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1996
Around the world (NEW ZEALAND )
Bec2004-09-20 11:38:03
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Sheep farming and tourism are the mainstays of the South Island. The Wizard of Christchurch is a major tourist attraction. This bizarre eccentric is seen here spouting his provocative harangue to a youthful crowd in Cathedral Square. Personally I suspect that he is employed by the local chamber of commerce!
ALBERT'S PASS
There is a high concentration of tourists in New Zealand but it is not without cause, the country is beautiful and its nature is well preserved as can be seen going over the south island's mountainous spine and coming down from Albert's Pass towards Greymouth on the west coast.
HOKITIKA
The west coast is sparsely populated because of its rugged topography and inclement weather, freezing in winter and wet in summer. Hokitika, south of Greymouth is typical of the small west coast towns where the once important activity of mining has been replaced by catering to the flood of tourists who come to see the mountains and glaciers in summer.
FRANZ JOSEF
The Franz Josef Backpackers Hostel is typical of the inexpensive accommodations (10US$/night), that can be found all over New Zealand. The laid back and friendly atmosphere of these small places makes it easy to meet and fraternise with other travellers. Here I had dinner with two charming South Korean girls that I had met on the bus from Christchurch to Greymouth and I met Steve, a young Britisher with whom I walked up to the Franz Josef glacier the next day.
On the way up to the Franz Josef glacier Steve and I discussed the pros and cons of backpacking. I find that youth hostels can be as impersonal as five star hotels when they get too big like the huge Auckland Central Hostel. Those big institutions might be OK for backpacking couples but they are certainly not satisfactory for a solitary traveller like me. I prefer small places
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See photographs from:
New Zealand Gallery
