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Published: August 13th 2007
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Maori Concert
Luckily, we were both big and ugly enough to fit right in! Kia Ora!
After a "wonderful" 24 hour journey from Singapore, including a sleepover at Brisbane Airport. Can't say it the greatest nights sleep of our lives, but it was kinda cool to have almost an entire airport lounge to oursleves. We arrived into Auckland full of the joys of Spring, which were quickly dampened by the chills of New Zealand Winter!! I boarded the plane in Singapore wearing shorts and a T-Shirt, a decision I immediately regreted once we hit fresh (I mean fresh!) air. Headed over to the car rental desk and managed to obtain a funky little Toyato Yaris. We spluttered, kangarood and stalled our way to Auckland within 2 1/2 hours. This would be good if Auckland city centre wasn't just 20 minutes (max) away!! On the bright side, we got to see the "scenic" routes earlier than we expected!
Checked into a decent little backpackers guesthouse near to the city centre, and got straight down to the important business of dinner. Donning as much cold weather gear as we could find (which wasn't much, given we had come from 35 degree countires), we took a stroll through town to find a restuarant. Walking down the
road we were cold, wet, sniffling,tired and hungry; just like being back at home. Apart from the British weather, the thing we noticed most was that we were now just one of the crowd. It's kind of strange not to have scores of people trying to sell you souvenirs or ask you into there bars. I was mildly disappointed to be just another chump again! Had an Italian meal then dragged ourseleves to bed. Didn't get up to much in Auckland this time round, but were coming back at the end of our New Zealand tour.
After a cold nights sleep we rose early to get on the road in our "Danmobile". Before this we visited a local "discount" store to stock up on winter supplies. Ended up with enough gear to trek Everest in! The agenda for the day was a journey south to Waitomo caves. Amazingly, we didn't get lost - Even with Lucy on map duty! If you knew how bad Lucy was with maps, you'd understand what an achievement this was. As you'll read, the map reading skills soon faded!!
Waitomo caves are a group of caves open to the public to marvel and
Buried village
Thinking of putting in an offer on this place! exlore. There's dozens of different tour options you can take, but, pushed for time, we just decided on taking the "Glow Worm" tour into the main cave. Overdressed and excited, we joined our group down into the depths. The Cave tour was really good; the guide seemed to know his stuff and provided plenty of Maori background and humour. The finale of the tour was a pitch black underground boat trip, which allowed us to see the worms in all their glory. Its one of those sights that has to be seen to be believed; well worth the long drive. We were supposed to spend the night at a hotel near the caves, but decided to make up some time by driving to our next location early. Another 3 hour rally took us to the small city of Rotorua, famous for its Thermal Springs and lake district (and its sulphourus smells!!)
First night was spent at Hennessy's Irish Bar devouring some craking pub grub and a "couple" of cheeky drinks. Sadly, we had missed the local Irish band, who had played the night before 😞
Rose early ready for a day of Thermal discovery! Our first port of
Green Lake
I'd turn green at the site of us 2!! call was the Thermal Wonderland at Wai-O-Tapu, not too far form the city centre. Arrived just in time for the daily "release" of the Lady Knox Geyser (natural fountain). Each morning at 10:15 they "help" the geyser to erupt by adding......soap powder!! Not sure about the science bit, but it seems to do the trick; the Geyser spurts water up to 15m for about an hour!
After this we set out on a walking tour of the Thermal area. In a word, Wow!! The whole place is a collection of boiling ponds, steaming mud pools, waterfalls, multi-coloured rocks and lakes. Nethier of us have ever seen anything like it in our lives; except maybe in Sci-Fi films. In fact, you could be forgiven for thinking you were on the set of a star trek episode. One of the sights is called "The artists palette", which just about sums up the place; totally amazing and somewhat sureal. One negative point though, the sulphur stench take some getting used to (even if you're used to my smelly feet like Lucy is)! However, similar to Thai elephants, this gave an excellent opportunity to disguise personal flatulance!
After the excitement of the
Thermal Baths
mmmmmm, Boiled Lucy for dinner! Thermal wonderland, we changed pace and visted the Waikite Valley hot springs. Here you can unwind in hot mineral baths and generally relax in peace and quiet. Our peace and quiet lasted until an over zealous Japanese family showed up, and we decided to scarper!
Drove back to the city for our final agenda item for the day, a brisk city walking tour. Trotted around a few average sites and then stumbled across the city Park (Kuirau Park). It's kind of like any other park, with grass, trees and ponds. Except, this park also has smoking rocks and 70 degree water and boiling mud pools! Can safely say, I havent been to any park like this in Birmingham. Finished the day with another delicious pud meal at the locally famous "Pig and Whistle" pub.
Next morning and were up at 8am ready for a more cultural days events. This started at "Te Whakarewarewatanga o te ope Taua a Wahiao" (try saying that when your drunk!), where we were introduced to loads of Maori culture, as well as the traditions involving the use of natural hot water in the area. The Villagers still use the water to bath and
Blue Lake
As seen from the buried village. cook with. Then we had the delight of a Maori Music and Dance show, including the infamous "Haka" (Aka Kiwi Rugby Dance). This was very entertaining, until the buggers picked me out to join them on stage! As usual, I rose to the challange and performed admirably. I also rose to the challenge of a traditional Maori Hangi (dinner) too!!
Afternoon events included the "Buried village" at Te Wairoa. The village was buried following a huge Volcano eruption 100 years ago. Our guide for this was hilariously keen, even managing a couple of Maori songs on his guitar! The village itself was interesting and the scenery around the place was first class; especially the views of "Blue Lake".
Completed the day at the "Lake District" Area of the region. As the name suggests, this is where you can see some Lakes; think the English version but bigger! Many photos later we headed back to town and completed the day at Rotorua's own lake, where we hired a peddle boat. Niether of us quite got the hang of the stearing, but had fun nether the less. I'm sure I overheard one of the Kiwis saying, "look at this pair
"L" Plates
Oh no - were gunna craaaaaaa....... of British berks"!
Saturday morning, we packed up at 8am and got on the road to Wellington. Knew it was going to be a hellish long drive, so penciled in some stop offs points. Visted Huka Falls, a semi-famous waterfalls just south of Rotorua. Also took a walk around "The Craters of the moon", another thermal hotspot which resemble moon craters. Drove through Taupo town to see its huge lake, but the weather at that point didnt allow for a stop off! Grabbed a well deserved lunch at a seaside town called Napier. Napier is famous for its Art-Deco Architecture and seaside Cafes. Left Napier and hit the road for the final leg down to Wellington.
Arrived, exhausted, at our hotel after a grueling 10 hours on the road. To be fair, 2 of those 10 hours were spent just in Wellington trying to find the god forsaken hotel!! Feeling aggrivated from the journey, I decided the best course of action was to have a few alcoholic drinks and head to bed.
Didn't feel up to much the next day, so we just walked around town then visited the National Museum and the Wellington Cable Car. Museum
Wellington Cable Car
So busy taking pictures of scenery that I missed the dam cart!! was an excellent place for children - which is why we enjoyed it so much! Took us 2 hours to find the Cable Car stop; we're not to good at finding things lately!!
Today (Monday), we boarded the North to South Island Ferry over to Picton, where we'll be starting our South Island journey. The scenery from the Ferry was breathtaking and it was a welcome change to be a passanger, rather than the driver, for once! Stay Tuned for the Southern half of our Kiwi Adventure!
Dan and Lucy
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Big J
non-member comment
Awesome
Best blogs ever!!! I'm now convinced you must have a ghost writer, maybe J.R.Hartley?