Shark

Every once in awhile New Zealand shows up in the international news without the aid of Hollywood.  Yesterday's tragic event at Muriwai Beach was such an occasion.  A well known and popular person in that community was killed by what is believed to be a 12-15 ft great white shark.

The last fatal shark attack in New Zealand was around 35 years ago.  The total number of document shark attacks since the 1850s is 48, with 9 of those being fatal (compared to 980/37 in the USA).  Statistically speaking, it is more likely that one would be killed by a drunk driver than a shark.

Despite this reasonable and mathematically logical assertion, I am currently far more likely to walk down the street than I am to swim in the ocean.  Everyone has a list of the ways they least want to depart this world.  Shark attack is in my top 5.  They scare me.

Weta

"Weta is the name given to about 70 insect species endemic to New Zealand."  There are tree weta, cave weta, ground weta, tusked weta and giant weta.  One weta (I'm guessing a ground weta) was in a friend's house.  It was dead, probably brought in by their dog.

The pencil is for scale.  Not sure I want to come across a giant weta.

Habour

The Anchor is a seafood restaurants located in Nelson Harbour.  The food is very good.  In the summer months one can sit indoors or out along the marina.  I found that when sitting outdoors, however, I felt like I was being watched.  Watched closely.

The people sitting behind us got up to leave.  They did not eat all of their food.  That is when the attack came, a violent avian feeding frenzy.

The following Tuesday I went to see Hitchcock.

Opera

Nelson Opera in the Park is a biennial event in which New Zealand opera singers and some more contemporary singers preform at an outdoor venue.  People bring folding chairs and picnic baskets and settle in for a night of music.

This year's performers included The Ladykillers, Julia Deans, Don McGlashen, and opera singers Anna and Madeleine Pierard.  

No, I hadn't heard of them either, but that did not stop me from enjoying the evening.  The Ladykillers were particularly good.  The concert went well into the night with fireworks at the end, while the Wellington Symphony Orchestra played.

Buskers

There is an annual event in Nelson called the Trafalgar Street Market.  Trafalgar Street in the Main Street of Nelson, the heart of the Central Business District. The market is "a huge day of shopping bargains, entertainment and fun for the whole family" and two blocks of Trafalgar are closed for this annual event. The market is also home for the Busker's Festival, a cavalcade of street performers who thrill and captivate.

This group was particularly enjoyable:

Johnnys

The Johnnys are "the world's 'first and only,' all girl, all Johnny Cash Band.  Johnny Cash songs like you have never heard before."

The Johnnys played at the Moutere Inn in Upper Moutere, about 10 km outside of Nelson.  A 3-piece, all girl band that plays nothing but Johnny Cash?  At a roadhouse?  What could be more fun?

The beer at the Moutere Inn is quite good, too! You can learn more about the Johnnys (not to confused with the Australian punk band The Johnnys) at http://thejohnnysnelson.blogspot.co.nz

Boulder

This morning I went out geocaching at the Boulder Bank Scenic Reserve.  The Boulder Bank, stretching from just north of Atawhai back toward Nelson, is about 14 km long and not terribly wide. Its a great place to go for a stroll, paddle in the water, walk the dog, watch the ships . . . and geocache.

The water is beautiful and there are a few interesting things to see and enjoy.

The water is very blue.

Nautical markers.

Cairn

The dark surface mass on the right side of the picture is a cargo ship heading in to Port Nelson.

I stayed along the entrance to the bank and headed away from Nelson.  Next visit I'll head the other direction.  There is a lighthouse to see which is no longer in service. I guess that's OK because I have not heard of any shipwrecks since I've been here, and I'm absolutely sure if there was one, the Nelson Mail would be there to cover the story.  Unless it was on a weekend.

Ergodic

These are random photographs taken during my first few days in Nelson.  They have no story or relation to each other.

A busy evening in the restaurant area of the Nelson Central Business District.

HMNZS Taupo. 

This ship is stationed in Nelson.  It is "designed for maritime surveillance and patrol missions around the New Zealand coast and southwest Pacific."

This is the jewellery store where "The One Ring" was created. I watched a lot of people walk in, but never saw anyone walk out.

Kids jumping off the pier at Mapua.

Atawhai.  This is the area I live in as viewed from atop one of the local walking tracks.  The mountain range across the bay is Abel Tasman National Park.

Art

Nelson is quite a bohemian town.  Lots of art, crafts, music and alternative people.  There are sculptures to be seen throughout the city.  Here are a few examples:

This is "Nau mai ki tōku Āhuru Mōwai,"which translates to "Welcome to my safe home to my sheltered haven."  I have also heard this called "The Cheese Grater," but it looks like a sea fan to me.

This is called "Dance to the Music of Time."  It is also known as the Giant Asparagus.

"Reef Knot"  Its actually named after what it looks like.

Technically, this may not be art, but I find it aesthetically pleasing. This is the pavilion at the Miyazu Garden.

This piece (these pieces?) are next to the parking lot at the local Fresh Choice supermarket. Not sure what the name is, but it might be "Food for Thought."  I call it The Triffids.

Art is not for everyone, but I like the sculptures of Nelson.  They are fun to discuss, and make excellent waypoints.