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.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
