Blogs from Coromandel, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 35

We wake to a frosty welcome by the receptionist in the hotel. We have over slept, it’s 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. It’s basically a converted Mercedes sprinter Van with lots of dints and scrapes but with a cooker, fridge, toilet and shower. After a heated argument over directions (Kirsten was right I hasten to admit!) we make it to a suburb of Auckland called Grey Lynn where we meet Gareth (one of Kirsten friends brother) to get our hair cut. I feel quite ... read more

After a day back in Auckland we hired a car and headed off on a road trip. Day 1 Our first stop was the Coromandel Peninsula, about 3 hours from Auckland. After having lunch at Coromandel Town we headed for Mercury Bay. Our hostel was lovely and overlooked the gorgeous bay. We went on a walk along the beach to the harbour before the sunset. Day 2 The next morning we headed down the road to Hahei beach and then went on a walk to the stunning Cathedral Cove where there are some awesome rock formations, the main one being the shape of a huge cathedral window. We got to Hot Water Beach in time to have a nice lunch and then start digging (just Olly, really!) as the tide went out. It was amazing! ... read more

I've known that in some places around the world, you're not suppose to speak with the bus driver. What I didn't know is that in New-Zealand, at least, the bus driver talks to you. Every bus driver I've traveled with intercity had used the bus speakers, and most seemed to enjoy it quite a bit. At the very least he, or she, would introduce himself, list the stops on the way, give the expected timetable and apologize for the delays. Also, they seem to be well aware of any connections the passengers might be making and made sure not to miss them. On top of that, most of the drivers, on the longer rides, also gave commentaries on our route. One explained about the history of the settlements in the area, or the type of crops ... read more

Ok guys, I'll be in London on 25th March (second interview with Wetlands International in Holland), so if you are around keep that evening free for a hug and a drink in one of the Angel pubs. Will write again soon. Irena... read more

Heading toward the sunny north-eastern coast aptly named Bay of Plenty, we stopped at the Agrodome to visit a huge organic farm and see a sheep show----yup, a sheep show. It involved 19 kinds of sheep, a demonstration of shearing and a great demo of a sheepdog rounding up a small herd and pushing them through a series of paddocks. Then we motored on to make a pre-arranged visit to a childhood friend of Lex Voorhees (from our UU church- Lex and our Kiwi host Robert are both Dutchborn and spent part of their childhood in a Japanese Concentration Camp during WWII in Indonesia. Their families had been settlers in Indonesia.) The visit near Tauranga was another warm and extended exchange that ended in a dinner and a grand evening. Robert's son even helped us work ... read more