by Jim and Gisela Spires | Jan 28, 2012 | AU-NZ 2012
One of our favorite stops is at Paua World. A paua is a NZ abalone that comes out of the most beautiful rainbow blue shell. This factory cleans the shells and makes gorgeous jewelry. This is Wynell showing a sample during our presentation. The ladies had a ball and a...
by Jim and Gisela Spires | Jan 27, 2012 | AU-NZ 2012
Today we drove thru farm areas where the apples are just being picked. Fresh apples, 50 cents a pound! We also picked up some fresh strawberries and raspberries. These pumpkins weighed over 100 pounds! Yes, it’s Fall here, seems strange to us Northern hemisphere...
by Jim and Gisela Spires | Jan 26, 2012 | AU-NZ 2012
Here in the Australia wild Outback, we have the opportunity to learn what life for the aboriginal peoples is about. It is a hard life here in the bush. Water is scarce and at time, food is. The aboriginal peoples have learned to adapt to this harsh climate and have...
by Jim and Gisela Spires | Jan 25, 2012 | AU-NZ 2012
Just a few minutes from our campground in Napier is the famous Classic Sheepskin Factory. We all met for a 9AM tour and shopping. It’s amazing and a bit sad to see the thousands of skins heaped by color and quality. We made purchases from warm house shoes to...
by Jan Plexico | Jan 24, 2012 | AU-NZ 2012
Who knew that sheep skin could be so interesting? Today we had a tour of a sheep skin processing factory. In the tanning process, the pelts have to go through numerous baths, rinses, bleaching and even coloring. When dried, they are groomed by combing and even...
by Jim and Gisela Spires | Jan 23, 2012 | AU-NZ 2012
Today is full of surprise after surprise as we visit New Zealand’s most colorful geothermal area, Wai O Tapu Thermal Wonderland and turquoise Huka Falls. Did I say colorful geothermal area? The brilliant blue sky, full of warm sun made the colors at the sulphur...
