Rotorua Duck Tour

---

Rotorua Duck

We're still alive! And we're still here in Rotorua. Hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas; we had a lovely day despite the rain - so much for the BBQ on the beach!

Steve is building up his helicopter flying hours and has managed to hold a hover for a good 30 seconds without his brain exploding from over exertion! He's having his ups and downs with it, and it's not 'plane' sailing, but it's gradually taking off ... and he keeps getting a lift from it.... some days his head is in the clouds.... :-D

It's camp-tastic here at base-camp Blue Lake. There are kids and boats and bikes and tents and BBQ's covering every inch of this campsite. There's a queue to use the toilets/ showers in the morning. Gone is our peaceful idyll! Gone are the days when we were the only campers on the site, with just the twittering of the birds and the buzzing of the bees to wake up to. Now it's a cacophony of snoring, farting, kids screeching, babies crying, loud music, beds being inflated, cars towing boats, and people laughing and having fun (rah! how dare they enjoy themselves!).

The Kiwi summer holidays started when the schools broke up for summer around 20th December; we were lucky to secure a pitch for the Christmas and New Year period as absolutely everywhere is booked up. And I thought the campsite receptionist was messing about when she took a sharp intake of breath, shook her head, and said, 'we're fully booked over Christmas, our regulars book 12 months in advance for the summer holidays'. Then after much page flicking and wincing, 'hang on, you might be lucky, pitch 90A has had a cancellation.'

Phew! We got a pitch! ... a pitch on a hill... but nonetheless a pitch we can call our own, or so we thought until the world and her wife and dog and children decided to use it as a thoroughfare. But hey, it's Christmas! Let's drop the mini territory wars and be merry with our fellow campers! Come through! Walk right across! Take a good look inside the van while you're passing! Bah humbug.

So, to escape the madness of the campsite we decided to head off into town and do something touristy for a change. We had a trip on the Rotorua Duck, a 1942 World War II amphibious landing craft. After equipping tour passengers with a plastic duck each to blow duck noises at people in the streets, we explored the city highlights and landmarks before heading out to the lakes area for a 'splashdown' into lakes Tikitapu (Blue Lake, by the campsite!) and Okareka.

.... I've thought of a good use for my duck-noise maker... tonight in the campsite while everyone is sleeping! Bah chuffin' humbug!

---

Photos

Stage for New Year's Eve Concert
... reckon we got that man's attention with our duck blowers

Float Plane Landing on Lake Rotorua
'Does anyone know what Rotorua means? Quack your duck if you know the answer'.

Government Gardens
... game of bowls anyone?

The Prince's Gate, Rotorua City Centre
... all made out of wood...

Comments

[Wynski]

Duck Blower
Firstly,Happy New Year to you both,and hoping you had a fab Xmas.Obviously warmer in Aus !!Keep enjoying your brilliant adventure in 2008.Now,about the duck blower,i would love one,and am willing to swap one for a few drinkies down under,when we liaise.That lake looks fantastic guys,and all that fresh air like Penarth !!!!!Be lucky,and be safe x

[EVO]

HAPPY 2008 LICH AND JOOLS, Sounds like your still having a fab time. can,t believe you been out of the job over a year already. People still talk about you!!!!! HONEST. You must really miss it . with all the boring things you got to do now! Crack on with the chopper lessons. Is it more than 2 levers and a horn? take it easy both .....EVO