http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Dobster/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Dobster en-us Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:13:36 +0000 Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:13:36 +0000 Kayaking with the Seal Pups 2 DONT FORGET TO VIEW THE VIDEO OF THIS BLOG ON THE VIDEO LINK After an uncomfortable nightrsquos sleep with both of us scratching our Sand Fly bites we wake early to drive to Kaiteriteri beach for our days Kayaking activity. We have been told this is the best way to take in the coastal beauty and sea life of the Abel Tasman. After our induction on the beach we loa http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Abel-Tasman-National-Park/Kaiteriteri/blog-161970.html Today we have booked an Aqua taxi to drop us off and pick us up along the Abel Tasman Coastal Trail. We drive down to Marahau where we catch the 09.15 Aqua Taxi. As itrsquos low tide a tractor drags us out to the water. This area and the beaches in particular are absolutely unspoilt. Firstly we visit Split Apple Rocks an interesting rock formation which amazingly looks like a split apple j http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Abel-Tasman-National-Park/Marahau/blog-161955.html After packing the van and filling up with fresh water we headed for Nelson. After a lovely wander along Maitai River that snakes through the town we headed for the Cathedral one of the largest in NZ The town was very quiet being a Sunday but had a nice feel to it. Nelson is both a busy port and the gateway to the Abel Tasmin. We headed out of town on R6 for our destination of Motueka at the sou http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Motueka/blog-161628.html It was an early start this morning at 6.00am to travel to the ferry port in Wellington to catch the 7.30am Interisland Ferry to Picton. Itrsquos another beautiful morning and the water is flat calm. Itrsquos a 3 hour crossing to the south island but after 2 hours you enter the Marlborough sounds which are spectacular. You get the most wonderful view form the ferry. Herersquos a question for http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Nelson-Region/Nelson/blog-161617.html Today is mainly a travel day to drive the 380km to Wellington to catch the ferry to the south island. If you ever camp or hire a campervan in NZ get a ldquoTop10 Holiday Parkrdquo members card as it save us over 100 on the crossing and only cost us 30. The first 100km of the drive was spectacular along the edge of Lake Taupo and up and over the Tongariro National Park. Our only planned http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Wellington/blog-161602.html Waking up to another beautiful day in Taupo we get ready at a leisurely pace and head into town. We have chartered our own fishing boat and a skipper ldquoMartyrdquo to take us out on the lake to fish for trout. Lake Taupo is the biggest lake in NZ and was formed from the crater of a large volcano which over the years filled with fresh water. Some parts of the lake are 400m deep. The trout http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Taupo/blog-161591.html It was bloody freezing last night I swear my nose was frozen when I woke up this morning from the draft coming in the back of ldquoDollyrdquo. Itrsquos a beautiful day and the ldquoBlue Lakerdquo opposite our campsite looks beautiful. After a leisurely breakfast we setoff off for our daily excursions. Irsquom going white water rafting and Kirsten is getting a massage in a Spa called http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Rotorua/blog-161587.html Our destination today is Rotorua the volcanic hub of New Zealand. We drive approximately 120km due East of Waitomo on route 30 taking in some breathtaking scenery. Today is mainly a travel day and to catch up with the washing. We arrived at our ldquoTop Tenrdquo Holiday camp on the Blue Lake at about 3.00pm. The one thing you can say for Rotorua is that it stinks of sulphur rotten eggs. Bas http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Rotorua/blog-161574.html We had survived our first night in the Van otherwise known as ldquoDollyrdquo. The bed is quite comfortable and we have one good pillow but the other pillow I swear is plastic Itrsquos got a cover on it to stop you from peeing on it so itrsquos now referred to as the ldquoPiss Pillowrdquo We setoff early 8.30 and head south along the M1 before joining the M3. Our first stop was a http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Waitomo/blog-160305.html Today we are heading South East to visit one of Kirstens friends Lynton in Hamilton. We head south via Waihi to Mount Maunganui a major surfing destination. Mount Manuganui is basically a large hill perched in the end of a natural harbour which provides 360Degree views of the surrounding area. Unfortunately you have to walk up the hill to see them. After a really steep 40min walk we arrived at http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Hamilton/blog-159988.html There is life in the Coromandel As I wandered into town to pick up some bread I discovered the high street was packed Quite a contrast to last night After a good breakfast of a bacon and sausage sandwich we head north up the peninsular towards hot water beach. Today is our first real viewing on NZ as we drove in the dark last night. All I can say is that our first impression in one of amazem http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Coromandel/blog-159967.html We wake to a frosty welcome by the receptionist in the hotel. We have over slept itrsquos 10.15 and they want us out in 30mins We are both a bit grumpy and tired and we drag ourselves out to get a taxi to go and pick up the Camper Van. An hour later we arrived at Backpacker Camper Vans just near the airport where we pick up a rather old and tatty campervan. Itrsquos basically a converted M http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Coromandel/Whangamata/blog-159615.html Wouldnrsquot you know it We arrive in Sydney only to be told our connecting flight did not wait Itrsquos 7.00am and we have not slept in 36 hours and Irsquom just a bit pissed off Theyrsquove bumped us to the 12.00 flight for a couple of food vouchersAfter a bit of delicate complaining I get us access to the Club lounge where we are able to get showered and have some breakfast.We event http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Auckland/blog-159608.html Today is a travel day as we must get back to Perth to fly out for New Zealand tonight. We setoff at 10.00am and arrive back at Amandarsquos at around 2.00pm. This time I made it without any speeding ticketsAfter packing a couple of boxes with wine and kit we donrsquot need in New Zealand we ship it to Kirstens folks in Melbourne.The major thing we need to do is reduce our luggage to 20kgs. We http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Western-Australia/Perth/blog-159607.html Our Route in the Margaret River Our Map of Perth the Margaret River The weather has improved slightly today but is still overcast. The breakfast in Birdsong is not the best so we decide to head into Dunsborough to the bakery for breakfast and a coffee. Dunsborough is really only a weekend or holiday resort so its seems much quieter today even though itrsquos a bank holiday. After checking ou http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Western-Australia/Margaret-River/blog-159588.html Our Map of Perth the Margaret River Itrsquos Easter Sunday so hot cross buns are on the menu for breakfast. The guest has only 2 rooms and the other couple are leaving today which means we have it all to ourselves. We are heading for Margaret River today at the heart of the wine area. After a brief wander around the local Market and a ldquoLiquoricerdquo ice cream from ldquoSimmorsq http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Western-Australia/Dunsborough/blog-159572.html Our Map of Perth the Margaret River We leave Perth at 7.30am to drive the 400km south to Pemberton. The main reason for travelling so far south is to visit the ldquoValley of Giantsrdquo which according to Bill Brysons travel book ldquoDown Underrdquo is one of the best attractions in Western Australia. We stopped for breakfast on highway 1 at the Jolly Frog Caf at the mouth of the Pe http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Western-Australia/Pemberton/blog-159552.html Our route in Perth Our route in Perth Thankfully today is far cooler and more overcast than previous days in Perth. After waking late we discover that while showering the bath is filling up with water at Amandarsquos The bath and shower are separate. We investigate further to find tht the drainage is blocked and sewage is flooding onto the patio After attempting to unblock the pipe using a http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Western-Australia/Perth/blog-159311.html Our route in Perth After a good nights sleep we seem to have avoided too much jet lag we awake to a very hot Perth. The forecast is for 38 degree temperatures. Last night we had a lovely BBQ at Amandarsquos in Padbury just north of Perth. Nigel Amandarsquos boyfriend had got some fillet steaks form a chap he knows at work which were fab. Apparently hersquos suppose to sharpen their too http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Western-Australia/Perth/blog-159297.html Our Route in South AfricaWell it's actually the 3rd now as I'm writing this entry on the plane to Perth. All I can say is we had a wonderful time in Cape Town and the western cape. Itrsquos such a great place and one wersquoll definitely return tooUnfortunately wersquove not had the best trip so far from South Africa to Perth. After dropping the car off earlier todayyersterday morning we f http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/blog-159272.html