Final legs - Auckland and Bangkok 27 March to 3 April 2011

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27 March. Today was another damp start but heading south down the SH16 we stopped for a couple of hours at the excellent Kauri Museum at Kaiwakao. This was well worth a visit as it illustrates in grand and sometimes graphic style the history of sawmilling in this area from about 1830 to 1965 as well as some beautiful pieces of work made from the Kauri wood. From here we pressed on south and ended up at a lovely campsite on the coast at Muriwai. This is set in one of 26 regional parks around Auckland and offers good value for money, a lovely location, free wireless internet (best reception in the laundry/tv room!). The beach is popular for surfing and para sailing and they have a resident colony of gannets on the outcrop. It was so quiet and restful we slept in quite late. The next day we carried on south through Auckland to another Regional Park called Ambury. This is just 10 km from Auckland airport so a good place to stay first or last night. It is a working farm with a variety of animals and the campground is massive with fine views over the water. By day it is a popular destination for families. There are good walks along the coastal footpath and bird hides to spot the many varieties of birds found here. There is no electric so it was ‘free’ camping tonight (actually cost $10 cheapest so far and arguably the best location)
29 March. Today we moved down to another Kiwi site in Auckland which was no closer to the airport than last night’s but had better facilities (at a a price). So we were able to do our laundry, sort out our luggage and generally just have a relaxing last day and night before leaving New Zealand. Marina had been bitten by some nasty unknown thing and the bite had become infected so needed treatment at the local clinic. There was also an opportunity to donate my crutches (which I had been carrying with me for some weeks) to a local hospital.
We spent the last night with two folks from Ohio America who had been touring for 3months in an old van they had purchased with a guaranteed buy back price – a cheap way of doing it provided you do your homework on the dealer! We set off the next morning dropping our own camper van off and caught our flight to Sydney this time declining the offer of a wheelchair. Our connecting flight to Bangkok left and arrived pretty much on time. Our taxi driver wouldn’t stop talking once we asked the question “do you speak English?” telling us how everything in his life was a “big problem” from the price of fuel to the demands of his daughters for clothes and education. The Hotel Indra Regent was very comfortable and predictably very efficient. We had a late breakfast before going off on our tour of the temples and City. The temples were magnificent especially the Reclining Buddha but what impressed us particularly was the speed and efficiency that the local touts produced badges with our photographs printed on them even between entering and leaving the temple! We visited the famous Gem Factory and bought some ruby and diamond ear rings for Marina. Then we went to a ‘respectable’ tailor to get me measured for a suit. Jacket and tow pairs of half lined trousers plus 6 tailored shirts and two ties for the price of a half decent off the peg suit from M & S and made and fitted within 48 hours!!. We found a lovely Thai Restaurant opposite Tony’s Tailors and had an excellent meal for £10 all in!. Then back to our hotel to catch up on some sleep. The next day we set out on our pre-arranged (the day before) trip with Mr Art taking in a visit to the River Kwai Museum, River Kwai train ride, buffet lunch, a visit to the Tiger Temple (mixed views on this one - is it a sanctuary or commercial exploitation (www.tigertempletruths.org/simpleviewer/web/index.html)
Then a journey back through some of Thailand’s beautiful countryside for final measuring for Tony's suit. The final day involved a haircut for Tony (yes its true) in a backstreet barbers (£2 and very thorough, although never in a rush), a walk around some of Bangkok’s shopping centres, a skype video call to Laura, Neil and Ethan and a traditional Thai dinner and dance before setting off for the airport to catch our final flight home to good old Blighty!
In summary a marvellous experience – so many memories that will stay with us for years. But even so we are glad to be back in England safe and sound!
Footnote. (oops)- local podiatrist concludes that problem is definitely not planar faciitus after all but probably the way I walk and insoles and better shoes required. So ends the mystery but it confirms my belief that you should always go to a specialist instead of a generalist when it comes to specific requirements

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Photos

Tirinaki Visitor Centre
Well worth a look - the views alone are stunning

Tony (and) the Tiger
Tiger Temple Kanchanaburi. Preserving or exploiting?

Marina and Tiger
Tiger Temple Kanchanaburi. Preserving or exploiting?

River Kwai trip
Ist class carriage included a metal table and a cushion

River Kwai trip
Buffet lunch at Wang Phu where our driver met us

River Kwai trip
Station at Kanchanaburi - also the interesting but sad River Kwai Museum

Ambury Regional Park
A working farm and education centre plus caravan and camping and bird sanctuary

Anbury
Sunset over Manakau Harbour