NZ day 20

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NZ Day 20
Well today we made our way (via the scenic route) to Port Waikato....or Port Whakahoota, as Raymond calls it! We weren’t in any hurry to leave the Cosy Cottage International Holiday Park- cause they charged so much we thought we would get our moneys worth- if that is possible. It was one of the most expensive parks (in line with Queenstown) at over $40 for the night. You didn’t have to pay for showers (yep- still coming across that....the cheapest so far is 50 cents for 5 minutes...& not a minute longer either I’ll have you know! The dearest I think was $2 for 10 minutes). Anyway, they also charged for hairdryer usage (50 cents) & the washing machine was $3 & the dryer $4!!! Stuff me- & guess who had 2 loads to do.............including the stinking jacket that I was trying to smuggle shells out of the country in- learnt my lesson there!). It would seem that when you go to a popular destination, you pay through the nose. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.....we looked at our holiday park & campground booklet this morning & it seems we could have got cheaper accom elsewhere. So, lesson number whatever- ring first or look it up in the book! So that is what we did- & found this Port Whakahoota as Raymond would say- one of it’s redeeming features was that it had IAC internet, for which I have purchased 30 days. The price is pretty good too- I think $36 or so.....spoke sweetly to Colin on the phone.
I did a quick walk to the Lake Rotorua- 5 mins out the back gate to get some photos. This thermal thing is quite amazing. You are driving along & you see this steam rising out of nowhere- hmmm could be smoke, but no- it is a thermal area randomly surfacing- as they do. So, walking to the beach, they have a sign on the gate- do not touch the water on your way, cause it is boiling & will burn. These thermal springs are everywhere. There is a house on the back corner of the park & I thought they had a fire going this morning...nup- it is a thermal spring in their back yard. They’re everywhere, they’re everywhere as Zachary would say (Lord are we missing him). Anyway over to the beach & I did touch the very edge of the water & it wasn’t cold- I thnk (Kiwi) you can swim in the lake, but you can see little bubbles rising up everywhere.
Now, we did come here especially to see ‘Te Puia’ & the Pohutu Geyser (not to be mistaken for geezer) .....when we booked in the lady (who stank of cigarette smoke) said that we could get a discount if we were to go there. So, this morning I went to get our discount voucher....ooohhhh nnnooooo- you have to pay for whichever of the ‘tours’ you want to get the discount......at the park, not at the venue! Gggrrrrrrrr- I am getting a little sick of this. If you wanted to see the Geyser, you HAD to do a tour, which would cost you $38 each! Stuff me.....I think I will just enlarge the photos I took yesterday & they’ll look like a geyser won’t they. Or, alternatively, I could take a photo of Raymond & I would have an old geezer........I’m sure mine would be better ).
So once our ablutions were done, it was 10am & time to leave. Back to the city centre & a wee bit of retail therapy. Didn’t spend much, then got some groceries. Had lunch in our home & set off for Port Waikato. I was driving today- although Raymond’s knee is now much improved, now his hip is giving him curry & he can’t walk too far........again!!!!! Stone the bloody crows- yep, that’s what you get for marrying older men.....the drive was lovely as usual- the sun was shining again today- woohoo- & the countryside was lush & green....again....We went through ‘undulating’ hills- none of that mountain goat crap- reminds us a lot of the Barossa Valley & Clare Valley etc, maybe a little bigger hills.
Headed over to highway 1 & the road into Auckland. The roads are very good here , but interestingly, there isn’t a double lane all the way from Hamilton. Still, I am becoming blasé about the traffic behind me- they can bloody well wait! There are some distances that are double lanes, but not all the way. Then the wheels fell off We were looking for a town called Pokeno. Saw something similar & turned off.....WRONG! Again, several km’s into the scenic drive we had a ‘feeling’ that we weren’t on the right road. Bugger! We did manage to get the mobile to work & rang Colin- yep- we turned off too early....& we were running low on fuel....shit!!! I hate that! So, back to the highway where there was a servo, got a bit more diesel (155.9cpl) & were off on our way. As you would expect, the turn off we were looking for was only about 5kms north of where we inadvertently turned...shit happens.
Then, it was a cut lunch & a 6 pack (30 odd kms) into where we are staying. Unfortunately the sunset had done its thing on our way in, so we may just have to stay another night so that we can get some photos. Had a couple of moments today where I again heard Raymond say ‘YES!’ as he took a photo....I’ll get him trained yet. This place is where the Waikato River meets the sea- so I’m thinking the fishing could be interesting.....might have to see if I can sweet talk the owner into borrowing some fishing rods tomorrow. If I can’t, I guess Raymond & I will just do the ‘romantic’ thing & go for a walk on the beach......time for a day off of driving we think.
Raymond says that no matter where we stop or shop, the people are VERY friendly & helpful- can’t do enough & always up for a chat (my kind of person really). I had a very funny conversation with a couple of young ladies when I was trying to decide which lollies to buy......very important choice that- especially if I wish to be allowed back on the plane again. It is a good thing that they weigh your luggage & not you.....go figure😉 . It is true though- I don’t think we have found a ‘grumpy/sour’ person in the retail type area.....Australia could learn a lot in this area I thnk....Kiwi again.
So, not sure who won the footy- no doubt it was the Power & Paringa (if they played).......but strangely the world continues to turn! So, time to download the photos & then upload everything. Hope you are all fit & well
Lots of love to all.....we’re missing you
Ray & Terri xoxoxoxoxoxo

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