Taste of Kiwi: Blog of Author Shelley Munro

This is another shot of Queenstown and a field of lupins. It’s a very pretty place. The snow-capped mountains in the background are The Remarkables.

Don’t forget to enter my contest to guess how many books I will read during my holiday. Go here for details.

This is a shot of a pohutukawa tree, one of New Zealand’s natives. During the summer it is covered with crimson flowers. Beyond is Goat Island and the marine reserve. It’s fun to snorkel here and paddle in the water with the huge fish swimming around your legs.

Don’t forget to enter my contest to guess how many books I will read during my holiday. Go here for details.

This is the river Avon that runs through central Christchurch, one of the larger cities in the South Island. Christchurch is our most “English” city and many of the names of the streets and sights are taken from England.

Don’t forget to enter my contest to guess how many books I will read during my holiday. Go here for details.

This is a shot of the Chateau, a luxury hotel nestled beneath Mt. Ruapehu in the Tongariro National Park. Mt Ruapehu is an active volcano that rumbles to life every now and then.

Don’t forget to enter my contest to guess how many books I will read during my holiday. Go here for details.

This is Huka Falls. The water comes from Lake Taupo and becomes part of the Waikato River, New Zealands longest river.

Books that mention Taupo: Playing to Win, Never Send a Dog to do a Woman’s Job

Don’t forget to enter my contest to guess how many books I will read during my holiday. Go here for details.

This is a shoe fence we came across during our drive around the lower South Island. We also saw a bra fence. The locals are in two minds about these decorated fences. Some say that they cause traffic jams and are unsightly while others think they add interest to the area.

Don’t forget to enter my contest to guess how many books I will read during my holiday. Go here for details.

This is a view of Lake Wakatipu, the Remarkables and the surrounding town of Queenstown. It was formerly a gold rush town. These days it’s a tourist mecca during both summer and winter. It’s a beautiful place no matter what the time of year.

Books that mention Queenstown: Assassin, Cat and Mouse

Don’t forget to enter my contest to guess how many books I will read during my holiday. Go here for details.

This is Westhaven marina and the Auckland Harbor bridge that links the city of Auckland with North Auckland.

Books that mention Auckland: Playing to Win, Summer in the City of Sails

Don’t forget to enter my contest to guess how many books I will read during my holiday. Go here for details.

This is a photo of the Champagne pool at the Waiotapu Thermal park, near Rotorua. It was difficult to photograph on the day we visited because the wind kept blowing the steam over the pool, obscuring the palette of colors.

Books that mention Rotorua: Never Send a Dog to do a Woman’s Job, Playing to Win.

Don’t forget to enter my contest to guess how many books I will read during my holiday. Go here for details.

Although I’m away, I’ve scheduled posts every day. There’s a Thursday Thirteen, a Snippet Saturday and I thought I’d give you a tour of some of the places I’ve visited in New Zealand. Since my next Middlemarch Mates book is due out very soon, the first photo is of Sutton Salt Lake, which is not far from Middlemarch.

Sutton Salt Lake is an inland lake and is unusual because, as the name suggests, it’s a salty rather than fresh water lake. During the summer the water evaporates and you can see the salt on the surface. This photo was taken in late November and it was almost completely dry, despite it not being the height of our New Zealand summer. (that’s around late Jan, early Feb).

Don’t forget to enter my contest. Go here for details.