Australia/New Zealand GTG's Dec '09 - Jan 2010

12/06/2009 07:01:06 PM · #76

Originally posted by surfdabbler:

Cool! Beetle just let me know about this GTG, and I'm keen for the Brisbane GTG. I work for myself, so taking a day off isn't an issue. Work has taken precendence over photography this last year, so it will be good to flip the balance back a bit. It will be great to meet you guys too.

Hey David, it'll be great to meet you too! I'll add you to the list :)

Details on times etc will be posted at some point before the 27th December :-)

And, Karin, I'm replying to you now! :)

Nuzzer

Canon EOS-7D

12/06/2009 07:01:54 PM · #77

I have applied for the 25 off.

Beetle

12/06/2009 10:17:03 PM · #78

I just checked with my hubby, Paul - he'd like to be added to the list, too.

plamprec

Cross fingers it won't be toooooooo hot on that day.

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

12/06/2009 10:28:57 PM · #79

Originally posted by Beetle:

I just checked with my hubby, Paul - he'd like to be added to the list, too.

plamprec

Cross fingers it won't be toooooooo hot on that day.

Will add him to the list now! :)

I walk very slowly with two walking sticks usually but have been in discussion with my occupational therapist and she has suggested I get a walker. This would enable me to sit down wherever we are if I need to catch my breath for a moment :) The heat is a bit of a concern for me, but, so long as we aren't out in the hottest part of the day I should do ok :-)

Anybody got any tips on things we shouldn't miss at any of the places on our itinerary?

Message edited by author 2009-12-06 22:31:47.

rinac

Pentax K20D

Pentax SMC-F 50mm f/1.7

12/07/2009 03:25:37 AM · #80

Originally posted by Nuzzer:

I have applied for the 25 off.

Great. Have just been in touch with Jules too. Hopefully he may be able to join us again as well.

Bugzeye

12/07/2009 03:56:30 AM · #81

When you are enroute between Wellington and Auckland. Try to stop and check out Lake Taupo and Rotorua.

12/07/2009 06:47:06 PM · #82

Just to let you guys in the Brisbane area know, Andi and I are hoping to bring

Sherpet and Peter along to the GTG if Shez is feeling well enough. Obviously we wont know till the day if this will be possible but I'm sure plenty of thoughts and prayers for Shez before might help her to be on good form! :-)

Ecce_Signum

12/07/2009 06:51:02 PM · #83

Originally posted by talj:

Just to let you guys in the Brisbane area know, Andi and I are hoping to bring Sherpet and Peter along to the GTG if Shez is feeling well enough. Obviously we wont know till the day if this will be possible but I'm sure plenty of thoughts and prayers for Shez before might help her to be on good form! :-)

Can't find the post but seem to remember that Shez and T promised if they ever met they'd have a wheelchair fight? anyone care to find the thread and Art's image?

CorySmith

12/17/2009 11:04:43 AM · #84

Any updates?

JaimeVinas

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

12/17/2009 11:07:21 AM · #85

I might be heading to NZ next year or OZ. I am still debating which place to hit. ;)

Nuzzer

Canon EOS-7D

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

12/17/2009 01:57:43 PM · #86

Originally posted by JaimeVinas:

I might be heading to NZ next year or OZ. I am still debating which place to hit. ;)

No question, it has be NZ!

kiwinick

Sony DSLR-A550

12/17/2009 02:14:24 PM · #87

Originally posted by Nuzzer:

Originally posted by JaimeVinas:
I might be heading to NZ next year or OZ. I am still debating which place to hit. ;)

No question, it has be NZ!

I'll second that Its all good here except where I love Boring !!

Bugzeye

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

12/17/2009 03:05:18 PM · #88

if you make it NZ, Do it in Jan-March to be assured really good weather.

Originally posted by JaimeVinas:

I might be heading to NZ next year or OZ. I am still debating which place to hit. ;)

12/23/2009 08:14:31 PM · #89

Originally posted by Fetor:

Any updates?

Posted a bit of an update in the original post :-)

Andi and I catch our flight to Sydney at 11am on Monday and should arrive around 8pm the following day, so we might not be around for a few days but hope to have wifi access as most of the places we are staying at once we've got over any jetlag! ;-) Will make sure we check in here too and keep you posted on how things are going :-)

So many great people to meetin the next month, very exciting!

Judi

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

12/23/2009 10:05:00 PM · #90

Originally posted by kiwinick:

Originally posted by Nuzzer:

Originally posted by JaimeVinas:
I might be heading to NZ next year or OZ. I am still debating which place to hit. ;)

No question, it has be NZ!

I'll second that Its all good here except where I love Boring !!

New Zealand is beautiful...but Australia is unique!

RayEthier

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

12/23/2009 10:23:27 PM · #91

Originally posted by Judi:

New Zealand is beautiful...but Australia is unique!

Indeed... and I am ever so hoping to visit next summer... Right

Beetle

Ray

Bugzeye

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

12/23/2009 11:02:47 PM · #92

It is also full of Special People.

Originally posted by Judi:

Originally posted by kiwinick:

Originally posted by Nuzzer:

Originally posted by JaimeVinas:
I might be heading to NZ next year or OZ. I am still debating which place to hit. ;)

No question, it has be NZ!

I'll second that Its all good here except where I love Boring !!

New Zealand is beautiful...but Australia is unique!

spiritualspatula

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

12/24/2009 01:15:18 AM · #93

Originally posted by talj:

Anybody got any tips on things we shouldn't miss at any of the places on our itinerary?

Assuming you're driving, I'd suggest planning to grab lunch and picnic at lake Wanaka on the way from Franz Josef to Oamaru. It's a gorgeous turquoise color (at least it was a week ago when I was there). It's at a nice place rest wise on the trip. Milford Sound is great. Don't worry if the weather sucks for the tour though. I waited a day or two for the weather to clear, but it didn't happen. The rain adds a totally different atmosphere to the area, with tons and tons of waterfalls everywhere that aren't there when it isn't raining. BRING INSECT REPELLENT that works well! Sandflies abound in Milford. Really I'd say bring good repellent for everywhere, but particularly in Milford. On the way up to the sound, you will come to a tunnel with a stoplight and an area to pull over on the right. If you stop here, you'll likely get a great encounter with some kea's (the only alpine parrot in the world), but be careful as they like to destroy things, cars included so expect that. It was still neat to see them, but they were trying to tear apart other people's cars, not mine. Te Anau is a nice little city. They have a free wildlife center just outside of town on the west side of hwy 95, donations appreciated. Te Anau Wildlife Centre It's neat because you can see some of the strange birds in NZ up close, but the fences aren't great for photography. On the way to Oamaru, you will go through Omarama. There are some interesting Clay Cliffs there, located a bit north on 8 from the city, and then around 14-15km off the road. There is a small fee to visit (I don't remember how much it was) because it's on private property, but they are rather interesting and out of place. You will see them north of hwy 8 as you're approaching Omarama, from a distance. Not necessarily must see but they were interesting. You could also stop here on your way from Queenstown to Te Anau, but you can't see it until you're up close to it if you approach from this direction. There is a sign that you'll see for them. Also, you'll need exact change for the entry as it's just a drop box thing. It's something like $4 a vehicle, but I might not be remembering correctly. Plan on the driving everywhere on taking longer too, because you'll want to stop a lot to photograph all the gorgeousness. Hopefully all the lupines will still be blooming when you get there, because they were pretty amazing to see. There's a great place to stop on the way between Milford and Te Anau where there are just acres of lupines blooming. My trip was hands down the best trip ever. Visiting was sorta like living in a postcard for the entire time.

Message edited by author 2009-12-24 01:22:15.

Ecce_Signum

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

12/26/2009 05:51:25 AM · #94

Thanks for the above Derek!

Well, am all packed and ready to go find T before heading off to Heathrow tomorrow. Will catch some of you over the next few weeks.

Happy New Year to you all.

*makes mental note to remember to change the date/time on my cameras*

spiritualspatula

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

12/26/2009 06:05:30 AM · #95

My pleasure! It sounds like a splendid way to kick off 2010, and I hope it's one to remember for you!

12/30/2009 01:52:50 AM · #96

We've made it to Sydney! :)

Beetle

12/30/2009 06:00:14 AM · #97

Originally posted by talj:

We've made it to Sydney! :)

Phew..... the long haul is done - all easy from here on, right? ;-)
I hope you'll have a fantastic New Years Eve there. I'll cross fingers for clear skies and a northerly view of the fireworks so you get to have the Blue Moon in the pictures, as well.

Originally posted by RayEthier:

Indeed... and I am ever so hoping to visit next summer... Right Beetle

Ray

You bet - our guest room awaits!

Canon EF 70-300 mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM

01/08/2010 07:07:01 PM · #98

Hi All,

Just sitting having breakfast in Agnes Water and thought we'd checkl everyone is still on for the Brisban GTG on the 13th? (details in the opening post)We are looking forward to seeing you all :-)

Cheers

Natalya and Andi

3DsArcher

Canon EOS-7D Mark II

01/10/2010 09:12:17 PM · #99

Originally posted by Nuzzer:

I have applied for the 25 off.

Looks like I am staying put where I am at the moment so I have just applied for the 25th off as well.

Beetle