Are You Ready for a Short Trip Through New Zealand?

starting the journey from my home. personal photo of Val Mills.
By Val
@valmnz (17095)
New Zealand
October 22, 2015 12:03am CST
Tomorrow I'm away off up country, in the North Island of New Zealand. I'll only be away from home three nights, but am going to thoroughly enjoy it. I thought it would be a good idea to stop and take a few photos on the three hour trip north and share them with you. I'll be starting from home tomorrow morning, so thought I'd start by including a photo of home here, taken last December. So, if you'd like to learn a little more about rural New Zealand, this is your chance. Get out your New Zealand map, the North Island specifically and follow me on my three hour trip north. Watch for more tomorrow.
31 people like this
32 responses
AnjaP
@Rollo1 (16676)
• Boston, Massachusetts
22 Oct 15
A photo-journal! What a good idea. Can't wait to see all your photos and see if NZ looks like we think it looks from TV and the movies.
4 people like this
marcyaz
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
22 Oct 15
@valmnz Personally I like to see more like the daily lives of people and not the tourist spots.
2 people like this
hereandthere
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
22 Oct 15
@valmnz it's actually nice to see everyday life and people, not just the tourist spots all the time
3 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17095)
• New Zealand
22 Oct 15
I'm not taking the most scenic path, so I hope you won't be disappointed!
3 people like this
Judy Story
@jstory07 (148771)
• Roseburg, Oregon
22 Oct 15
Sounds very interesting. Hopefully I will see the rest of these posts.
4 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17095)
• New Zealand
22 Oct 15
Thanks Judy, I thought it would give me a focus for my few days away. So, keep watching.
1 person likes this
marcyaz
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
22 Oct 15
Hope i will be able to find them also.
2 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17095)
• New Zealand
23 Oct 15
@Marcyaz search for New Zealand and you should find them
2 people like this
Anna
@LadyDuck (502805)
• Italy
22 Oct 15
I am following you through your trip Val and thanks for sharing some photos with us. I like your home and your garden.
3 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17095)
• New Zealand
22 Oct 15
I no longer have my little car Anna, and my garden looks different this year
4 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17095)
• New Zealand
23 Oct 15
@antonbunot we down sized and are now a one car family
2 people like this
julito
@antonbunot (11146)
• Calgary, Alberta
23 Oct 15
@valmnz Val, what happened to your little car?!
2 people like this
Jabo
@jaboUK (64346)
• United Kingdom
22 Oct 15
This sounds great Val - I'm looking forward to the trip.
3 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17095)
• New Zealand
22 Oct 15
Post about my starting place now posted :-)
3 people like this
Jabo
@jaboUK (64346)
• United Kingdom
22 Oct 15
@valmnz Right, I'll go and find it now.
2 people like this
crazyhorseladycx
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
22 Oct 15
i look ferward to the pics 'n tales! 3 hours? heck, takes 4 here jest to get to the closest major city in my state, lol. 've fun 'n safe trip!
3 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17095)
• New Zealand
22 Oct 15
Not doing the whole country! Just the middle of the lower part of the North Island.
3 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17095)
• New Zealand
22 Oct 15
@crazyhorseladycx ha, ha, we have only four and a half million people in the entire country!
3 people like this
crazyhorseladycx
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
22 Oct 15
@valmnz our country's so big that i tend to ferget that others aint, lol.
3 people like this
Gary Marsh
@garymarsh6 (24051)
• United Kingdom
22 Oct 15
I will look forward to reading it and seeing it through your eyes!
3 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17095)
• New Zealand
22 Oct 15
The trouble is it's all so familiar to my eyes I may not present it in a very exciting way!
3 people like this
Gary Marsh
@garymarsh6 (24051)
• United Kingdom
22 Oct 15
@valmnz I am sure you will Val. Have a lovely time and drive carefully!
2 people like this
Gabs
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
22 Oct 15
I will be following you but most of all Val you enjoy your Trip and be safe
2 people like this
Gabs
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
22 Oct 15
@valmnz Oh no Val that is horrible when it happens you go away and the bad Weather comes along I hope that it will clear up for you
2 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17095)
• New Zealand
22 Oct 15
Thanks. It's a wet, miserable looking day, not the best for taking photos
2 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17095)
• New Zealand
23 Oct 15
@gabs8513 it turned out to be a lovely day, but as I came here to mind the dog and write the weather doesn't worry me.
2 people like this
Always smiling
@allknowing (153529)
• India
22 Oct 15
Would love to follow you and see if you are on my familiar ground. Have seen a bit of North and South NZ and my be just may be you would be travelling on the very same road I travelled through. Enjoy those 3 days.
3 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17095)
• New Zealand
22 Oct 15
From the things I've read from you of your trip here, I don't think this is near where you went, well, not the places you've mentioned anyway.
2 people like this
Kevin
@kevin1877uk (36987)
•
22 Oct 15
I'll look forward to seeing your photos, Zealand is a place I've wanted to visit since I can remember.
2 people like this
Kevin
@kevin1877uk (36987)
•
23 Oct 15
@valmnz I hope I get there one day, I'm sure I will.
2 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17095)
• New Zealand
23 Oct 15
Tourists seem to enjoy coming here. It's a great place to live.
2 people like this
Rose Galavia
@cgalavia (1436)
• Philippines
22 Oct 15
Good luck and enjoy to your trip,will love to see some photos.
3 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17095)
• New Zealand
22 Oct 15
It looks like they'll be drenched in rain, it's wet here today.
3 people like this
Marie
@Tampa_girl7 (54736)
• United States
22 Oct 15
Your flowers are lovely.
3 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17095)
• New Zealand
22 Oct 15
Thank you. There's not much room for a garden here.
2 people like this
Jekca
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
22 Oct 15
dog sitting was it? have fun!
2 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17095)
• New Zealand
24 Oct 15
@Jessicalynnt especially combined with jumping you up and almost knocking you to the ground
2 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17095)
• New Zealand
22 Oct 15
Yes, a big, friendly, jumping, slurppy boxer dog
2 people like this
Jekca
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
23 Oct 15
@valmnz lol gotta "love" sloppy dog kisses
2 people like this
Kristen Howe
@KristenH (33591)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
22 Oct 15
Sounds like a fun time. My mother always wanted to got to Australia/New Zealand, before she passed away last year. Sounds like fun!
2 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17095)
• New Zealand
23 Oct 15
I've lived here in NZ all my life
Kristen Howe
@KristenH (33591)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
23 Oct 15
@valmnz Sounds lovely.
2 people like this
GAUTAM M. PENDHARKAR
@gautaam (159)
• Mumbai, India
22 Oct 15
Have always cherished the memories of New Zealand, would like to visit again
2 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17095)
• New Zealand
22 Oct 15
Well, you can visit a little part of it here over the next few days where did you go?
2 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17095)
• New Zealand
24 Oct 15
@gautaam haven't done so yet, but will certainly do so. My husband and I are returning to that northern part of NZ for a short holiday next year
1 person likes this
GAUTAM M. PENDHARKAR
@gautaam (159)
• Mumbai, India
23 Oct 15
@valmnz I visited Auckland, Pahia, Bay of Islands, Glowworm caves ...well you can read my blog here to get an idea
101% Pure New Zealand
101nz.blogspot.in
A blog about travel to New Zealand
1 person likes this
marcyaz
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
22 Oct 15
That would be great to to able to follow you through your trip to The North Island of New Zeland. I will be waiting anxiously for your pictures and dialog.
2 people like this
marcyaz
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
23 Oct 15
@valmnz I will have to look for them thanks.
2 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17095)
• New Zealand
23 Oct 15
Two more posted since this
1 person likes this
Samanthavv
@Samanthavv (1380)
• United States
23 Oct 15
New Zealand is on my bucket list! I have friends who have been there and I was pretty jealous when I saw pictures!
1 person likes this
Val
@valmnz (17095)
• New Zealand
23 Oct 15
We take it for granted here, but tourists say we have something special.
marguicha
@marguicha (230365)
• Chile
24 Oct 15
I will check your posts, friend. I will never go to New Zealand as it is too far away. Your posts will be next best.
2 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17095)
• New Zealand
26 Oct 15
We certainly are a long way from the rest of the world!
1 person likes this
Silvermist
@silvermist (19701)
• India
23 Nov 15
I liked the photo of your home and garden.Will be reading all the posts about your trip.
1 person likes this
Silvermist
@silvermist (19701)
• India
23 Nov 15
@valmnz Yes I know.I had already read some of the posts about your trip.
1 person likes this
Val
@valmnz (17095)
• New Zealand
23 Nov 15
Thanks. About a month has passed since then.
1 person likes this
lolily
@allisonwish (464)
• Shenzhen, China
23 Oct 15
Have a happy trip! Looking forward to see you next photos
2 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17095)
• New Zealand
23 Oct 15
Two more instalments posted
1 person likes this
Valerie J. Routhieaux
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
23 Oct 15
I can't wait to see those photos and join you on your trip.
1 person likes this
Val
@valmnz (17095)
• New Zealand
23 Oct 15
Hi Valerie, two more posted since this.