20 Something Snaps - Timaru

 Back in January when we visited Timaru, New Zealand, we chose to catch the shuttle bus from the ship to the town. 

As we walked around my camera focused on some of the attractive heritage buildings that were still standing. Some of my images concentrate on the first floors as the ground floors were often ruined by modern advertising and improvements!!

It's a joy to visit a site that the wrecking ball had avoided.

20 Something Snaps - Nelson

 Playing catchup before we set off on our next adventure. 

Sharing a few pics from our meander around in Nelson, New Zealand in January. The crowds had disappeared prior to our late afternoon visit so we had a pleasant time exploring this historic seaside town. We especially enjoyed the heritage buildings along the foreshore and appreciated the opportunities for aquatic activities. 

Blogging from A to Z 2026 - U is for Urupukapuka Island and Neighbours

As I travel the world I take many photos that pique my interest. During the year April 2025 to March 2026 our travels included visits to many islands large and small. My theme for 2026 Island Hopping will give precedence to Islands visited in the past year but for those difficult letters like X and Z I will dig into my photo archives for content.

While staying in Pahia on the Bay of Islands in the North Island of New Zealand we visited several of the local tourist sites. A cruise around the Bay of Islands provided us with an opportunity to see several of the Islands and to land on a couple. 

Captain James Cook anchored in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand, in 1769 and landed near Motuarohia Island (also known as Roberton Island). This was the first Island at which our cruise made a stop. 

Arrival of Captain Cook
Kennett Watkins, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

A plaque on the rocks commemorates the landing of Cook in 1769

While I rested on the boat Robert hiked up to a vantage point to take the following photos.

That's me sitting at the aft of our cruise boat

Roberton Island

Roberton Island

The most distant Island we reached was "Piercy Island, also known as "The Hole In The Rock" (and by its Māori-language name Motu Kōkako),which I wrote about in my K post. 

"Urupukapuka Island is the largest island in the Bay of Islands of New Zealand, located about 7.3 km (4.5 mi) from Paihia. The island is a popular stopover point for tour boats to the Hole in the Rock and is also serviced by ferries for day trips from Paihia and Russell." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urupukapuka_Island.

It was on Urupukapuka, one of the most accessible in the Bay of Islands, that we stopped off for lunch at Otehei Bay and had an opportunity to walk around and take some pics.

Approaching

Area outside the Cafe

The Cafe was busy

Space to play

Space to relax

Space to Paddle

Space for everyone

Fish to feed - or catch?