Communication is never a problem because when it comes to holiday snaps, the language is universal.
A couple of weeks ago we were doing an invigorating post-Christmas walk around Tikitapu (Blue Lake) and came across a young couple who were trying to set up a selfie style photo by balancing their self-timed camera on a post. Framed by native bush and sparkling lake in the background, of course. After being quite confident that I wasn't going to run off with their treasured point and shoot camera, they were delighted when I offered to take the snap for them.
"Vous tes francais?" I asked.
"No - we're from Spain," they replied. Oh well, good try on my part, so with a brief "Ah - hablo un poco espaola" after which the conversation turned back to English, we both went our separate ways.
They got their special photo and, just as importantly, a chat with another couple in the process - something a selfie stick cannot do.
But in defence of the selfie stick, dorky as they may be, I've seen some jolly impressive shots of people perched on top of skyscrapers or other landmarks with a stunning 360 degrees panorama behind them.
Shame, of course, that there's always the giveaway outstretched arm and tapering pole right there in the foreground. But I guess for many, it's all part of adding to the spontaneity of the captured moment. Such folly but, despite being a semi-retired professional photographer who has been conditioned to humping around a weighty tripod on holidays, I think I'll go online and check out one of these selfie stick devices.
Who knows, I just may get that special shot that I otherwise might not have got.
Of the two major news events last week, the 12 skydivers and pilot whose plane plummeted into Lake Taupo certainly came off best, having all survived. Not so the case with the mass shooting at Charlie Hebdo in Paris, where 12 people were killed. When talking to my wife about the Paris shooting a day later, she was at odds as to my reasoning of the comments I had made. "What?" she asked, "What rubbish!"
Then the penny dropped. What she had thought I was referring to was the parachuting accident. Think about it - both words sound identical.
The Times of London - I've just got my hands on a June 25, 1866 copy. Price 3d.
Oh my, how things have changed. These were the times way before motorcars and music that had a beat - and even the first telephones, which were invented 10 years later.
Here are a couple of adverts.
"Mme Florence Lancia begs to announce her return to town, and that until the beginning of August next she is free to accept engagements for opera, oratorios, or concerts. No10 Fulham Place, Maida-hill west."
"COACHMAN. Respectable, married, age 36. Perfectly understands the management of horses. Good character. Knows town well. WK Langdon's, saddler, Duke St, Manchester."
-Brian Holden has lived in Rotorua for most of his life and has been writing his weekly column for 11 years.
