Tiritiri Matangi Island is an open sanctuary that invites 150 people a day to experience native New Zealand wildlife in a beautiful environment. When you get off the ferry, you’ll be faced with a choice. Do you take the long route or the shorter? Choose the longer to get the most out of the trip unless you have a physical issue that keeps you from walking too far.
Continue readingMonthly Archives: February 2020
New Zealand: Weta Workshop Tour in Wellington
At the Weta Workshop tour, there are a lot of places you can’t take photos. The ‘Thunderbirds Are Go’ set makes up for it. “Lord of the Rings” fans shouldn’t hesitate for signing up for this tour. Weta is also doing work for Marvel and the new Avatar films.
Continue readingWhy Samwise Gamgee Is My Favorite ‘LotR’ Character
Samwise Gamgee, as played by Sean Astin, is my favorite character from “Lord of the Rings” (affiliate link) because Sam always chooses the right path. He doesn’t calculate the risks. He doesn’t weigh the pros and cons, and he doesn’t worry about the consequences, even when they are dire and staring him right in the face.
Continue readingNew Zealand: Photos from the Wellington Cable Car
Some houses have their own cable cars in Wellington. It’s the only way they can get supplies up the hill. This one is a public conveyance that some people who live in Wellington use to get to and from wherever they’re going.
Continue readingImprove Your Savings through Wise Use of Credit Cards
In her book “Rich Enough? A Laid-Back Guide for Every Kiwi,” “New Zealand’s Most Trusted Money Expert” Mary Holm points out that there are only three ways to get more money into your savings account: Earn more, save more, and be smarter about your savings. She urges people to start saving now, even if it’s only a little bit. The sooner you begin, regardless how small, the better off you’ll be in the future. But the first place to start with savings and credit cards is high interest debt.
Continue readingSpeakers’ Club, Feb. 8, 2020: Walk Like an Egyptian and Music
New Zealand: Taieri Gorge Railway Tour Photos
The Taieri Gorge Railway tour starts from the historic railway building in Dunedin and returns to the same place. Check out our photos of the Taieri Gorge Railway Tour.
Continue readingBad Behaviors: How One Person Negatively Changes the Experience for Everyone
When you travel, take a walk, picnic in the park, or hang out at the beach, your actions affect others for better or worse. There are a lot of people who are either oblivious or don’t care that their bad behaviors might make things less pleasant for others in the area. Smoking, phone use, screaming, and air flow are among the worst offenders.
Continue readingNew Zealand: Inspiration in Photos from the Dunedin Art Gallery
The Dunedin Public Art Gallery was hosting the “Civic Pride” exhibit. Coupled with their collection of art on display, I found the overall atmosphere to be inspiring. We went back and ate at the restaurant Nova, which is attached to the museum, and it was wonderful.
Continue readingHow to Set and Achieve SMART (Financial) Goals
In her book “Rich Enough? A Laid-Back Guide for Every Kiwi,” “New Zealand’s Most Trusted Money Expert” Mary Holm talks about setting goals and achieving them. She uses the SMART acronym, but changes up one of the letters for her theory.
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Penguinate! Positive Creativity 