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Published: April 1st 2008
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So its been 2 and a half weeks in the Land of the Long White Cloud and its been an action-packed, whistle stop tour of the North Island so far, with another few days to go before flying down south or maybe getting a job, but more of that later! Been totally blessed with the weather, stunning bright sunny days, 22-26 degrees, for the whole time, mind you they do say the sun shines on the righteous! So first update on week 1 activities! we arrived in Auckland, Thurs 13th, and found our way to the city garden lodge, a kind of retro-hippy backpackers lodge, slightly shabby but charming at the same time; seemed everyone else staying there was german! Friday was the first proper day in NZ to wander about Auckland, a buzzing vibrant city, but much more chilled than the frenetic HK! Took a ferry across the harbour over to devonport, a classy seaside suburb, and a wander round the city, taking in the atmosphere.
Saturday picked up the camper, otherwise known down here as a 'road maggot' from up near the airport and headed out of Aukland via the Puhinui three-day CCI horse event. It happened
Auckland
arty boat and rainbow! to be cross-country day so got my fix of horsey-related fun sat in the sun, watching the great 'Toddy' storm round in his bid for Olympic qualification. Wandered round the trade stands sussing out opportunities for work, then over to the lorry park to see if i could blag some work with any of the eventers there!
Drove down to the Coromandel peninsula to park up for out first night in the camper, in a nice little site right by a trickling stream.
Followed the pacific highway, looping round along the stunning coastline, through Coromandel town to a gorgeous site, Long Bay, right on on the beachfront, literally a few metres from the shore. Had an idyllic evening watching the sun set over the sea with a chilled glass of NZ reisling, falling asleep to the sound of the waves lapping gently at the shore-bliss!
Next day wound up over the ridge to the West coast, stopping at Whangapoua to walk across one pretty stunning beach and over the rocks to the beautiful, secluded and deserted New Chums beach for the first swin of the trip in warm, crystal clear waters. Headed on down the coast, through rolling hills,
Puhinui 3 day event
The great mark todd in action to Heihei and the marine reserve of Cathedral cove, with its impressive archway. Another great campsite at Heihei, just over the dunes from yet another stunning white sandy beach.
Tuesday dawned another sizzler, and headed down the final section of the Cormandel coast before trekking back up to AUK to pick up sis. Stopped at hot water beach on the way, for a paddle in the thermal springs that rise up through the sands, but crazily busy, especially after New Chums bliss! drove back through the impressive Karangahake gorge, and via Paeroa for the first bottle of L&P! (Lemon and Paeroa, an NZ favourite originating from Paeroa, kinda like lemonade!)
Wednesday, was a long drive down south, 'en famile', passing through Hamilton and the horsey area of cambridge, then through seemingly endless pine forests, down the eastern edge of lake Taupo, finally arriving in the Tongariro National park. Parked the camper, know known as 'Betty britz' at Whakapapa village, by the tumbling river.
Up bright and early on Thursday to attempt one of new Zealand Great Walks- the Tongariro crossing. Dropped off at the Mangatepope valley (1200m), and headed up through the track in the morning mist
to a steep and b****y knackering climb to the south crater, a bare and harsh moonscape type area. By this time we'd gone above the cloud level, and walked in the bright sun. Followed the route up past red crater, and decided that the extra side track to the top of Mount Tongariro didn't look to bad, and was ideal for a lunch spot! Actually proved harder than expected, and after a well-deserved sarnies came back down past the emerald lakes, passing occasional vents of sulphur,; across the central crater and up the the blue lake, before the long winding descent back down the mountain the ketatahi hut, and down through bush and forest before wearily reaching the carpark, after 9 hrs and 21.5km of walking!!!!
Stopped at the nearby Rotoairia lake to cool the aching feet and check out the quality walkers' sunburn!!
Friday was a leisurely wander round Taupo in the morning , then a visit to the tumbling rushing bright blue frothy water of Huka falls. Absolutely sweltering heat as we wandered round the craters of the moon in the baking sun, yet more steaming geothermal activity!
Drove down to Orakei Kerako and spent the afternoon
sat by the lake chilling and watching some awesome jet-skiers do jumps and tricks!
So thats the first week of action, week 2 and photos to come in next entry.....
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