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Published: January 15th 2007
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New Year in the North
Well as I had 4 days off for the New Year break I thought I would head up to the far North. This also worked out as my friend Ros was arriving into Auckland on the 30th. The Friday at work was fun as we headed out for lunch at the pub and then I got to leave early as I was catching a plane up to Auckland.
I took the airport flyer bus and headed off round the bay. The bus takes forever to get to the airport as it visits most of Wellington but as I wasn't in a rush I was happy to just sit there and think about the 4 days when I wouldn't have to be in the office. Even got a bit of Lonely Planet read.
The flight was uneventful, which is amazing as it was leaving from Wellington which can be hairy sometimes when the wind gets under the planes wings. Sometimes I think the planes are actually going to flip over. We got in the air, the stewards threw a pie at us, and then we landed.
Catching a shuttle to my hostel was also interesting as
they take everyone to their homes and hotels. I was the last one to be dropped off and had been in the van for over an hour. The driver stopped at a shop and randomly asked me if I wanted an ice cream! I was polite and declined. I was still reeling from the pie on the plane.
I was staying that night in the Brown Kiwi hostel. This is a small villa in Ponsonby, a very posh and expensive suburb of Auckland. I was sharing a room with two guys who I didn't see as they came to bed after I was asleep and were still dead to the world when I left next morning! This is the weird way in some hostels. I had a walk before bed and looked out over the fabulous skyline that is Auckland at night. The Sky Tower looks amazing when lit up.
In the morning I caught the bus into Auckland and wandered about looking at things I couldn't afford to buy.
The Bay of Islands
Ros arrived at 1pm and we picked up our hire car, a Toyota Yaris! Yeah felt like I was back at home. We started
Ninja Welly and Bear visiting all the important landmarks
Waitangi is where the treaty between the Maori and the English was signed. the mammoth journey up north. I honestly didn't realise how far north we were planning on heading but after a long, long, long time we arrived in the village of KeriKeri. We were staying here as we wanted to be near the beach but everywhere was jam packed due to the holiday weekend. The hostel we had chosen was lovely though. It was set back from the road surrounded by trees and all the rooms were off a large courtyard type thing. The owners were two lovely ladies who provided us with duvets, (very girly pink with Disney characters on) and baskets with plates and other essentials. Kind of felt a bit like being at boarding school! There was however a trampoline, of course I had a bounce, and some hammocks which Ros enjoyed.
We headed out that night to see the sights of the local town but after three minutes had established that nothing was open so headed to Paihia. This is the 'Big" place on the coast. It was heaving with backpackers all hoping for a fun New Year. We found a lovely little restaurant where we sat outside and watched the world go by. I was much
impressed by Ros' ability to stay awake due to the fact she had just arrived from the UK.
We headed home and were in bed by ten. Much I think to the disgust of our roommates, three Argentinians named Maria!
The next day dawned bright again so we headed back to Paihia and spent much of the morning on the beach. I smuggled a bottle of wine (Sav, they call it here, I prefer Sauv) onto the beach and watched the guys playing rugby. They play rugby everywhere here.
After a picnic lunch we headed off in the car on a frightening off road trip to the pretty little bay town of Russell. Most people get there by ferry and now I know why! It was gorgeous in Russell and there was no shortage of fine specimens of manhood. The 4 Square is definately worth a visit.
After falling down a hole, I always seem to find them, we headed back via the long route. Ros blamed her jet lag, I think she has been away from Geography for too long! Back at the hostel most people had moved on to Pahia as it was v.v.v. quiet in Kerikeri, however
being the old ladies that we are we stayed in. We met a nice German man who we shared our wine with and played a few rounds of pool. There were a couple of families staying in as well so at midnight we had a few people to wish happy new year to. I had a bounce on the trampoline and looked at a few fireworks and then we were straight to bed. Honestly there is no stopping me!
Our last day in the bay took us and the German guy back to Paihia and then to Waitangi, where the treaty was originally signed between the English and the Maori. I posed Welly on the sign and took a few piccies. He is much more photogenic then I am!
We then started the mammoth trek south, stopping to buy some organic fruit, they produce loads of it in the bay.
Hours and hours later we arrived in Rotorua.
Rotorua
This was my third trip to Rotorua and I really like the place. It may stink, the thermal pools are incredibly wiffy, and it may have the look of a Las Vegas strip mall but I think it has
a good feel to it. We were staying at a theme hostel. The new owner of Cactus Jacks had only had the place a week so things were a bit all over the place. However it had cool murals on the wall and when spruced up I imagine it will be a great place to stay.
We headed straight to the Polynesian Spa and spent about two hours in the hot pools. Ros' new bikini was an instant hit and we chatted to a girl who had spent two years working in Doncaster! Small world. After Ros nearly passing out from too long in 40 degree hot pool we went to the local 'Amazing Thai' restaurant, name of the place not description. The food was good but the service terrible.
On the second we had the morning to kill before starting the final leg of the journey. We decided to visit the thermal springs and Maori village. This was well worth the entrance fee. The geysers were impressive and the bubbling mud very cool to see. The best part though was the Maori concert. Their singing filled the Marae beautifully and the dancing and haka were beautiful and powerful.
Geyser in Rotorua
Took this in Sepia, think it makes for quite a good mood shot. I especially liked the stick throwing. It reminded me a little of the part in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang when Dick VD is dancing with the Morris dancers at the fair. Although this was a wee bit more impressive and you didn't cringe the whole way through at the dodgy cockey accent!
We left Rotorua at lunchtime and drove down to Taupo where we jumped out of the car, looked at the lake and jumped back in. We purcahsed some new cds as we were fed up of the two we had in the car and sang our hearts out all the way back to Welly.
So that was it, our little road trip finished. Four days were we covered a lot of KMs and saw some more of this beautiful country.
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