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Published: November 30th -0001
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Kiwi country!
Quiz: New Zealanders are call Kiwis because: a) of the Kiwi bird b) of the Kiwi fruit c) of the Kiwi shoe polish d) none of the above e) all of the above
Just to clear up the historical details, most folks call people from NZ Kiwis, but I bet few know the real story, I’m guessing. It’s not because of the Kiwi bird and not because of the Kiwi fruit, which is actually an African gooseberry. It all started in 1906. A Scotsman invented a boot polish, while living in Melbourne, Australia. He then opened up shops in New Zealand. He married a NZ lady, who sadly died before he got his business up and running. In her honor, he named the shoe polish Kiwi, a brand everybody knows. From all this, how did New Zealanders come to be called Kiwis? New Zealand soldiers fought in WWII and used the Kiwi boot polish. It became very popular and other soldiers started using it and people knew it came from the New Zealanders. Soldiers from other countries started calling the New Zealand soldiers the Kiwis and it has stuck. So, there you have it, feel smarter now?
Back to our journey. We made a relatively calm transition from Fiji to NZ, except for the rather extreme temperature change. Despite the short flight, Air Pacific feeds one a real meal, complete with wine. Not sure what else first class could do for you. Upon arrival in Auckland on the North Island, we went through several lines, the final one being the bio-security, where they took my little ham sandwich, while thousands are boldly dragging drugs into America - I think we need to become an island and things would change.
We had hoped to arrive in daylight to ease into the new driving pattern, but the flight had been changed, so Dan jumped right in driving from the airport to the city center in the dark in the rain on the left side of the road. Trying to read street signs was a challenge, but we made it to the Hyatt. A cute touch was the china cups and saucers for one’s tea! Once again, the fanciest spot charged for internet and breakfast-big time, but we were staying using points, so it wasn’t so bad. Lovely facility.
The next morning we took off for the
Coromandel Peninsula
Just a bay on the way. Coromandel Peninsula, a very picturesque area. We took a drive which cut through the mountains of the peninsula. Despite the cool temps and some morning rain, we made it to Cathedral Cove, a lovely beach area where we were able to take some walks. The views of the protruding rocks in the bay and small islands made for a lovely setting. The roads coming and going, however, were never straight for more than twenty feet. The areas along the road weren’t too flat either, but that sure didn’t stop the sheep from cruising all over the steep hills for lunch.
Finally got to a town called Tauranga-again in the dark. After trying to find a hotel-things are not neatly placed along the highway as we are used to, but this is not Kansas anymore. Finally found an Officer Friendly, who directed us to a general hotel area. We ended up at a place that used to be a Best Western, but was kicked out of the club, I believe. Their cute thing was providing a small carton of milk for our tea, just no china cups this time. Came in handy for our cereal in the morning. It was
Coromandel Peninsula
Just another view in the rain. a broadening experience, which is what this is all about I guess. The owner was very nice and let us use his internet connection for free. The heat consisted of a little unit he set in the middle of the room-a little different than usual again and probably displeased those Best Western inspectors.
We took off for Rotorua and the bubbling mud puddles and geysers we had been looking forward to seeing. More winding roads, but an interesting tour once we got there. We learned a great deal about the Maori settlers and their heritage. Actually saw a Kiwi bird, which is tricky since they are nocturnal, but they have a habitat set up for viewing. Then, it was off to the bubbles and geysers. A mere 5 meters below the town there is geo-thermal activity (hot water) and without the geysers, life would be dangerous. The steam comes out and the mud bubbles bubble at a boiling temperature-only one of twelve geysers in the world and the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. Our guide demonstrated how the natives used plant fronds for weaving ropes and clothes - made from the flax plant. Dan was the lucky recipient of
the sample, which will serve as a bookmark. We had to boil it for an hour to make it acceptable for export, however. Also took a cable car ride to the top of a hill overlooking the city and the lake.
We then drove around the east side of the largest lake on the North Island - Lake Taupo. Ended the day in Turangi-trout capital of the world, which doesn’t ring our bell, but we stayed in a lovely lodge. Had dinner that night down the road, in the middle of nowhere, really, right on the lake amid their vineyard.
We’ve been pretty fortunate with the weather, actually, considering we are in the middle of winter here. As long as it stays fine, meaning no rain, no complaints, really. And Dan no longer presses the windshield wiper lever when he wants to use the turn signal - says he was just checking to see it still worked. Keep left is one of our favorite phrases, along with ‘give way’, especially when entering a round about, of which there are many.
The next day we headed to Tangariro Mt. Park, the crossing Marc tried to conquer if you
read his blog. The weather wasn’t much better as we approached. We stopped at a French chateau built by some politician almost a hundred years ago which is now an exclusive hotel. Onward and upward we went into the clouds. Being of volcanic origin, the terrain here is quite different-scrubby grasses and lots of volcanic black angular rocks, which give way to just bigger angular rocks. We were directed to a car park near the ski area and hopped on the shuttle. Despite the more than discouraging conditions, the place was packed with week-end skiers-lots of families all bundled up to play. We enjoyed the views, limited by the cloudy conditions, for a bit and then headed back down. Tangariro scores 2 and we humans still zero, I guess.
At this point, we decided to just head to Wellington, where we needed to be to catch our ferry to the south island. The drives are always interesting due to the greenery scenery-palms all over the place-strange looking trees and cattle and sheep clinging to all sorts of semi-vertical landscape casually munching away. Arrived in daylight and decided to stay in one place for two days. So, being the local
culture hounds that we are, we checked into the Intercontinental by the harbor-back to china cups for our tea! Rested up a bit and then visited the Te Papa Museum, a six-level, interactive exhibit of New Zealand history. Too much to absorb in a few hours, but quite well done. In the afternoon, despite-surprise again here-rain, we took the cable car up the hill to the Botanical Gardens, the trees and plants of which were worth the soggy walk. Good thing, because the famous Rose Garden was on winter hiatus, despite what we were told. Walked back down for a snack and then took advantage of our Jacuzzi tub to warm up and get ready for an early morning to catch our ferry to Picton on the south island.
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M&K
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Brave lady
Great pics - such bravery on the swaying bridge at the Botanical Gardens! We're having rain here too, and we're lovin' it.