visited 23 states (10.2%)
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Monday, June 29, 2009
Where I've Been
visited 23 states (10.2%)
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Thursday, April 16, 2009
January 14
The last day in New Zealand and I was awake at 0215 (not because of anticipation, but because of our flight time) and up at 0225. I showered, dressed and finished packing. Fran was quickly up and dressed. We had a cup of tea, I had a can of coke and took the suitcases outside.
Our taxi arrived at 0310, so we packed up and were off to airport. We arrived at 0330 with a fare of NZ$24.50 but it was only NZ$22 with our discount coupon. We went into the terminal and found that our flight was departing from the domestic terminal. There were no staff around, no check-ins open, but quite a few passengers. I quickly found that the auto check-in doesn’t work for International departures from the Domestic Terminal. After wandering to the International Terminal, I eventually found out because of shift changes, no-one would be on until 0430. There were very small signs and generally poor signage. We went into the lines at 0430, had our suitcases weighed (20.4 kg each) and were passed through. The luggage was going straight through to Adelaide, so that was no problem. We had to wait until the departure gate opened, then went through. There was no real problem at the security point. Finally we got onto the plane to Auckland and we were off on time. Sunrise was during the flight and scenery was nice.
We arrived at Auckland on time and went quickly around to the departure point for the flight to Adelaide. Here the security check was okay but my pack was selected for random testing – and, low and behold, it tested POSITIVE for EXPLOSIVES!
Fortunately both I and the tester were sensible about it, because like a lot of things, one negative test negates many positive tests. He reset the machine, used a fresh test strip and – all clear! Off we went, but now with little time. However we still made it to the flight on time and, again on time, the flight headed off to Adelaide.
The flight back was smooth, but they ran out of a selection of food so it was either take what was offered or nothing. After twenty flights within the last year, I didn’t mind and just ate what I liked.
We landed in Adelaide on time and I rang Ashley to pick us up. He was already at the airport, so we went through Customs and Immigration, hoping for no delays. Immigration was quick, but Fran held us up at two points because of declaring all the medicines and so on that she had, and because she ran into a parent from school. However, even so, we were through very quickly once the officials realised what Fran had (no prohibited material) and so we were soon in the public area of the terminal and met Ashley. Quickly we took the luggage to the car, put it and ourselves in and, for Fran, her New Zealand holiday was over.
For me, over a year of travelling had come to an end – and is never likely to be repeated!
Our taxi arrived at 0310, so we packed up and were off to airport. We arrived at 0330 with a fare of NZ$24.50 but it was only NZ$22 with our discount coupon. We went into the terminal and found that our flight was departing from the domestic terminal. There were no staff around, no check-ins open, but quite a few passengers. I quickly found that the auto check-in doesn’t work for International departures from the Domestic Terminal. After wandering to the International Terminal, I eventually found out because of shift changes, no-one would be on until 0430. There were very small signs and generally poor signage. We went into the lines at 0430, had our suitcases weighed (20.4 kg each) and were passed through. The luggage was going straight through to Adelaide, so that was no problem. We had to wait until the departure gate opened, then went through. There was no real problem at the security point. Finally we got onto the plane to Auckland and we were off on time. Sunrise was during the flight and scenery was nice.
We arrived at Auckland on time and went quickly around to the departure point for the flight to Adelaide. Here the security check was okay but my pack was selected for random testing – and, low and behold, it tested POSITIVE for EXPLOSIVES!
Fortunately both I and the tester were sensible about it, because like a lot of things, one negative test negates many positive tests. He reset the machine, used a fresh test strip and – all clear! Off we went, but now with little time. However we still made it to the flight on time and, again on time, the flight headed off to Adelaide.
The flight back was smooth, but they ran out of a selection of food so it was either take what was offered or nothing. After twenty flights within the last year, I didn’t mind and just ate what I liked.
We landed in Adelaide on time and I rang Ashley to pick us up. He was already at the airport, so we went through Customs and Immigration, hoping for no delays. Immigration was quick, but Fran held us up at two points because of declaring all the medicines and so on that she had, and because she ran into a parent from school. However, even so, we were through very quickly once the officials realised what Fran had (no prohibited material) and so we were soon in the public area of the terminal and met Ashley. Quickly we took the luggage to the car, put it and ourselves in and, for Fran, her New Zealand holiday was over.
For me, over a year of travelling had come to an end – and is never likely to be repeated!
January 13
This was our last full day in New Zealand. I was up at 0710, had tea and toast, then showered and dressed. Quite a bit of time was spent organising luggage, but mainly emptying the car out.
We set out at 0900 and went to visit the Antarctic Centre. We arrived at 0915 and finally left at 1115.
During the time we spent in the centre, I spent some time in the cool room. This was normally at –8°C but on occasions the wind machine started up and there was a wind chill down to –21°C. We had a look at the penguins, most of who were either injured or physically incapable of caring for themselves in the wild. When they were being fed, it was interesting to see the different behaviour of the individual penguins – some were gluttons, some shy and some would only take food from a particular keeper. On the way out, we went into the “storm”, down to –20°C. Both the normal temperature and the storm conditions were warmer than yard duty at Werribee on the oval in winter.
On the way out we went for a ride on the “Hegglund” all-terrain vehicle. Fran had to ride in the front because the back was full (normally this would be an area for troops. It was very different, climbing up 45° slopes and traversing 40° slopes and then floating through over a metre of water. I was interested because I had seen fleets of them in the northern areas of Finland and Norway.
We returned to the city and parked on the street. We walked through a mall to visit Christ Church. Here we looked around and I walked up the tower. The view over the city was impressive, but unlike European places, modern buildings had blocked out long-distance views. There was a performance on in the square, which we looked at for a time. There was audience participation, reluctant on the part of some but everyone ended up enjoying themselves. There was also a tourist tram which ran around the central parts of the city. Opposite the tram stop was a giant chessboard, with people playing chess there.
We walked back to the car and headed off to visit the Roman Catholic Cathedral – I had promised the preist at Invercargill that we would visit, and it was quite impressive, but lacking in the grandeur of Christ church. We had lunch at a Burger King and then bought soup for tea at an adjacent supermarket.
After that we went out to the New Zealand Air Force museum. It seemed much smaller than I remembered, but the problem is that I have been to too many since then – and some of them were huge. The afternoon wore on and we went back to the motel. I emptied the car and left Fran at the motel while I drove to the depot to drop the car off. At the same time I was returning the car, there was a French couple picking up a car. I could now appreciate how difficult it would be for them – language, colloquial speech relating to driving, driving on the “wrong side”, unfamiliar road signs and in a different language. I got driven back to the motel.
The shops were still open so we walked around to Westfield Riccarton shopping centre and went through a variety of shops there – but there was no shopping as our luggage was already up to weight. Then we went back to the motel and had tea, using up any food which we had left.
Later in the evening I transferred and processed today’s photos, wrote up today’s blog as a summary and then watched a little TV. We went to sleep early as we had to be up at 0215 tomorrow to catch our taxi at 0315 tomorrow morning to the airport.
We set out at 0900 and went to visit the Antarctic Centre. We arrived at 0915 and finally left at 1115.
During the time we spent in the centre, I spent some time in the cool room. This was normally at –8°C but on occasions the wind machine started up and there was a wind chill down to –21°C. We had a look at the penguins, most of who were either injured or physically incapable of caring for themselves in the wild. When they were being fed, it was interesting to see the different behaviour of the individual penguins – some were gluttons, some shy and some would only take food from a particular keeper. On the way out, we went into the “storm”, down to –20°C. Both the normal temperature and the storm conditions were warmer than yard duty at Werribee on the oval in winter.
On the way out we went for a ride on the “Hegglund” all-terrain vehicle. Fran had to ride in the front because the back was full (normally this would be an area for troops. It was very different, climbing up 45° slopes and traversing 40° slopes and then floating through over a metre of water. I was interested because I had seen fleets of them in the northern areas of Finland and Norway.
We returned to the city and parked on the street. We walked through a mall to visit Christ Church. Here we looked around and I walked up the tower. The view over the city was impressive, but unlike European places, modern buildings had blocked out long-distance views. There was a performance on in the square, which we looked at for a time. There was audience participation, reluctant on the part of some but everyone ended up enjoying themselves. There was also a tourist tram which ran around the central parts of the city. Opposite the tram stop was a giant chessboard, with people playing chess there.
We walked back to the car and headed off to visit the Roman Catholic Cathedral – I had promised the preist at Invercargill that we would visit, and it was quite impressive, but lacking in the grandeur of Christ church. We had lunch at a Burger King and then bought soup for tea at an adjacent supermarket.
After that we went out to the New Zealand Air Force museum. It seemed much smaller than I remembered, but the problem is that I have been to too many since then – and some of them were huge. The afternoon wore on and we went back to the motel. I emptied the car and left Fran at the motel while I drove to the depot to drop the car off. At the same time I was returning the car, there was a French couple picking up a car. I could now appreciate how difficult it would be for them – language, colloquial speech relating to driving, driving on the “wrong side”, unfamiliar road signs and in a different language. I got driven back to the motel.
The shops were still open so we walked around to Westfield Riccarton shopping centre and went through a variety of shops there – but there was no shopping as our luggage was already up to weight. Then we went back to the motel and had tea, using up any food which we had left.
Later in the evening I transferred and processed today’s photos, wrote up today’s blog as a summary and then watched a little TV. We went to sleep early as we had to be up at 0215 tomorrow to catch our taxi at 0315 tomorrow morning to the airport.
January 12
Despite the late evening, I was awake and up at 0640. It was tea, toast, coke and then a shower and finally dressing. I packed up, checked the unit and then packed the car. Because we left so early, we left the key in the unit and were on the road by 0745. I refuelled in Dunedin city at Mobil, heading south, and then left, going north, at 0755. We went by the Moeraki Boulders and I gave Fran the same commentary as yesterday, just so she knew I could remember. Not far north, we went through back roads to cut across to the main road to Mt Cook via Takiroa, where we stopped to view Maori paintings. We stopped in Kurow to use a toilet – they were very clean and there was an interesting display in the town.
After that stop we went straight through to Mt Cook. Our first stop to view Mt Cook was at Peter’s Lookout – there were many views as we went along the road through the valley, each unique in its own way. At Mt Cook Settlement, we looked through the Visitor Centre, which was new – it had not been there when I had last visited with mum. We ate our lunch outside at the picnic benches – Fran spilled her drink water in her bag over books and all the paperwork in there. When we left we drove back through Geraldine (I got a photo for Elizabeth there) and Ashburton, drove over a very long bridge (remember that a lot of New Zealand rivers are glacial, and so have small and narrow main channels but wide beds up to a mile wide) and had to put NZ$10 petrol in along the way (too close to call, so I decided to play safe).
We got into Christchurch at 1705 and went straight into our motel. It seemed very good. I immediately booked a taxi for Wednesday morning early, to go to the airport. In the unit we had a cup of tea and unpacked. I checked my emails, but the Internet allowance was not sufficient to upload photos. We went out for tea at Robbie’s, as we had a discount voucher from the motel for a meal there. We walked there and back. At the office, Fran requested a newspaper for tomorrow morning (we had seen a police car rushing up towards Mt Cook and wanted to know what the story was).
Back in the unit we changed, I processed today’s photos and then summarised my blog for today. Fran watched TV while I did this and we were soon to bed and to sleep about 2200.
After that stop we went straight through to Mt Cook. Our first stop to view Mt Cook was at Peter’s Lookout – there were many views as we went along the road through the valley, each unique in its own way. At Mt Cook Settlement, we looked through the Visitor Centre, which was new – it had not been there when I had last visited with mum. We ate our lunch outside at the picnic benches – Fran spilled her drink water in her bag over books and all the paperwork in there. When we left we drove back through Geraldine (I got a photo for Elizabeth there) and Ashburton, drove over a very long bridge (remember that a lot of New Zealand rivers are glacial, and so have small and narrow main channels but wide beds up to a mile wide) and had to put NZ$10 petrol in along the way (too close to call, so I decided to play safe).
We got into Christchurch at 1705 and went straight into our motel. It seemed very good. I immediately booked a taxi for Wednesday morning early, to go to the airport. In the unit we had a cup of tea and unpacked. I checked my emails, but the Internet allowance was not sufficient to upload photos. We went out for tea at Robbie’s, as we had a discount voucher from the motel for a meal there. We walked there and back. At the office, Fran requested a newspaper for tomorrow morning (we had seen a police car rushing up towards Mt Cook and wanted to know what the story was).
Back in the unit we changed, I processed today’s photos and then summarised my blog for today. Fran watched TV while I did this and we were soon to bed and to sleep about 2200.
January 11
Again it was the usual procedure, up at 0640, a cup of tea, toast, a shower and got dressed.
I packed, packed car and got ready to leave. Alas again, the hosts don’t make things clear and I found I was up for a NZ$5 charge for Internet, so I was not too happy. Next time I will be ensuring that either the cost is stated upfront or otherwise I will not pay.
We set course for Mt Cook but Fran soon decided the day would be too long. After filling up at Shell (no Woolworths discount dockets) in Invercargill, I headed out (on wrong heading) for the Southern Scenic Route. I eventually caught up with the correct route after going through some very scenic little places.
Along the way we sidetracked into a number of interesting places – one was Niagara Falls, certainly falls but on a different scale to the Canadian/American one. There were nice beaches and coastal scenery at Curio Bay and Owaka.
At Nugget Point we had something to eat from the prepared food we had bought the day before and then walked out on the point to see the rugged scenery and many seals resting on rock shelves and small sandy areas. Back at the car, we spoke briefly to a couple in the car next to us – another brother and sister, the sister from near Invercargill but the brother from Melton (Vic), who had his Mazda car serviced at Werribee (just near where I have DOUG, ARTIE and DOUG 2 serviced). We called in at Balclutha and then went straight onto Dunedin. Unfortunately the SatNav took us on a torturous route before we found the motel. We booked in, put all the luggage in and went straight off to Moeraki. At Moeraki the tide was nearly in, and we had to scrabble along the top edge of the beach and at the foot of a cliff. I had no problem to see the boulders but Fran was reluctant to run the risk of being trapped by the sea. Then it was quickly back to Dunedin where we did some shopping.
After going back to the motel and unloading that shopping, we set out to the Otago Peninsula. There were some very scenic areas along the way, and out at the point we got fish and chips for tea (at a very busy shop). We went right out to Taiaroa Head and then headed back to Sandfly Bay, on the advice of the chip shop owner and a customer.
We parked in the car park, then went down to beach. Along the way we saw some wildlife officers who confirmed there would be sea lions for sure and penguins possibly. The path started out as a sealed track, then sandy, then scrabbling across dunes. We walked along the beach to a hide, passing very close to a sea lion. We saw many sea lions from the hide but only one penguin (from hide) struggling up a cliff-face. It stopped for a breather, but out of our sight. On the way back along the beach we saw another climbing up a sand face. Fran had real trouble getting back from the beach, having great difficulty on the loose sand of a few dunes. We ended up with me at one end of a stick pulling Fran at the other (lower) end. Even so, it took a long time and gave Fran a bit of a scare.
After that, and a drive back along a narrow ridge with strong winds pushing us in both directions (but not at the same time), we were back at the motel by 2245. Fran went straight to bed. I piggybacked on an open network and checked my email, then transferred and processed photos, summarised my blog (no detail, as it was getting late), did some other work and then went to bed.
I packed, packed car and got ready to leave. Alas again, the hosts don’t make things clear and I found I was up for a NZ$5 charge for Internet, so I was not too happy. Next time I will be ensuring that either the cost is stated upfront or otherwise I will not pay.
We set course for Mt Cook but Fran soon decided the day would be too long. After filling up at Shell (no Woolworths discount dockets) in Invercargill, I headed out (on wrong heading) for the Southern Scenic Route. I eventually caught up with the correct route after going through some very scenic little places.
Along the way we sidetracked into a number of interesting places – one was Niagara Falls, certainly falls but on a different scale to the Canadian/American one. There were nice beaches and coastal scenery at Curio Bay and Owaka.
At Nugget Point we had something to eat from the prepared food we had bought the day before and then walked out on the point to see the rugged scenery and many seals resting on rock shelves and small sandy areas. Back at the car, we spoke briefly to a couple in the car next to us – another brother and sister, the sister from near Invercargill but the brother from Melton (Vic), who had his Mazda car serviced at Werribee (just near where I have DOUG, ARTIE and DOUG 2 serviced). We called in at Balclutha and then went straight onto Dunedin. Unfortunately the SatNav took us on a torturous route before we found the motel. We booked in, put all the luggage in and went straight off to Moeraki. At Moeraki the tide was nearly in, and we had to scrabble along the top edge of the beach and at the foot of a cliff. I had no problem to see the boulders but Fran was reluctant to run the risk of being trapped by the sea. Then it was quickly back to Dunedin where we did some shopping.
After going back to the motel and unloading that shopping, we set out to the Otago Peninsula. There were some very scenic areas along the way, and out at the point we got fish and chips for tea (at a very busy shop). We went right out to Taiaroa Head and then headed back to Sandfly Bay, on the advice of the chip shop owner and a customer.
We parked in the car park, then went down to beach. Along the way we saw some wildlife officers who confirmed there would be sea lions for sure and penguins possibly. The path started out as a sealed track, then sandy, then scrabbling across dunes. We walked along the beach to a hide, passing very close to a sea lion. We saw many sea lions from the hide but only one penguin (from hide) struggling up a cliff-face. It stopped for a breather, but out of our sight. On the way back along the beach we saw another climbing up a sand face. Fran had real trouble getting back from the beach, having great difficulty on the loose sand of a few dunes. We ended up with me at one end of a stick pulling Fran at the other (lower) end. Even so, it took a long time and gave Fran a bit of a scare.
After that, and a drive back along a narrow ridge with strong winds pushing us in both directions (but not at the same time), we were back at the motel by 2245. Fran went straight to bed. I piggybacked on an open network and checked my email, then transferred and processed photos, summarised my blog (no detail, as it was getting late), did some other work and then went to bed.
January 10
I was up at 0640 and had a cup of tea, sausage rolls for breakfast (which otherwise would have been last night’s tea), then drank some coke (to replace the fluid which I had lost).
Then I had a shower and dressed (Fran had her shower last night), packed, packed the car and we were ready to leave just before 0800 – Fran returned the key.
I filled up with fuel at Caltex (138.9 cf 142.9 at BP) – the same place I had filled the day before and then we left Te Anau on the Southern Scenic route.
Once we had set out, it started to rain and became misty and cloudy. We went through Tuattapere and on to Riverton. Here I stopped to go to the toilet. Like many small towns, it had its own lolly shop (New Zealanders must have a very sweet tooth). We headed on into Invercargill. Our first stop was the iSite Information centre and then we toured the attached museum. One of the displays in the museum was for “the fastest Indian”. Armed with maps and information, we did the heritage route through town, then called into our motel about 1300. We booked in, then had our lunch in the unit. The unit had an upstairs bedroom as well as the downstairs room including a bed. I found there was Internet access, so set up the laptop for it and started uploading previous photos. We headed out again and visited Bluff, then toured the main shopping areas of Invercargill on the way back. We called into St Mary’s Basilica, but found it locked. I knocked on the door of the presbytery to get a key, then ended up chatting to the priest who opened the church up for us. He said the design was based on St Sophia in Istanbul, as the first priest to arrange the church building had spent some time at the church in Istanbul (this was poignant for me as I had been in St Sophia not too long ago). When we left, we did some shopping on way back to the motel. After putting that shopping in, we went to do some more shopping (at a New World, just down the road) and then called into Burger King for tea.
After refreshing the inner man, we went back to the unit. Tragedy – I found that the signal had been too low in the room to keep the strength sufficient and so no photos had been uploaded. After a bit of experimentation, I ended up with the laptop on the lounge table to get sufficient signal. Then I downloaded today’s photos and uploaded all the others while Fran watched TV and read, all the while complaining of a cold.
Then I summarised today’s blog, saved it, charged all the other batteries, got ready for bed and was soon to sleep.
Then I had a shower and dressed (Fran had her shower last night), packed, packed the car and we were ready to leave just before 0800 – Fran returned the key.
I filled up with fuel at Caltex (138.9 cf 142.9 at BP) – the same place I had filled the day before and then we left Te Anau on the Southern Scenic route.
Once we had set out, it started to rain and became misty and cloudy. We went through Tuattapere and on to Riverton. Here I stopped to go to the toilet. Like many small towns, it had its own lolly shop (New Zealanders must have a very sweet tooth). We headed on into Invercargill. Our first stop was the iSite Information centre and then we toured the attached museum. One of the displays in the museum was for “the fastest Indian”. Armed with maps and information, we did the heritage route through town, then called into our motel about 1300. We booked in, then had our lunch in the unit. The unit had an upstairs bedroom as well as the downstairs room including a bed. I found there was Internet access, so set up the laptop for it and started uploading previous photos. We headed out again and visited Bluff, then toured the main shopping areas of Invercargill on the way back. We called into St Mary’s Basilica, but found it locked. I knocked on the door of the presbytery to get a key, then ended up chatting to the priest who opened the church up for us. He said the design was based on St Sophia in Istanbul, as the first priest to arrange the church building had spent some time at the church in Istanbul (this was poignant for me as I had been in St Sophia not too long ago). When we left, we did some shopping on way back to the motel. After putting that shopping in, we went to do some more shopping (at a New World, just down the road) and then called into Burger King for tea.
After refreshing the inner man, we went back to the unit. Tragedy – I found that the signal had been too low in the room to keep the strength sufficient and so no photos had been uploaded. After a bit of experimentation, I ended up with the laptop on the lounge table to get sufficient signal. Then I downloaded today’s photos and uploaded all the others while Fran watched TV and read, all the while complaining of a cold.
Then I summarised today’s blog, saved it, charged all the other batteries, got ready for bed and was soon to sleep.
January 9
Again, as usual, I was up at 0640, had a cup of tea, some toast and had a shower. After this, I got dressed and we were off to Milford Sound by 0730. It was raining again.
This time we got a good run – there were few vehicles until we were fifteen kilometres out of Milford Sound, where we ran into a bus and some cars. We arrived at Milford sound about 0910 and had to walk through the rain to a walkway, then into the Visitors’ Centre. The cruise we had booked ourselves on had been cancelled because of boat engine failure, but we were offered a cruise on the Milford Mariner instead (half an hour longer, but no extra cost for us). While we were waiting we ran into the girls from the Hangi at Rotorua – they were going on an earlier cruise on the Red Cruises.
We were onto our boat at 1020 and it left the dock left at 1030. Once on board we met up with two families from yesterday (one Irish, one from Auckland) and others from Singapore (American), Holland (a couple and two girls – there can’t be anyone left in the Netherlands!) and Canberra. There were spectacular views as we headed out in Milford Sound, but the rain and mist blocked parts out. The rain and mist disappeared as we exited Milford Sound into the Tasman Sea – the rain just stopped. Then it was clear all the way back, so the views were plainly visible this time. We arrived back at the dock and were off the boat at about 1310. We walked back to the car and drove back to Te Anau. We stopped at a few places (Fran’s usual ‘good’ spots – less than fifty metres walk) and longer at Mirror Lake. We arrived back in town at 1630 and went to get some tea – there were no sausage rolls left, so we had to get some at the supermarket.
We went back to the motel unit and had lunch, wrote up postcards we had bought and posted them down the street. Again we walked back to the unit. I downloaded photos from the day, named and processed them. At this stage, for some reason, I wasn’t feeling well.
We watched the news on TV and saw an item about two deaths on Fox Glacier – young Australian Indians.
I wrote up my blogs in summary but had no tea – I was still not feeling well. I had to be up early tomorrow as we are off to Bluff, so I was off to bed about 2200.
This time we got a good run – there were few vehicles until we were fifteen kilometres out of Milford Sound, where we ran into a bus and some cars. We arrived at Milford sound about 0910 and had to walk through the rain to a walkway, then into the Visitors’ Centre. The cruise we had booked ourselves on had been cancelled because of boat engine failure, but we were offered a cruise on the Milford Mariner instead (half an hour longer, but no extra cost for us). While we were waiting we ran into the girls from the Hangi at Rotorua – they were going on an earlier cruise on the Red Cruises.
We were onto our boat at 1020 and it left the dock left at 1030. Once on board we met up with two families from yesterday (one Irish, one from Auckland) and others from Singapore (American), Holland (a couple and two girls – there can’t be anyone left in the Netherlands!) and Canberra. There were spectacular views as we headed out in Milford Sound, but the rain and mist blocked parts out. The rain and mist disappeared as we exited Milford Sound into the Tasman Sea – the rain just stopped. Then it was clear all the way back, so the views were plainly visible this time. We arrived back at the dock and were off the boat at about 1310. We walked back to the car and drove back to Te Anau. We stopped at a few places (Fran’s usual ‘good’ spots – less than fifty metres walk) and longer at Mirror Lake. We arrived back in town at 1630 and went to get some tea – there were no sausage rolls left, so we had to get some at the supermarket.
We went back to the motel unit and had lunch, wrote up postcards we had bought and posted them down the street. Again we walked back to the unit. I downloaded photos from the day, named and processed them. At this stage, for some reason, I wasn’t feeling well.
We watched the news on TV and saw an item about two deaths on Fox Glacier – young Australian Indians.
I wrote up my blogs in summary but had no tea – I was still not feeling well. I had to be up early tomorrow as we are off to Bluff, so I was off to bed about 2200.
January 8
I was awake at 0600, then up at 0640 and had a cup of tea, toast, a drink, showered and dressed. I packed, packed the car and we left at 0800. Before we left Queenstown I filled the car with petrol and we set off to Te Anau by 0815.
We arrived at Te Anau at 1030 and went to book our glow-worm trip (1415 cruise only had one space) for 1515 today. Once we had booked the trip, we went to the motel but were too early. The wife of the owner promised that the room would be ready by midday. To fill in time, we went to the DOC Discovery Centre for Te Anau and had a good look around. We went back to the cruise depot and booked our cruise for Milford Sound tomorrow and then went to supermarket and got stuff for lunch. Then we went back to the motel. The wife gave us Unit 3, but the husband (who had just turned up) grumbled. Our unit has one bedroom, a main room with single bed and a small bathroom with separate toilet. Fran made, and we had lunch, left the car at the motel and walked back into town. On our walk we found an extra supermarket (quite small) and many other shops including a bakery. At the bakery I bought a sausage roll (which, upon eating, was found to be good).
On our way to the ferry terminal, we walked around the town and then sat on foreshore. We spoke with a couple from Ringwood (Melbourne) and the husband had come from Altona Meadows.
Once we got our boarding passes for boat, we waited, and while waiting, spoke to a staff member Lynette from Invercargill whose parents were Dutch.
We all boarded the boat and went across the lake. We landed and had a short walk through to the centre. We broke up into groups of about twenty, walked into the entrance to the cave and rode right down to into the caves. We spoke with a family from Ireland while walking, but while in the boat everyone had to be silent.
We went through the caves (very interesting and different from Waitomo) and there was a huge amount of water going through (from rain). The caves themselves were dark (naturally) and had a large number of glow-worms visible. After going through the cave, we went back to the centre while the other people in the group went through. Here we spoke to a couple from Jutland in Denmark while having cup of tea and watching a Japanese guide (?) explain the glow-worms.
On the ride back there were quite a few showers.
Once off the boat, we walked into town and had tea along the way, including ice creams. Then we walked back to the motel and refuelled the car. At the service station I spoke with two Irish girls who didn’t know the fuel ratings (unleaded, premium, diesel) and who hadn’t ever filled a car with fuel before. Back at the motel we found the car next door had the interior light on, but despite knocking on the door of the unit, there was no answer.
We settled in and had a cup of tea. I copied and processed the day’s photos and summarised my blog. During the evening we watched “Whale Rider” DVD from office. After, we went to sleep.
We arrived at Te Anau at 1030 and went to book our glow-worm trip (1415 cruise only had one space) for 1515 today. Once we had booked the trip, we went to the motel but were too early. The wife of the owner promised that the room would be ready by midday. To fill in time, we went to the DOC Discovery Centre for Te Anau and had a good look around. We went back to the cruise depot and booked our cruise for Milford Sound tomorrow and then went to supermarket and got stuff for lunch. Then we went back to the motel. The wife gave us Unit 3, but the husband (who had just turned up) grumbled. Our unit has one bedroom, a main room with single bed and a small bathroom with separate toilet. Fran made, and we had lunch, left the car at the motel and walked back into town. On our walk we found an extra supermarket (quite small) and many other shops including a bakery. At the bakery I bought a sausage roll (which, upon eating, was found to be good).
On our way to the ferry terminal, we walked around the town and then sat on foreshore. We spoke with a couple from Ringwood (Melbourne) and the husband had come from Altona Meadows.
Once we got our boarding passes for boat, we waited, and while waiting, spoke to a staff member Lynette from Invercargill whose parents were Dutch.
We all boarded the boat and went across the lake. We landed and had a short walk through to the centre. We broke up into groups of about twenty, walked into the entrance to the cave and rode right down to into the caves. We spoke with a family from Ireland while walking, but while in the boat everyone had to be silent.
We went through the caves (very interesting and different from Waitomo) and there was a huge amount of water going through (from rain). The caves themselves were dark (naturally) and had a large number of glow-worms visible. After going through the cave, we went back to the centre while the other people in the group went through. Here we spoke to a couple from Jutland in Denmark while having cup of tea and watching a Japanese guide (?) explain the glow-worms.
On the ride back there were quite a few showers.
Once off the boat, we walked into town and had tea along the way, including ice creams. Then we walked back to the motel and refuelled the car. At the service station I spoke with two Irish girls who didn’t know the fuel ratings (unleaded, premium, diesel) and who hadn’t ever filled a car with fuel before. Back at the motel we found the car next door had the interior light on, but despite knocking on the door of the unit, there was no answer.
We settled in and had a cup of tea. I copied and processed the day’s photos and summarised my blog. During the evening we watched “Whale Rider” DVD from office. After, we went to sleep.
January 7
I was awake at 0600 after an unsettled night. After breakfast (tea, toast, pancake), a shower and dressing, I packed, then packed the car (through the now incessant rain) and we were off by 0800.
After arriving at Fox Glacier at 0820, we went straight on because the rain was still incessant and heavy. We arrived at Haast at about 1000 and stopped briefly to go to the toilet and look around.
Then it was on through the Haast Pass, with incessant rain following us along the way. By the time we got to Wanapa the rain had stopped, so in finer weather we went through Cardrona to Queenstown. Along the way there was no rain but there was a lousy driver in front (so it was slow and tortured progress) and so we arrived in Queenstown by 1320. Here I dropped Fran at the iSite Tourist Centre to book the steamship trip on the lake. After Fran had got the tickets, we went to the motel and had our lunch. We were going to be too late for the lake trip, so I dropped Fran back at the i-Site to rebook our boat trip, then we parked and did some shopping. It was only a short walk to the ferry port, so after a short wait we went on the trip. During our trip, I had a look around the boat – there is a lot of history. We were back into the port by 1730 and we walked back to the car. We drove around to the Gondola terminal and I took the trip up and back- Fran stayed at the terminal. Neither of us went on the luge there.
After that we went to a supermarket, did more shopping and went back to the motel. Here we had tea, I processed the photos, summarised my blog and saved everything. Then we watched TV and to bed. It started to rain again!
After arriving at Fox Glacier at 0820, we went straight on because the rain was still incessant and heavy. We arrived at Haast at about 1000 and stopped briefly to go to the toilet and look around.
Then it was on through the Haast Pass, with incessant rain following us along the way. By the time we got to Wanapa the rain had stopped, so in finer weather we went through Cardrona to Queenstown. Along the way there was no rain but there was a lousy driver in front (so it was slow and tortured progress) and so we arrived in Queenstown by 1320. Here I dropped Fran at the iSite Tourist Centre to book the steamship trip on the lake. After Fran had got the tickets, we went to the motel and had our lunch. We were going to be too late for the lake trip, so I dropped Fran back at the i-Site to rebook our boat trip, then we parked and did some shopping. It was only a short walk to the ferry port, so after a short wait we went on the trip. During our trip, I had a look around the boat – there is a lot of history. We were back into the port by 1730 and we walked back to the car. We drove around to the Gondola terminal and I took the trip up and back- Fran stayed at the terminal. Neither of us went on the luge there.
After that we went to a supermarket, did more shopping and went back to the motel. Here we had tea, I processed the photos, summarised my blog and saved everything. Then we watched TV and to bed. It started to rain again!
january 6
Our first day in the South Island!
As usual now, it was up at 0640, had a cup of tea, a shower, dressed and had m weetbix.
After packing, I moved the car to the front of the hotel (a lot of people were leaving early, so space was available before 7:30). It was the very quick to pack the car, check the unit to make sure nothing was left behind and after refuelling at Shell in Picton (just around the corner), we headed south to Blenheim. We drove around the town, but the sights weren’t so dramatic to delay us, so we were soon off across in a southwest direction to Greymouth. Here we stopped to get rolls and other supplies for lunch. Lunch was made in the car and we ate it while droving south. Unfortunately the fine weather of the last few days disappeared as it started to rain heavily. We arrived at Franz Josef and were into our unit by 1500. Despite the rain, we drove out to the Franz Josef glacier and walked to see the main face, through pouring rain. It was not as I remember it, but still spectacular despite the poor viewing conditions (why couldn’t that rain fall in Victoria?). After a short time we were back into town and I refuelled (very expensive) at the only fuel outlet in town.
Straight after, we shopped at supermarket for soup and other essentials (only, as prices were REALLY high).
As it was still raining, we went back to the unit for an early tea, hung out our outer clothing to dry, read the local papers and tourist material, watched TV and then went to bed early.
As usual now, it was up at 0640, had a cup of tea, a shower, dressed and had m weetbix.
After packing, I moved the car to the front of the hotel (a lot of people were leaving early, so space was available before 7:30). It was the very quick to pack the car, check the unit to make sure nothing was left behind and after refuelling at Shell in Picton (just around the corner), we headed south to Blenheim. We drove around the town, but the sights weren’t so dramatic to delay us, so we were soon off across in a southwest direction to Greymouth. Here we stopped to get rolls and other supplies for lunch. Lunch was made in the car and we ate it while droving south. Unfortunately the fine weather of the last few days disappeared as it started to rain heavily. We arrived at Franz Josef and were into our unit by 1500. Despite the rain, we drove out to the Franz Josef glacier and walked to see the main face, through pouring rain. It was not as I remember it, but still spectacular despite the poor viewing conditions (why couldn’t that rain fall in Victoria?). After a short time we were back into town and I refuelled (very expensive) at the only fuel outlet in town.
Straight after, we shopped at supermarket for soup and other essentials (only, as prices were REALLY high).
As it was still raining, we went back to the unit for an early tea, hung out our outer clothing to dry, read the local papers and tourist material, watched TV and then went to bed early.
January 5
Today it was up at 0640, a cup of tea, breakfast (which was weetbix with Vegemite) and then a shower. The usual procedure followed as I dressed, packed, checked that nothing was left, and finally unpacked the car into bags except for the SatNav.
We were off by 0800and out of the carpark, onto the streets of Wellington and nearly ready to leave. We firstly drove to a Shell service station to refuel, then headed into Ezi-Rent to drop the car off. After it was checked for damage (none), we were run around to the InterIslander Terminal in it.
We were dropped off at the InterIslander Terminal about 0850 and quickly checked the bags in (my strap was now on Fran’sbag as it had lost the handles).
We waited in Terminal and chatted to aman from England who had been to Australia for a visit, met up his wife in Auckland and they were now going over to the South Island. Fran chatted with Belgium couple from Singapore.
The call to embark came at about 1010 and, once on board, we settled on seats with a table on Deck 7 for viewing and comfort. Before the ship left, we were joined by couple from Carterton (New Zealand) who had run a supermarketthere, but were now retired..
The trip over was very smooth. I had a pie and then chips for lunch while Fran had yoghurt and then a ham and salad roll.
We arrived in Picton at 1330 and were meet by a representative from Ezi-Rent. Fran stayed at the terminal with the luggage while I was run down to office with two others (one woman from Sydney and one man from England). In a relatively quick procedure, I got the car (this time a Nissan Pulsar sedan) and was back to the terminal in a minute or so (it was just down the road) to pick up Fran and luggage. She had been chatting to the husband of the woman who had gone to get their car, and the husband had been laying down the law to the children (enjoy this holiday or else!), and after a quick load up (room okay in the bood, but not as easy to load as the back of the Diahatsu). We went off to the hotel, booked in and left our luggage there. We drove along Queen Charlotte Drive to Nelson, had a look around at ChristChurch there and walked around the town, checking the shops and sights. We had an ice cream at McDonald’s as, during our walk, there was nowhere else open with ice creams..
We drove back along the coast to Picton. We shopped at the supermarket for supplies and got fush and chups (I just had to write in New Zealandese) for tea at a little place just over the road.
We took them back to the motel and ate tea outside, read outside for a time and then inside as the sun set. There were too many cars out the front, so I had to park at the side – good for foot access, but not good for loading the luggage in the morning. I processed the photos, wrote a simplified blog (intending to flesh it out later, not realising how much later that would be) and then prepared for bed. I didn’t use the Internet – too expensive (and limited), so was soon in bed and to sleep.
We were off by 0800and out of the carpark, onto the streets of Wellington and nearly ready to leave. We firstly drove to a Shell service station to refuel, then headed into Ezi-Rent to drop the car off. After it was checked for damage (none), we were run around to the InterIslander Terminal in it.
We were dropped off at the InterIslander Terminal about 0850 and quickly checked the bags in (my strap was now on Fran’sbag as it had lost the handles).
We waited in Terminal and chatted to aman from England who had been to Australia for a visit, met up his wife in Auckland and they were now going over to the South Island. Fran chatted with Belgium couple from Singapore.
The call to embark came at about 1010 and, once on board, we settled on seats with a table on Deck 7 for viewing and comfort. Before the ship left, we were joined by couple from Carterton (New Zealand) who had run a supermarketthere, but were now retired..
The trip over was very smooth. I had a pie and then chips for lunch while Fran had yoghurt and then a ham and salad roll.
We arrived in Picton at 1330 and were meet by a representative from Ezi-Rent. Fran stayed at the terminal with the luggage while I was run down to office with two others (one woman from Sydney and one man from England). In a relatively quick procedure, I got the car (this time a Nissan Pulsar sedan) and was back to the terminal in a minute or so (it was just down the road) to pick up Fran and luggage. She had been chatting to the husband of the woman who had gone to get their car, and the husband had been laying down the law to the children (enjoy this holiday or else!), and after a quick load up (room okay in the bood, but not as easy to load as the back of the Diahatsu). We went off to the hotel, booked in and left our luggage there. We drove along Queen Charlotte Drive to Nelson, had a look around at ChristChurch there and walked around the town, checking the shops and sights. We had an ice cream at McDonald’s as, during our walk, there was nowhere else open with ice creams..
We drove back along the coast to Picton. We shopped at the supermarket for supplies and got fush and chups (I just had to write in New Zealandese) for tea at a little place just over the road.
We took them back to the motel and ate tea outside, read outside for a time and then inside as the sun set. There were too many cars out the front, so I had to park at the side – good for foot access, but not good for loading the luggage in the morning. I processed the photos, wrote a simplified blog (intending to flesh it out later, not realising how much later that would be) and then prepared for bed. I didn’t use the Internet – too expensive (and limited), so was soon in bed and to sleep.
Monday, February 2, 2009
January 4
Today was our last full day on the North Island (or as I say, the north-east island) so I was up at 0645. After a cup of tea and breakfast, it was the now usual procedure of shower, dress, pack up the luggage, pack the car, check the room and depart.
We were off by 0800 and travelled through Hastings. This was a very nice little town, flowerful because of flower baskets through nearly every street hanging off verandahs and poles. There was a most interesting accident as we headed out – on a very wise and very short street, a car had T-boned a traffic light pole in a traffic island. No other vehicles, no marks on the road and the occupants didn’t seem too worried.
We headed south, then west and over through the mountains to Palmerston North. Here I looked to see if I could find my travelling companion from the Egypt tour, but I didn’t have enough information with me to identify him from the many of similar name in the local telephone book. We had a little look around and found it had grown considerably since I was last there. It was a clean and attractive city and well worth a longer look – but we had no time.
After a relatively short drive to Wellington, we found and checked into our hotel at 1300 but were too early to get a room. I parked the car in their basement car park ($15! – but I wasn’t going to get caught again) and then we walked around the city area and a little of the port area.
We were back at the hotel at 1400 – and the saga started for us again (beware city hotels!). The first room was a double, and had same key as another room (which may have been embarrassing as I just opened the door with the key and walked in (but as soon as I saw luggage I slowed down). We eventually got a twin room, but there was no kettle. After ringing the desk and telling them, the head housekeeper arrived to show us where it was (but it wasn’t) – eventually a kettle arrived.
We did have a casualty, as the last handle on Fran’s suitcase broke off. Now it had to be manhandled everywhere, but could be walked as the walking handle was still there (just).
We went out for a walk and ended up down at the Te Museum and had a look over the museum. It really was very good and even the giant squid was on show (calamari – you could live your life on what was there).
We walked along most of the waterfront and continued up to Parliament House (Beehive). Then we walked back towards the city until we reached the Cable Car terminus (not easy to find) and took that up to the Botanic Gardens.
Unfortunately we arrived after 1700 and the planetarium and most other things were closed, so we walked around and then took the cable car back to town. After a long, but level walk, we arrived at Burger King to have our evening meal. A short walk saw us back at the hotel and, after gathering up all the other things from the car and removing rubbish, we went back to the room and prepared things for tomorrow – which was our ferry crossing to the south-east island and a change of car.
I processed today’s photos, wrote up a summary of today’s blog and prepared for bed. The Internet was too expensive (and limited), so not used and very soon it was to bed and to sleep.
We were off by 0800 and travelled through Hastings. This was a very nice little town, flowerful because of flower baskets through nearly every street hanging off verandahs and poles. There was a most interesting accident as we headed out – on a very wise and very short street, a car had T-boned a traffic light pole in a traffic island. No other vehicles, no marks on the road and the occupants didn’t seem too worried.
We headed south, then west and over through the mountains to Palmerston North. Here I looked to see if I could find my travelling companion from the Egypt tour, but I didn’t have enough information with me to identify him from the many of similar name in the local telephone book. We had a little look around and found it had grown considerably since I was last there. It was a clean and attractive city and well worth a longer look – but we had no time.
After a relatively short drive to Wellington, we found and checked into our hotel at 1300 but were too early to get a room. I parked the car in their basement car park ($15! – but I wasn’t going to get caught again) and then we walked around the city area and a little of the port area.
We were back at the hotel at 1400 – and the saga started for us again (beware city hotels!). The first room was a double, and had same key as another room (which may have been embarrassing as I just opened the door with the key and walked in (but as soon as I saw luggage I slowed down). We eventually got a twin room, but there was no kettle. After ringing the desk and telling them, the head housekeeper arrived to show us where it was (but it wasn’t) – eventually a kettle arrived.
We did have a casualty, as the last handle on Fran’s suitcase broke off. Now it had to be manhandled everywhere, but could be walked as the walking handle was still there (just).
We went out for a walk and ended up down at the Te Museum and had a look over the museum. It really was very good and even the giant squid was on show (calamari – you could live your life on what was there).
We walked along most of the waterfront and continued up to Parliament House (Beehive). Then we walked back towards the city until we reached the Cable Car terminus (not easy to find) and took that up to the Botanic Gardens.
Unfortunately we arrived after 1700 and the planetarium and most other things were closed, so we walked around and then took the cable car back to town. After a long, but level walk, we arrived at Burger King to have our evening meal. A short walk saw us back at the hotel and, after gathering up all the other things from the car and removing rubbish, we went back to the room and prepared things for tomorrow – which was our ferry crossing to the south-east island and a change of car.
I processed today’s photos, wrote up a summary of today’s blog and prepared for bed. The Internet was too expensive (and limited), so not used and very soon it was to bed and to sleep.
January 3
After our relatively late night, I was up at 0645 and after a cup of tea, breakfast, shower, dressing and packing, we left at 0800 and bade farewell to Rotorua. We set out to Waitomo, so we had gone from the east coast, to the centre and now were heading for the west coast.
We arrived at Waitomo at 1000 and, after parking on the other side of the road, just missed the current tour, so we had to wait for the 1030 tour. This did at least allow us to move to the collection area when the rain was light. While waiting we spoke with a family from Holland and wondered if all the Dutch have departed the Netherlands and are holidaying in New Zealand? Yet each family we spoke to have expressed surprise that so many were over here.
We then did the cave tour. There is quite a walk and then a slow and fairly short (in distance, but not in time) boat trip where we saw great glow-worm sights.
On our way out we called in at an Angora rabbit showroom (courtesy of the nurses from Townsville, who had already been there) and saw one shorn. There was one on display (and humans are not the only animals suffering from vanity) and then a bus tour called in , so another was called on to be shorn. The rabbit (and they are quite large with fur, but considerably smaller without) laid down in a small steel trough and then its front and rear paws were put into little binding straps. Then these were stretched (like a rack) and the rabbit rotated (like a spit). Then it was shorn with an ordinary (but small) shearing blade, just like a sheep. It was very interesting and I took a movie of it. The clothing was beautiful and very soft, but too expensive for us at this time.
We headed over to Napier, back on the east coast, and booked into the motel at 1600. Very friendly staff (and Internet, but limited in quantity, so I only emailed) and then down to the iSite information centre in the city. I found a parking spot and, after getting the walking and driving tour information, we did the walking tour. It was easy to see everyone else doing it because we all had similar maps and books and stopped to look at the same things. At a few places we ran into a walking tour. After (and with a large number of art deco buildings captures on film – well, digital memory card), we drove up to Bluff Hill lookout, returning past many old Art Deco homes.
We shopped at Countdown and then Pack’n’Save to get salad for Fran’s tea and took that back to the motel. Then we drove the other way and got fish, chips and potato cakes for tea and had those back at the motel. We walked to the waterfront from the motel and saw the expanse of the bay (Hawke’s Bay) and walked back past schools, churches and shops.
Once back we did some laundry. Because of the time, we had to use the motel dryer, so we had a conversation with the motel owner and his son about schooling and country/city living in New Zealand. After checking email I had some allowance left, so I then posted some pictures (only 50 MB allowed).
I summarised today’s activities on my blog, then was off to sleep about 2300.
We arrived at Waitomo at 1000 and, after parking on the other side of the road, just missed the current tour, so we had to wait for the 1030 tour. This did at least allow us to move to the collection area when the rain was light. While waiting we spoke with a family from Holland and wondered if all the Dutch have departed the Netherlands and are holidaying in New Zealand? Yet each family we spoke to have expressed surprise that so many were over here.
We then did the cave tour. There is quite a walk and then a slow and fairly short (in distance, but not in time) boat trip where we saw great glow-worm sights.
On our way out we called in at an Angora rabbit showroom (courtesy of the nurses from Townsville, who had already been there) and saw one shorn. There was one on display (and humans are not the only animals suffering from vanity) and then a bus tour called in , so another was called on to be shorn. The rabbit (and they are quite large with fur, but considerably smaller without) laid down in a small steel trough and then its front and rear paws were put into little binding straps. Then these were stretched (like a rack) and the rabbit rotated (like a spit). Then it was shorn with an ordinary (but small) shearing blade, just like a sheep. It was very interesting and I took a movie of it. The clothing was beautiful and very soft, but too expensive for us at this time.
We headed over to Napier, back on the east coast, and booked into the motel at 1600. Very friendly staff (and Internet, but limited in quantity, so I only emailed) and then down to the iSite information centre in the city. I found a parking spot and, after getting the walking and driving tour information, we did the walking tour. It was easy to see everyone else doing it because we all had similar maps and books and stopped to look at the same things. At a few places we ran into a walking tour. After (and with a large number of art deco buildings captures on film – well, digital memory card), we drove up to Bluff Hill lookout, returning past many old Art Deco homes.
We shopped at Countdown and then Pack’n’Save to get salad for Fran’s tea and took that back to the motel. Then we drove the other way and got fish, chips and potato cakes for tea and had those back at the motel. We walked to the waterfront from the motel and saw the expanse of the bay (Hawke’s Bay) and walked back past schools, churches and shops.
Once back we did some laundry. Because of the time, we had to use the motel dryer, so we had a conversation with the motel owner and his son about schooling and country/city living in New Zealand. After checking email I had some allowance left, so I then posted some pictures (only 50 MB allowed).
I summarised today’s activities on my blog, then was off to sleep about 2300.
January 2
Today we were at Thames and determined to find out more, if we could, about mum and granddad’s time at Waihi. It was up at 0700, a cup of tea and a proper breakfast (toast with Vegemite, of course, for me), shower and dress, then pack, pack the car and off.
I just had to take some photos of the motel before we left, so we finally departed 0810.
Given the price of fuel and the remoteness of where we were going, it was necessary to refuel and then take some photos of Thames before we left. As a matter of interest, the last time I was there, the shopping centre was fairly small and had a McDonald’s, which closed with the shopping centre for sit-down meals (eat in) but, because the outside had a drive-through, the outside (take-away) could close a lot later. The shopping centre has expanded, but it looks like McDonald’s still works the same way.
When we arrived at Waihi, we went straight to the Visitor Information Centre. Fran was looking for a gift for Jason and Lisa, which was eventually found in the Arts Centre (a wooden bowl made from the mine timbers from the Mt Martha Mine (where our grandfather, Jason’s great-grandfather, had worked) and then we arrived at the Waihi museum. Here the weather was wet, with constant and quite heavy rain. After running inside, we looked around and I filled out form for information on George Pound to be researched and then returned to me at home (volunteers do the research, but there is a payment to cover costs).
When we left we called into the New World supermarket to buy the makings of lunch at and then we drove to Rotorua. We arrived by 1300 and booked into the motel and at that time Fran booked us in for a hangi and Maori performance that evening. After we settled into the room, we had lunch.
Being iin Rotorua we couldn’t miss mud pools and such, so we wandered off to Ke*** Park for free view of mud pools (and smells of sulphur!).
We drove around town and it started to rain again. After looking at the lake we decided against seeing outside areas due to the inclement weather, so we went to the iSite Visitor Information Centre and booked a “Kiwi Encounter”, then drove there and waited. The tour was popular and many other visitors came up but the tour was full and was the last of the day, so disappointed people (only one day in Rotorua) took the walk through the gardens instead (you could see Kiwis, but you didn’t get the full story) while others booked early for the next day.
At 1600 we did the Kiwi Encounter. It was very good and had an introduction, an egg incubation area (so we saw the eggs being looked at and responding to whistles), a nursery (Kiwis recently hatched) and holding pens (for older Kiwis before being released). All through we got an nteresting commentary.
We went back to the motel and rested until we headed out just before 1745. A French group were on the same tour and we chatted before the bus arrived to pick us up. The bus called in at other motels and hostels to pick others up and went to the booking centre (where those of us who hadn’t yet paid had to pay). While travelling on the bus we spoke with an American couple.
We arrived at Tarmiki where six buses disgorged their passengers for the second (and last) occasion of the evening. The introduction was a dance incorporating meeting and challenging. Just behind us was a family from Manor Lakes (just down the road from where I live). After that we walked through an area set up as a traditional village and there was more dancing, as well as the “chiefs” from each bus competing in displays of strength and skill (if they lost, their wives were forfeit to the local Maori chief, for his sons – fortunately none lost).
After that, as dusk was falling, we went into the Hangi. At our table we met four graduating nurses from Townsville who were there on holiday before settling into working lives.
It was a most enjoyable dinner and there were some interesting performances during the meal. We left about 2200 and back to motel by 2245 after much singing and frivolity on the bus, including verses of “She’ll be coming round the mountain when she comes” as we went around (and around and around) roundabouts.
I processed today’s photos, summarised today’s blog and was to bed by 2340. No Internet here so nothing was posted.
I just had to take some photos of the motel before we left, so we finally departed 0810.
Given the price of fuel and the remoteness of where we were going, it was necessary to refuel and then take some photos of Thames before we left. As a matter of interest, the last time I was there, the shopping centre was fairly small and had a McDonald’s, which closed with the shopping centre for sit-down meals (eat in) but, because the outside had a drive-through, the outside (take-away) could close a lot later. The shopping centre has expanded, but it looks like McDonald’s still works the same way.
When we arrived at Waihi, we went straight to the Visitor Information Centre. Fran was looking for a gift for Jason and Lisa, which was eventually found in the Arts Centre (a wooden bowl made from the mine timbers from the Mt Martha Mine (where our grandfather, Jason’s great-grandfather, had worked) and then we arrived at the Waihi museum. Here the weather was wet, with constant and quite heavy rain. After running inside, we looked around and I filled out form for information on George Pound to be researched and then returned to me at home (volunteers do the research, but there is a payment to cover costs).
When we left we called into the New World supermarket to buy the makings of lunch at and then we drove to Rotorua. We arrived by 1300 and booked into the motel and at that time Fran booked us in for a hangi and Maori performance that evening. After we settled into the room, we had lunch.
Being iin Rotorua we couldn’t miss mud pools and such, so we wandered off to Ke*** Park for free view of mud pools (and smells of sulphur!).
We drove around town and it started to rain again. After looking at the lake we decided against seeing outside areas due to the inclement weather, so we went to the iSite Visitor Information Centre and booked a “Kiwi Encounter”, then drove there and waited. The tour was popular and many other visitors came up but the tour was full and was the last of the day, so disappointed people (only one day in Rotorua) took the walk through the gardens instead (you could see Kiwis, but you didn’t get the full story) while others booked early for the next day.
At 1600 we did the Kiwi Encounter. It was very good and had an introduction, an egg incubation area (so we saw the eggs being looked at and responding to whistles), a nursery (Kiwis recently hatched) and holding pens (for older Kiwis before being released). All through we got an nteresting commentary.
We went back to the motel and rested until we headed out just before 1745. A French group were on the same tour and we chatted before the bus arrived to pick us up. The bus called in at other motels and hostels to pick others up and went to the booking centre (where those of us who hadn’t yet paid had to pay). While travelling on the bus we spoke with an American couple.
We arrived at Tarmiki where six buses disgorged their passengers for the second (and last) occasion of the evening. The introduction was a dance incorporating meeting and challenging. Just behind us was a family from Manor Lakes (just down the road from where I live). After that we walked through an area set up as a traditional village and there was more dancing, as well as the “chiefs” from each bus competing in displays of strength and skill (if they lost, their wives were forfeit to the local Maori chief, for his sons – fortunately none lost).
After that, as dusk was falling, we went into the Hangi. At our table we met four graduating nurses from Townsville who were there on holiday before settling into working lives.
It was a most enjoyable dinner and there were some interesting performances during the meal. We left about 2200 and back to motel by 2245 after much singing and frivolity on the bus, including verses of “She’ll be coming round the mountain when she comes” as we went around (and around and around) roundabouts.
I processed today’s photos, summarised today’s blog and was to bed by 2340. No Internet here so nothing was posted.
January 1
Today it was up at 0730, prepare a cup of tea, shower, dress, pack my stuff and check the room was clear once Fran had also finished. The luggage came down with us and we checked out at 0815. With Fran tending the luggage, I got the car and then stopped outside the hotel, loaded up (very quickly) and we were on our way out by 0830.
We were near Colin’s place at 0900 but couldn’t find a shop we were looking for. Using the SatNav (and local knowledge – I interrogated someone waiting at the first shopping centre) I found shopping centres , and we went through two centres before we found shops of the type we were looking for open.
We did our shopping and then had breakfast at Burger King (Hungry Jack’s) as hunger was besetting us (and it was nearly three hours since we got up) and then went back to Colin’s – stymied again as no-one answered, so I left a copy of my book and some chocolates on the back table (I found out later they had just gone into a neighbour’s house before we arrived).
We set off south again, headed into Thames and booked into our motel at about 1230. It had a spa bath (which suited Fran) and WiFi (which suited me). We had our lunch in the room. I set my laptop up to upload the pictures of Bay of Islands (a lot) to Flickr and we headed off to Waihi.
We quickly located the Waihi Visitor Information Centre (okay, I followed the directions of the SatNav) and found a volunteer downstairs who had written a history of the town for the period of interest for me (that is, it included 1907 to 1913). She only had a voter’s roll for 1919, after George Pound had left, but rolls do exist for the period I’m interested in. She suggested visiting the museum, but naturally it was not open today. We walked over from the Visitor Information Centre and had a look at the mine.
On our way out of town I found the museum and two supermarkets, so we were prepared for tomorrow. We then drove to Waihi beach and had a look around, but it was a topical beach holiday centre and very crowded. After, we drove along coast north and stopped in at the Hot Water Beach. It was very crowded, a far cry from the last time I was there (with mum). On the beach, Fran spoke with two girls (one from England, one from Scotland) who were shuffling their feet in the sand to get to the hot water – Fran did too, but I had enough from the last time (I scooped it out with my hands then, ending up with sand embedded under my fingernails).
By the time we left the beach (very crowded, so I had to park quite a distance away) it was 1745 so rather than continue up the peninsula and through Coramandel, we headed back directly to Thames.
We cruised town and did our food shopping at Pack’n’Save and then went back to motel. The parking outside the unit was full, so I had to park down and opposite the unit.
Fran cooked and then we had tea and I uploaded the next set of pictures, processed today’s photos, wrote up blog summaries and rewrote some blogs and posted those I had finished.
Then it was off to sleep!
We were near Colin’s place at 0900 but couldn’t find a shop we were looking for. Using the SatNav (and local knowledge – I interrogated someone waiting at the first shopping centre) I found shopping centres , and we went through two centres before we found shops of the type we were looking for open.
We did our shopping and then had breakfast at Burger King (Hungry Jack’s) as hunger was besetting us (and it was nearly three hours since we got up) and then went back to Colin’s – stymied again as no-one answered, so I left a copy of my book and some chocolates on the back table (I found out later they had just gone into a neighbour’s house before we arrived).
We set off south again, headed into Thames and booked into our motel at about 1230. It had a spa bath (which suited Fran) and WiFi (which suited me). We had our lunch in the room. I set my laptop up to upload the pictures of Bay of Islands (a lot) to Flickr and we headed off to Waihi.
We quickly located the Waihi Visitor Information Centre (okay, I followed the directions of the SatNav) and found a volunteer downstairs who had written a history of the town for the period of interest for me (that is, it included 1907 to 1913). She only had a voter’s roll for 1919, after George Pound had left, but rolls do exist for the period I’m interested in. She suggested visiting the museum, but naturally it was not open today. We walked over from the Visitor Information Centre and had a look at the mine.
On our way out of town I found the museum and two supermarkets, so we were prepared for tomorrow. We then drove to Waihi beach and had a look around, but it was a topical beach holiday centre and very crowded. After, we drove along coast north and stopped in at the Hot Water Beach. It was very crowded, a far cry from the last time I was there (with mum). On the beach, Fran spoke with two girls (one from England, one from Scotland) who were shuffling their feet in the sand to get to the hot water – Fran did too, but I had enough from the last time (I scooped it out with my hands then, ending up with sand embedded under my fingernails).
By the time we left the beach (very crowded, so I had to park quite a distance away) it was 1745 so rather than continue up the peninsula and through Coramandel, we headed back directly to Thames.
We cruised town and did our food shopping at Pack’n’Save and then went back to motel. The parking outside the unit was full, so I had to park down and opposite the unit.
Fran cooked and then we had tea and I uploaded the next set of pictures, processed today’s photos, wrote up blog summaries and rewrote some blogs and posted those I had finished.
Then it was off to sleep!
December 31
In Whangerei I woke just before 0700, got up and make tea, made Fran’s skim milk and had Weetbix with Vegemite for breakfast. When I had finished, I named some more photos, had my shower and dressed. As we were moving on today, we packed, I packed the car, returned keys and we left. Here the folly of some shopping was exposed as the handle on Fran’s suitcase (on the side) broke off and so it could only be carried by the top handle.
We went to Whangerei Falls and looked around. This was a very pleasant spot in a town described by many as having no redeeming feature, but it had a lot – its problem was it was just overshadowed by the Bay of Island in the north and Auckland in the south.
In the town centre, we walked around and had a good look at the shops and mall. Fran exchanged money, bought some shirts and had a chat with people she met along the way.
We went out to the Fernery and looked around. This had many examples of different ferns in New Zealand and many other local plants within its humid atmosphere.
We left Whangerei and headed south. On our way we stopped at the Dome Lookout and had lunch. It was remarkable that when we stopped we were the only ones there, but by the time we left we were one of four vehicles. The outlook was good, but marred by clearfelling of forest, clearly visible from the road.
We continued south after, then stopped in Warkworth. We got information on the local area and I went down to the river and took some photos (noticed that Lions had built the playground) and then headed off to look at the large tree. It really was large and eventually Fran managed to get the photo of me that I wanted. There was a factory site further down, but the road there was quite rough so we gave that a miss. We headed into Auckland, and saw large and numerous traffic jams in the opposite direction.
We arrived in Auckland just after 1400 and Fran booked us back into the hotel. I sat in the car while I was waiting and then she took the luggage up. I had no intention of getting another parking ticket!
When Fran got back to the car, we drove around to and through the Domain and then up to the Museum. After parking (and checking the sign carefully) we went to the museum and spent over two hours looking around it. There were some excellent displays, including an earthquake in a house. We had to leave at closing time. While in the area we went to the Duckpond and had a quick look at the hothouses.
On our return to the city centre, I tried to ring Colin but was not able to, so left plans in abeyance for the evening. Back outside the hotel I found some on-the-street parking and we walked to cinemas (Fran thought we might be able to see “Australia”, but the shows had already started and the scheduled showings were to cease at 1900. We had tea at Burger King and walked around the city, trying to find other cinemas, but – all were finishing early for New Year’s Eve.
We walked back to the hotel, parked car in parking station, and then walked back to the hotel room.
Fortunately in this room I could set the air conditioner to run continuously (as our room faced the setting sun). I processed my photos for today, wrote up blogs (unfortunately only in point form, so they didn’t get posted in time), answered some SMSes and a call from Scott.
We went off to bed early. I was sneezing from something.
We went to Whangerei Falls and looked around. This was a very pleasant spot in a town described by many as having no redeeming feature, but it had a lot – its problem was it was just overshadowed by the Bay of Island in the north and Auckland in the south.
In the town centre, we walked around and had a good look at the shops and mall. Fran exchanged money, bought some shirts and had a chat with people she met along the way.
We went out to the Fernery and looked around. This had many examples of different ferns in New Zealand and many other local plants within its humid atmosphere.
We left Whangerei and headed south. On our way we stopped at the Dome Lookout and had lunch. It was remarkable that when we stopped we were the only ones there, but by the time we left we were one of four vehicles. The outlook was good, but marred by clearfelling of forest, clearly visible from the road.
We continued south after, then stopped in Warkworth. We got information on the local area and I went down to the river and took some photos (noticed that Lions had built the playground) and then headed off to look at the large tree. It really was large and eventually Fran managed to get the photo of me that I wanted. There was a factory site further down, but the road there was quite rough so we gave that a miss. We headed into Auckland, and saw large and numerous traffic jams in the opposite direction.
We arrived in Auckland just after 1400 and Fran booked us back into the hotel. I sat in the car while I was waiting and then she took the luggage up. I had no intention of getting another parking ticket!
When Fran got back to the car, we drove around to and through the Domain and then up to the Museum. After parking (and checking the sign carefully) we went to the museum and spent over two hours looking around it. There were some excellent displays, including an earthquake in a house. We had to leave at closing time. While in the area we went to the Duckpond and had a quick look at the hothouses.
On our return to the city centre, I tried to ring Colin but was not able to, so left plans in abeyance for the evening. Back outside the hotel I found some on-the-street parking and we walked to cinemas (Fran thought we might be able to see “Australia”, but the shows had already started and the scheduled showings were to cease at 1900. We had tea at Burger King and walked around the city, trying to find other cinemas, but – all were finishing early for New Year’s Eve.
We walked back to the hotel, parked car in parking station, and then walked back to the hotel room.
Fortunately in this room I could set the air conditioner to run continuously (as our room faced the setting sun). I processed my photos for today, wrote up blogs (unfortunately only in point form, so they didn’t get posted in time), answered some SMSes and a call from Scott.
We went off to bed early. I was sneezing from something.
December 30
Today I was up at 0700 for our last day in the Bay of Islands. Breakfast was tea and toast. Then we had to prepare for both the day and moving on that evening. The car was packed and we were all ready by 0815. I checked out and moved the car to a blank spot. We got to the town wharf by 0830 and enquired about our discount (for taking two Fuller’s trips on consecutive days) and were told we would have to get it from the place we booked (the motel). We waited for the boat – and made sure we were on the correct one as per the manifest.
The (Cream) cruise left at 0930 and we sat up the front on the top deck. Here we met a Dutch couple and their two young children. We chatted about a number of things during the cruise and lunchtime.
The boat (catamaran) stopped at Russell to pick up some more and then we headed off on the cruise proper. We delivered some parcels (wine for New Year and a rubbish bin, and a paper at another), had a good look around at a number of different islands and learned of their history and landed on a resort island for lunch at 1230. We had some lunch and then chatted with an English couple from just out of London (the husband was an apiarist), and the Dutch couple after lunch (while their children were playing in the water and on the beach).
We were back on the boat about 1400 and saw more islands and beaches, then through the hole in the rock. We returned via Cape Brett and more islands and beaches. At one, we were supposed to pick someone up, but no-one showed so we continued on with some extra free time, which allowed us to travel inshore near other features on the way back to Russell. We were back in Paihia by 1615 and to the motel a few minutes later. We got the refund and left the motel.
We called in to have a look at the falls, shopped at Woolworths and then drove down the road to Whangerei. After checking into the motel, settling in (there were two rooms, including one with a stove) and having a cup of tea, we went out to Northlands club for tea. During the cooking, we chatted with the chef, and on his suggestion, we went out to Whangerei Heads to see it before going back to motel. On our way back we called in and shopped at New World and soon got back to the motel.
I downloaded photos, charged all the batteries, started to name photos and started to write my blog, but I was tired and so went to sleep fairly quickly instead of finishing everything.
The (Cream) cruise left at 0930 and we sat up the front on the top deck. Here we met a Dutch couple and their two young children. We chatted about a number of things during the cruise and lunchtime.
The boat (catamaran) stopped at Russell to pick up some more and then we headed off on the cruise proper. We delivered some parcels (wine for New Year and a rubbish bin, and a paper at another), had a good look around at a number of different islands and learned of their history and landed on a resort island for lunch at 1230. We had some lunch and then chatted with an English couple from just out of London (the husband was an apiarist), and the Dutch couple after lunch (while their children were playing in the water and on the beach).
We were back on the boat about 1400 and saw more islands and beaches, then through the hole in the rock. We returned via Cape Brett and more islands and beaches. At one, we were supposed to pick someone up, but no-one showed so we continued on with some extra free time, which allowed us to travel inshore near other features on the way back to Russell. We were back in Paihia by 1615 and to the motel a few minutes later. We got the refund and left the motel.
We called in to have a look at the falls, shopped at Woolworths and then drove down the road to Whangerei. After checking into the motel, settling in (there were two rooms, including one with a stove) and having a cup of tea, we went out to Northlands club for tea. During the cooking, we chatted with the chef, and on his suggestion, we went out to Whangerei Heads to see it before going back to motel. On our way back we called in and shopped at New World and soon got back to the motel.
I downloaded photos, charged all the batteries, started to name photos and started to write my blog, but I was tired and so went to sleep fairly quickly instead of finishing everything.
December 29
Today it was awake at 0545, but not up until 0550. I prepared cups of tea and served them up with biscuits, then made my toast. Unfortunately I burned my fingers when I went to grab the toaster to put it away.
After that I showered, dressed, and then checked my email and uploaded some more photos. While I was doing that, Fran showered and dressed. We were ready to leave by 0710, so sat in the unti as it was pouring rain outside.
After a few false alarms (the buses doing tours pick up for each motel, so every tour who had people booked from our motel stopped here) our bus arrived at 0725 – it continued raining steadily.
We set off and were soon up to the Puketi Kauri Forest walk where we walked around, taking about ten minutes. By now the rain had backed off to a light drizzle.
Not too long after we arrived at the Ancient Kauri Kingdom. Here, apart from a toilet break, we were able to see a staircase within one piece of swamp Kauri and a lot of (very expensive) furniture made from other pieces. We also bought postcards which were to be posted from the northernmost tip of New Zealand and quickly wrote messages on them so the driver could make sure they got posted.
Out trip then took us past Mangonui, Doubtless Bay and Kaitaia, and we soon arrived at the Sports Club at Hauhora for an early lunch (our times and direction were governed by the low tide, which was mid-afternoon today) and 1100 was an early lunch! We were soon off to Cape Rienga and a short walk through a new arch let us see the area before we walked about ten minutes to reach the lighthouse proper (I went via the bluff while Fran walked directly). After looking around there we drove to the turn-off to the Ninety Mile beach (actually about sixty-four kilometres long) and started into ta creek bed until we reached the sand dunes, where the braver attempted sandboarding (after an intensive minute course on how to do it and all the safety aspects). We spent about twenty minutes there, so everyone who wanted to was able to slide a few times.
We continued our drive along the creek and were quickly onto the Ninety Mile beach. We drove along the beach, pausing at a few places (we saw a little penguin resting on beach, an island with hole in it, many vehicles and the remains of two wrecks) and walking along the beach twice.
There were a lot fishing and a few who were swimming. The drive along the beach was about forty-five minutes and we were off the beach and quickly back to the Ancient Kauri Kingdom. We had an ice cream and the driver had to wash the bus to remove salt and sand.
It seemed like a very short time before we were back to Paihai and dropped off at the Bounty Motel. I processed today’s photos, watched the news and then we walked down to the town centre (nearly two hundred metres) for fish (Fran) and chips (me), which we had back at the motel while I uploaded photos and a blog (but I was getting behind already at this stage, so a summary was all I wrote then – I expanded on it a few days later). Quickly it was to sleep (with the iPod to drown out noises for within and without).
After that I showered, dressed, and then checked my email and uploaded some more photos. While I was doing that, Fran showered and dressed. We were ready to leave by 0710, so sat in the unti as it was pouring rain outside.
After a few false alarms (the buses doing tours pick up for each motel, so every tour who had people booked from our motel stopped here) our bus arrived at 0725 – it continued raining steadily.
We set off and were soon up to the Puketi Kauri Forest walk where we walked around, taking about ten minutes. By now the rain had backed off to a light drizzle.
Not too long after we arrived at the Ancient Kauri Kingdom. Here, apart from a toilet break, we were able to see a staircase within one piece of swamp Kauri and a lot of (very expensive) furniture made from other pieces. We also bought postcards which were to be posted from the northernmost tip of New Zealand and quickly wrote messages on them so the driver could make sure they got posted.
Out trip then took us past Mangonui, Doubtless Bay and Kaitaia, and we soon arrived at the Sports Club at Hauhora for an early lunch (our times and direction were governed by the low tide, which was mid-afternoon today) and 1100 was an early lunch! We were soon off to Cape Rienga and a short walk through a new arch let us see the area before we walked about ten minutes to reach the lighthouse proper (I went via the bluff while Fran walked directly). After looking around there we drove to the turn-off to the Ninety Mile beach (actually about sixty-four kilometres long) and started into ta creek bed until we reached the sand dunes, where the braver attempted sandboarding (after an intensive minute course on how to do it and all the safety aspects). We spent about twenty minutes there, so everyone who wanted to was able to slide a few times.
We continued our drive along the creek and were quickly onto the Ninety Mile beach. We drove along the beach, pausing at a few places (we saw a little penguin resting on beach, an island with hole in it, many vehicles and the remains of two wrecks) and walking along the beach twice.
There were a lot fishing and a few who were swimming. The drive along the beach was about forty-five minutes and we were off the beach and quickly back to the Ancient Kauri Kingdom. We had an ice cream and the driver had to wash the bus to remove salt and sand.
It seemed like a very short time before we were back to Paihai and dropped off at the Bounty Motel. I processed today’s photos, watched the news and then we walked down to the town centre (nearly two hundred metres) for fish (Fran) and chips (me), which we had back at the motel while I uploaded photos and a blog (but I was getting behind already at this stage, so a summary was all I wrote then – I expanded on it a few days later). Quickly it was to sleep (with the iPod to drown out noises for within and without).
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