A-3 in Aotearoa
Above/featured: Headwaters of the Waimakariri River, near Bealey – 18 Jul 2012.
For LAPC’s first alphabet challenge, I began with a contribution about 3 German places whose names begin with the letter ‘A’. This follow-up is 3 locations in New Zealand (Aotearoa):
• Akaroa, on the South Island;
• Arthur’s Pass, on the South Island;
• Auckland, on the North Island.
Akaroa
• Population: On extinct Banks Peninsula Volcano, cozy village of 800 with French origins.
• Māori: S.Island variant of “Whangaroa” (“long harbour”); originally spelled “Hakaroa”.
• Getting there: Day trip, from Christchurch.
• More here.
Akaroa village – 16 Jul 2012.
The spectacular Akaraoa harbour in the mouth of an extinct volcano – 16 Jul 2012.
Arthur’s Pass
• Population: village of 30, near 920-metre mountain pass in Southern Alps.
• Getting there: Scheduled stop on TranzAlpine train, from Christchurch to Greymouth.
• More here.
A sampling of the Southern Alps (Kā Tiritiri o te Moana), just south of Arthur’s Pass – 18 Jul 2012.
Arthur’s Pass – 18 Jul 2012.
Auckland
• Population: 1.6 million, in the nation’s largest city.
• Māori: Tāmaki Makaurau.
• Getting there: AKL airport is a key hub for planes to/from Asia, Australia, and Chile.
City skyline, from Rangitoto Island – 16 Oct 2010.
“Hotonui”, Ngāti Awa meeting house (1878): carving and construction led by Wēpiha Apanui and his father, Apanui Te Hāmaiwaho, as wedding gift for Wēpiha’s sister, Mereana. Housed and photographed in Auckland War Memorial Museum (Tāmaki Paenga Hira) – 17 Oct 2010.
I made all images above with a Canon EOS450D/Rebel XSi. Acknowledgements to Patti for LAPC no. 126 in the week of 5-11 Dec 2020. This post appears on Fotoeins Fotografie at fotoeins DOT com as https://wp.me/p1BIdT-jR0.
Fotoeins Fotografie 
10 Responses to “A-3 in Aotearoa”
Akaroa, seems to be so peaceful and tranquil. I have never been in New Zealand.
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Hi, Cornelia. I’m glad I took the time for a daytrip from Christchurch to Akaroa; I think I’d like a full day’s stay in Akaroa the next time. When travel becomes okay again, I highly recommend New Zealand over a span of at least 2 weeks (preferably more). The nation is sparsely populated, save for Auckland and Wellington. The relationship between colonizers and indigenous (Maori) is healthier than in other countries. Because the place is relatively young geologically, the two main/big islands are beautiful. But if you only have time for one island: it’s SOUTH ISLAND, all the way.
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Thank you Henry, for all of your recommendations , when ever it will be possible to travel again. It’s very calming to know, that the relationship between colonizers and indigenous is healthier than in other countries. Like so many other countries still up today live in to much disagreements.
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You’ve taken us to a lot of interesting places.
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Thank you, and so do you with your images, Ana! 👍🏽
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Fabulous images, Henry. The sky in your first images is stunning. You added 3 new A places to our collection. Take care, stay well.
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Hi and thanks, Patti! I’m glad I can help add new places to anyone’s travel list 😅
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A fond memory for me Henry. Loved Auckland and also Arthur’s Pass. I think most people do not venture that far out but it was a magical ride through the mountains and a lovely layover for us. Thank you for the revisit!
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Hi, Tina. By definition, the South Island is “a far out venture,” especially as Christchurch is the biggest city. By comparison to other nations, I think getting around with public transport is more of a challenge, but I managed to do so, even in winter/July. But I quickly concluded hiring/renting a car (or even, a small RV) provides a great deal more flexibility in timing and in the places where one can reach on the South Island. If I can go back to the South Island, I’d have to get over my (irrational) fear of driving on the left side of the road, and rent a car there. Thanks again for stopping by and for your comment!
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[…] (I also created an A-3 post for Aotearoa/New Zealand.) […]
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