When we arrived in Taupo Sue took us to the Hukka Falls which was very different to the other falls we've seen. This is a long stretch of rapids and then the water drops in the falls. There was a boat approaching from the falls end which reminded me of 'Maid of the Mist' in Niagara falls.
5 of us then decided to take the 2 hour walk from the falls along the river and back into Taupo. Half way along there was thermal springs so we took our shoes and socks off and went for a paddle in the 'boiling' hot water. Ali and Neil had brought their swimwear and were able to sit under the small water falls of steaming water.
It was a long walk back into Taupo but as we came around the corner the view was breathtaking - Taupo lake is massive - it's as wide and long as the eye can see and it's set with a backdrop of snowcapped mountains - simply awesome (again)
After an icecream, Jenny and I caught a taxi to Debretts spa where we bathed in the hot mineral pools and then had a full body massage.
Sue picked us up at 4.15 and then it was a long drive to the ski lodge at Whakapapa (fackapapa) where we're staying for 2 nights. It's in the mountains and the drop in temperature significant - it's bizarre this afternoon we were bathing in the sun and now it's wrapping up warm with hats and gloves to keep warm. Saying that thought the lodge is well heated and well equipped for all the skiing and snowboarding if it takes your fancy.
The 'Takahe' team cooked tea tonight - they served up salad nicoise followed by spaghettis bolognese. We were well impressed as the kitchen here is tiny and is used by all those staying here - for once we were in the kitchen before the Japapese!.
Today is Saturday and we were up early ready to catch the shuttle bus to the mountain ski place. I put on as many layers as I could and the New Zealand beanie hat that I bought yesterday and we all huddled into the mini bus. I had thought about taking the beginners skiing lesson but by the time I hired the clothing and paid for the shuttle bus and the lesson it was well over 100 pound so we decided to take the scenic pass and just take a look at the mountains from the top. Anyway we arrived there and it was 1 degrees up there so blooming cold, bought some extra gloves as my driving gloves really didn't do the job and then discovered that the Scenic lift wasn't running due to weather conditions.
It was still spectacular to see the mountains that close but the weather started to close in so Jenny and I consoled ourselves with a cup of hot chocolate and then caught the shuttle back to the lodge. Hence this is why you have an early update and more photos.
We'll see if the weather lifts this afternoon and will go for a walk if it does.
All for now
Sue.xxx
Friday, 26 September 2008
Friday - Te Puia
Today we leave Rotorua but stopped at Te Puia on our way. It's a Maori centre with a kiwi nocturnal house, mud ools and 2 geysers - again the sulphur smell is strong. It was a struggle to see the kiwis in the nocturnal house, so we walked on to the geysers. We were there about 10 - 15 minutes thinking this is just a load of rocks blowing off lots of steam, when I saw a small eruption of water. I called to the others to come see and then the geyser started to gather momentum. It's called the plume of feathers and it certainly lived up to it's name. The water grew higher and higher - an awesome sight.
There were paths you could sit on but not for long as they were really very hot.
Saw a replica of a Maori village and boat.
The mud pools just sit there bubbling away and this natural phenomenon is amazing that mud is at boiling point
A good start to the day on route to Taupo.
More tomorrow hopefully
Love Sue. x
There were paths you could sit on but not for long as they were really very hot.
Saw a replica of a Maori village and boat.
The mud pools just sit there bubbling away and this natural phenomenon is amazing that mud is at boiling point
A good start to the day on route to Taupo.
More tomorrow hopefully
Love Sue. x
Thursday, 25 September 2008
Thursday - Rotorua
Had a lie in today as we didn't leave the backpackers until 9am.
Rotorua is not what I expected - I thought there would be lots of Moari traditional things and history but it seemed to be a non descript town.
I walked with 3 of the girls to the Government gardens and then along the lake where there were lots of birds including black swans. The gardens were nicer than the town and had wood carvings hot springs dotted here and there and the information centre near the gardens was a really impressive building. In rotorua you can smell the sulphur as you drive in - pretty powerful.
We're staying in Trekkers - backpackers and I must admit it really clean , well-equipped and comfortable - though saying that I had a bad nights sleep as some people were really noisy last night.
I popped into the Polynesian baths, which has lots and lots of mineral pools where you can go and laze for 2 or 3 hours but it was getting late so I didn't feel I had enough time to indulge. I did spend some time in their shop though as every product had a tester so I smelled quite nice by the time I left.
In the evening we went to the Mitai which is a cultural village and the locals told us about their traditions, demonstrated some of their skills with weapons, sang and performed the Hakka. They were scantily clad uin loin cloths and tattooed bodies. We had a 'hangie' which is food cooked on hot stones.. They lay the stones on a bed of firewood, light the wood - place the food in 'containers' and lay them on top of the stones, cover them with soil and then cook them for 3 and half hours. Apparently whether they cook for 30 or 3000 - the cooking time is the same.
There was lamb and chicken, potatoes (baked, scallops and sweet)with salads I'd never tasted before followed by chocolate cake, trifle and fresh fruit salad. The food was superb and you could go back for as much as you could eat.
Afterwards we walked through the bush and saw the gloworms, listened to stories of their ancestors and watch the pools bubbling up through the sand.
A real good and entertaining time and a nice end to the day
Rotorua is not what I expected - I thought there would be lots of Moari traditional things and history but it seemed to be a non descript town.
I walked with 3 of the girls to the Government gardens and then along the lake where there were lots of birds including black swans. The gardens were nicer than the town and had wood carvings hot springs dotted here and there and the information centre near the gardens was a really impressive building. In rotorua you can smell the sulphur as you drive in - pretty powerful.
We're staying in Trekkers - backpackers and I must admit it really clean , well-equipped and comfortable - though saying that I had a bad nights sleep as some people were really noisy last night.
I popped into the Polynesian baths, which has lots and lots of mineral pools where you can go and laze for 2 or 3 hours but it was getting late so I didn't feel I had enough time to indulge. I did spend some time in their shop though as every product had a tester so I smelled quite nice by the time I left.
In the evening we went to the Mitai which is a cultural village and the locals told us about their traditions, demonstrated some of their skills with weapons, sang and performed the Hakka. They were scantily clad uin loin cloths and tattooed bodies. We had a 'hangie' which is food cooked on hot stones.. They lay the stones on a bed of firewood, light the wood - place the food in 'containers' and lay them on top of the stones, cover them with soil and then cook them for 3 and half hours. Apparently whether they cook for 30 or 3000 - the cooking time is the same.
There was lamb and chicken, potatoes (baked, scallops and sweet)with salads I'd never tasted before followed by chocolate cake, trifle and fresh fruit salad. The food was superb and you could go back for as much as you could eat.
Afterwards we walked through the bush and saw the gloworms, listened to stories of their ancestors and watch the pools bubbling up through the sand.
A real good and entertaining time and a nice end to the day
Wednesday, 24 September 2008
Wednesday - Waitomo
Set off for Waitomo and half an hour into the journey Sue says 'Would you like to see some AUstrian art and take a toilet break' Well in Kawakawa the toilets are quite unique. An AUstrian artist named Junderwasser decided to create an unusual styled toilet - pics will eventually be on the skydrive. It's a bit like a coffee place in Austria that Ceri and I stopped at a couple of years ago.
We also passed a Maori cemetary which is set on a hillside - there is a hierarchy in where you're buried. If you're a high achiever it's at the top of the hill if not....
At night I understand it's an incredible sight too as there are solar lights that shine on the hill in the evening.
Everywhere on route is so green - there are rolling hills for miles and miles with plenty of cattle and sheep. The pink blossom that lines the roads remind me of back home in England.
When we arrived at the backpackers in Waitomo, we dumped our stuff and then set of for the Gloworm caves. Another unusual sight in the caves of thousands of gloworms hanging from the ceiling which looked just like fairy lights. Sorry - no pics as you're not allowed to take any photos in the caves.
That's all for today folks - more tomorrow
Love Sue.
xx
We also passed a Maori cemetary which is set on a hillside - there is a hierarchy in where you're buried. If you're a high achiever it's at the top of the hill if not....
At night I understand it's an incredible sight too as there are solar lights that shine on the hill in the evening.
Everywhere on route is so green - there are rolling hills for miles and miles with plenty of cattle and sheep. The pink blossom that lines the roads remind me of back home in England.
When we arrived at the backpackers in Waitomo, we dumped our stuff and then set of for the Gloworm caves. Another unusual sight in the caves of thousands of gloworms hanging from the ceiling which looked just like fairy lights. Sorry - no pics as you're not allowed to take any photos in the caves.
That's all for today folks - more tomorrow
Love Sue.
xx
Tuesday, 23 September 2008
Backpackers
Tuesday night we stayed at the 'Mousetrap' backpackers which is nothing like I'd imagined. I shared a room with Ali and it was clean and comfortable. The house is huge with lots of space and nautical knick knacks everywhere. There are several bathrooms and kitchens, a huge lounge with comfy sofas and a log fire - it's a real homely place - I have my bicardi and coke, good company - the 'Kiwi' team are cooking tea and I really feel at home.
There are 13 of us in the group
Greg (student who lives in Canada) and Sara a vet from Cornwall (they're a couple)
Ali - teacher and her daughter from Shropshire
Claudia from Germany
Vicky from Kentish town London
Jenny - a solicitor from Brighton
Neil from Edinburgh who works for HBOS (small world)
Lisa who's in retail from Wellwyn garden city
Wayne who's on crutches as he came of a bike while on hols and is from Newcastle
Catrina who's a safety adviser from Kerry in Ireland
And of course Me and Sue the guide - it's a really good mix of people
Wednesday is a 7.30 start as we're off to Waitomo
Place names are strange here 'Wh' is pronounced 'F' so Whakapapa sounds like 'Fackapapa'
I'm cutting this short as my time is running out but will log in again later and write some more.
There are 13 of us in the group
Greg (student who lives in Canada) and Sara a vet from Cornwall (they're a couple)
Ali - teacher and her daughter from Shropshire
Claudia from Germany
Vicky from Kentish town London
Jenny - a solicitor from Brighton
Neil from Edinburgh who works for HBOS (small world)
Lisa who's in retail from Wellwyn garden city
Wayne who's on crutches as he came of a bike while on hols and is from Newcastle
Catrina who's a safety adviser from Kerry in Ireland
And of course Me and Sue the guide - it's a really good mix of people
Wednesday is a 7.30 start as we're off to Waitomo
Place names are strange here 'Wh' is pronounced 'F' so Whakapapa sounds like 'Fackapapa'
I'm cutting this short as my time is running out but will log in again later and write some more.
Monday, 22 September 2008
Bay of Islands - Day 2
Woke to calm waters and serene surroundings. After breakfast they started the boat and we sailed to Roberton Island where we were to spend the morning.
It was named after the Roberton's who owned the island and one day the husband went out to see and never came back (usual story) ANyway the widow hire an Englishman (who drank too much) and a Maori - Makitoo. Now the Englishman used to mistreat Makitoo and 1 day Makitoo took his revenge and killed him. The widow told him that it wasn't a good idea so Makitoo burned the house down with her and her daughter inside. Her son ran to the cliffs where Makitoo threw him off. Now the surrounding island knew what was going on as Makitoo had lit such a big fire and came and arrested island. To cut a long story short they hung him and he was the first person to be hung in New Zealand - there - a lit bit of history for you.
We also went to the lookout point where we could see all the surrounding islands for 360 degrees. I collect a few shells on the beach, sun bathed for a while and then had lunch.
Back to the boat and set off on route home. Was sitting on the back of the boat admiring the view when the bell rang and everyone ran to the back of the boat where there were a pod of 8 dolphins swimming alongside of us. They stayed with us for about 15 minutes and there were baby dolphins too. What a way to end the island trip - they were truly awesome.
Back at the backpackers called the mousetrap now. No idea what I'm doing tomorrow as I haven't read the itinerary.
More soon
Love Sue
It was named after the Roberton's who owned the island and one day the husband went out to see and never came back (usual story) ANyway the widow hire an Englishman (who drank too much) and a Maori - Makitoo. Now the Englishman used to mistreat Makitoo and 1 day Makitoo took his revenge and killed him. The widow told him that it wasn't a good idea so Makitoo burned the house down with her and her daughter inside. Her son ran to the cliffs where Makitoo threw him off. Now the surrounding island knew what was going on as Makitoo had lit such a big fire and came and arrested island. To cut a long story short they hung him and he was the first person to be hung in New Zealand - there - a lit bit of history for you.
We also went to the lookout point where we could see all the surrounding islands for 360 degrees. I collect a few shells on the beach, sun bathed for a while and then had lunch.
Back to the boat and set off on route home. Was sitting on the back of the boat admiring the view when the bell rang and everyone ran to the back of the boat where there were a pod of 8 dolphins swimming alongside of us. They stayed with us for about 15 minutes and there were baby dolphins too. What a way to end the island trip - they were truly awesome.
Back at the backpackers called the mousetrap now. No idea what I'm doing tomorrow as I haven't read the itinerary.
More soon
Love Sue
NEW ZEALAND - Bay of Islands
Well I've been in New Zealand all of 2 days and so much to say and so many pics to load but they seem to be taking an age.
As I said previously Mac and Julie have been great. I forgot to mention their 2 little dogs Basil and Linus - lovely balls of fluff. Julie even grooms other dogs so they are well groomed.
There are 12 of us in the group plus Sue our guide who's really chatty and likes a laugh. Monday - We drove in a small bus to Paihia - Bay of islands harbour where we had lunch by the sea and they drove to Haruru Falls which were very pretty.
Then we had to wait for the small boat (called the Climax) to collect us to ferry us across to our cruise boat 'The Rock' for our trip and overnight stay. The Climax was very low in the water but it was calm and so not too much stress.
Once on board we settled into our cabins and then went up front of the boat to shoot at a sitting duck (not real mam)and show our rifle skills. Guess who won the glass of wine out of the girls!! Yes me - I knew those lessons in South Africa would come in handy one day. We then did some fishing for tea - I caught 2 red snapper but most of them were thrown back as they were too small. I won a game of pool but I didn't go out for the night kayaking as you know what I'm like with water.
We had a great BBQ of lamb, steak, sausages, fish, potatoes and salad and then had a couple of drinks and listened to one of the crew playing the guitar - he was a little quiet as I think he's new and was nervous.
Off to bed (4 to a room) but slept like a log - I couldn't feel any motion of the boat and it was incredibly calm.
As I said previously Mac and Julie have been great. I forgot to mention their 2 little dogs Basil and Linus - lovely balls of fluff. Julie even grooms other dogs so they are well groomed.
There are 12 of us in the group plus Sue our guide who's really chatty and likes a laugh. Monday - We drove in a small bus to Paihia - Bay of islands harbour where we had lunch by the sea and they drove to Haruru Falls which were very pretty.
Then we had to wait for the small boat (called the Climax) to collect us to ferry us across to our cruise boat 'The Rock' for our trip and overnight stay. The Climax was very low in the water but it was calm and so not too much stress.
Once on board we settled into our cabins and then went up front of the boat to shoot at a sitting duck (not real mam)and show our rifle skills. Guess who won the glass of wine out of the girls!! Yes me - I knew those lessons in South Africa would come in handy one day. We then did some fishing for tea - I caught 2 red snapper but most of them were thrown back as they were too small. I won a game of pool but I didn't go out for the night kayaking as you know what I'm like with water.
We had a great BBQ of lamb, steak, sausages, fish, potatoes and salad and then had a couple of drinks and listened to one of the crew playing the guitar - he was a little quiet as I think he's new and was nervous.
Off to bed (4 to a room) but slept like a log - I couldn't feel any motion of the boat and it was incredibly calm.
Sunday, 21 September 2008
New in New Zealand
Hi All
Well took ages to get through check-in and customs in Brisbane airport as it was the start of the school holidays.
Ian and Judy dropped me off at the airport and I'm so glad I managed to spend the weekend with them. I'm overwhelmed by their hospitality and I know we'll continue to be in touch.
Arrived in NZ and Mac (Kath's brother) and Julie met me at the airport and took me to stay with them for the night. There home is absolutely amazing, set in woodland and overlooking the bay. Again I've been so welcomed by them and they are great people
Can't stop now as we're off to catch a boat for a cruise of the Bay of Islands
Will update soon
Love Sue
Well took ages to get through check-in and customs in Brisbane airport as it was the start of the school holidays.
Ian and Judy dropped me off at the airport and I'm so glad I managed to spend the weekend with them. I'm overwhelmed by their hospitality and I know we'll continue to be in touch.
Arrived in NZ and Mac (Kath's brother) and Julie met me at the airport and took me to stay with them for the night. There home is absolutely amazing, set in woodland and overlooking the bay. Again I've been so welcomed by them and they are great people
Can't stop now as we're off to catch a boat for a cruise of the Bay of Islands
Will update soon
Love Sue
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