New Zealand's South Island, trip #1

***  To celebrate Marlene's February birthday, we went to the north part of the South Island for sailing . . . and more!

The city of Nelson, New Zealand's sunniest, is on the Tasman Bay.  The Dutchman Abel Tasman was the first westerner to "discover" New Zealand, not far from where Nelson is today.

The Cook Straits separate the North Island from the South Island.  The difference in weather is amazing.

Tasman Bay from our B&B

Sailing is a favorite of Marlene.  No better place to celebrate than Tasman Bay!

                              

          

And we do like to visit wineries.  Marlborough, east of Nelson, produces 75% of NZ's wine.  Check the label on a NZ wine in the States and it's most likely from Marlborough.

Well, "wine" not?  :-)

Waitangi Day

. . . is a national holiday celebrating the Maori, the natives of New Zealand.  Many Maori traditions still exist, such as the famous "haka" dance and the "marae," their traditional family clan.  There are nearly 1000 "marae" throughout NZ, but you must be invited to enter their tribal lands.

Entrance to a "maere" in Nelson

Small home in a "maere."

"Hangi," traditional Maori meal cooked on hot rocks in a pit