Blogs from North Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 11

On my recent road trip to Auckland I stopped at the amazing Smash Palace. What is Smash Palace? And why does the name sound familiar to you? It is an auto repair business. It is a museum. It is a car graveyard. It is a place that has featured in New Zealand films: "Smash Palace" (I can hear it all falling into place for you now), the original "Goodbye Pork Pie" and "Hunt for the Wilderpeople". This is an absolute must see if you are travelling through the central North Island. It is north of Raetihi. Keep an eye out for the sign as you need to turn off SH4 and travel a few hundred metres to get to the entrance. The museum costs $10 for an adult and $5 for a child. I had my ... read more

A satisfying seaside stroll awaits on the doorstep of Wellington's central business district. Large areas of the once-busy waterfront were left idle by the change to more efficient container shipping. Clever planning and considerable investment have restored these wharves and cargo sheds to provide a spacious and entertaining seaside reserve - just for pedestrians. To walk at the water's edge and enjoy magnificent views of the harbour, cross to Queens Wharf on the City to Sea Walk Bridge, which features large Maori carvings. Restaurants, apartments and the Museum of Wellington City and Sea now fill this area's gracefully functional historic buildings. There are a number of interesting memorial plaques and artworks worth viewing. Http://www.heygo.com... read more

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16km north of Patea and 12 km south of Hawera is a rest area at the bottom of the Manawapou Hill. To the left of the rest area is a locked farm gate with a stile next to it. Climb over the stile and you will find yourself on the old Ingahape Rd which closed many years ago, but is still sealed so is perfect for walking on. Follow it for 1km and you will arrive at the Manawapou Viaduct. The viaduct is impressive and well worth the easy 20 minute return walk. The hardest part is getting over the stile! Along the way you will be amazed at how quiet and peaceful the walk is. Apart from a few birds, there is complete silence and it is wonderful. It is hard to believe you are ... read more

After my last blog, "Memories,Sydney 1990", I was very pleased to learn that we were expected to travel in mid 1991 to England to attend the wedding of Di's brother Tim, to Lucy. I certainly wanted to experience more overseas travel so what an excuse. Plans were made. Extra holidays arranged so we could be away for 6 weeks. Plans on how Chris and Amy were to handle 6 weeks with out parents. Then the conversations with other family members re flights, accommodation, how to get around England etc. Then discussions about all the various places we would like to include in our tour. Exciting times. As Diane acts as my "travel agent" on most of these trips I can just agree or discuss the wishes of what we both would like to do. So on ... read more