Sunday 16 March 2014

Big-G-Les & Helga's Nov 2013 New Zealand Trip

Time for some fun
 
On our recent trip to New Zealand, we took our "alter egos" Big-G-Les & Helga with us for some fun.  It felt a bit weird taking photos of the Lego figures, but we got use to it and soon they took on a life on their own.  Wherever we went, they went too.
 
Anyway, this is their trip.
 
Adelaide Airport - Big-G-Les observing the Air New Zealand A320 getting ready to fly him to Auckland
 Enjoying the view at Auckland Harbour with the City Sky Tower in the background

Another view of Auckland Harbour
with the Emirates NZ America's Cup complex in background
Big-G-Les & Helga showing no fear by lying on the glass walk panels in the
observation level of the City Sky Tower
In the middle there is a red target where the bungee jumpers aim for

Time to relax at the Belgium Beer Bar at Mission Bay
Helga's all ready
Helga going in head fisrt trying to get to the last drops, while Big-G-Les secretly tries on her helmet
Big-G-Les on the hunt for the Kasteel Blond 7 beer
Not too happy that this bottle is empty
Found it, the beer!!!!!
Beer goggles on, ready to dive in!
 
Can someone stop the table from spinning!!!!

Next day both have recovered from their hangover & visited the Maritime Museum. Here they are standing in front of a replica model which is in front of the actual New Zealand 1995 America Cup winner NZL32 "Black Magic" They seem impressed!

Now in awe of standing in front of the 1995 replica cup

Boarding passes ready to go sailing on NZL41 on a wet (to the point of hail) and near windless day (unfortunately)
Both Big-G-Les & Helga felt a bit queezy before boarding so they stayed on shore

Posing in front of the penguin enclose at the wonderful Kelly Tarlton Sea Life Aquarium
Who knew Gentoo Penguins knew how to photobomb!!
 
 
They visited the Split Enz exhibit at Te Awamutu, home of the Finn brothers.
Big-G-Les getting ready with the record player arm
Big-G-Les & Helga partying on side one
 
Our accommodation, the rear of a Bristol Freighter in Waitomo
(it was fully fitted out as an apartment, nice too)

Big-G-Les making sure he observes the warning above the door to the apartment
View out of the apartment.
This is the last known photo of Big-G-Les with is goggles.
Posing in front of a hot spring in Rotorua
Good thing they don't have noses so they couldn't smell the sulphur
Helga making sure Big-G-Les doesn't step off into the hot springs in the spectacular Waimangu Volcanic Valley
Relaxing and getting ready for a mud spa at Hells Gate in Rotorua


Half way from Christchurch to Blenheim Big-G-Les & Helga
demanded to go for a stroll along the shore
Helga seems to be enjoying being back near the sea
Might just borrow this Hurricane
Got him, a Ju87
 
Enjoying some more of the wonderful New Zealand beer in  Blenheim.
Seems to be a bit of theme here with these two.... 

Helga & Big-G-Les trying to comprehend at the devastation in Christchurch of the
2011 earthquake from the hotel window
 
Big-G-Les stands by the safety fencing at the Christchurch War Memorial Bridge of Remembrance
Big-G-:Les feeling not so big in one of the fun oversized street furniture in Christchurch
 
Big-G-Les making sure the car is in Sports Mode while heading down to Ashburton
 
Back in Christchurch for one last beer (err dinner) before heading back home to Australia
Big-G-Les feeling a bit blurry having to wake up a 3:26AM so he can get to Christchurch Airport for the flight home to Australia


It seemed a bit funny taking pictures of Lego figures at the start, but after a short while it became quite fun.  You should try it sometime.