Tags
San Francisco Giants, New Zealand, ferry, Picton, Korean, Flappers, Nelson, Abel Tasman National Park, hitch hikers, Snout Trail
Minji, my favorite Korean Giants fan
This evening’s post wont be too long on words, i.e., I have a great internet connection and I plan on taking advantage of it. Consequently, I am posting quite a few pictures. However, my first one deserves a more detailed explanation. I indicated on the Flap blog (where “Orange and Black Flappers” discuss all things San Francisco Giants 24/7) prior to this trip starting that I would attempt to locate a Giants fan in each country I am visiting on my RTW trip. Minji is my first fan identified.
I was walking the Snout Trail in Picton and she essentially showed up on the beach portion of the trail. Minji didn’t really know what I was talking about when I was jumping up and down and acting like a crazed American, yelling, “I FOUND A GIANTS FAN! OH MY GOD, YOU CAN’T WRITE THIS STUFF UP IN HOLLYWOOD! WOO HOO!” Now in the interest of full disclosure, Minji likes American stuff, such as baseball hats . . . Nevertheless, I think she qualifies as a fan and therefore I bestow upon her all rights and benefits that a Giants fan is given at birth. This also completes 1/12 of my quest (if you include layovers) to identify and photograph San Francisco Giants Fans in each country I visit. Go Giants!
Minji was a good sport and let me take quite a few pictures of her 
Island I spied in Picton harbor while walking the Snout trail
The jungle canopy was complete on this part of the Snout trail in Picton
Ferry I used to cross from North island to South Island bringing more people and cars to Picton dock
Snout trail beach cove I ended up sunbathing in. I tried swimming in the water, but it was too damn cold!
Me on the pedestrian walkway before beginning my hike on the Snout trail
Highest point on Snout trail
Crystal clear water, but bbbbbrrrrrrrrrrrrrr . . .
Modernistic clock and bell tower in city of Nelson
The picture above and the ones following were taken earlier today. I got an early start this morning and headed to Nelson, Golden Bay and Abel Tasman National Park. Quite an eventful trip, as I met someone from California, Bill, who was visiting Birgitta, his girlfriend. I also picked up hitchhikers, – two lovely sisters, Rachel and Leah. Don’t tell my Mom, but I have picked up hitchhikers twice on this trip. In Taupo, a Maori man; and also a back packer in Palmerston North. I know, I know . . . I could get robbed doing those sort of things, perhaps worse. In any event, you meet the most interesting people this way. Besides, Rachel and Leah didn’t fit the criminal MO type. Where’s my wallet? OH OH!
Regarding Bill, we hit it off immediately. He overheard me talking to this young lady about my trip and joined the conversation. Anywho, he ended up inviting me to lunch and I accepted. Birgitta met us at the restaurant they previously had agreed to meet at. After we ate lunch, I pardoned myself and left. I still had 2-3 hours of driving and I had to get back on the road.
Beautiful park in Nelson
Rachel and Leah, a pair of charming sisters
Island off of Nelson’s coast
Bill took this picture of me before we had lunch at a park in Nelson
These ducks actually entered a women’s clothes store
More window shopping . . . Hilarious
I am not certain what this Nelson building is used for, but it was quite impressive, so I took the shot – I should have asked before I left
Scenic view of Abel Tasman National Park
Another shot of Abel Tasman National Park
Although I love all the scenic pictures Steve, I have to say the ducks won my heart today
Are you sure you didn’t just persuade that young lady to pose in your cap? haha!
Moi? You jest of course . . . No, that photo is genuine. Besides, I never wear hats (doo rag maybe). Yeah, the ducks were quite funny. Just walking in the downtown area, entering stores and window shopping. Now that would have been a killer pic to have shot them (figuratively of course) while they were in the store. My WIFI connections at the places I have stayed at on this trip have sucked. No idea how I lucked out at this hotel. It actually works at a decent speed.
Hope you are well Verity!
Love the pics! What a beautiful park! Sort of reminds me of Mt Edgecumbe in England, right down to the deceptively beautiful water that would freeze your tushie.
And, I think yer pushin’ it Mr., called her a Giant’s fan, but you do get credit for finding a GIANT’S HAT.
LOL Leah. Technically Minji qualifies as a fan. Grin.
great group of pics, thanks Blade. A Korean Giants fan; too cool.
keep the blog posts coming and don’t ‘quack up’
That would be cool if Flav reprinted it on the Flap. I need to ask him that, while I still have an excellent WIFI connection. Thanks for the comment Ed.
Great pics, Blade. I really like the Tasman Park pic . . .
Well, as I said earlier Chuck, if you brought your family here, they really do a good job of providing camping services, e.g., camper vans, equipment, etc. If you and your wife come here, the information on these beautiful sites is outstanding. Oh, one other thing – the roads are excellent! Head and shoulders above anything in the States. I really haven’t seen any potholes. A Gnome work crew probably comes out in the middle of the night and repairs thems. Ha.
Hi Steven, how is the food there? is there lots of seafood available? how about lobster? or is it mostly another shrimp on the barbbie ?? Dennis and I are looking forward to the Super Bowl , I hope they show it over there. I’m not going to say anything about picking up hitchhikers, just be careful and make them ride in the trunk. Keep on posting , I love it. xoxoxoxox mom
Yes, the food is excellent. Did you see my comments about the Spanish Paella and a rump lamb roast I had recently? I think I was commenting to Jackie or Greg about the two meals. They were both excellent dinners and not too expensive. When I get to Australia, I’ll probably be eating dog food – since it’s the most expensive economy in the world.:-)
Hi, Steve, I found your blog
. By the way, my name is Minji. I was confused and I didn’t know what happened suddenly. You went to Able Tasman National Park?! I’m going to go there on this weekend.
I’m sorry for mis-spelling your name Minji. I will edit my post to reflect that. Wow! I am so happy that you found my blog! When I first started it, you couldn’t even find it, with or without Google. LOL. You will love this area Minji. By the way, you have a lot of fans now from the baseball blog I belong to!
Thanks
. Your blog is amazing. Photos are better than what I took in Picton. I’m already enjoying your blog. I will come here everyday to see your postings! Do I have fans? can’t believe!
LOL. You are an official Giants fan MJ! I still need to contact my friend Craig (Flav) and have him post your picture on his site. When he does, I will give you the URL link. Thank you for the kind words!
Great photos Blade! I’m loving this blog… You’re living the life man – enjoy.
Glad you enjoyed them Chico. I’m a bit humbled by having the opportunity to do this trip.
Great photos Blade. And regardless of whether or not Minji is a true fan, we can all agree she has excellent taste in hats! Personally, I give ya credit on this one (finding a Giant fan in each country you visit)…technicality or not. Happy Trails my friend…keep the great pictures coming!
Thanks Chi! Apparently, she will be where I am at now Saturday. The scenery here is gorgeous. I will post pictures of the two hikes I did earlier today. You’ll be impressed.
I love it! Great writing, great pics, great Giants fan quest! Did you break out in “Gangnam Style” dancing? I wonder if that tall skinny building is an Anglican church? Keep ‘em coming, Steve. You make all this blogging look easy, photos and all. What a memory album!
Paul, excellent eye. I zoomed in on that picture and yes, it is a church. In fact, if you click on the pic, the zoom effect loses no resolution and you can also make out the sign that indicates it is a church, as well as the large flag mural showing a woman playing a violin.
Um, I missed the violin-playing woman [grin] — and that’s rare for me to miss feminine pulchritude.
hehehe . . . umm, I have that same quality.
Steve, what the hell time or day is it, anyway? (I see you just approved my last comment.)
It’s Tuesday, 3:40pm. What day/time is it in the “world?”
For me, it is Monday 9:44 pm.
Those jungle pictures are pretty amazing. I think I can feel my travel bug acting calling out for some attention.
Thank you George – I just posted pics of two parks I hiked today. Truly amazing terrain. The first park, Grove – had limestone formations that were quite beautiful and contrasted nicely with the “bush” (jungle). The other park was also quite interesting, since it was a reclamation project by the New Zealand government. It was called Milnthorpe. If you get a chance, check out my post. Again, thank you for stopping by and commenting.
Hi Steve,
Your reference to meeting someone from California and going to lunch was yours truly. My name is Bill, not “Bob.” My girlfriends name is Birgitta. We’d like to see you again if you’re still around. Please call us 021 2096424. We’ve been going to the International Film Festival at the Suter Museum where you had lunch with us. Tonight we saw an excellent documentary there on the children of Parihaka (near Mt. Taranaki in the North) whose Maori ancestors were defeated and wrongly imprisoned in Dunedin far from where they lived. It’s the “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee” for New Zealand Maoris. Best, Bill
Arrrrgggghhhhh! I feel so embarrassed Bill. I apologize! I met quite a few people yesterday and I must be going senile (I also incorrectly identified a Korean gal I met on a hiking trail in Picton). I just finished a post on two hikes I did today. Take a look. You two might be interested in hiking these two trails. Plenty of bush cover to protect you from the sun. Amazing trails. I will be here tomorrow and leave the next day. I am tentatively hiking the Wainui Falls trail tomorrow at Abel Tasman National Park. Will you be anywhere near that area? I am staying at the Bay Country Lodge in Pohara, a couple of kilometers from Takaka.
Again, my sincerest apologies my friend for mis-identifying you.
I corrected my earlier post. Thanks for your understanding.
All the photos were amazing. I like the description of people and location. Thank you for the photos and the story.
Thank you very much John. Much appreciated!
Enjoying the blog Steve, New Zealand looks amazing, will definitely put it on my to-do list
Bob, everything about this place is stunning. I like the fact that it is so pristine and seemingly undiscovered.
Of all the people and friends that have visited New Zealand, none have provided a view of the country like you have. I’m loving your trip.
I feel honored that you said that. Thank you very much for enjoying my journey. By the by, I love your blog too. Question – Are you in Thailand now?
Great photos. The water is chilly though, isn’t it? We’re going to be heading for the South island soon. Hope we have a similarly great time!
Yes, damn cold!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!