Kiwi - That other Flightless Bird

 

A postcrossing member from China read that I like kiwi birds. Her cousin had recently returned from a visit to New Zealand and brought her this card, which she kindly sent to me.  How very sweet of her.

 

She recommended the book The Moon and Sixpence by W. Somerset Maugham.

 

From the Top of the World

We sent a number of post cards while we were in New Zealand in July.  Hubby decided to send one to our house. 

 

from the back of the card:

 

Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Reinga) is the northwesternmost tip o the North Island and one of New Zealand's most visited sites.  It is Maori belief that Cape Reinga is the point where spirits of the dead nter the afterlife.  Visit legendary Cape Reinga, and witness the coming together of two oceans... the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea. 

 

www.northlandnz.com

 

Links to a few of my posts from our vacation in New Zealand

 

Roaming Around New Zealand

 

Eating Out in New Zealand

 

Wood Carvings and Bubbling Mud in New Zealand



 

All Blacks Rock

The New Zealand All Blacks won the World Cup Rugby championship held in Auckland New Zealand.  For those familiar with the All Black, you are aware that they start every match by performing the Haka.  A friend from New Zealand sent me this wonderful card.  Sorry I don't know which year this was taken.  If you aren't familiar wit hthe Haka it is a war chant done before battle to put fear in to the opponent.  Following are two examples.  The second is for pure entertainment and to show you how important this chant or rather large assortment of chants is to the people of New Zealand.

Giant Kauri Tree

This card features the Big Kauri Tree from New Zealand.  This one is the tallest in  New Zealand at 51.5 metres/169 feet.  The Maoris named this tree, Tane Mahuta - 'God of the Forest'.  It is growing in the Waipoua Forest.

For further information about this tree, visit the Kauri Museum.  The Waipoua Kauri Forest.



This video shows the same tree as on the card.  It is estimated to be 1200 years old and still growing.

For more postcard fun, be sure to visit Beth at The Best Hearts are Crunchy, for Postcard FriendShip Friday.

Remarkable

My niece sent this card to my daughter.

from the back of the card: The Remarkables by Todd Sisson.  Spectacular dawn colour is projected onto a forming north-west arch above the Remarkables, seen here from the queenstown gardens.

The Remarkables is a mountain range on the south Island of New Zealand.

The stamps says: Kawarau Bridge: World's First Bungy.

Wellington, New Zealand

My niece lives in Auckland, New Zealand and recently took a trip with her mom south to Wellington, the capital of the country.  While there, they visited the Parliament Buildings, and the national museum Te Papa.  Wellington is the 3rd largest city in New Zealand.

Living Dinosaur from New Zealand

When we visited New Zealand on our first trip, we dutifully sent postcards home to our kids.  Thos one was sent to our son.

Rainbow Springs is a sort of zoo.  The back of the card indicates this is a Tuatara, a survivor from the age of the dinosaur.

I do think that the postal agent sold us the wrong stamp.  We wanted international, but this appears to be for domestic/Australia.  Still arrived in good time.

For more postal fun, visit with Beth at The Best Hearts are Crunchy for Postcard friendShip Friday.

Post Card Friendship Friday - Hello from the other Down Under

View of the Westhaven Marina and Auckland City, New Zealand.

I received this card on Thursday from my dear niece.  It was about this time last year that we were anxiously awaiting her arrival.  We were fortunate that she decided to come and stay with us for over six months.  What a pleasure to have her here with us.  Now she is back in New Zealand to continue her schooling.  She lives in the Auckland area is sees this view everyday. Lucky girl.

Canada Post has now gone on strike and will be holding rotating stikes for the next while.  Today we received some post, but who knows what next week will bring.  Are the postal workers in your country allowed to strike?  Leave me a comment and let me know.

Beth at The Best Hearts are Crunchy is the host of Postcard Friendship Friday.

Post Card Friendship Friday - All Eyes on the Castle

While all eyes are focused today on London and all it's wonderful buildings and castles, I am directing your attention south to a much different one.  Larnach Castle, Dunedin, New Zealand.

My friend sent me this card when she visited there with her children in 2002.

Great stamps on the back.  The one on the left  is of Lake Wanaka, the next features sugar cookies and the third, while not a value stamp, it is attached to the star cookie one.

Postcard Friendship Friday is hosted by Beth at The Best Hearts are Crunchy.