Blogs from Gisborne, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania

Hi guys! I think it's time to update you about the last month... I actually don't know where to start (as always) buuuut first of all I have to tell you that I was the happiest person on earth when I saw Pierre again. I have to admit that I was nervous when I picked him up from the airport but as soon as he came through that security door my worries were gone within a second. We spent the first night in Akaroa, where Pierre fell asleep at 7:45 p.m. lol. The day after we drove to Christchurch as I had to get new tyres. From there we drove to Lake Tekapo, the Mt. Cook and the Clay Cliffs in Omarama. Even though I've seen these places before they were still astounding and breathtaking. After ... read more

Hoping that Christmas treated you all well and that the New Year arrived with a bang. We had a great time with Amy, Jeremy, Holly and Ella as well as Warwick and Pam, Sarah and Brad and their 3 young ones, Honor, Taj and Emerson. The kids were so excited on Christmas eve and enjoyed writing notes to Santa on the driveway to ensure that he knew where to stop. In the morning they were up and about early and when let into the room that Santa's foot prints led to there were screeches of delight. A good brekky after wards, and then presents from Parents, Aunts and Uncles and of course Grand Parents. Great fun with lots of laughter. Christmas dinner was fantastic and by the end of the day we of course were as ... read more

Gisborne, NZ -from the Oosterdam Another beautiful day, this morning in Gisborne. The moon was still visible in the morning sky and the chaotic buffet lines have become orderly and smooth. The eggs Benedict were perfect and I prepared for the tender to shore with plenty of time. The tender ride to town took 30 minutes, but the ride was smooth. It is a small town, quite a contrast to Auckland from a couple of days ago. The banks of the river are lined with palm trees and walking paths. Gisborne has proclaimed itself “the city where day begins” because of its proximity to the International Date Line. This is where the first celebration of New Year’s Day takes place. The city enjoys an average of 2,200 hours of sunshine each year. On an historic note, ... read more

Wow - Napier really is the Art Deco capitol of the world. Totally destroyed by a massisve earthquake in 1931, they rebuilt the city in the Art Deco style and they love it! We were greeted on the pier by a little Austin of the period (license plates "Whatho") and when we got into town, there were 3 or 4 more period cars, complete with owners in matching clothing. Just walking around the city, put you totally into that time period. But it was also the first place in NZ that we saw a Starbucks. In the afternoon we visited a Maori family marae (tribal center) and were blown away by their sharing of their way of life and pride in family history. They gave us a tradtional greeting or challenge to make sure we came ... read more

We left Rotorua early as breakfast in the hotel was 22 $ which is half our daily budget and therefore was a no no! The drive to Gisborne was slow through the mountains but the road was completely clear of traffic. We stopped at the only cluster of houses on the 150km drive and had a just decent coffee from a ramshackle cafe served by a miserable Maori woman with dirty hands...beggars can't be chosers! t was nice to get back down to the coast, lakes don't enthrall me as the sea does. Gisborne is sweet, built along the river estuary, ther are some very tidy houses and well kept public gardens. We had a great time winetasting ( 10 differentt local wines ) at the Gisborne Wine Centre but realized how hard it is to ... read more

Another fine day. Drove north as far asTolago bay. Hiked up up up to Captain Cook's Cove. an hour each way. We were tripping over sheep and lambs the whole way. Gloria says I have taken a 1000 sheep pictures. I don't think it's that many!!! It has been a nice time here in Gisborne (pop 30,000) but tomorrow we head south to Napier for one night and then on to the big lake Taupo. We will stop on the way as there are some natural hot springs in Morere. Napier is only about 2-3 hours. Some pictures from today (4) Internet is awful L... read more

Well, on Wednesday morning I loaded the bus headed for Gisborne. I first went to Rotorua and had near 3 hour layover. not to worry...I found a cafe and ordered a flat white and an early lunch. I had gone more than a week without my flat white and I was jonesing for one. This is not good...what am I going to go when I get home. I now have a very serious afternoon coffee addiction. The coffee was excellent and the lunch was even better...lamb stew and there was a whole heap of it! Very tasty. I sat, ate, drank and read my book. I ended up there so long that I even induldged in desert - rhubarb crumb cake and a 2nd flat white. I'm seriously loosing it! Then, I headed back to the ... read more