Lyttelton is a port just east of Christchurch. At the top of the hill above town is a timeball constructed in 1876, and now is a registered heritage site. A time ball is a large painted wooden or metal ball that drops at a predetermined time, to enable sailors to check their marine chronometers from their boats offshore.  A friend of mine lives in Lyttelton and she took us on a day trip through Akaroa Peninsula. Amazingly beautiful. Along the way we came upon a Maori village.

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Christchurch is a lovely town full of parks and public art. We spent several days wandering around. There was a major earthquake in 2011 that destroyed many buildings. You can still see evidence of the damage today. Some buildings are still under restoration. There is a memorial along the river to remember those who died in the earthquake. Around town...

Postcard: Yoruba Coronation Cloth (detail) - Nigeria. To benefit UNICEF. Igu Mask, Nigeria Paris, March 1973We are on our way to Amsterdam. I’ll take KLM to Chicago, Bill to Frankfort and Lagos. The Paris weather has been cold but clear and sunny – lovely. I walked miles to know Paris a little better. Had lunch with Zina yesterday – she says Lisa is very unhappy here – she’s going to US for Easter.

We had planned an overnight at Mt Cook or Aoraki but the road was closed so we stayed an extra night in Dunedin and made an early start the next day. On our way to Christchurch we stopped in a couple of small towns. At Lake Pukaki we could make out Aoraki in the distance. Aoraki can be translated as "cloud piercer", an apt name as it is usually hidden by clouds. Mt Cook We had lunch at Lake Tekapo and then crossed the plains into Christchurch. It's a mural!

Drove through several small towns on our way to Dunedin on the east coast. Baldwin Street in Dunedin claims to be the steepest residential street in the world; it reportedly averages 1:3.41 (16.33° or 29.3%) for 161 meters but its maximum is claimed to be 35% for an unknown distance. My friend in Auckland said that when she was at University people would ride down it in trash bins.

Drove through Arrowtown and Garston on our way to Te Anau. Te Anau is one of the entry ways into Milford Sound. When we got there we were told the road to Milford was closed due to an avalanche and they were hoping to have it open mid morning the next day. We all crossed our fingers. Luckily it did open up but just for one day.

Abu Simble, Egypt Abu Simble, Egypt. Moving the temple to higher ground. January 1970 This is the real Nefertiti - and she is lovely. We saw so many ancient things today - things we had studied in your ancient history at Greengates. We are in a FF apt. right on the Nile. Your letter was here - thanks - and today we got a cable from Tim. Will go to Pyramids manana and to Karachi in aft. Love, Mom Cairo, Egyptian Museum. Unfinished quartzite head of Queen Nefertiti.

It snowed overnight in Queenstown. Beautiful vistas. We took a minibus to Skipper's Canyon. Skipper's Canyon was once a booming gold mining area. The road through the gorge was completed in 1890 and much of it hasn't changed since then. A dirt road with sheer drops, switchback curves, and very narrow. Kind of terrifying but wonderful at the same time. Gorgeous views.

We flew from Auckland to Christchurch and got up early the next day to board the TranzAlpine railway. The TranzAlpine is considered one of the world’s great train journeys because of the scenery. It is 139 miles one-way, takes almost 5 hours, goes through 16 tunnels and four viaducts. The route takes it from Christchurch through the Canterbury Plaines, past the Waimakariri River to Rolleston.

Our first day in Auckland, we met my friends Louise and her sister Barbara for breakfast. I met Louise and Barbara and their family when I was living in Mexico. We went to grade school together. I hadn't seen them for over 50 years. It didn't matter. We had a wonderful reunion. Lots of fun. Their family owns two restaurants in Auckland - San Ray and Cazador.

Painting by James McIntosh PatrickThe Tay Bridge From My Studio Window (1948)The McManus, Dundee, Scotland A Highland Parting (1885)Gourlay Steell (1819-1894)The McManus, Dundee, Scotland Mare Solemnis, 1989 by Martin RaynerAberdeen Art Gallery and Museum, Scotland Riders of the Side (1911)John Duncan (1866-1945)The McManus, Dundee, Scotland George Hitchcock 1850-1913, AmericanMaternity 1889Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museum, Scotland Victoria and Albert Museum, Dundee, ScotlandOverlooking the Tay Bridge The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum

I arrived on time in Los Angeles. Picked up my bag. It was 2 pm. My flight to Fiji left at midnight. I couldn’t check in until 8 pm. No place to sit in the Departure area. Why are airports like that? Masses of people sitting on the floor waiting for check in to start. Couldn’t they just put in a bench of seats?

Holiday Inn, Curacao, Netherland Antiles July 1971 In case you can't tell -- I'm the one in the striped shirt on the patio and I think that is Virginia (?) I'm helping with breakfast! Love, Bill Puerto Rico, Jan 2003 Can't say I have actually seen this view but hey are all lovely, in the warmth and sunshine. Almost time for the wine and cheese hour and then dinner.

Mt Nebo - Siyaha. the Baptistry Chapel, 597 AD. The Roman Amphitheater -- Amman Amman 1982 Hi - This is a lovely little city with Roman ruins thru-out. This amphitheater is sometimes used for concerts even now! I actually was on the Mt. today where Moses saw the Holy land and is buried. Saw the Dead Sea, almost to Jerusalem. It is cold.

The New Otani 10-acre Classical Japanese GardenTokyo, Japan The Imperial Hotel, Tokyo The Imperial Hotel, built by Frank Loyd Wright, opened in 1923. It was demolished in 1968 and replaced by a high rise structure. My family stayed there in 1959, when we were on our way from Burma to the United States. This postcard was written to my grandmother from some friends of hers traveling in Asia in August, 1961.