With events now under a cloud again due to an omicron outbreak in NZ, we will carry on as best we can and try to keep in touch by newsletter until another opportunity comes along.
Bay of Plenty Naturists
A social group for those who aspire to the naturist philosophy
Thursday, January 27, 2022
Activities in covid
With events now under a cloud again due to an omicron outbreak in NZ, we will carry on as best we can and try to keep in touch by newsletter until another opportunity comes along.
Saturday, October 23, 2021
South Island safari
A group of about a dozen BOP Naturists members enjoyed a relaxed 6-week motorhome safari around the South Island of NZ in March and April 2021. The itinerary was designed to incorporate as many naturist clubs as possible and it did not disappoint, despite the lockdown imposed in Auckland just before the group hit the South Island. As no-one had travelled from Auckland in the previous 2 weeks, we were all able to catch the ferry across Cook Strait. Luckily, there were no reported covid cases in the South Island while we were there. After a couple of nights at the Manawatu Naturist Club, we all headed across the Strait to the South Island. The safari was designed to allow people to side-track to visit other areas or relatives and friends, and several did this, re-joining the safari at a point further along the way.
After a good crossing and a night in Blenheim, the first club we visited in the South Island was the Nelson Sun Club, who welcomed us and we were able to join them for their regular fish and chip night. Some of the group tried out their challenging 9-hole golf course, while others left the grounds to visit local areas.Oparara Arches walk |
Roy's Peak summit |
Heading inland to the lakes, we spent a couple of nights at Glendhu Bay, in one of the three camp
grounds we stayed in on the trip. A couple of the guys climbed the nearby Roy's Peak and got great views over the area. We had been following the America's Cup yacht racing along the way and at Glendhu Bay we were able to celebrate NZs win at Happy Hour.
Orchard Naturist Club |
Hooker Glacier walk |
Through to the Mackenzie Country and Lake Tekapo. A couple of nights here allowed members to visit the area's attractions. It was really sad to see the lack of tourists in this beautiful area (and previously on the West Coast) due to covid and having our borders closed to overseas tourists.
A detour to Hanmer Springs followed after leaving Christchurch before heading along the inland route to Kaikoura, stopping off to look at the earthquake damage along the way. In Kaikoura, we spent our last morning being hosted with a cooked breakfast by one couple who were leaving us to tour the Marlborough Sounds. The rest of us headed north and had our last evening meal together in Picton. Next morning, we headed off on separate ferries back to the North Island and home.
So ended a great 6-week trip around the South Island. Despite the covid pandemic, NZ was covid-free for the whole trip. The weather was pretty good except for a couple of wet days through the Haast Pass, but this was when we were travelling so wasn't an issue. Everyone enjoyed the camaraderie of the group members and all appreciated having time together. No-one got lost or didn't stick to the plan, which made it all the better for the organisers - Col and myself. One day, when we are free of covid, maybe we will travel together again to another area of beautiful NZ.
Friday, February 19, 2021
Opoutere Beach weekend
Col and I joined a couple of early starters at the Opoutere Beach campground on the Thursday night and on Friday, most of the rest turned up during the day. Although we had to be dressed in the campground, the beach offers a myriad of naturist activities that can be partaken on the recognised naturist beach. A large group of members enjoyed the clothes-optional status of the beach with some swimming and boogie boarding, while others walked to each of the beach. Others tried casting out their rods, but alas, the fish won and are still swimming around, waiting to be caught next year at this popular beach.
A couple of the men remembered that Sunday was Valentine’s Day. My
Valentine presented me with a chocolate red rose, while Mike was certainly out
to impress, by getting down on one knee in front of each of the ladies,
offering a chocolate if they would be his Valentine! Well done Mike – I hope
you found your true love after all your efforts!
Thanks for coming everyone. We will meet again at the same place, around
the same time, in 2022.