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Although Herman and Pamela are now retired, they have both worked in many areas and businesses. These opportunities increased after they both upgraded their tertiary qualifications as mature age students. Herman was born in Delft, Holland and came to Australia in 1972. Prior to retirement, he worked as a Secondary School Information Processing Technology Teacher, teaching face-to-face classes and via the internet for 15 years. Prior to that, Herman has worked and studied in the areas of accounting, administration, management, taxation, small business and with a multi-national corporation. He has worked as an accountant, bursar, registrar, property manager and business manager, and has owned and operated several successful (and at times not-so-successful) businesses ranging from a bookshop, photographic business and two small farming enterprises. He is the author of several taxation and business books as well as publishing many professional papers and articles during his educational career.
His formal qualifications are: M Ed (Ed.Tech), B.A., Grad.Dip.Tax, Grad.Dip.Further Ed. and Train, Dip. Retailing, MACE.
Pamela is Australian born. She was a former librarian, mainly working in several university libraries, State Library of Queensland, National Library of Australia, and TAFE libraries for over 30 years. She changed careers and became a full-time author of 27 history books published by Macmillan, a gardening book and a book on writing published by Information Australia, plus several hundred feature articles for various newspapers and popular magazines.
Her formal qualifications are: Pamela Odijk, B.A., Dip. Lib.
In retirement, both have travelled extensively, mainly on cruise ships around the world, the Pacific, New Zealand, and of course Australia, where they live.
Although Herman and Pamela are now retired, they have both worked in many areas and businesses. These opportunities increased after they both upgraded their tertiary qualifications as mature age students. Herman was born in Delft, Holland and came to Australia in 1972. Prior to retirement, he worked as a Secondary School Information Processing Technology Teacher, teaching face-to-face classes and via the internet for 15 years. Prior to that, Herman has worked and studied in the areas of accounting, administration, management, taxation, small business and with a multi-national corporation. He has worked as an accountant, bursar, registrar, property manager and business manager, and has owned and operated several successful (and at times not-so-successful) businesses ranging from a bookshop, photographic business and two small farming enterprises. He is the author of several taxation and business books as well as publishing many professional papers and articles during his educational career.
His formal qualifications are: M Ed (Ed.Tech), B.A., Grad.Dip.Tax, Grad.Dip.Further Ed. and Train, Dip. Retailing, MACE.
Pamela is Australian born. She was a former librarian, mainly working in several university libraries, State Library of Queensland, National Library of Australia, and TAFE libraries for over 30 years. She changed careers and became a full-time author of 27 history books published by Macmillan, a gardening book and a book on writing published by Information Australia, plus several hundred feature articles for various newspapers and popular magazines.
Her formal qualifications are: Pamela Odijk, B.A., Dip. Lib.
In retirement, both have travelled extensively, mainly on cruise ships around the world, the Pacific, New Zealand, and of course Australia, where they live.
Just letting you know that this book is a photo book with approx. 400 photographs and NOT a reading / text book. It makes for a nice Christmas or other present too. Happy travelling.!
We have purchased Herman and Pamela Odijk's book,
"Around New Zealand in Fourteen Days", and have
been impressed by the wonderful photography,
which makes us wish to travel in this beautiful
country, as we have not yet done. It's amazing
that one can cover so much territory in a limited
time, and still have time to explore and enjoy the
beauty on offer. It is to be hoped that the Odijks
will publish more books of this calibre.
This book is such a great concept! In this age of being so limited in our ability to travel, we can enjoy the amazing scenery of New Zealand through Herman and Pamela's pictorial log. With simplicity and clarity, the authors share their journey around this beautiful place. The photography brings the place to life, and allows the reader to experience the people, history and scenery. This book makes a great gift, as well as a special memento for those fortunate enough to be able to cruise here. More books like this please!
Traveling is one of the main things I have missed during the COVID-19 pandemic. I think the situation is similar for most people. I also believe the vast majority of readers have mostly read adventurous books and travelogues during this pandemic. Around New Zealand in 14 Days by Herman Odijk and Pamela Odijk is one such book in which the authors describe their trip to New Zealand through a multitude of photographs.
The author traveled around New Zealand on a cruise, which is also their favorite way of traveling. This book consists almost entirely of photographs. Therefore, the reader follows their New Zealand tour through various images. They visited Auckland, Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, Akaroa, Dunedin, Port Chalmers, and Fiordland. The book contains photographs of various museums, parks, statues, street performers, cafes, charming restaurants, interesting buildings, unusual means of transport, beaches, harbors, marinas, and the beautiful nature of New Zealand. Next to each photo is a description of it; it is written what the photo shows and when and where it was taken. Some photos are accompanied by more detailed descriptions, especially if some interesting facts are related to them.
I have to say that I like the concept of the book the most. While reading this book, I had the feeling that I was also on a journey to New Zealand with Herman and Pamela. I especially like the photos of the sea at different times of the day. The sunsets at sea are particularly magical. If I had to choose my favorite location in New Zealand, it would be Fiordland National Park. It is rich in diverse flora and fauna and looks magical due to the snow-covered high rocks surrounding it and the numerous waterfalls. In addition, I really like Herman's and Pamela's argument for choosing cruisers for most of their travels. They emphasize the importance of enjoying every moment, especially while traveling. Had they traveled by plane, they would not have enjoyed the beautiful landscapes in the same way.
There is nothing in the book that I do not like. In addition, I did not encounter any grammatical errors. I would say that this book is an ideal read for this uncertain time during a pandemic when people cannot travel, especially to distant destinations.
Around New Zealand in 14 Days deserves a rating of 5 out of 5 stars. I do not have a single complaint, so I have no reason to give it a lower rating. I would recommend it primarily to those eager to travel and to those planning to visit New Zealand.
New Zealand will always be the land of Lord of the Rings for me, but it is also so much more than that. The country is mountains, coastlines, and sprawling cities. It is rich in history, both in the local Maori people and those who came after. If you wish to experience it yourself, albeit from the safety of your couch, then climb aboard and sail away on the book, Around New Zealand In 14 Days. Herman and Pamela Odijk are your tour guides. Between the two of them, they have enough knowledge to fill a literal cruise ship. Whether you visit and photograph the same place at different times, or different places each time across subsequent visits, a unique picture emerges of the changing character, i.e., the spirit of the place, with all its beauty, honesty, and often inherent quirkiness, and the people who belong there - something the tourist brochures can’t possibly show you because that is not their objective.
Herman and Pamela Odijk want to show you the here and now and persuade you to go there and find out for yourself. All the simplest little details perhaps mean the most to make up a bigger picture. I enjoyed the small details Herman and Pamela added in Around New Zealand In 14 Days. Though their experience is centered around Princess Cruise Lines, it managed to show a unique and inspiring adventure. All the facts were precise, down to the last picture. Like Bilbo Baggins once said, “I’m going on an adventure!”
First of all, I'd like to start by letting the authors know that I was drawn to this book out of love for New Zealand and anticipation of a similar vacation. I am a massive fan of photographic journals and particularly fond of books that focus on the cruising experience. Many out there genuinely believe that the 'one country/port per day' model of travel does not allow for meaningful views of a place, culture, or even its landscape. I see that the authors made multiple visits. Nobody could question the Odijks' status as veteran New Zealand travellers, even those who do not appreciate the cruising model. The authors must know that this is not the lens through which I viewed the book.
Unfortunately, where this book failed to engage for me was in the photography itself. In a travelogue comprised of hundreds of photographs and very little text beyond a couple of lines per photo caption, the photos must be clean, crisp, and polished. I wasn't expecting a glossy coffee table book with images that look like they were taken by a National Geographic photojournalist. However, they still have to be a cut above average. The only instance where a higher caliber of work would not be a requirement is if this collection was intended as an heirloom for future generations of Herman and Pamela Odijk's family, in which case Around New Zealand in 14 days as it stands now is perfect.
Each place has its own unique character, a spiritual compilation of what it once was, what it is now, and what it could potentially be in the future. Things are continually in a state of flux – everything changes, and that’s most evident in the various places we explore throughout our lives. You might visit one place multiple times and find something uniquely different each time which was perhaps missed in the tourist brochures.
Travelers and photographers Herman and Pamela Odijk are not new to the adventure of travel. Their preferred mode of travel is cruise ships and tour buses. They have ventured around the islands of New Zealand multiple times and discovered something new with each recurring visit. Their photographs create a compelling photolog of their journeys and adventures. Around New Zealand In 14 Days is this couple’s photolog of about 700 photographs. Following an interesting introduction, the rest of the book is a visually documented journey with clear, bright, colorful illustrations and interesting captions. I loved the photograph of the Hobbit tour guide – he definitely fits the profile. The photographs of innovative signs to lure in the curious tourist are also fascinating. Each photograph captures something that defines the character of the place, from its unique signs to its creative people to some of the quirkiness that sets it apart. This is a beautiful coffee table book to be enjoyed and studied multiple times at one’s leisure.
New Zealand is the one country that offers infinite variety in its geography and climate: a photographer’s dream. Perhaps that’s how Herman and Pamela Odijk also felt as they traveled this small island country, not just in the titular fourteen days but over several years. They were obviously impressed by what they saw and experienced to compile 700 photographs into their book, Around New Zealand In 14 Days. But like many of us who know how limited an insight one gets of a country and its people on guided tours, they often chose to ride scooters where they could. That afforded a much better chance to speak with local people, enjoy the country’s foods, and visit parts of the island one could never access by bus or plane.
A review can only tell you so much about the contents of a photolog of a country. There are so many well-arranged photos. I was happy to be reading the digital version of this book: the snow-capped mountains rising to incredible heights really came alive on the screen. While it’s impossible to document their discoveries without a lot of words, since “a picture is worth a thousand words”, they are letting their photos do the talking. These tell us about New Zealand’s remarkable fjords, waterfalls, and mountains on the south island and show us how they contrast the lifestyle and commerce of the north island. You will enjoy looking at the architecture of Wellington’s wonderful buildings, visiting the Hippopotamus restaurant, wondering at the fruit and confectionery artistry, imagine taking a drive in a “Hupmobile” or riding on the very strange-looking Kelly Tarleton’s bus. You have to see the photo to believe that last one. There is only one better way than this book to “see” New Zealand and that, of course, is to visit it yourself. I’ve been lucky enough to do that. Those who can’t will surely appreciate seeing its magnificence in Around New Zealand In 14 Days.
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