Happy Me Thread - Page 10

kladner · 2015-09-24, 09:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick

I would recommend MOTAT:
http://www.motat.org.nz/

That looks like the Illinois Railway Museum, rolled up with the National US Air Force Museum in Ohio.....and then some.

petrw1 · 2015-09-24, 16:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncwilly

How much time do you have there? What sort of things might interest you? What level of fitness/activity is your idea of fun?
A relative went on a Honeymoon there for 2 or 3 weeks and brought back some good advice.
I know some folks there and well be seeing a Kiwi this weekend.

2 weeks ... then 3 more weeks in Australia with a few days of that in Tasmania.

We are more into the sights/outdoors ... less so museums or art galleries.
My wife might add shopping but that tends to find itself everywhere we go.

Fitness level (both in our 50's): My wife is having trouble with her knees so climbing (even big hills and lots of steps) is out. Walking is still ok just not for hours. We also do a little scuba diving; she insists we need to dive the Great Barrier Reef in Australia when we go there after NZ.

Our research so far suggest hotels are expensive so we are also open to hostels. We don't do tenting.
Seems the Naked Bus (nothing to do with Naturists we understand) is a good way to get around the islands if we don't rent a car.

Xyzzy · 2015-09-24, 19:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by petrw1

My wife is having trouble with her knees so climbing (even big hills and lots of steps) is out.

We have a pair of Swix trekking poles. They really make walking and climbing a lot easier.

http://www.swixsport.us/Products/Pol...-Walking-Poles

rogue · 2015-09-24, 20:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xyzzy

We have a pair of Swix trekking poles. They really make walking and climbing a lot easier.

http://www.swixsport.us/Products/Pol...-Walking-Poles

Or a Hurrycane

Uncwilly · 2015-09-24, 23:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by petrw1

Our research so far suggest hotels are expensive so we are also open to hostels. We don't do tenting.
Seems the Naked Bus (nothing to do with Naturists we understand) is a good way to get around the islands if we don't rent a car.

My informant rented a caravan (motor-home to all the Yanks in the crowd) on the North Island. It was not worth renting it there and taking it by ferry to the SI. If you decide to rent a caravan, you have your vehicle and your sleeping rolled into one. They liked that. There are some good beaches on the NI and great ones on the SI. "Blackwater rafting" is something you may want to look into. Also, visit Christchurch. If you use a caravan you can save on snacks and simple meals. But, eat at local places, never an international chain. Lots of good food. I will inquire more about other recommendations (those are ones that i remember.) There are all sorts of hikes and walks. A Kiwi that I talked to this summer said that tourists from different countries behave quite differently.

ixfd64 · 2015-10-02, 02:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by petrw1

My wife and I are heading there in February...any suggestions:

- Must do
- Don't bother
- South Island vs North Island
etc.

Thx

I can't really give a fair comparison as we only went to the South Island, not counting the layovers in Auckland. From what I've heard, the South Island is considered to be the more beautiful, although the North Island certainly has its fair share of attractions. In any case, here are my tips for visiting the South Island:

The scenery is quite incredible, especially at the lakes and in Fiordland.
If you're visiting Christchurch, don't miss out on Mona Vale, Hagley Park or the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. Re:START (a temporary mall built with shipping containers) is also worth a visit.
The Moeraki Boulders are another cool sight.
There are lots of fun things to do in Queenstown. One excursion I really enjoyed was the Walter Peak farm tour.
The glowworm cave tour at Lake Te Anau was my favorite part of our trip. The only downside is that you're not allowed to take photos there.

I also have some advice on traveling to New Zealand in general:

Be careful on the customs declaration form, especially when it comes to food. False declarations, even unintentional ones, can result in hefty fines.
Kiwis are pretty friendly people.
Internet access in New Zealand can be spotty at times, especially in rural areas.
New Zealand has left-hand traffic.
If you like fish and chips, there is no shortage of it in New Zealand.
Be sure to try Tip Top ice cream at least once. That stuff is really good.

You can also check out my trip report if you want more ideas: http://ixfd64.blogspot.com/2015/09/n...ture-like.html

chalsall · 2015-10-05, 03:10

We just saw "The Martian" at the drive in (yes, there is actually still a drive in in Barbados).

Pretty cool.

While the wind storm at the beginning of the movie is totally impossible, they managed to get _most_ of the rest of the science correct. (Unlike, for example, "Gravity", which didn't even get gravity correct....)

petrw1 · 2015-10-05, 15:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by chalsall

We just saw "The Martian" at the drive in (yes, there is actually still a drive in in Barbados).

Our province (Saskatchewan) in Canada used to have over 500 Drive-Ins.
There are now 3 or 5...but many of my relatives live in one of the towns that still has one.

Xyzzy · 2015-10-26, 13:53

After ~30 years of hobby programming, we are pretty certain that our first "patch" of code has been accepted to be included in a real software program!

The patch is just a small modification of the program's output to the screen but it took us a long time to track down all of the variables and learn how to manipulate them.

petrw1 · 2015-10-26, 14:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xyzzy

After ~30 years of hobby programming, we are pretty certain that our first "patch" of code has been accepted to be included in a real software program!

The patch is just a small modification of the program's output to the screen but it took us a long time to track down all of the variables and learn how to manipulate them.

Congrats

Mark Rose · 2015-10-26, 17:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xyzzy

After ~30 years of hobby programming, we are pretty certain that our first "patch" of code has been accepted to be included in a real software program!

The patch is just a small modification of the program's output to the screen but it took us a long time to track down all of the variables and learn how to manipulate them.

w00t!

It's fun when your code gets used by other people. :)

2015-10-05, 03:10	#106
chalsall If I May "Chris Halsall" Sep 2002 Barbados 2·5·7·139 Posts	"The Martian" We just saw "The Martian" at the drive in (yes, there is actually still a drive in in Barbados). Pretty cool. While the wind storm at the beginning of the movie is totally impossible, they managed to get _most_ of the rest of the science correct. (Unlike, for example, "Gravity", which didn't even get gravity correct....)

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2015-10-26, 13:53	#108
Xyzzy "Mike" Aug 2002 2⁵×257 Posts	After ~30 years of hobby programming, we are pretty certain that our first "patch" of code has been accepted to be included in a real software program! The patch is just a small modification of the program's output to the screen but it took us a long time to track down all of the variables and learn how to manipulate them.