Monday 16th March 2009

Oh Dear! Our last day! We checked out of the hotel at 10.00 and stowed our luggage in the hotel. We had the whole day in Auckland until 8.00 when our taxi was booked to take us to the airport. After we had breakfast at Dennys we took the free bus to Kelly Tarlton’s Antartic Adventure and Undersea World on the other side of town. We took a snowmobile ride which started with Scott’s expedition to Antartica. Next the ride took us into the penguin enclosure – all indoors but they have recreated the artic environment making 30 tonnes of snow a day. They had a pool too with glass sides and we could see them swimming alongside us.

Next came the aquarium with huge pools which also contained stingrays and turtles. Have you ever seen the underneath of a stingray – look at this!

We then went in a glass tunnel and were in the middle of Sharks, Groupers, and loads of other fish (can’t remember which ones!) Then there were various tanks of crayfish conger eels marine fish coral reefs and seahorses. They were beautiful. We did not leave until 3.00 and caught the bus back into the City.

After a wander around the city shops (well I had to didn’t I?) Fred got a bit fed up with all the people dawdling in front of him – he said “bloody tourists” so we went and had a look at Albert Park just on the edge of the City.

The flower beds was beautiful – we sat on a bench in the sunshine and Fred watched the students coming out of the University – a diverse bunch he called them. Dear followers I said previously that he was back and I wasn’t joking – he spent the entire time “commenting” on their size, appearance, personal attraction and when it got to the mature students – Well! They did not stand a chance!!

By now it was getting on so we decided to have a meal and go back to the hotel- grab our luggage and change for the trip home.

Our take off was due at 11.55pm but we did not leave until 00.20am. Once again, as the plane wasn’t full, we had an extra seat so we could spread out. As the first leg of the trip was completely in the dark, for 10 hours, we managed to get some sleep. Once again we had a two hour stopover in Hong Kong. When we got back on the plane, for the last 12 hour flight – this time all in daylight - there was an engine problem which took an hour to solve. I did a bit of fluttering of the eyes to one of the stewards, and ensured that we still had the extra seat. It must have worked because not only did we get the extra seat, we got a big bottle of water to ensure that we did not dehydrate – and what ended up being a whole bottle of champagne to ourselves. None of the other passengers got this treatment – see the old girl hasn’t lost it!!

The visibility from the plane, apart from being slightly hazy, was excellent. We crossed China, the northern tip of the Himalayas, and over the top of Moscow.

We touched down at 2.20pm and after some further delay, this time in the luggage arriving at reclaim, our dear friends Geoff and Beryl were waiting to take us home. We had a lovely holiday but it was good to be home.

It was a brilliant holiday for us and we hope you enjoyed reading the blog of our journeys. It was certainly good to know so many of you were reading it.

Now it only remains to say Goodnight from Me – and Goodbye from Him.

Sunday 15th March 2009

Loads of cloud today, is this an Omen for us to leave? Checked out at 9.30 and went down to the beach for a big breakfast before our drive to Auckland – 230kms away. As it happened there was not so much traffic and we made it in 3 hours. By the time we arrived the sun was shining. We dumped our cases at the hotel and took the car back to the depot. In total we have covered 3,943kms which Fred says is 2,465 miles – a nice restful holiday!!

Then caught the link bus back to the city centre. As it was such a sunny day we decided to visit the Skytower – the weather is supposed to be cloudy tomorrow. The Skytower is the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere.

The first viewing level was at 186m on Floor 51. Fred was very brave and walked across the glass floor but he did not look down – he doesn’t do heights. Instead he concentrated on filming it on the camcorder – didn’t seem so bad when it was only half an inch across.

All of a sudden a crazy idiot was hanging outside our window – in the middle of a skyjump. He was suspended there for 10 seconds before being dropped to the ground.

After a coffee on Floor 50 we took another lift a further 10 floors to 220m. We looked down on people walking around the outside rim – all attached by wires though - wimps!! Being an adventurous person I wanted to have a go but throughout all this holiday, we have done everything together, and as Fred would not do it, I am afraid I was denied the opportunity to show how brave I was - can you believe it!!!

So now, dear followers, we have to pack up for our journey home and will have no more internet access till we get there. So this is the last entry from New Zealand. We will add our final blog on our return to blighty.

Saturday 14th March 2009

A beautiful sunrise today, we were up and out early ready to catch our boat, the Tiger V, at 8.45 for a four hour trip on our Hole in the Rock cruise. When we left the jetty the foredeck was opened and we went up to the pointed end. There were twelve islands for us to visit on our journey to the Hole.

Our first stop however, was a place called Russell which although it is not an island, it is more accessible by ferry from the Bay. Back in the Maori settlement days this was declared the capital. It is full of colonial buildings and tea shops with gardens down to the sea.

Our captain was very informative and we were given loads of information of the days of Captain Cook and the early settlers. The original inhabitants of the islands were the Mori Mori people who were driven out by Polynesian invaders who were later known as Mai Ori. Now changed to Maori which means clean and new.

We then went off to Cape Brett and the Hole in the Rock. Although the sea was wonderfully calm the Captain said he would get us as close as he could as it depended on the tides as to whether we could go through.

He stopped engines and we edged closer and closer.

He then surprised us all by opening the throttle and going through it. He later said there was only a 2 metre clearance on each side.

We then went on to Urupukapuka Island where we stopped for a quick coffee and cake then took another strange looking vessel to view the marine life at a local conservation feeding station.

We saw Snappers some of which were huge, some little white things with yellow tails, some with stripes and plenty of others with fins gills and tails!! We were so anxious to take some photos that we missed a bit of the commentary. Then it was back on the Tiger V back to the shore.

After a couple of beers and a bowl of fries, it was down to the beach to sleep it off – this was the first time in all our holiday we were able to relax and catch some rays.

Tomorrow we are off to Auckland for our last day before we travel home.

Friday 13th March 2009

Another lovely morning, but showers are threatened. Went round the corner for bacon and eggs (yes the diet starts when we get home - big time). Fred has read the Lonely Planet and wanted to go to see Tane Mahata – the God of the Forest. A Kauri tree with a height of 51m and a diameter of 4.5m. It was in the Waipoua Kauri Forest on the west coast.

On the way we stopped off at Kawakawa to have a look at their famous loo. It was designed by a chap called Friedrich Hundertwasse. He was commissioned in 1997 to build the public toilets in the town’s main street. This was the result. It is made of ceramics, pots bottles and broken tiles.

Then, quite by chance we found a little beach at Omapere and sat to catch a few rays watching the sand dunes.

Then at last we found the tree we wanted to hug – and were only allowed within ten feet of it. Bit of a let down really, especially when it started to rain The picture only shows the top as we could not getit all in.

Then it was time to go back – and missed the turning so had to drive a further 100k. Still we did see some very pretty places on the way.

We are up early tomorrow for the Hole in the Rock cruise – let’s hope the weather holds!!!

Thursday 12th March 2009

Pulled back the curtains at 8.00am to see the sun shining over the Auckland Skytower, The Aurora was still in harbour, her passengers still waiting for the repairs to the propeller to be completed. We just laid back in bed to take it all in. Everything was right with the world – then and we came down to earth with a bump and realised we had to get ready to move on.

It was 236 kms from Auckland to Pahia in the Bay of Islands where were to spend the next three nights. We decided to take a detour en route to see the Whangerai Falls. It was a little cloudy and we drove through very fine showers but when we got to the falls they were sparkling in splendour. We took a circular walk to get down as far as we could for a closer look.














Then time was getting on, so it was back in the car to Pahia.

We arrived at about 4.00pm and drove along the bay. There are 144 islands in the Bay in total with some of the warmest waters in New Zealand. I am not sure whether we will dip our toes but watch this space….




Our hotel was not a patch on that we had yesterday, but then again you would have to go a long way to better it. Just a couple of minutes walk to the sea. By the time we got ourselves sorted out there was just enough time for dinner.

Wednesday 11th March 2009

Another sunny morning – this time with a difference. No breakfast to start our day – instead a wonderful 40o Polynesian deluxe private outdoor thermal spa bath overlooking lake Rotorua. 30 minutes of sheer heaven.















Feeling thoroughly relaxed, a bit too relaxed really, we wee back in the car for the journey to Auckland -220kms. Stopped at about 12 for the biggest breakfast I’ve ever seen. The traffic was heavy in places, especially through Hamilton and also coming into Auckland but at least it was a 3-lane motorway for 20kms.

We were booked into a classic double studio room in The Spencer on Byron on the North Shore. We walked into this huge auditorium to check in – to be told our room was on the 11th floor. We walked through the door and our faces froze in amazement. We were expecting one room with en-suite and tea making. What we got was a living room, kitchen with dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer, bedroom with ensuite bathroom and a balcony. We have never had the like of it before – shame it is only for one night.

We were about 6kms from the City but the view from our balconies was amazing.

It was a long way down –Fred wouldn’t look!

Had a walk around the locality – very quiet – not much going on. As our accommodation was so nice, we decided to make the most of it and have a room service dinner. Off to Bay of Islands tomorrow – the weather forecast is not encouraging – still what the heck

Tuesday 10th March

What bliss – a lie in and late breakfast. When we eventually left the hotel the sun was shining and it was lovely and warm. The hotel is on the outskirts of Rotorua and as we got closer to the centre the smell got stronger.

We went to a place called Te Puai – a maori complex in a geothermal valley. We ended up spending the day there as there was so much to see. There were loads of bubbling mud pools and the famous Pohuto Geyser (pronounced gizer – they said that the geyser was the one behind the camera). It erupts on average once or twice and can reach heights of up to 30 metres.

The cynic in us was convinced that it was all manufactured, that there was a lot of plumbing and electrical heating under the rocks.

Our ticket included a maori concert in their traditional Te Aronui a Rua meeting house. This consisted of the Maori greeting, demonstration of the Hukka and native songs

We had pre-booked an evening out at a maori hangi and concert to be collected from our hotel at 6.30. Very promptly the bus arrived and we joined other passengers. Then off to make the next pick up at the Novotel to collect another two. Our driver Wati announced that we had some backpackers to collect from one more hotel before we could begin our journey to the Hangi – and would you believe it, we were back again at our hotel!! Once they had boarded Wati said that all the passengers on his bus belonged to the Weka tribe and asked for someone to volunteer to be the chief of that tribe for the night – said it had to be a man because they were superior to the women – until they got home! Fred then remarked out loud “Always” and that was his downfall – he was chosen! He was called up to the front of the bus and introduced to everyone and told what to do in the ceremonial part of the evening. When we arrived we were joined by four other bus loads and each one had their own chief.

Each chief then had to be introduced to the Maori chief and go through the welcoming ceremony which included touching noses. There was then a presentation of the maori story with music and dance and then we went off to have dinner which was all cooked in the traditional Maori way, under ground. It was wonderful and there was loads of it. However most of the evening, apart from the meal was outside and it was very cold. We all had to meet the Chief – as you can see I was not too sure!

When it was all over, we got back on the bus, and then Chief Fred was the MC to organise the community singing on the way home. He did a great job and everyone enjoyed it. It’s been ages since I have seen him so animated – the old Fred was back!!

I have to say that the lunchtime concert was better than that included in our evening trip – it was more attractive, and more professional, more tuneful – and the men were more attractive!!

I will be sad to leave tomorrow as there is so much more to do here.

Still, onwards and upwards….

Monday 9th March.

Our Alpine Lodge room left a lot to be desired. It was all boarded in pine - very pretty but not so practical as it groaned and creaked all night - Added to that, the walkers were all up before dawn having their showers!! Still, it made us get up early and we were away from Tongeriro at about 9.30am.

Fred had a migraine this morning so I was at the wheel again. It was a lovely drive to Rotarua - about 160kms.

We stopped at Lake Taupo - the largest lake in New Zealand. It looked like a sea shore. There was a breeze creating waves. There was a chap taking part in a competition for a hole in one, teeing off from the shore and the hole was on a pontoon in the water. The wind was so strong, he had trouble even reaching the pontoon with the club he was given.

We had look at Hukka Falls which is not a high falls but has the

most volume of water rushing through it. As you can see, there was a lot of water. They have channelled this for hydro-electric power.

Arrived in Rotorua at 2-ish staying this time at the Ibis and spent the afternoon just chilling and mooching around. Our hotel is on the outskirts around Lake Rotorua - the smell is in the centre of town - that is for us to explore tomorrow.

I said about the smell - like rotton eggs. Fred feels very at home as he doesn't have to own up to his own misdemeanours!!

Sunday 8th March 2009

Awoke to a lovely morning and took a photo from our bedroom window.

Longest drive of the holiday today – 330km. We left our penthouse room at 9.30 in sunshine and headed off on highway 1 to Tongariro National Park just south of Lake Taupo. Travelled on a dual carriageway for the first time in 2 weeks.

We decided to go for the scenic route via Wanganui then up on highway 6. It was very picturesque but not a patch on what we had seen on the South Island. Lookat this picture on the right - call this a mountain? Nah!!

I said I would drive as long as the roads where flat and straight but I ended up driving 160 km through the hills – Fred said I couldn’t have it easy all the time!!

We arrived at our Alpine Lodge accommodation at 3.30pm. It is a ski resort in the winter so after settling in we donned our boots and went on a couple of short walks.

The first to the Mahuia rapids and then to the Tawhai Falls.

The clouds where hiding the peaks of the mountain range but we drove the 6 km up to the Whakapapa ski area at 5350 Ft. Just as we were coming down the cloud cleared a bit so we could see some of the peak of Mt. Ruapehu at 9175 Ft.

Tomorrow up to Rotorua via Lake Taupo a mere 160kms – easy peasy!!

Saturday 7th March 2009

Got up at 6.30 and presented ourselves at the Whaleway Station for our trip. Unfortunately there was no change in the weather, and the warnings for seasickness were severe. We were offered a flight instead so took a 30 minute trip in a 6-seater.

Flew over whales and dolphins but the pictures taken were not that brilliant – added to which the batteries ran out in the camera!!

We then drove to Picton, deposited our car at the terminal and caught the 2.30 ferry to Wellington in North Island The “cruise” took 3 hours. As you can see the journey was tiring for everyone.

We picked up our new car on the other side and then thought we were back home with all the traffic and one-way systems in the city. We eventually found our hotel and were booked into a room on the top floor (16th) The view was amazing. By the time we had sorted ourselves out there was just enough time for dinner before bed

Friday 6th March 2009

Drove north to Kaikoura today - booked on a whale watch at 3.30. When we got there, they reported that the sea was very choppy and I and afraid I copped out, even though I had taken a Kaikoura Cracker - the local sea sickness pill!!

Fred took some pictures on the seashore while we were waiting for confirmation as to whether they would run the boat for the 3.30 sailing:

Fred would not go on his own, so we postponed it until 7.15 tomorrow morning - just enough time before we have to leave to drive 180kms to Picton for the 2.30pm sailing to Wellington, North Island.

We seem to be the only residents at our motel. - It is called The Fairways Lodge - annexed to Kaikoura Golf Course. Very nice accommodation but a good few kilometers outside of Kaikoura Centre. The day has been a bit grey - but warm.

Thursday 5th March 2009

Lot of driving to do today but before we left Lake Tekapo we looked around the Church of the Good Shepherd – a little chapel on the lakeside. A large window showing the view across the lake is its alter with just a simple cross standing before it. We had to buy a postcard of this view as the lighting was not right for our camera shots.

280kms later, after a boring drive through the Canterbury plains, we arrived back in Christchurch. When we were here at the beginning of our trip we purchased tickets for the Christchurch Gondola but had not used them – so we decided to see what it had to offer. Not a patch on Queenstown (well I would say that wouldn’t I?) The city sat under a thin blanket of mist so the view was hazy – just like us really after the drive.

Arrived back to the So Hotel but this time a room on the 5th floor had a WINDOW!!! And it was larger too – by the width of a door!!

Tomorrow we are off to Kaikoura and the whale watch. There is a threat of rain – hopefully it will hold off for us.