View allAll Photos Tagged Onceinalifetime

Wellington - 2015

Cafe De Luxe on Kent Terrace at the Embassy Theatre. The theatre building was built in 1924, and is the New Zealand equivalent of a Listed Building. The cafe name comes from the original theatre name; De Luxe Cinema, however it has been known as Embassy Theatre since 1945!

Wellington - 2015

This little bit of Oriental Bay Parade reminded me of home. Although these are small boat sheds, we have similar looking brightly coloured beach chalets at home.

Zealandia - 2015

The eco-sanctuary is based in a valley, and the lakes used to be reservoirs for the city. The valley used to be dense forest and, despite being burnt for farming in the mid-1800s, is returning to what it was. The site is a 10 min (free) bus ride from the iSite centre in the middle of Wellington, so for the chance to see something completely unique it's easy worth it. There are many paths and walks to choose, the shortest is about 2 hours, but much more time is needed to fully enjoy the sights, sounds, creatures, flora, and fauna of the area.

This is taken looking back down the lower valley from the Upper Dam.

www.visitzealandia.com/

Tongariro Alpine Crossing - 2015

It was a very early start, and this is what lay ahead of us for the day; the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing. It's a 19.4km (12 mile) walk over an active volcanic area, in the shadows of Mt. Doom (Mount Ngauruhoe), and climbing about 1000m in elevation. The trek takes about 8hrs, the terrain varies, and there are only toilets at the start and end. The National Park is also a Dual World Heritage Area - obey the signage!

www.tongarirocrossing.org.nz/

Foxton - 2015

Many small towns around New Zealand have official street art, from large scale down the sides of buildings, to small scale utility boxes. They usually depict local scenes, like this one; a Church next to a Wharenui (a meeting house) in the marae.

Wild Dogs feeding on a recent kill in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Wellington - 2015

More coffee, or espresso to be correct. This is on Cuba St, and I couldn't resist the crazy graffiti logo above the store - looks more like an Amsterdam coffee shop then anything to do with ground beans!

Calliope Road Cafe, Devonport - 2015

The Lonely Planets guide instructs every visitor to Devonport in the direction of this cafe. Thankfully, it's a lovely place although a little bit out of the way. That's a good thing, as the centre of the town is very busy and 'touristy'.

THIE IS THE FIRST PHOTO I EVER POSTED ON FLICKR (May 2009). As most of you have not seen it here it is again.

 

This is me. I'm realizing the only item I ever had on my Bucket List.

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January 2009 Trip-of-a-life-time to India. Had to see the Taj Mahal before I died.

Another unforgettable moment

He was probably one of the more sporting ones :), he asked if I could take a picture of him. "With your kind of camera, I'm sure you'll take a great picture" he sad. He walked closed to the crowd and they were too pleased to take pictures of him and with him. 2012 London Naked Bike Ride, Covent Garden.

Paraparaumu Beach - 2015

Some cool kids in their 90s Honda Torneo and a speed walker enjoy the setting sun...

Devonport - 2015

Toyota Chaser from 1980-84, another slice of 80s motoring!

On the CSX side, train O721's power, AC4400CW #15 and SD70MAC #4565 loses the Tri-Rail BL36PH and Boxcar GEVO 3021 as the two engines get switched onto FEC's tracks in interchange. If the five were together, you would have what would be called an epic lashup alright...

CSX #15 is no stranger to Miami, first I've seen it was on O721-15 in January 2012, followed by V145 in December 2012. YN2 cousin 4565 is a much more welcome sight here as a chunk of the first order MACs got written off... the possibility of more leaving CSX's fleet is always aloom even though nothing is set.

Quayside, Queenstown - 2015

The Luanda Experience boat moor up, the party has well and truly moved on shore by now!

 

Sluuut / slut

Vidal Estate Winery, Hawkes Bay - 2015

Established by a Spaniard, Anthony Joseph Vidal, in 1905, Vidal is one of the earliest vineyards to set up in the Hawkes Bay area. In 1979 they opened New Zealands first winery restaurant, and it is really worth a visit!

A mural on Dublin's Grantham Street advertising First Fortnight, an arts-based mental health awareness project.

 

Web site: www.firstfortnight.com

1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville, Wheels On Windsor - 2015

Elvis has made another appearance, so he must be alive! He sang, and rolled around the park in this sweet Coupe de Ville!

Wellington Botanic Garden - 2015

The path is sheltered by hundreds of different spices of trees, plants, flowers, you name it. Most are native, although there are numerous imported exotics too.

Cashel & Madras, Christchurch - 2015

To use it's full names this is; Reflection of Loss of Lives, Livelihoods and Living in Neighbourhood. It's by local artist Peter Majendie, and consists of 185 different empty white chairs representing "the unique personalities of the victims" of the February 2011 earthquake - one chair per life lost. It's been the city's unofficial memorial since 2012 and currently stands on the corner of Cashel & Madras. It was originally going to stand for just 1 week, but it's time is now limited again with unveiling of the official memorial. This is a much more unique way to remember the lost, and very special to have seen.

www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch-earthquake-20...

Waterfront, Queenstown - 2015

The beach is the place to chill, make friends, and tell stories.

Sol Square, Christchurch - 2015

Just south of Lichfield in Sol Square, a MINI is precariously parked. It was here before the earthquakes, and it's still there now - or was a year ago… One of the coolest things ever, it's up there with a 'Parking 5mins' sign!

Tongariro Alpine Crossing - 2015

At 12km, the path from the Blue Lake area (which we didn't see) towards the Ketetahi Hut becomes a bit easier, with less scrambling. And the lower we got the clearer it got, giving us a false sense of nearly finished, and out of danger. We were of course in the most active volcanic region of the National Park; Te Maari had erupted just 2.5 years earlier and still being monitored!

www.tongarirocrossing.org.nz/

The first full honey moon on Friday the 13th in almost 100 years. It will appear golden and huge in the sky, so pay attention because it will not happen again until June 2098.

Same As It Ever Was...

 

This was before I became a Leprechaun on St. Patrick's Day. I'm just now letting you see it.

 

Funhouse facade photo from Capitol Lakefair in Olympia, WA

 

Crocheted skirt by You'll Be Hooked (thanks!) and Riffy's blouse by Re-Ment

 

Scene from upcoming movie

Kaitaki Interislander - 2015

Looking back up Queen Charlotte Sound, or Totaranui, as we approach Picton.

A golden eagle and a bighorn sheep glare at each other on the ridge top at Redland View in the Colorado National Monument during a snow storm. Eventually the bighorn turned and slowly moved off.

Colorado_National_Monument

Colorado National Monument Association

 

Canterbury - 2015

A 1968 Mercury Cougar rolled along side the train for a while, slowly passing us. What a car, and in perfect condition!

Viaduct Basin, Auckland - 2015

Live music entertained the crowds during the day, and DJs came out after dark. An awesome place to sit and chill in my final few hours in New Zealand.

Pan Pac Foyer, Napier - 2015

Also known as the Napier Municipal Theatre, it has a capacity of nearly 1000, and opened in 1938.

Cheltenham Beach, Devonport - 2015

At the north end of the beach, the sand stops and these weathered cliffs rise out of nowhere. The shapes and layers, and their sudden appearing was quite surprising.

Wellington - 2015

The should have been taken with an old analogue film camera, or a box browny maybe...

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