weeds on many occasion, requiring the hand of another to help me come up for air and perspective after a fresh survey of the land.  Basically, what I am trying to say is that I took way too many pictures on our outing to Queenstown and have had much trouble picking just a handful to share with you...

Queenstown was fabulous. Let me start there. I won't bore you with all the details, but I will say that this is one city I am excited to visit again in a few months when my parents come to town. And Queenstown is definitely an adrenalin junkies dream. Just a quick Google search will overwhelm the faint of heart by the plethora of options available to anyone intending to open their pocket book and take part in the hype. Perhaps next time I will. However, Shannon, Royal, and I took a more laid back approach to our outing. And it was fabulous!  Meandering the sun-soaked streets, checking out the little boutiques, and a wonderful lakeside lunch in the park complete with the locally famous Fergburger - A must try for the burger enthusiest! I ordered the lamb burger with mint jelly, garlic aoli, red onion and tomato relish. Delish! While Shannon went the more traditional route with beef, cheddar and the classic toppings.

Only 35 miles, but about a 60 minute drive from Wanaka, the landscape along this route is stunning! (again you are encouraged to Google!) We stopped for a number of scenic shots along the drive and sure enough one after the other, breathtaking views of vast alpine ranges and the deep green valleys below... If you're curious why it takes 60 minutes to only travel about 35 miles, its because just before you drop into Arrowtown the switchbacks become fierce as you decend into the valley and you must slow waaay down to avoid sailing off the cliffs Thelma and Louise style.

On our way to Queenstown we made a quick stop in Arrowtown. An adorable, teeny town trapped in the days of yesteryear, celebrating the Chinese settlets who migrated there in hopes of striking it rich during the gold rush. Honestly, I didn't realize gold was a commodity sought after in New Zealand, but this little town provides proof that at least at one point in history it was. There are many cute shops and cafes to checkout and I believe is definitely worth your time while on your way to Queenstown for that whitewater rafting trip, bungy escapade or hanggliding adventure.

The Southern Lake District :: Wanaka

I mentioned the other day that I was out of town last week. And, oh my, was it a treat! My friend Shannon invited me to join her with her son, Royal, on holiday in Wanaka for a few days, and goodness, am I glad I did!

This place instantly had my heart! From the moment I stepped off the bus I decided this was a town where I could put my stake in the ground.  Perhaps it was the dramatic juxtiposition of scenery I experienced, leaving behind a city of construction noise and still in many places resemblant of a war zone for stop-in-your-tracks breathtaking, postcard picturesque views of pristine, and in many places, untouched environment.. Or perhaps it was the seven hour bus ride that had me overwhelmed with joy to be rejoined with fresh air and solid ground... regardless, it was love at first sight!

The three of us spent our little getaway soaking in the sunshine, eating great food, sharing a few bottles of local wine (well, girls only), taking in a little tramp and exploring our surroundings. We even took a little day trip through Arrowtown into Queenstown for a little added site-seeing. I'll post more on our Queenstown excursion tomorrow. It was such a delight spending this time together, enjoying each others company by the lake.

In fact, I had such a wonderful time that when I got home I couldn't stop talking about it and actually convinced Mr. Robinson to change our upcoming holiday plans. Instead of traveling back up to Wellington again this year for our anniversary and New Years I convinced him that instead we must head south to the Lake District! We're currently looking for a place to stay and plan to spend New Years at Rhythm & Alps, a music festival set amongst the gorgeous landscape of Cardrona Valley... more on that later if our plans pan out... Meanwhile, I'll continue to basque in the memories of these photos 'til we can get back out there.

Thank you Shannon and Royal for inviting me to join you last week. I had such a wonderful time exploring and getting to know both of you a little better. Hope we get to plan another trip soon! Xx

Ten on Ten :: November 2013 :: A Full Harvest

 Happy Ten on Ten!

Finding life and beauty in the ordinary things of our day to day! 

Happy Ten on Ten everyone! Sorry for my tardiness. I took a short little trip to Wanaka this week to visit a friend. I wasn't able to upload my set before heading out of town and then realized once I got there that I had really limited internet access.... Anyway, this month's 'Full Harvest' prompt was quite intriguing and really got me thinking about how hard Drew and I have worked over the past year to make Christchurch our new home...let alone how hard the community has worked to continue recovering from such a tragic natural disaster that happened nearly 3 years ago. 

I haven't quite been able to fully articulate all the emotions swirling around my heart and our little home lately... I have been so nervous about our residency application and waiting to hear the verdict about some medical reports (which will determine the outcome) that I have just been a stress case! And quite honestly, the sound of the constant construction taking place outside our front window has become more like nails on a chalkboard than faint background noise... so this month's prompt was such an awesome and welcome opportunity to reflect on little successes. In fact, I told Drew about the prompt and he decided to join me this month, which was such a treat! So I can't take credit for this entire set, but love that it was a chance for both of us to reflect on our commitments; our investment in each other and this place, and the hope that spring will bear great fruit. We just have to keep holding on and just keep clinging to faith!

{LipstickOnAPig} {Braces} {185EmptyChairs} {LifeAsUsual} {CoffeeOut-takes}{Wanted:$50MillionNZD} {RoadToRecovery} {Re:Start-TemporaryIsPermanent}{AmazingTheDifferenceAFewFlowersCanMake} {DaddiesAtWork}

Labour Weekend :: First Camp-out of Spring!

I wouldn't say Drew or I forgot that Labour Weekend was approaching... more accurately, I'd say we just couldn't decide what to do with the first long weekend since QEII's birthday! So when Saturday morning rolled around and we still hadn't finalized our holiday plans, we were both feeling a bit anxious.  The prospect of staying home in the city on what was shaping up to be a gorgeous weather weekend seemed quite dull!  I think it was after that second cup of coffee that we finally decided it was perfectly appropriate to just the hit open road and drive north up the coast to Gore Bay for some low maintenance car camping. Gore Bay is an easy hour and a half drive from Christchurch and definitely did not disappoint!

We spent two glorious days soaking up the sunshine, laughing and playing on the beach, bbq-ing, and just flat out relaxing as one should on 'labour weekend'.... In fact, so much so that I even managed to snap a photo of my man sun-bathing himself into such a deep slumber that he was snoring aloud quite impressively! If it weren't for the mere certainly that Mr. Robinson would give me the silent treatment for at least a week I would post it. However, I value my marriage, so I'll just hold onto it for future currency. ;)

The best part of the weekend had to be watching the sunrise over the Pacific Ocean. There was something so beautiful and connecting about knowing that this bright star had nearly just put our loved ones back home in the States to bed, and is now waking us up for another day and a new adventure. 

It also got me reflecting on the fact that this was our first camp-out since settling in Christchurch nearly a year ago. For some reason this trip felt much different than all of our coastal wandering this time last year... for me, I think it's because we now have a home to go to when the weekend ends. We're no longer wandering around unfamiliar territory in a new country without a permanent address and nothing to return to in the States (job or home I mean). We have a home here. With belongings. There's a sense of security in that. Drew and I are often asked if we're in New Zealand 'on holiday' (can't escape the accent!). This weekend felt so good meeting new friends also enjoying the long weekend. When asked where we were visiting from we could say confidently - We're from Christchurch... by way of Portland, Oregon. Xx