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Published: February 10th 2008
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Hello all. Hope you''re all well and sitting comfortably. Here's our last update from NZ North Island and it's been a fast and furious couple of weeks.
Since the last blog our first stop was Waipu where we had an excellent adventure in the Glowworm caves. Just us and our wind up torch wandering through subterranean streams past stalactites and strange stacks and pillars. When we turned the torch off the ceiling was like the night sky, with thousands upon thousands of tiny glow worms glittering in the dark.
We had a very nice weekend in Leigh with Noddy & Rebecca and then headed to the Coramandel via Auckland.
The Coramandel is rightly famed for its beauty and we did come across some very picturesque scenery. Drove all the way to the top of the Peninsula (along gravel roads) to Fletchers bay and went for some great walks in the bush and along cliff tops with some breathtaking views of secluded bays.
On the way back down we stopped at Hahei for a couple of days to visit the Coramandel's best known attractions; Cathedral Cove and Hot water beach.
At Hot Water Beach, 2 hours either
Where's Tina#4
Cathedral Cove side of low tide it's possible to dig a hole in the sand and release Carbon Dioxide from below the sands. Because the CO2 is being released under pressure it reaches a temperture of 65 celcius. Mixing this with just the right amount of cold sea water gives you a lovely turkish bath on the beach. Although you do need to get the mix just right or you end up getting your extremities burnt (!)
Cathedral cove was another lovely walk through native bush to a stunning bay with a huge archway in the limestone outcrop. See photo. We also had a snorkel in a local marine reserve.
After a forgettable night in Tuaranga (Don't ask) we headed inland. First stop was Matamata for the obligatory tourist snap at Hobbiton (As seen in Lord of the Rings films). We are fairly sure that some of the locals were used as extras in the film as there were some very strange loooking people about.
Next stop was Rotorua, the geothermal capital of NZ. Lots of boiling mud, geysers and hot steam and the ubiquitous smell of "bad eggs". Had a great afternoon riding the luge down the mountainside
Matamata
Gollum/Smeagol and Daren but who's who? (Little go-karts that go flying down winding mountain tracks).
Stayed at a stunning camp-site and enjoyed swimming in the clear blue mountain lake waters.
On the way between Rotorua and Lake Taupo we stopped off at Kerosene Valley, which is a natural hot water spring. It's a bit strange to jump into what looks like a normal mountain spring and to discover that the water is actually 38 celcius. Enjoyed being pummelled by the waterfall and it was just like being in a jacuzzi but in the middle of a forest. Also paid a visit to Waikite Thermal baths.
At lake Taupo we decided we needed a bit of an adrenallin injection. First off we went on the Huka Falls Jet Boat. Plenty of 360 degree spins and close encounters with passing canyon walls and overhanging trees and finally a few spins around the falls.
Next day we decided to jump out of a plane at 12,000 feet. Yes, Tina fulfilled her wish to do a Skydive. Falling from 12,000 feet gives youy approximately 45 seconds free fall. 45 seconds may not sound a long time but try screaming for 45 seconds and you'll appreciate how long
Huka Falls
"Jet"................."Jet" it really is. To be honest, it's not as bad as a bungee jump but the worst bit is definitely the part where you have to sit on the doors edge dangling your legs under the plane in an attempt to make a 'banana' shape with your body. It certainly doesn't feel natural to then jump out!!
For an all over work-out we then headed to Tongoriro National Park and undertook the Tongoriro crossing. The crossing is a 7 hour walk/mountain climb up, over and around volcanic mountains, craters an lakes. The mountains were particularly spectacular. So much so trthat they were used in Lord of the Rings films as Mount Doom (very apt it turned out) and Mordor.
The day of our crossing started at 5 a.m and we were at the start for 5.50. the driver who dropped us off warned us of 50kmh winds with gusts of up to 70 kmh and warned us to be careful when crossing the ridges "cos if you get blown into the volcanoe, you're dead!".
Suitably reaasured, we headed off into the teeth of a gale. For 2 1/2 hours it was a battle just to keep upright
Tongoriro Crossing
Brrrrrrrrrrrr - Note the ice forming on the sign and to stop from frezing (temperature was -3c) and we couldn't actually see a thing as we were enwrapped in a cloak of swirling mist and cloud. At this point we both felt that we may have made a mistake in attempting quite a tough climb and walk in horrendous weather. However, just as we reached summit, the clouds magically parted to reveal emerald green mountain lakes and gorgeous viistas of the mountains all around us.
We completed the walk down off the mountains in brilliant sunshine. Strangely, the walk down was harder than the climb down and a couple of days afterwards we still have aching calves. managed to do the whole crossing in just over 6 hours.
The last couple of days have been spent in Wellington. Went to the Blackcaps (NZ) versus England one day cricket match yesterday. The less said about that the better. It was very disappointing to witness England put in such an inept performance against a very mediocre NZ team. We left before the ned as it had become too embarassing and the Kiwis around us were having to much of a good time at our expense.
Anbyway, thats a
Craters of Doom
descending towards lakes just as the clouds part brief synopsis of what we've been up to. Hope it all makes sense. Tomorrow we catch the ferry to the South Island and we'll head slowly down to Kaikoura for some whale-watching. Let you know next time if we spot any.
D&T
A few things that have made us laugh and will always remind us of New Zealand
1) "Fush and Chups" Kiwi pronounciation
2) Hokey pokey ice cream (Some say it's honeycomb some say it's caramel)
3) Waikikamukau and the wopwops (Pronounced why kick a moo cow )
4) Whukapapa (Town in Tongoriro NP - Wh in moari is pronounced as an F )
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Brian & Rosemarybeja
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Congrat's on your intrepid journey.
Great to see you did the Tongariro Crossing and experienced the changeable NZ weather. When you tackle Mt. Cook in the South Island suggest you take the right equipment and preferably have a qualified guide, we loose quite a few Tourists each year on Mt Cook. Great pic's, keep them comiing. Love from your Antipodean Uncle and Aunt.