We had a great flight over from Australia.  We somehow had got the emergency row seats so we both had lots of leg room – it was unfortunately that the flight was so short so we didn’t get the full benefit of the extra space.  We are hoping that we might be lucky enough to get the same seats on the way to Hong Kong in a couple of months.

 

We arrived in Auckland and the sun was shining – apparently for the first time that day, and we headed over to pick up our camper van – we have nicknamed it ‘Tinny’ as it is old done 360,000 Kilometres and sounds very tinny!!!  It is small but seems to have everything we need.

   

 

We found Mike and Gail’s house with no trouble and had a lovely welcome from them.  They haven’t changed a bit since leaving the UK 16 year ago.  They have a lovely house with views over the sea in Howick in East Auckland. 

 

Our first full day in New Zealand – Gail took the day off and we went on a guided tour of all the sights.  We introduced Gail to geocaching and she found her first treasure just round the corner from where they live, a second geocache was found up the hill at Stockade Hill.  We then left the geocaching behind and went to One Tree Hill – which disappointingly no longer has a tree – a Maori activist cut it down and a new one has not been planted.  From there we went to Mount Eden where we saw the huge volcanic craters and had great views over the city.  The weather wasn’t great but at least it did not rain.  After that it was Mount Victoria, then North Shore in Devonport and then finally from Mission Bay to St Heliers.  Gail walked us fast, up and down mountains (hills) for the whole day – it was great. 

 

 

   

    

The following day was spent on Waiheke island which is to the east of Auckland.  We took the ferry from Auckland to Waiheke which took about 40 mins, then took a bus tour round the island.  Our guide was great, very informative and he knew his stuff.  He took us all over the island.  On thing we spotted during the tour was a little boat with wheels on it.  Apparently you drive your boat on wheels to the water and launch your boat and pull up the wheels – what a brilliant idea – these boats are called Sealegs and they have been designed and built in New Zealand.

 

After the tour he dropped us off at Stoneridge Vineyard where we had lunch and did some wine tasting.  One of Bob’s wine cost $500 a bottle – no we did not buy any!  It was nice but not that nice!  We had a lovely lunch – it was a pity the days weather was not the best but it wasn’t raining.  After lunch we had a look round the little town of Oneroa and visited the art gallery.  Here we both decided that we would become artist as the pictures were rubbish but they were asking a huge amount for them!  In the evening we all went out to Bollywood their local curry house and had a delicious curry.

 

 

The following day it rained all day.  We sorted out the van ready for the trip and made plans on where we were off to. Then Gail took us to her favourite Cafe Shamrock Cottage here in Howick.

 

 

 

We are off on our travels again.  When we left the sun was shining – within an hour the wind was blowing and the rain was lashing against the windscreen!  What we have noticed straight away is the driving here – it is dreadful.  They overtake when they shouldn’t, they drive up into your boot and they are so impatient – we think they don’t like camper vans too much!!! Here in New Zealand they really like their Coffee hot strong and available in lots of places – here was one place we noticed…

 

 

We headed to Hahie hot water beach – by this time the rain had stopped and the sun had come out but the wind was still blowing a gale.  We had misjudged the tide and we missed digging a hole in the sand to sit in the hot water – to be honest it was too cold to get into our swimming togs and sit on the beach today.  We did see some others madly digging away whilst the tide was coming in and then the sea would fill their holes.

 

After our first lunch in ‘Tinny’ we headed to Cathedral Cove.  We had a 45 min walk down to get onto the beach – when you get there there is a through cave from the beach to the sea – Cathedral cove. 

   

It was a good walk to get us moving for the day.  In the evening we headed for a free site in Cooks Beach where we shared the site with another van – we didn’t find it too cold at night!

The following day was our 28th wedding anniversary.  After having a chat with the couple next door to us who gave us a bit of advice on where to go that day – we headed to Waihi.      We had a peek at the gold mine – Martha’s mine in the town.

 

Then we went down to Karangahake Gorge.  The gorge is absolutely gorgeous (sorry about the pun).  We went on a walk here called the Windows walk where it followed the disused ore cart track and then every so often you had a little window to the world.  Stunning scenery.

 

For the evening we went to Waihi beach RSA – we were told we might be able to park there for the night.  When we got there we found a nice large bar and big restaurant for our anniversary dinner.  When we asked about camping there the night we were told that officially we should be members of camping NZ but they said we could park and don’t tell anyone!!! 

On Sunday morning we headed to Waihi town to the Baptist Church were we had a nice welcome.  We are finding people here are not as welcoming as Australia and people don’t talk to you on the streets and in shops as in Oz – we are finding it quite weird – which is also weird as no-one at home talks to anyone on the street!  After church we drove to Mount Maunganui.  Phil did the walk round the base of the mount and we saved the summit for the following day.  A trip to the local Thermal Hot pools was the evenings entertainment which was lovely.

 

   

Monday morning we walked to the summit of the mount.  It took 40 mins uphill and we were both puffed but pleased when we got to the top.  The views of the town and sea were great from the top.  The route we took down was much nicer and scenic, the sun came out and it was nice and warm.

 

Tuesday we headed for Rotorua.  We headed for Te Puia a cultural and thermal place. 

 

Firstly we were welcomed by the Maoris’ and invited to watch their cultural show.  It was really good, with singing, dancing, sticks and poi’s.  the ladies were taught how to use the poi’s and the men were taught the Hakka.  It was very good. 

 

After that we were welcomed again by more Maoris and then taken on a guided tour of the park.  The tour was informative and interesting.  Luckily for us the Pohutu and Prince of Wales Geysers were erupting when we went past.  It is amazing how this happens – the smell is not great (bit like bad eggs) but it was fascinating.  Whilst watching the geysers we sad on the rocks nearby and they were boiling hot too.  Lots of the ground surrounding was steaming.  We also visited the traditional village and the weaving and carving centre. We both had a very enjoyable day and were pleased we had chosen that one to visit.  We ended the day in the camp ground hot thermal pools – very nice.

    

Wednesday we spent going up and down Mount Ngongotaha.  firstly we went up on a gondola, came down on a zip wire, back up on a chair lift and then up and down on a luge.  The zip wire was great – we both enjoyed that.  At the end of the zip you could take a leap of faith and go down another 30 feet but stepping backwards off a ledge and free falling for 10 feet then a braked line for the rest of the way.  Phil got to the edge of the step but had to back out when she couldn’t let go!!!  Bob did it but found it harder than he thought it would be.  The luges were like go-carts but on power just the gravity taking you down.  We had great fun racing down the side of the hill in these and took both the intermediate and advanced routes to the bottom.  

 

 

 

Again the ended when we sat in the hot thermal pools in a different camp ground this time!  A great day was had by both of us.