This isn’t the cheapest of the many tours in Kaikoura, but we enjoyed it and found it to be good value for money.
We liked the fact that if you don’t see a whale, they will refund 80% of the ticket. We reckoned that meant they must be pretty confident and indeed it turned out be the case.
We saw a sperm whale very close, and many many dolphins, also albatross. The guides were witty and informative. They do warn about seasickness and there were some who were but I recommend this trip heartily.
This is a big varied garden just across the road from the river. It has grassy knolls overlooking lotus filled lakes, tree filled areas and nice views over the city.
It is beautifully maintained and it is possible to take a gondola ride around the lake. (They don’t sing opera, though!)
Make sure you walk up the hill to Guilfoyle’s Volcano, which has a fantastic collection of succulents and cacti around it. A nice day out from city sight-seeing.
These gardens are right between Chinatown and Darling Harbour. There is a small entry fee but with this you are allowed to enter as many times as you like during the day. It is a lovely, calm garden with, carp, birds, waterfalls and statues. Right in the midst of the the hectic city of Sydney. As such, it add a nice new dimension to this vibrant city. Take a step away and enjoy some moments of calm in the Chinese garden of friendship while visiting Sydney.
We visited the rose garden on 24th January.
The end of January must surely be the best time of year to visit here.
It was full of colour and perfume, from stunning arches of cascading blooms,
To individual beautiful roses…..
Old Port,
City of Invercargill,
Raspberry Ice,
Summer Dream,
Lemon Honey,
Minehaha,
Pink Sun Rose
Paola,
Eldorado.
I honestly think that this is the most beautiful Rose garden that I have ever visited.
This will never look the same on different days, today the low cloud cover gave it a brooding dark appearance. I’m told it can seem brilliant and shiny when in direct sunlight.
The closest view is about a thirty minute walk each way from the car park. This will be different in different seasons and dependent on the weather. It is not an easy walk; quite steep and lots of loose scree. However it is not without attractions; through the steep cliffs that the glacier has carved out over the centuries.
Glaciers are not pretty things, looking dirty and rough, but one can’t help but be in awe of something that can clear mountains out its way. It is also interesting to see how much it has receded since 1750.
The Petronas Twin Towers are spectacular from the ground, outside during the day.
The trip up to the top is also well worth the money, the views are great both from the walkway between the towers half way up and from the observation deck at the top. The 3D high tech equipment and models of the city are great fun and futuristic
But for me the real amazement was seeing them, from ground level, lit up at night – beautiful, imposing, visionary! Don’t miss them lit up at night!
#TOTastemaker
The London Lark 