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Good Morning All,
It's been an exhausting week here in New Zealand as well as social!
We hopped across to the north island on the ferry, 3 hours long, on Tuesday afternoon, which got exciting when someone jumped up and shouted that they'd just seen a dolphin so we (along with the whole boat!) jumped up and low and behold there were dolphins jumping in and out of the water, it was like being in Titanic!! Upon arrival in Wellington, we walked about 700 miles more or less from the station to our hostel, during rush hour, before arriving and collapsing! After dinner and a bit of tv we headed to bed as i have developed a problem by which i wake up before 8 every morning so was ready to crash!
Wednesday morning we headed over to STA to get all our fiji vouchers and reciepts before going to civic square and the City Gallery to take in some art and the cafe! One exhibition invovled us lyin on the floor in the pitch black watching a video and the screen was in a giant tyre device, all very relaxing! We walked along the waterfront with again
incredible weather before heading over to the main attraction Te Papa National Muesum. We headed straight for the earthquake simulator, reading all the facts along the way, in a way its easy to forget how active New Zealand is in terms of earthquakes, volcanic activity etc because it's never at the centre of the news. We walked in 'Bush city' which could be literally the rainforest beacuse you literally can't see the city your acually in. After spending a couple of hours in there including looking at Maori Art we went back to the hostel where as we were eating dinner in walked 2 girls who i went to school with, one of whom i'd bumped into in Bangkok as well! We went down to the bar with them for a bit as there were $4 drinks!
Thursday morning we headed back to the station, aka the 700 mile walk, before spending most the day on a bus. Luckily after about 4 hours just as we were getting bored the bus driver popped on Notting Hill and we were easily amused! When we arrived in Rotorua we were greeted off the bus by a friend of Libby's who she
worked with at the pub before she came away. We had something to eat in our incredibly empty hostel- we had the dorm room to ourselves- and the kitchen and the tv lounge and so on! Then we went to meet her and her camper van buddy Rob at the Pig and Whistle! As they had an early morning the next day we were home just gone 10 and went to sleep in our private room!!!
Friday was geothermal wonderland day, we set and alarm for 830 on the basis we wanted to go to Wai-o-Tapu to see the Geyser erupt at 1015, however after eating and going down to reception we discovered the shuttle bus left 5 minutes ago so instead we went to the thermal village where people actually live which involved at 40 minute walk there. When we got there some areas were out of bounds as there was a funeral going on so we went to see the welcome show which involved singing and dancing (and attempted participation which everyone seemed to refuse!) we managed to maintain a straight face throughout before heading out to wonder around the geothermal sights and inevitable smells! The geyser
there erupts a few times a day but we weren't willing to sit the whole day there so wondered off to view the mud ppols which looked incredibly tempting to jump in! We went back to the hostel late afternoon to grab a take away which was our treat to ourselves after so long of cooking for ourselves and to watch some films, the 2 girls from school were also staying at this hostel so we watched a film called fear which terrified us all!
Saturday morning we were up and out bright and early to meet my Granny's cousin, Robert, 80 odd who lives an hour away. He has an amazing amount of energy as we struggled to keep up. First stop was Saint Faith's Church where a window of jesus looks like he's walking on water. Robert has the ability to talk to anyone about anything and indeed does so, which led to a lot of information from the caretaker about prince andrew's visit! Next on the intinery was the buried village that has been excavated following the eruption of mount tarawera in 1886. We wondered around taking in the sights before doing a waterfall walk which
has to be the steepest thing in the world, yet Robert kept up the pace with us! We went to the lake viewpoint to see Mount tarawera before going to Waimugu Volcanic Valley, the woman there let us have 2 for the price of 1 when Robert explained we were travelling and short of cash and then he ended up paying for himself. The walk takes you along various craters, hot springs and geothermal activity until you reach the lake, the walk's about 4k and we stopped for a picnic along the way. The highlight apart from the random streams of vivid colours and bubling water is the inferno crater which is the brightest blue ever seen. The whole area became geothermal following the 1886 eruption. The other highlight for us was a small possum just sitting along the path, completely dazed (poisoned we think) but as there are way too many of them here we moved on. On the drive back to Tarunga where Robert lives we went to a set of waterfalls, while he waited in the car, which was doubly interesting as there were people rafting over them! We made it back to his with enough time
to dump our stuff and head out to meet his daughter and grandson, some distant relations of mine, for dinner which was lovely.
Sunday morning and we were up early again to squeeze in as much as possible before our bus to Auckland! Robert cooked us a lovely big breakfast without letting us lift a finger, as people treated him so well when he came to visit various family in the UK so thanks for that! After making a picnic lunch again we headed over to pic up his daughter and went on another tramp to see the BIGGEST TREE in New Zealand (ok the 2nd biggest but it was a very big tree!). They're both incredibly knowledgable about all the plants and trees. We went into KatiKati to see the murals which depict the towns history. Then it was time for us to hop on our last bus journey of the entire trip (we hope!) and head up to Auckland before going to Ngaio's who is a friend of Lynette's who we stayed with in Brisbane! By complete coincidence Mike, Lynette's Husband was also hear for a quick drink which was nice! since it was Sunday night it
was book club so we headed in to join in the talk which wasn't actually too much about the book!!
Today we're having a day of rest and reorganisation before heading to Fiji on thursday morning we need to rearrange our entire bags and rest because tomorrow we're going to stay with Thelma, Robert's Lady Friend for 2nights which will no doubt be exhausting as it appears 80 year olds are!!
Lots of love xxxxxx
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mum
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keeping up with Robert!
Love the idea of 85 year old Robert leading the way and you both shattered keeping up! He is amazing, no doubt. Sounds as though NZ has been fun with a few friends to meet up with, too. Photos look beautiful as expected, must try and get there sometime-altho fitness training required before meeting up with Robert. Take care, last leg of epic journey approaches. Love m xxxx