http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Napier/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Oceania , New Zealand , North Island , Napier en-us Fri, 05 Dec 2008 02:14:14 UTC Fri, 05 Dec 2008 02:14:14 UTC November 26th Napier 1135pmI finally made it to breakfast this morning for the first time in about a week. When I got there I was shocked to see Francesca and Charmaine as they are not morning people I guess we were all craving breakie this morning.This was our first call in Napier so I was interested to see how the dispatch would go. I was in the theatre in the microphone which I am beginni http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Napier/blog-348864.html ContinuingWhere was l when l interrupted by Nancy.I remember we had found this cache in Clive Square and along with the instructions about how to find the cache was also information about the square itself. In particular it told us about the local gardener whose name we found out was Kyle. He obviously knew about the cache and wasn't surprised to see people walking around with a GPS. Kyle was a http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Napier/blog-344605.html There are some thing you always have to do even on holiday in paradise. Thats Right the washing.Because we had been travelling for two weeks we decided well Nancy did to do some washing and cleaning of the van.The facilites on these Parks are first class lots of washing machines and drying. All done and dusted in very short time. Time to walk into Napier the Art Deco capital of the world.Th http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Napier/blog-344238.html When we got up at 6am I gave the shuttle company a call to find out the latest weather report it wasnrsquot good. The up to date report said there would be rain showers that could turn heavy. The guy on the phone didnrsquot sound optimistic. We decided that it wasnrsquot worth paying 40 each for the shuttle plus paying for hire of waterproofs hiking boots and everything else if in an http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Napier/blog-343533.html After packing in the morning we took another look at the screw lodged in our tire. The park mechanical person figured removing it would cause an immediate flat and that it would likely be fine for some time but we figured we should get it fixed soon. Unfortunately all the repair places we passed on the way out of town were closed on Sunday so we headed for the highway out of town thinking we http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Napier/blog-343039.html Day 553 02.10.08Having given back our van in Christchurch due to the prices going up in preparation for the approaching summer we thought we'd probably get the bus around the north island but as we'd looked into it nothing really jumped out at us that seemed to suit our planstravelling styleprice range so we weren't really sure what to do. We love the flexibility that a car can bring so we loo http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Napier/blog-330669.html My chocolate pudding has got the same recipe but I make it a bit different it's better. Die Besitzerin des Backpackers in Picton nachdem wir vom Pudding in Nelson geschwaermt habenNachdem der Wecker uns wirklich frueh aus dem Bett geholt hat haben wir erst einmal herzhaft gefruehstueckt so richtig mit Bohnen in Tomatensosse auf Toast so wie es uns die nette Frau in der Information ge http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Napier/blog-328857.html It was Jackys influence that made us visit Napier but I have to admit that when I heard about the wine tours I was swayed myself obviously for the wine knowledge I would gain. Napier is a city but appears more like a small town from the 1930's. Having suffered a major earthquake followed by severe sweeping fires the place was replanned and rebuilt by 4 archetects with an interest in Art Deco. http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Napier/blog-301300.html A three day weekend calls for a road trip to Napier. Threequarters of the team that rolled to the south island last year made the trek this time Marcos Sarah and me. It was a seven hour drive with a few stops along the way including a caf well outside the suburbs of Auckland that served water with coffee flavoring for latts a hydro power dam and swing bridge the driving range on Lake Tau http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Napier/blog-283587.html After the ferry left the calm waters of the Marlborough Sounds.It headed into the choppy waters of Cooks Straits to Wellington. It got so choppy that Skim ended up having a bad time feeling sea sickOnce in Wellington the usual thing happened. We got lostNot too lost we just found ourselves going round in circles.But once we'd got clear of the city it was plain sailing....Several days later w http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Napier/blog-256605.html Next to Napier in Hawke's Bay on the east coast of the North Island. Home of fine wine art deco galore and Chris a friend from Horizons missionary days who I'd not seen for a good few years. Stayed with her for a week and between us we had a leisurely time with her recovering from an operation and me in latter trip flagging stage. So twas a week of late mornings coffee and chat cafe lunches http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Napier/blog-253828.html We left Queenstown and headed north and west through the mountains to the south island's west coast again this time to Glacier country. The Fox and Franz Josef glaciers are on NZ's west coast and are a couple of bigguns that are part of a select band of glacier's only 1 worldwide that are currently advancing as opposed to retreating. We decided to do an all day trek on the Fox Franz Josef i http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Napier/blog-248784.html 2111 Criterion Art Deco Backpackers former Hotel NapierOn the road from Taupo the scenery changes quickly from pine forest to african wilderness and then to green hills and the sea. My foot was finally better so I could walk againNapier is a town with lots of Art Deco buildings we went on a tour to look at them then for a view of Hawkes Bay from Bluff Hill. We also chose to stay at the Cr http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Napier/blog-245732.html Monday 18thAndrew dropped me off in town shortly after 7am head into Downtown Backpackers to wait can see the bus outside. Bus due to leave 745 by about 720 check and see the driver is onboard so can go get rid of my bags and grab the front seat. Today we have James as a driver turns out to be a little mad After quite a long time driving round collecting in Welliigton we're on our way ou http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Napier/blog-245052.html Last weekend i went up to Napier as I was invited last minute to a wedding of josh's uncle which was very thoughtful indeed of himIt was probably just over a 4 hour journey up there but the views and scenery was beautiful on the way. First its over the Rimutaka Range full of windy roads but stunning mountainous scenery. Then once passed the mountains you pass through lots of villages and towns http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Napier/blog-238493.html Napier isn't on the bus route and was told to go there by Covey so got the chance execise my hitching thumb. Got picked up in 5 mins on the way there. Some guy called chris who was going down there for a bike race. He said he was the junior champion of new zealand and would be in the 2012 olympics. Im not sure if i belive him although have just searched for him i think its Chris Macic.The act http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Napier/blog-236070.html Christmas DayYesterday we started the day by taking a small four seater flight plane from our hotel out and across the top of White Island. White Island is a small volcanic island just off the coast in the Bay of Plenty. It last erupted only a few years ago and it remians very active. We flew over a few extinct volcanos and could see the thermal activity very well from above. A great way to get a http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Napier/blog-230158.html After a chilled out afternoon in Taupo by the pool we had a fairly early night before waking up to heavy rain so we decided not to take the 100 Hukka Jet and headed straight to Napier.Cat drove the whole of this leg so this put the 'Swoop' in the shade as far as fear factor went Only joking Sue Cat's mum no need to worry she handled the van wellScenery was magic hard to explain the shape o http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Napier/blog-227958.html Hello All....We could not resist popping into an internet cafe and showing you some pics from New Zealand I can not describe what an amazing place it is it has just blown us away. Every single corner you turn takes your breath away. The camper has been fantastic too a real good laugh. Except some of Phill's music choices Only joking MC Phill has been doing a good job.We are currently in Napi http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Napier/blog-225575.html Today we took an all day Lord of the Rings tour. It was actually quite fun. We went around and saw about 6 or 7 filming locations. The tour guide was quite knowledgable about LOTR and Wellington.We went on another swing bridge right near Rivendell. This one was shorter but older.. it swung quite a bit and bounced a lot too.After the tour we traded in our rental car again for another Mazda. http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Napier/blog-223238.html Auckland Well we have now been in kiwi land for a week and are loving it. We started of in Auckland staying with our friend Liz and her parents she has recently had a baby and is visiting her parents in Auckland they stay out of town in a beautiful suburb which is a ferry or bus ride into town. Day 1 Our first day was spent after an exhausting 14 hr flight from Santiago with Liz and her baby on http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Napier/blog-220878.html We arrived back in Christchurch on a sweltering hot day and checked out our new hostel Foley Towers. It was fairly central and next to the river Avon which runs through Christchurch. Our room had an ensuite which when yoursquove been away this long is really nice to have Not that Jon minds walking round in his kegs or even naked. Fi has had to tell him to put his clothes on several times http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Napier/blog-220843.html Napier was flattened in an earthquake in 1931 so was rebuilt in the 1930's thus creating a really pretty Art Deco town. This town is also surrounded by winerys. Yes it's true. Napier is in the Hawkes Bay region you may have heard of this area.... So our city tour this time consisted of a tour of the winerys complete with tastings and explanations from our tour guide Vince Piccone an excellent http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Napier/blog-217758.html Cardiff.... Singapore.... NZ 7 October to 29 October 2007After our trip round the UK we headed to Cardiff to watch the ABrsquos play France. Donrsquot have much to say about that. I am sure the game is well documented in the history books for me not to even mention it in my blog. I will say that I have never seen so many grown men cry in all my life. I even shed a few tears. Only one way to http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Napier/blog-213909.html Ok crossed from South to North Island A little depressing leaving the South Island and its Middle Earth type scenery .... i am a bit of a Lord of the Rings freak so at times was expecting the odd hobbit etc to pop out. There is a serious change in scenery between the 2 islands. The north island has a more rolling hills type feel to it whereas the south has the towering jagged type mountains a http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Napier/blog-192852.html We had a lovely stay in Napier. Napier is on the east coast of the North Island. There was an earthquake there a while back and the city was rebuilt in an Art Deco style. Mark and I stayed at the Bluewater Inn. It was right next to the marina and a bit outside of town. We decided that we wanted to walk to the center of town and taking the long way it was about a 45minute walk. The weather was http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Napier/blog-190844.html On our way to Napier we stopped at Huka Falls a beautiful glacial blue river and waterfall with jet boat rides. We're saving our Jet Boat money for Queenstown but it was definitely worth taking the quick trip off the highway to see the falls. After this we stopped for lunch in Lake Taupo. The view across the lake with the mountains in the distance reminded us of home absolutely gorgeous Taup http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Napier/blog-176106.html Apologies currently unable to restore. If you have a backup please edit this entry and savepublish.There is a small possibility that this entry will be restored only small.When Ruth was 13 yrs old she saw a girls name in the back of some magazine wanting to be a penpal with someone around the world. Ruth said she responded to Cheryl in New Zealand because it would save the hassle of another l http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Napier/blog-166941.html Time to leave Wellington unfortunately as it seems a lively cosmopolitan place but we have lots to see so little time. Today we headed north to Napier a four hour drive past more fields of cows sheep more hills and mountains. We passed through the Hawkes Bay region which is famous for its' wine. There is also lots of fruit and veg for sale along the road looks like the area is ideal f http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Napier/blog-166616.html