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!
Monday, February 2, 2009
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).
Monday, December 29, 2008
December 28
The first day in New Zealand proper, and I awoke at 0600 – hot as the air-conditioner only runs for an hour before having to be reset and because I was still stewing over last night.
Eventually I got up at 0700 and made cups of tea and we had them with Teddy Bear biscuits. After I had put the air-conditioner on again, I finally rose at 0730 and showered and dressed. Fran followed, then we packed and were down just before 0800.
Here I had my confrontation with the desk staff now on duty (the night clerk, Leo, had gone). After a few minutes I got the duty manager and she agreed to arrange to have the ticket paid by the hotel. Let’s just say I can be forceful when there is a problem which I perceive to be of another’s making.
We were soon out of the hotel and I left Fran on the kerb with the luggage while I went to extricate the car from the parking station next door.
One I had got the car, I loaded it up and we were off out of Auckland. Within a few minutes we were on the motorway, heading north over the harbour bridge (and its Nippon Clip-ons). Despite roadworks, we had a good run out of Auckland and into the country.
We stopped at just after 1000 for breakfast at a place at the side of the road. Although it had “We are simply the best” painted on its driveway, it looked a bit iffy. Once in the parking area, there was an excellent view and the place turned out to be clean and cheap , with good food and a good view from inside.
After that good fortune we continued on to Whengerei. Here we stopped at the Pack’n’Save supermarket and did some shopping to see us through the rest of the day and perhaps a few more days.
We continued on to Paihai, on the Bay of Islands, and checked into the Bounty Motel. At first glance it seemed good. We booked trips for tomorrow (to Cape Rienga) and the day after (the Cream Run through the actual bay) and then had lunch in the room. We had no problem getting a twin, but apparently the New Zealand Tourist Board has us booked as a double – this is worthy of a stern note.
Once lunch was over, we drove to Russell on the ferry. In Russell we looked over the historic church (with its bullet holes) and walked through much of the town. We had our first New Zealand ice creams there.
On the way back to Paihai we called in at the old capitol site (Okiato). This was now just a grassed area and a walk to the bay, but it had wonderful houses built around it.
Our return ferry ride was on other ferry – the one we went over on was all women in the crew, including the captain, but this had a male captain. The trip is only five minutes.
We returned to the motel, parked and then had a look around Paihai on foot. Then wedrove to the treaty grounds at Waitangi, arriving about 1730. Here we saw the treaty house, canoes and meeting house and then saw a short film on the area. We left about 1840.
Back at Paihai we got fish, chips and potato cakes for tea and drove back to have them at the motel. While I was copying pictures, I found wireless Internet was on and went and got the password. After that, I checked my email, set up the photos and started to write tonight’s blog, but was too tired. I did a summary and went to sleep. Fortunately I had my iPod with earphones to listen to, so I could get to sleep despite noises within and without the room.
For anyone holidaying in this area, I can recommend the Bounty Motel – friendly, helpful staff, clean and comfortable rooms, close (but not too close) to the centre of town and free WiFi Internet (if you have your laptop).
I got to sleep very soon.
Eventually I got up at 0700 and made cups of tea and we had them with Teddy Bear biscuits. After I had put the air-conditioner on again, I finally rose at 0730 and showered and dressed. Fran followed, then we packed and were down just before 0800.
Here I had my confrontation with the desk staff now on duty (the night clerk, Leo, had gone). After a few minutes I got the duty manager and she agreed to arrange to have the ticket paid by the hotel. Let’s just say I can be forceful when there is a problem which I perceive to be of another’s making.
We were soon out of the hotel and I left Fran on the kerb with the luggage while I went to extricate the car from the parking station next door.
One I had got the car, I loaded it up and we were off out of Auckland. Within a few minutes we were on the motorway, heading north over the harbour bridge (and its Nippon Clip-ons). Despite roadworks, we had a good run out of Auckland and into the country.
We stopped at just after 1000 for breakfast at a place at the side of the road. Although it had “We are simply the best” painted on its driveway, it looked a bit iffy. Once in the parking area, there was an excellent view and the place turned out to be clean and cheap , with good food and a good view from inside.
After that good fortune we continued on to Whengerei. Here we stopped at the Pack’n’Save supermarket and did some shopping to see us through the rest of the day and perhaps a few more days.
We continued on to Paihai, on the Bay of Islands, and checked into the Bounty Motel. At first glance it seemed good. We booked trips for tomorrow (to Cape Rienga) and the day after (the Cream Run through the actual bay) and then had lunch in the room. We had no problem getting a twin, but apparently the New Zealand Tourist Board has us booked as a double – this is worthy of a stern note.
Once lunch was over, we drove to Russell on the ferry. In Russell we looked over the historic church (with its bullet holes) and walked through much of the town. We had our first New Zealand ice creams there.
On the way back to Paihai we called in at the old capitol site (Okiato). This was now just a grassed area and a walk to the bay, but it had wonderful houses built around it.
Our return ferry ride was on other ferry – the one we went over on was all women in the crew, including the captain, but this had a male captain. The trip is only five minutes.
We returned to the motel, parked and then had a look around Paihai on foot. Then wedrove to the treaty grounds at Waitangi, arriving about 1730. Here we saw the treaty house, canoes and meeting house and then saw a short film on the area. We left about 1840.
Back at Paihai we got fish, chips and potato cakes for tea and drove back to have them at the motel. While I was copying pictures, I found wireless Internet was on and went and got the password. After that, I checked my email, set up the photos and started to write tonight’s blog, but was too tired. I did a summary and went to sleep. Fortunately I had my iPod with earphones to listen to, so I could get to sleep despite noises within and without the room.
For anyone holidaying in this area, I can recommend the Bounty Motel – friendly, helpful staff, clean and comfortable rooms, close (but not too close) to the centre of town and free WiFi Internet (if you have your laptop).
I got to sleep very soon.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
December 27
Today was the beginning of my (our) New Zealand adventure, but it didn’t seem quite real. I was up at 0600, got the paper from the front lawn, unwrapped it (how can papers campaign against plastic shopping bags when they wrap their papers in so much and so difficult-to-remove plastic?) and read it while having a cup of tea, orange juice, psyllium husks in water and toast (with Vegemite of course). The last task was to feed the turtle with one meat block and his antibiotic injection (into the meat, not him directly).
Then it was finish packing, check all was put in, shower and dress. Then all luggage was out to the car and Ashley (nephew) drove Fran and me to the Adelaide Airport (International Terminal departures) and dropped up off not long after 0910.
Once we were in, it was easy to find the check-in counter and we managed to get the luggage through (not overweight) and were told that we could go through into the Gate Lounge (18) by 0930. I got Melbourne papers to read and at 0940 we went through the security check to enter the airport departure area. I was xlear – no problems. Fran had her dillybag “sniffed” and it was all clear. However, when we walked around to the Gate 18 Lounge area, we were told it would NOT open until after 1030. It was back around the front of the lounges and read the papers and wait until 1030. We waited until the majority had walked through and then off we went. Again I went through cleanly, but Fran must have set something off because she was checked by a wand. Then we went to Gate Lounge 18 and had plenty of seats to choose from – because our flight was now leaving from Gate 22. So we duly upped camp and went down to Gate Lounge 22.
Here we waited – mainly because there was no plane in yet. It did arrive about 1050 and was ready for us at 1105 to board. It was Air New Zealand NZ 822, serviced by an A320 Airbus. We boarded after the majority as we already had our seats, and were settled in 27A and 27B within a few minutes. The plane left on time at 1135.
We had drinks and soon lunch was served. Alas – one of the problems of sitting at the back of the plane was that they ran out of hot food for us for lunch. The alternative, slices of cold roast beef with potato salad, tomato and lettuce, with a piece of cake, was quite good.
The flight landed on time in Auckland at 1815. As soon as I switched my mobile on I got a message from Jason about Christmas, then rang Fran’s home to report in that we had arrived safely.
Entry into the country was good and quick, with passports stamped quickly and then the declaration of packed confectionary was accepted as no problem, so Fran changed some money, I got some from an ATM and then I rang the rental car company. They gave explicit directions, meaning we had to walk about fifty metres and wait for a few minutes. While waiting, I rang Colin (an ex-school mate) and arranged to drop around after we had picked up the car. At the same time (well, really a few minutes later, I rang the hotel we were booked into to say we would be late. The reception desk would be open all the time, so that was okay.
W got picked up a few minutes later and were duly delivered to the company’s depot. I did the paperwork and the desk clerk did the most thorough explanation and then check of the car I have ever had in using rental cars, in now over twenty years of renting them while away.
Finally we left about 1900 with the SatNav plugged in and Colin’s address entered. It predicted half an hour, so I rang him again to tell him.
We arrived at Colin’s place about 1930 and caught up with Joss (wife) and Sarah (who had been the partner of another school friend). An enjoyable time followed, with drinks first (no alcohol for me, just in case the rental company is following my adventures), then dinner and a lost of discussion.
Suddenly I realised the time was about 2310 and we had to say goodbye and head off to our hotel, which was right in the centre of Auckland (yes, RIGHT in the centre).
We soon arrived in Auckland at the hotel and I had to park in a loading zone, but was assured all would be ok. After getting the luggage in, and Fran buying the parking ticket for the station next door, and going to the room, it (204) was – a DOUBLE! Agh! Down to the desk again and explained we wanted a twin, as we were brother and sister. We got another room (208) which was – ANOTHER DOUBLE! Down again and finally we got a twin (308).
I went back to the car and moved it into the parking station (NZ$8) and finally found an empty spot on the seventh level. However I was not in my seventh heaven as I found a parking ticket on the car.
I walked back to the hotel (it was now 0010) and I was very upset. I filled out a written complaint, but have resolved I will not be paying the ticket and will leave the hotel to sort it out.
Finally I was in the room and after changing, was off to bed but still furious. I found it difficult to get to sleep, which wasn’t helped by the room being hot and the air-conditioner having a time limit of one hour. I did a blog summary and found there was no free Internet, and eventually dropped off about 0200.
Then it was finish packing, check all was put in, shower and dress. Then all luggage was out to the car and Ashley (nephew) drove Fran and me to the Adelaide Airport (International Terminal departures) and dropped up off not long after 0910.
Once we were in, it was easy to find the check-in counter and we managed to get the luggage through (not overweight) and were told that we could go through into the Gate Lounge (18) by 0930. I got Melbourne papers to read and at 0940 we went through the security check to enter the airport departure area. I was xlear – no problems. Fran had her dillybag “sniffed” and it was all clear. However, when we walked around to the Gate 18 Lounge area, we were told it would NOT open until after 1030. It was back around the front of the lounges and read the papers and wait until 1030. We waited until the majority had walked through and then off we went. Again I went through cleanly, but Fran must have set something off because she was checked by a wand. Then we went to Gate Lounge 18 and had plenty of seats to choose from – because our flight was now leaving from Gate 22. So we duly upped camp and went down to Gate Lounge 22.
Here we waited – mainly because there was no plane in yet. It did arrive about 1050 and was ready for us at 1105 to board. It was Air New Zealand NZ 822, serviced by an A320 Airbus. We boarded after the majority as we already had our seats, and were settled in 27A and 27B within a few minutes. The plane left on time at 1135.
We had drinks and soon lunch was served. Alas – one of the problems of sitting at the back of the plane was that they ran out of hot food for us for lunch. The alternative, slices of cold roast beef with potato salad, tomato and lettuce, with a piece of cake, was quite good.
The flight landed on time in Auckland at 1815. As soon as I switched my mobile on I got a message from Jason about Christmas, then rang Fran’s home to report in that we had arrived safely.
Entry into the country was good and quick, with passports stamped quickly and then the declaration of packed confectionary was accepted as no problem, so Fran changed some money, I got some from an ATM and then I rang the rental car company. They gave explicit directions, meaning we had to walk about fifty metres and wait for a few minutes. While waiting, I rang Colin (an ex-school mate) and arranged to drop around after we had picked up the car. At the same time (well, really a few minutes later, I rang the hotel we were booked into to say we would be late. The reception desk would be open all the time, so that was okay.
W got picked up a few minutes later and were duly delivered to the company’s depot. I did the paperwork and the desk clerk did the most thorough explanation and then check of the car I have ever had in using rental cars, in now over twenty years of renting them while away.
Finally we left about 1900 with the SatNav plugged in and Colin’s address entered. It predicted half an hour, so I rang him again to tell him.
We arrived at Colin’s place about 1930 and caught up with Joss (wife) and Sarah (who had been the partner of another school friend). An enjoyable time followed, with drinks first (no alcohol for me, just in case the rental company is following my adventures), then dinner and a lost of discussion.
Suddenly I realised the time was about 2310 and we had to say goodbye and head off to our hotel, which was right in the centre of Auckland (yes, RIGHT in the centre).
We soon arrived in Auckland at the hotel and I had to park in a loading zone, but was assured all would be ok. After getting the luggage in, and Fran buying the parking ticket for the station next door, and going to the room, it (204) was – a DOUBLE! Agh! Down to the desk again and explained we wanted a twin, as we were brother and sister. We got another room (208) which was – ANOTHER DOUBLE! Down again and finally we got a twin (308).
I went back to the car and moved it into the parking station (NZ$8) and finally found an empty spot on the seventh level. However I was not in my seventh heaven as I found a parking ticket on the car.
I walked back to the hotel (it was now 0010) and I was very upset. I filled out a written complaint, but have resolved I will not be paying the ticket and will leave the hotel to sort it out.
Finally I was in the room and after changing, was off to bed but still furious. I found it difficult to get to sleep, which wasn’t helped by the room being hot and the air-conditioner having a time limit of one hour. I did a blog summary and found there was no free Internet, and eventually dropped off about 0200.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Travels to and from Perth
Driving over to Perth is now a regular occurrence for me and I will describe my current timeline and activities. After I travel over next, most likely early next year, I will post a complete set of explanatory photos on my Flickr site.
Day 1
After packing, I leave home and fill up with petrol at Barry’s service station. From there it is a quick drive up the road to the Western Highway. There is little to comment on while traversing the highway (freeway until just after Ballarat and single carriageway thereafter) until I arrive at Kaniva. Here I stop for refreshment (if I say chips, Australians and English will know what I mean, but for Americans it was fries). After that, there is little to see until I resume freeway conditions just outside Tailem Bend, and I keep those until I arrive at the suburbs at the foot of the Adelaide Hills. A quick right turn into Portrush Road and then another right into Main North East Road and soon I arrive at my sister’s.
A total of seven and a half hours driving, seven hundred and ten kilometres and usually about sixty-three litres of fuel.
Day 2
I leave my sister’s about 0745 and fill (or top up) with petrol, leaving to actually set out before 0800. After getting onto Grand Junction Road, it’s only a short time until I turn right into Pt Wakefield Road. Three hours later I pull into Hungry Jacks (Burger King) for the last meal I have until I arrive in Perth. Within twenty minutes I am back on the road and start on the Eyre Highway. An hour and a half later I stop in Kimba (well, with that much to drink, you’d have to stop too). Then it is another three hours until I arrive at Ceduna, after seven and a half hours driving, seven hundred and seventy kilometres and usually about sixty-two litres of fuel. I usually have an ice cream here, as this lowers the price of the petrol by another two cents per litre.
After leaving Ceduna I am driving along what is commonly called the Nullarbor. In truth that only refers to the section about twenty kilometres to the east of Nullarbor Station. At first travel is through grain farms, then grazing properties (which include the Yalata Aboriginal Reserve). The town of Penong, about seventy kilometres west of Ceduna, is the last town until Norseman, nearly twelve hundred kilometres from Ceduna. There are services (usually motel, café, hotel and fuel) at places such as Nundroo, Nullarbor, Border Village, Mundrabilla, Madura, Cocklebiddy, Caiguna, Balladonia and Fraser Range, while Eucla has police, ambulance, nurses and a meteorological depot. The speed limit along the road is one hundred and ten kilometres per hour (both day and night, a bad thing) with ninety along short sections at Eucla and Madura and a stop at the border when travelling east to west for plant quarantine. It is possible to travel ant an average speed of over one hundred and eight kilometres per hour legally.
Depending upon road and weather conditions and traffic, I usually arrive at the border about 2115. After a quick inspection, I leave at 2030 (clocks go back forty-five minutes). Then I decide whether to fill up at Eucla or Mundrabilla – and that is determined by the time when each closes. The cost of petrol at both of these can be up to twenty-five cents a litre cheaper that at the other places and they are both approximately halfway to Norseman.
After filling up, it is usually dark. My decision as to what to do is determined by the visible population of kangaroos. If there are none, I continue driving until I take a rest. If there are a few, I lower my speed to about eighty kilometres per hour and continue driving until I take a rest. If there are many, I drive slower until they become too dense, and then I stop to sleep until nearly dawn.
Day 3
I reach Norseman between 0500 and 0900, depending on the evening before. If it is after the Shell station opens, I refuel there. Otherwise it is the BP. Either way it is a brief stop and then I leave the Eyre Highway and turn north onto the Coolgardie-Esperance Highway. Here the scenery includes salt lakes and hazards include road trains of ore entering the road. After one hundred and sixty-five kilometres and just over an hour and a half, I enter Coolgardie. This now has significance for me as an aunt was born here. There are about a thousand people here now, a far cry from its mining boom. It is now only an hour and a half until Southern Cross, where I stop again for a few minutes. Now I am on the home run and within four hours I am at my destination in Perth. This can be anywhere between midday and 1600. The driving time from Ceduna is about eighteen hours and the car consumes about one hundred and sixty litres of petrol.
While driving over, the vehicles seen are:
Cars, often overloaded with too much equipment, yet not properly prepared;
Cars and Four-wheel-drives towing caravans, spread between families and “grey nomads”;
Motorhomes, varying in size from small converted minivans through to “fifth wheelers” and converted buses and full-sized Winnebagos;
Light trucks carrying specialised loads;
Heavy trucks including semi-trailers (22 wheelers) with one trailer, B-doubles (34 wheelers) with two trailers, B-triples(46 wheelers) with three trailers, road trains (semi-trailers with “dogs”) with between one and three trailers.
Heavy and oversized loads include mining machinery and specialised factory components, as well as boats, caravans, water tanks and trucks!
Day 1
After packing, I leave home and fill up with petrol at Barry’s service station. From there it is a quick drive up the road to the Western Highway. There is little to comment on while traversing the highway (freeway until just after Ballarat and single carriageway thereafter) until I arrive at Kaniva. Here I stop for refreshment (if I say chips, Australians and English will know what I mean, but for Americans it was fries). After that, there is little to see until I resume freeway conditions just outside Tailem Bend, and I keep those until I arrive at the suburbs at the foot of the Adelaide Hills. A quick right turn into Portrush Road and then another right into Main North East Road and soon I arrive at my sister’s.
A total of seven and a half hours driving, seven hundred and ten kilometres and usually about sixty-three litres of fuel.
Day 2
I leave my sister’s about 0745 and fill (or top up) with petrol, leaving to actually set out before 0800. After getting onto Grand Junction Road, it’s only a short time until I turn right into Pt Wakefield Road. Three hours later I pull into Hungry Jacks (Burger King) for the last meal I have until I arrive in Perth. Within twenty minutes I am back on the road and start on the Eyre Highway. An hour and a half later I stop in Kimba (well, with that much to drink, you’d have to stop too). Then it is another three hours until I arrive at Ceduna, after seven and a half hours driving, seven hundred and seventy kilometres and usually about sixty-two litres of fuel. I usually have an ice cream here, as this lowers the price of the petrol by another two cents per litre.
After leaving Ceduna I am driving along what is commonly called the Nullarbor. In truth that only refers to the section about twenty kilometres to the east of Nullarbor Station. At first travel is through grain farms, then grazing properties (which include the Yalata Aboriginal Reserve). The town of Penong, about seventy kilometres west of Ceduna, is the last town until Norseman, nearly twelve hundred kilometres from Ceduna. There are services (usually motel, café, hotel and fuel) at places such as Nundroo, Nullarbor, Border Village, Mundrabilla, Madura, Cocklebiddy, Caiguna, Balladonia and Fraser Range, while Eucla has police, ambulance, nurses and a meteorological depot. The speed limit along the road is one hundred and ten kilometres per hour (both day and night, a bad thing) with ninety along short sections at Eucla and Madura and a stop at the border when travelling east to west for plant quarantine. It is possible to travel ant an average speed of over one hundred and eight kilometres per hour legally.
Depending upon road and weather conditions and traffic, I usually arrive at the border about 2115. After a quick inspection, I leave at 2030 (clocks go back forty-five minutes). Then I decide whether to fill up at Eucla or Mundrabilla – and that is determined by the time when each closes. The cost of petrol at both of these can be up to twenty-five cents a litre cheaper that at the other places and they are both approximately halfway to Norseman.
After filling up, it is usually dark. My decision as to what to do is determined by the visible population of kangaroos. If there are none, I continue driving until I take a rest. If there are a few, I lower my speed to about eighty kilometres per hour and continue driving until I take a rest. If there are many, I drive slower until they become too dense, and then I stop to sleep until nearly dawn.
Day 3
I reach Norseman between 0500 and 0900, depending on the evening before. If it is after the Shell station opens, I refuel there. Otherwise it is the BP. Either way it is a brief stop and then I leave the Eyre Highway and turn north onto the Coolgardie-Esperance Highway. Here the scenery includes salt lakes and hazards include road trains of ore entering the road. After one hundred and sixty-five kilometres and just over an hour and a half, I enter Coolgardie. This now has significance for me as an aunt was born here. There are about a thousand people here now, a far cry from its mining boom. It is now only an hour and a half until Southern Cross, where I stop again for a few minutes. Now I am on the home run and within four hours I am at my destination in Perth. This can be anywhere between midday and 1600. The driving time from Ceduna is about eighteen hours and the car consumes about one hundred and sixty litres of petrol.
While driving over, the vehicles seen are:
Cars, often overloaded with too much equipment, yet not properly prepared;
Cars and Four-wheel-drives towing caravans, spread between families and “grey nomads”;
Motorhomes, varying in size from small converted minivans through to “fifth wheelers” and converted buses and full-sized Winnebagos;
Light trucks carrying specialised loads;
Heavy trucks including semi-trailers (22 wheelers) with one trailer, B-doubles (34 wheelers) with two trailers, B-triples(46 wheelers) with three trailers, road trains (semi-trailers with “dogs”) with between one and three trailers.
Heavy and oversized loads include mining machinery and specialised factory components, as well as boats, caravans, water tanks and trucks!
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