Blogs from Bay of Plenty, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania

The last day of the Grand Tour was always planned to be a quiet one compared to the places we have been to over the past 3 weeks and 2 days. And the cold weather that arrived last night was probably going to mean that it would be an indoor day too. Although our motel was on the corner of a busy intersection we weren’t troubled during the night with traffic noise. So it seems double glazing or some other noise reducing construction material had done the trick. We were not due to fly home to Tauranga until just before 7pm tonight so have a few hours to fill in and it is just as well that we arranged to retain the rental car for another day as it would have been a miserable day going ... read more

15 to 18 November Time is running out for Jenny’s Visit and we are grateful to Maree and Paul, who we met in Cambodia last year, for entertaining us and showing us the delights of Whakatane and Bay of Plentry. Breakfasting on poached eggs fresh from their chooks we set off with Maree and explored the town and harbour of Whakatane ( for those who aren't in the know a WH is pronounced like FF) ...the sun was shining as we whizzed around visiting Ohope, Opoktiki with their delightful small museums and a newly built Maori community centre. And all the time stunning scenery , coastline , spits, beaches hills and mountains . Don’t we just love all the place names and trying to pronounce them !! Lots of places begin with Wai which means water ... read more

18th November I booked 2 nights at the campsite, so no rush this morning. I plan to walk today, in two minds as to walk the base trail or attempt the summit. First things first, breakfast, tea and washing on. Have a shower, wash up and tidy van whilst waiting for the washer to finish. I really cannot bring myself to use the tumble drier on such a sunny day, so hang the washing up around the van. Settle in with a book, the washing is soon dry. Make a sandwich and then head for a walk around the base track, should take 45 minutes. The track was fairly flat, so no problems apart from the bit, about two thirds around, where there had been a landslide and they built steps around it, so 4 flights ... read more

Blog 25 Tauranga, New Zealand, April 8 ,2018 – Weather forecast: partly sunny in the morning; light drizzle in the early afternoon; back to partly sunny at sunset; temperature 17°C, wind 7kts (3 Beaufort) Today’s port of call was once the site of fierce Maori wars, but now it is a peaceful city in the heart of kiwi fruit-growing country. Tauranga is situated on the western side of the Bay of Plenty. Captain Cook entered this bay in 1769 and after charting the coastline he named it in honour of the number of thriving settlements of friendly Maori that he found there. Since the port did not have a dedicated cruise dock we were at the pier alongside cargo vessels loading the local produce. On our excursion today we met Charles, a Maori elder, in his ... read more

We spent the first night at the Papamoa Beach Resort in the Bay of Plenty, weather wasn't great so we moved along to Whakatane. Okay, they pronounce the WH like we would PH, I can't say it without giggling. We stayed Friday night and are booked for Saturday night as well at the Awakeri Hot Springs, about half an hour drive from Whakatane (haha). We drove to Awakeri for supper last night, fish and chips for $8.00, a 6 pack of Hagen beer and a bottle of wine. We shared a beer, went to the hot pool and were asleep at 9:30. The hot pool is great, warm and the water is so soft, like a baking soda bath. Off to Whakatane (haha) for the Saturday market and a bunch of Christmas things.... read more