Advertisement
Published: January 12th 2008
Edit Blog Post
We arrived in New Zealand last week and had a good flight over - there was a small problem at the airport as a sniffer dog found the scent of fruit in my handbag as we were picking up our bags. The dog promptly sat down by my bag and ensured that I was the centre of attention for a while. After ensuring that I did not possess any of the aforementioned fruit the dog was led away only to return promptly to my bag and sit down again beside it - once again we turned out my handbag - no fruit. It was generally agreed that as I have a reputation for retaining things in my bag for longer than is strictly necessary that the smell was probably from some putrid fruit that had long since ceased to resemble its original apple or banana form - I was allowed to proceed - but not very far as we had to have our boots checked as well. Finally we made it through and were met by the Norths who duly transported us to Waiuku in what was immediately christened the Nodgemobile. We spent a few days 'relaxing' at their house -
Picnic on the riverside
The black sand gives you very dirty feet Nobby had planned a hectic selection of activities which included bike rides, kayaking and the luge (more about that later). On the first day we took a trip into Aukland to have a look around - after a brisk walk up One Tree Hill we got a good view of the plethora of dormant and extinct volcanos in the area - in fact the volcanic base to the area has driven nearly all our activities since we have been here. We had a brief look into the Aukland Museum which was packed with Maori stuff and also had an impressive special effects volcanic eruption from your living room.
The kids went on a bike ride one day and we followed on with a picnic. The sand was so hot we could not get down on the beach and had to settle for a bite on the riverside. The sand is black here which is weird when you first see it - it contains a high proportion of iron which is extracted in refineries nearby.
The luge was great fun - a downhill go kart track - we all enjoyed the wind in our hair and the smell of
Cave Woman
Yes I am crawling knee deep in water! fear in our noses.
We set off later in the week for a few days away in the Nodgemobile. First stop Waitomo, home of the glowworm. We got there via some hot springs where a water slide ensured that the kids were happily occupied while we adults soaked in the baths. Unfortunately for me we also decided that we should shoot the slide as well - after taking advice from the children I chose to go down on a mat - bad mistake - I nearly came out half way down and at the end produced a somersault effect that experienced gymnasts would be proud of! Needless to say once was enough and I headed back to the warm pools.
Our accomodation in Waitomo was unusual - a ship moored in a field. It really was quite unusual except that is was close to a plane and a train which were similarly sited out of context adjoining the field.
The caves in Waitomo are famed from their Gloworms and black water rafting so we duly went underground to view them. This involved forcing (some more than others) ourselves into wet suits and using inner tubes to navigate
The ship
With plane and nodgemobile also in view the pitch black caverns of the limestone caves - the caves were impressive with the glowworm effect were really pretty as we floated along. Every now and then we were also treated to a waterslide or waterfall to enhance the expereince. The kids were particularly interested to learn that the glow was created from the glowworm poo.
The Nodgemobile rolled on and our next stop was Taurangi on Lake Taupo, via a kiwi house - how weird these little birds are - nocturnal and so small - also strange that the New Zealand Air Force also uses this flightless bird as one of their symbols.
A great few dasy in NZ - we loved the countryside which at times resembled Wales, and the lack of people - everywhere we have been has been surprisingly quiet despite the summer season.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.22s; Tpl: 0.015s; cc: 10; qc: 53; dbt: 0.049s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb