Sorry didnt get to write a blog again last night or the night before. We were a little busy (or in some sense lazy).
We got up early to get to the bus station, happily we got there in time and didnt have long to wait (about the time it takes to drink coffee and each cheese toasties) before we were off to the largest volcanic eruption site on earth.
Taupo is breathtaking. If you look at google earth at the centre of the north island you will see a massive lake. Taupo is on the east side of this, just below Rotorua. That lake used to be a large volcanoe. When it exploded it was so powerful that the chinese and the romans even wrote about it causing the sky to go red and dark for several months and the temmors were felt as far back as the UK and France. Its still a live volcanoe... I think next time it goes pop we could have 3 large islands instead of 2. The lake is also surrounded by lots of smaller volcanoes that can be seen in the distance. All of them are active or dormant and are fed by the same caldera so if one goes, they will most likely all go. I am beginning to think the people who live here are actually a little insane, as pretty as it is.
Anyway, we got here on wednesday lunchtime. We found some lunch and then went up to the Du Bretts spa to sit in the mineral water hot pools. They have private pools which are varying temperatures so we wandered through those to find the temperature we liked, then we went over to the larger pools and sat in the jaccuzis. They certainly helped Faye's leg which has been complaining ever since the sneezing incident before we came on holiday. We spent about 2 hours in the pools, its not really possible to stay much longer in them without shrivelling to a prune. We got back and had a wander around town. The town itself is nothing special, just the same as anywhere else but the lake is great to walk around.
Yesterday Faye wanted to see the Huka falls. At the Huka Falls, the Waikato River which is normally 100m wide, is squeezed through a 20 metre wide gorge and over a 20m drop. Every second up to 220,000 litres of water gushes through the gorge and shoots out over 8 metres beyond to create a beautful blue/green pool.
Its pretty spectacular and mesmerising to see that much power all at once. It actually provides 15% of NZ power along the Waikato river which runs all the way to Auckland and out to see. We took a shuttle to get there and decided to walk back. It was only supposed to take an hour but Faye managed to take about a million photos on the way so it took a lot longer.
We went straight to the mini golf when we got back for a deciding round. So far I was in the lead with one win and a draw. There were 48 school kids also starting their games so we have to do holes as they became available. We started well on the 1st, then did 10th - 18th, back to 2nd and a lot of waiting around, 4th - 9th and finally the 3rd. I blame this for loosing by 3 points. The school kids we were following, cheated like crazy and one wonderful little creature decided to turn the taps on over hole 10 and create a water hazard. Im glad we did that hole first!
Our bus was late (again - roadworks) but we managed to get back to Auckland just in time for Nik to collect us and take us to dinner at Tanuki's Cave which is a Japaneese restaurant. Nik has throughout this entire holiday been attempting to broaden my pallet. So far Ive eaten Asparagus and Squid rings amongst other things, but Nik was adament that I would try Sashimi (raw fish). I have always avoided sashimi like the plague, why would anyone want to eat raw meat???! Niks mum agreed with us so we let Nik get the sashimi on the agreement that we would all try a bit. It tasted OK but I still dont like the texture and I would never order it for myself. Not when there is Katsu ar Tereaki available.
Today is our last day, Tonight we go to the airport and fly out at 1.30am on Saturday and arrive at 6.30 pm on Saturday. We've gotten up late and are milling about packing and sorting ourselves out. Hopefully Heathrow will be open and we can get home. We both miss the kitties and cant wait to see everyone. Judith told me this morning that weve had 5 inches of snow back in Wherwell so that will be fun to drive home in on Sunday. Glad I dont have a work to be in on Monday! Will do that paperwork in a nice warm house thats been piling up methinks.
Sadly we didnt get to meet up with Nigel and Lisa in Napier, but then we ran out of time. Its hard to fit everything in. We definately need to be rich enough to just charter planes everywhere then we will have loads more time. Something else to add to the goal board!
Will let you all know when we have landed safely back in Blighty. Love you all and see you soon
Tui and Kiwi xxx
Thursday, 2 December 2010
Tuesday, 30 November 2010
Sky City - Cloud Base
As expected yesterday did include a lot of laundry and massive amounts of shopping.
Today however we decided that a trip to Auckland wasnt complete without going up the sky tower. Nik tells me there is a possibly apocryphal story of the Sky tower starting its life as concrete tupe sections for a tunnel that was being built but when the concrete had been cast they discovered that they had accidentally taken the outside measurements to be the inner measurements and all the sections were two large. So instead of wasting these 28 or so sections of concrete tubing they decided to turn it into the largest structure in the Southern Hemisphere.
We took a ride through the center of it in a lift with a glass panel in the floor so we could see ourselves assending and the inner structure of the tower. I can guarantee that without at least several stiff gins there is not a hope in hell of getting mum to the top of this tower. We then went to the main observation deck that had more glass in the floor. Faye has taken a photo of me holding onto the railings before I would step on the glass whilst she wandered over them like they werent there. I will admit to a small touch of vertigo and fear at seeing nothing below my feet. We wandered around the entire platform and watched the bungee jumpers whizzing past us. We then went to the very top of the tower (past 2 restaurants) and looked down on the jumpers from above. There is also an outer ring that you can be harnessed to and wander around the edge. Faye REALLLY wants to do the jump but she wasnt allowed because her doctor told her not to, but she is determined to do it next time. I am deeply concerned that I might have to do it to. EEPS. Fortunately its not like a normal bungee, you are fully harnessed in at the waist not the feet and when you step off you remain that way up and there are guide ropes on both sides of you leading you down to a target painted cloud nine cushion below. I am still not convinced that my stomach could cope with the idea. I had enough issues just looking out of the window. In total its 328m high and we went up to 220m at the top sky deck. The view range is about 50 miles.
Niks mum Jane arrived today and so we trundled off to an indian restaurant. The chef came out especially to take our orders. Theres something about Nik and Penny that makes these things happen. Faye ate actual curry again (although neither Nik or I couldnt actually taste any spice in hers she swears it was there). Twas very nice and recommendable.
Tomorrow we have to be up and gone by 06.30 (whats the O stand for...?... good well remembered). for our coach to Taupo where we have managed to get our stay refunded. Sometimes its helpful to be terribly British and complain. So we have a free night tomorrow at one of the best hostels in NZ. According to the details they either have a heated pool or a spa or something there so that will be fun finding that out. I intend to be in it tomorrow come what may.
Time for bed now me thinks. I am going to buy smaller diametered plates when we return, I cannot keep eating this much... explosions imminent!
Love to all.
Tui and Kiwi. xxxx
Today however we decided that a trip to Auckland wasnt complete without going up the sky tower. Nik tells me there is a possibly apocryphal story of the Sky tower starting its life as concrete tupe sections for a tunnel that was being built but when the concrete had been cast they discovered that they had accidentally taken the outside measurements to be the inner measurements and all the sections were two large. So instead of wasting these 28 or so sections of concrete tubing they decided to turn it into the largest structure in the Southern Hemisphere.
We took a ride through the center of it in a lift with a glass panel in the floor so we could see ourselves assending and the inner structure of the tower. I can guarantee that without at least several stiff gins there is not a hope in hell of getting mum to the top of this tower. We then went to the main observation deck that had more glass in the floor. Faye has taken a photo of me holding onto the railings before I would step on the glass whilst she wandered over them like they werent there. I will admit to a small touch of vertigo and fear at seeing nothing below my feet. We wandered around the entire platform and watched the bungee jumpers whizzing past us. We then went to the very top of the tower (past 2 restaurants) and looked down on the jumpers from above. There is also an outer ring that you can be harnessed to and wander around the edge. Faye REALLLY wants to do the jump but she wasnt allowed because her doctor told her not to, but she is determined to do it next time. I am deeply concerned that I might have to do it to. EEPS. Fortunately its not like a normal bungee, you are fully harnessed in at the waist not the feet and when you step off you remain that way up and there are guide ropes on both sides of you leading you down to a target painted cloud nine cushion below. I am still not convinced that my stomach could cope with the idea. I had enough issues just looking out of the window. In total its 328m high and we went up to 220m at the top sky deck. The view range is about 50 miles.
Niks mum Jane arrived today and so we trundled off to an indian restaurant. The chef came out especially to take our orders. Theres something about Nik and Penny that makes these things happen. Faye ate actual curry again (although neither Nik or I couldnt actually taste any spice in hers she swears it was there). Twas very nice and recommendable.
Tomorrow we have to be up and gone by 06.30 (whats the O stand for...?... good well remembered). for our coach to Taupo where we have managed to get our stay refunded. Sometimes its helpful to be terribly British and complain. So we have a free night tomorrow at one of the best hostels in NZ. According to the details they either have a heated pool or a spa or something there so that will be fun finding that out. I intend to be in it tomorrow come what may.
Time for bed now me thinks. I am going to buy smaller diametered plates when we return, I cannot keep eating this much... explosions imminent!
Love to all.
Tui and Kiwi. xxxx
Sunday, 28 November 2010
Back to Auckland (Again), Valdereeeeee.. hahaha
Actually had a better nights sleep last night, probably because of the cider I drank. We had to be up early again to check out of our chalet. Our two friendly nurses got home at about 8am and Mel was definately worse for ware. I gave her some tablets then ran away. She said she was praying or something.. glad we didnt go out with them last night in the end. Would have probably needed bail money!
We had a fairly uneventful but pretty drive back up to auckland. We stopped for strawberries (a recurring theme with Penny) and Nik needed a power nap, it still took us 6 hours to get back. Nik and Penny had to go out to a works function with a load of doctors so Faye and I got to spend the evening watching District 9. Awesome film, ashamed I didnt watch it before. It turns out that we cannot see the cricket here so weve been keeping up with the score card on line.
Penny has just gone to bed, weve eaten our strawberries and Nik just did the strangest shuffle out of a room Ive ever seen, and Ive seen him do a lot of strange things. Tomorrow is looking like its laundry day and possibly some shopping.
Its all very muggy here and I think I need a cool shower before bed, Niks mum is flying out here today and we should see her on Tuesday for dinner before she goes on an australisian cruise, then one more trip to Taupo (the worlds biggest volcanoe) and then we are on our way back home. Cant believe its our last week already.
Love you all, hope you are all making snow men and making good use of your ice boots?
Tui and Kiwi (amazingly still awake!)
We had a fairly uneventful but pretty drive back up to auckland. We stopped for strawberries (a recurring theme with Penny) and Nik needed a power nap, it still took us 6 hours to get back. Nik and Penny had to go out to a works function with a load of doctors so Faye and I got to spend the evening watching District 9. Awesome film, ashamed I didnt watch it before. It turns out that we cannot see the cricket here so weve been keeping up with the score card on line.
Penny has just gone to bed, weve eaten our strawberries and Nik just did the strangest shuffle out of a room Ive ever seen, and Ive seen him do a lot of strange things. Tomorrow is looking like its laundry day and possibly some shopping.
Its all very muggy here and I think I need a cool shower before bed, Niks mum is flying out here today and we should see her on Tuesday for dinner before she goes on an australisian cruise, then one more trip to Taupo (the worlds biggest volcanoe) and then we are on our way back home. Cant believe its our last week already.
Love you all, hope you are all making snow men and making good use of your ice boots?
Tui and Kiwi (amazingly still awake!)
Saturday, 27 November 2010
Tonights Blog, Avec Cider
Well you got last nights blog this morning. So here is this evenings.
Today Penny had another morning of conference to do so we had to entertain ourselves. Nik had decided to spend the day meeting up with all his friends, but they all ended up being unavailable so we took a wander to the surf to see what the waves were doing. It was a mill pond. So far every bit of sea we have seen has been flat as a flat thing, no surf to be had at all and everyones saying it all happened last week. Bugger.
Instead we took a walk across the rivers and esturies. Basically we noodled about in the roasting hot sun. Sorry to hear you are all experiencing snow at the moment. Dont worry in a weeks time we will be landing in it. BOOOO.
At lunch time we picked up Penny and headed off to the shops to fix a wardrobe malfuction. Nik had packed the wrong trousers which is a bad idea for a pregnant Penny. Then there was ice cream and more walking. We took some very nice strawberries for a trip to the surf club to eat and then wandeded over to the gallery to see a new exhibition that Niks friend Bruce was filming. I liked Bruce, he decided it was a pick on Nik day and was entertaining. I also learned that a Maori Legend seems to be coming true.
There is a legend here that Mount Taranaki and (possibly) Mount Rangatoto which are two volcanoes fell out over a hill they were both dating (for lack of better terminology for two rock formations getting molten on eachother). Taranaki losrt the battle and was forced to leave the centre of the island and come to the west coast. Maori wont live between the two volcanoes just in case Taranaki decides to go back and have another dust up. It turns out, according to the geological reports that Taranaki is actually now showing signs of moving back! There is a good reason for this. Taranaki isnt actually made of rock but is made of shingle that has been pushed up. This also explains why its a perfect cone shape. As, in geological terms, its not a static rock it can bugger about as it chooses. I liked this and deicided sometimes there is method in the madness of stories.
Whilst on the beach I found the worlds best Gandalf wixards staff and took it from the beach, to give to Nik on our departure. We bought sand paper and Ive been preparing it this evening. Ive had a lot of people coming out asking me what I was up to and be impressed with my big stick LOL.
Through sanding said stick this evening Faye and I managed to pick up a pair of the Dirtiest Nurses you have ever had the fortune to meet. They were in town for the Tatoo festival and got roaring drunk with us and had some brilliantly crude stories. Michelle has a possum tatooed about her person (Posterior) and Mel as far as we can tell doesnt. They finally went out dancing at about 10pm and left us and Nik to go chat to the german kids in the next field. Thats where we have left him. Hopefully he will find his way back to his room.
Hope everyone is well and warm.
Ive got sun tan! Love you all
Tui and Kiwi (awake).
xxxxx
Today Penny had another morning of conference to do so we had to entertain ourselves. Nik had decided to spend the day meeting up with all his friends, but they all ended up being unavailable so we took a wander to the surf to see what the waves were doing. It was a mill pond. So far every bit of sea we have seen has been flat as a flat thing, no surf to be had at all and everyones saying it all happened last week. Bugger.
Instead we took a walk across the rivers and esturies. Basically we noodled about in the roasting hot sun. Sorry to hear you are all experiencing snow at the moment. Dont worry in a weeks time we will be landing in it. BOOOO.
At lunch time we picked up Penny and headed off to the shops to fix a wardrobe malfuction. Nik had packed the wrong trousers which is a bad idea for a pregnant Penny. Then there was ice cream and more walking. We took some very nice strawberries for a trip to the surf club to eat and then wandeded over to the gallery to see a new exhibition that Niks friend Bruce was filming. I liked Bruce, he decided it was a pick on Nik day and was entertaining. I also learned that a Maori Legend seems to be coming true.
There is a legend here that Mount Taranaki and (possibly) Mount Rangatoto which are two volcanoes fell out over a hill they were both dating (for lack of better terminology for two rock formations getting molten on eachother). Taranaki losrt the battle and was forced to leave the centre of the island and come to the west coast. Maori wont live between the two volcanoes just in case Taranaki decides to go back and have another dust up. It turns out, according to the geological reports that Taranaki is actually now showing signs of moving back! There is a good reason for this. Taranaki isnt actually made of rock but is made of shingle that has been pushed up. This also explains why its a perfect cone shape. As, in geological terms, its not a static rock it can bugger about as it chooses. I liked this and deicided sometimes there is method in the madness of stories.
Whilst on the beach I found the worlds best Gandalf wixards staff and took it from the beach, to give to Nik on our departure. We bought sand paper and Ive been preparing it this evening. Ive had a lot of people coming out asking me what I was up to and be impressed with my big stick LOL.
Through sanding said stick this evening Faye and I managed to pick up a pair of the Dirtiest Nurses you have ever had the fortune to meet. They were in town for the Tatoo festival and got roaring drunk with us and had some brilliantly crude stories. Michelle has a possum tatooed about her person (Posterior) and Mel as far as we can tell doesnt. They finally went out dancing at about 10pm and left us and Nik to go chat to the german kids in the next field. Thats where we have left him. Hopefully he will find his way back to his room.
Hope everyone is well and warm.
Ive got sun tan! Love you all
Tui and Kiwi (awake).
xxxxx
Friday, 26 November 2010
Heading to New Plymouth
Didnt have time for a blog last night so here is yesterdays.
We were supposed to leave early for New Plymouth so we could take the lost highway but due to a catalogue of stuff we didnt get to go that way. The catalogue of stuff was that Nik's mate from college drove into the back of his car and all but wrote it off so he had to pick up a hire car in the morning. He had also forgotten to sign his time sheets so he had to go back into college. Eventually we got going though and went into town to post some stuff and get breakfast. Although curry for breakfast will sound like a great idea to a few of you, I cannot recommend it. Unless your prepared for your tummy to be in shock for the rest of the day.
On the way down (which is a spectacular sight) we went to fruit stalls and beer stalls, stopped at an inlet to take photos of Mount Taranaki and draw sand paintings. The beach sand is black and shows up pictures really well. There were also a large number of coffee stops for a tired Nik who couldnt share the driving of the hire car unfortunately.
We finally got to the hotel that Penny was having her meeting at and took off for the Surf club to see Daisy and friends and go say hello to the beach. Nik bought us Fish and Chips yay!
Our hostel is on the other side of the town and we are in a challet. Hands up everyone who knows Faye is scared of spiders and Im scared of Moths? You guessed it, we spent an hour before bed trying to plug up every hole they could get through. Bugs, BLEUGH! Never mind, neither of us slept very well but we shall survive. Ive seen where Nik and Penny are staying in the challet across from us and Im glad I dont have that far to walk. Theres a lot of dutch and german backpackers here and one of them taught me to play the Ukulele last night. I now know another instrument!
In a little while, Nik is turning up after dropping Penny off to her morning meeting and then we are going for coffee with one of his friends and off for a surf hopefully if he doesnt decide to spend the whole day drinking coffee.
Its going to be 29 degrees today. Wharrrmmm.
See you all soon
Love Tui and Kiwi xxx
We were supposed to leave early for New Plymouth so we could take the lost highway but due to a catalogue of stuff we didnt get to go that way. The catalogue of stuff was that Nik's mate from college drove into the back of his car and all but wrote it off so he had to pick up a hire car in the morning. He had also forgotten to sign his time sheets so he had to go back into college. Eventually we got going though and went into town to post some stuff and get breakfast. Although curry for breakfast will sound like a great idea to a few of you, I cannot recommend it. Unless your prepared for your tummy to be in shock for the rest of the day.
On the way down (which is a spectacular sight) we went to fruit stalls and beer stalls, stopped at an inlet to take photos of Mount Taranaki and draw sand paintings. The beach sand is black and shows up pictures really well. There were also a large number of coffee stops for a tired Nik who couldnt share the driving of the hire car unfortunately.
We finally got to the hotel that Penny was having her meeting at and took off for the Surf club to see Daisy and friends and go say hello to the beach. Nik bought us Fish and Chips yay!
Our hostel is on the other side of the town and we are in a challet. Hands up everyone who knows Faye is scared of spiders and Im scared of Moths? You guessed it, we spent an hour before bed trying to plug up every hole they could get through. Bugs, BLEUGH! Never mind, neither of us slept very well but we shall survive. Ive seen where Nik and Penny are staying in the challet across from us and Im glad I dont have that far to walk. Theres a lot of dutch and german backpackers here and one of them taught me to play the Ukulele last night. I now know another instrument!
In a little while, Nik is turning up after dropping Penny off to her morning meeting and then we are going for coffee with one of his friends and off for a surf hopefully if he doesnt decide to spend the whole day drinking coffee.
Its going to be 29 degrees today. Wharrrmmm.
See you all soon
Love Tui and Kiwi xxx
Thursday, 25 November 2010
Last Day in Napier and how U2 made our day longer
Today was our last day in Napier. Yesterday was actually a much better day than it sounded in the blog I wrote. Having been to 4 wineries and drunk 6 different grape types at each one, I was feeling a little poorly and really didnt feel up to the job. All the vinyards were brilliant, but I think we went to the best one first. That one was called Brookfields and although its a tiny winery and vinyard they sweep up all the awards whenever they enter as their wine is so sought after. So much so that they have stopped entering as the competitors said it was unfair. We tried 5 whites and 4 reds there or some similar number. There were a LOT in quick succession. But they let us try a red thats never sold in the UK and barely in NZ as its only ever a few cases ever made. The next bottles wont be ready to drink for another 4 years or so. So we bought one to save for a special occasion. They do a gold label one as well but theres only so much I can plunder the well of HSBC.
The other wineries were good, the last one we went to was almost as good as Brookfields as they had Tom the student Wine Maker who was very good at explaining the processes to us.
After we got back to the hostel I started feeling a little ill, due mainly to the large amount of wine and small amount of lunch. We had an early night and I felt better in the morning. Before our coach back to Auckland we decided to have another round of mini golf. We needed to determine a winner after the draw yesterday and I am happy to say I won by 1 point. Although Faye got 2 holes in 1 and fluffed up the last hole conceeding after 10 shots were attempted.
The first part of our journey to Taupo (pronounced ToePore) was pretty uneventful but our second coach was 2 hours late, had some kind of IPod wars going on and kept getting stuck in traffic caused by road works and the U2 concert happening here tonight. We got off the coach finally to find Nik waiting at the terminal for us only to hear that his friend had accidentally totalled his car. We have a hire car for our trip to New Plymouth tomorrow.
Faye and I cooked far too much pasta and now we are preparing to throw Nik out of the study so we can go to bed. Its been a long day but tomorrow promises the possibility of surfing. AT LAST!!
Hope everyone is well. I introduced Nik to Compare the Merekat tonight as thats completely passed him by. Happily he enjoyed it as much as we do and it made me think of coding merekat in the office. No Im still not coming back but I do miss the merekat. :-)
Off to bed soon, New Plymouth and finally being allowed into the Surf Club awaits!
Love
Tui and (a now fast asleep on the sofa) Kiwi.
The other wineries were good, the last one we went to was almost as good as Brookfields as they had Tom the student Wine Maker who was very good at explaining the processes to us.
After we got back to the hostel I started feeling a little ill, due mainly to the large amount of wine and small amount of lunch. We had an early night and I felt better in the morning. Before our coach back to Auckland we decided to have another round of mini golf. We needed to determine a winner after the draw yesterday and I am happy to say I won by 1 point. Although Faye got 2 holes in 1 and fluffed up the last hole conceeding after 10 shots were attempted.
The first part of our journey to Taupo (pronounced ToePore) was pretty uneventful but our second coach was 2 hours late, had some kind of IPod wars going on and kept getting stuck in traffic caused by road works and the U2 concert happening here tonight. We got off the coach finally to find Nik waiting at the terminal for us only to hear that his friend had accidentally totalled his car. We have a hire car for our trip to New Plymouth tomorrow.
Faye and I cooked far too much pasta and now we are preparing to throw Nik out of the study so we can go to bed. Its been a long day but tomorrow promises the possibility of surfing. AT LAST!!
Hope everyone is well. I introduced Nik to Compare the Merekat tonight as thats completely passed him by. Happily he enjoyed it as much as we do and it made me think of coding merekat in the office. No Im still not coming back but I do miss the merekat. :-)
Off to bed soon, New Plymouth and finally being allowed into the Surf Club awaits!
Love
Tui and (a now fast asleep on the sofa) Kiwi.
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
Wineries.. hehe hic
Today started like any other day, well not really. I got up and went for a run on the sea front. We played mini golf and drew and then we went for a tour of the wineries of Napier.
We got in a luxury mini van, much like business class on a plane, and went to 4 wineries in the Napier area. The first one was the Brookfields Winery and we liked that one immensely. Then we went to three more. I lost count of all the wines we drunk but there was a lot of it. Im pretty tipsy by now and weve bought 3 bottles of wine and a bottle of Sherry and one Bottle of Port (for xmas honest). then we came home and turned on the TV and saw that there had been a second explosion at the Mine and there are no survivers. We feel very sad for the families of the miners. We met a lovely couple called Laura and Andrew and we've roped them into an idea Faye had to do the Coast to Coast walk for EdCase. So now we've got to organise that for next year.
I was going to write here a mock letter to Mr Laithwaite about the lovely wine but I dont feel like it now.
Im going to sit here and watch the news for a bit and sober up. Then Im going to have another drink in the miners honour.
I've drunk far too much today.
Love you all and thinking of you all
Archie and Faye xxxxxxxxxx
We got in a luxury mini van, much like business class on a plane, and went to 4 wineries in the Napier area. The first one was the Brookfields Winery and we liked that one immensely. Then we went to three more. I lost count of all the wines we drunk but there was a lot of it. Im pretty tipsy by now and weve bought 3 bottles of wine and a bottle of Sherry and one Bottle of Port (for xmas honest). then we came home and turned on the TV and saw that there had been a second explosion at the Mine and there are no survivers. We feel very sad for the families of the miners. We met a lovely couple called Laura and Andrew and we've roped them into an idea Faye had to do the Coast to Coast walk for EdCase. So now we've got to organise that for next year.
I was going to write here a mock letter to Mr Laithwaite about the lovely wine but I dont feel like it now.
Im going to sit here and watch the news for a bit and sober up. Then Im going to have another drink in the miners honour.
I've drunk far too much today.
Love you all and thinking of you all
Archie and Faye xxxxxxxxxx
Monday, 22 November 2010
Napier, the home of wine (Hic)
Well yesterday we took a 7 hour coach ride from Auckland to Napier on the Pacific coast. I spent the whole journey reading the rest of my Fry Chronicles book and Faye slept through a lot of it, but we did see some scenery and massive mountains and lots of hills that Faye and Nik now call Telly Tubby hills. We got into Napier at about 8pm, got our stuff into our room and then wandered two doors down to a steak house. We had something called a half rump steak which I swear was over 16 ounces. They were freeking lovely!
Today we decided to walk around Napier. Napier so far is my favourite place to walk around. Its mainly flat except for the Bluff, a massive hill that Faye made me climb. Its also the Art Deco capital of New Zealand. I LOVE Art Deco (ref love of Poirot) and theres now lots of photos of 1930s buildings and I bought stuff from the art deco store. We've spent the whole day wandering around and shopping, now my feet are sore.
Tomorrow we are going to play mini golf on the sea front before going for a wine tour to 5 different wineries. There may also be a cheese board in attendance. This place is wonderfully relaxed and I might even attempt a run tomorrow before golf.
Faye is slightly less sun burned now but her leg still feels like its falling off. And she ripped off her thumb nail this morning. I swear I am going to wrap her in bubble wrap for her own safety.
Love you all.. its about 25 Deg C here at the moment. Beautiful blue sky and I've been in shorts the whole holiday so far.
All is awesome
Love Tui and Kiwi xxxx
Today we decided to walk around Napier. Napier so far is my favourite place to walk around. Its mainly flat except for the Bluff, a massive hill that Faye made me climb. Its also the Art Deco capital of New Zealand. I LOVE Art Deco (ref love of Poirot) and theres now lots of photos of 1930s buildings and I bought stuff from the art deco store. We've spent the whole day wandering around and shopping, now my feet are sore.
Tomorrow we are going to play mini golf on the sea front before going for a wine tour to 5 different wineries. There may also be a cheese board in attendance. This place is wonderfully relaxed and I might even attempt a run tomorrow before golf.
Faye is slightly less sun burned now but her leg still feels like its falling off. And she ripped off her thumb nail this morning. I swear I am going to wrap her in bubble wrap for her own safety.
Love you all.. its about 25 Deg C here at the moment. Beautiful blue sky and I've been in shorts the whole holiday so far.
All is awesome
Love Tui and Kiwi xxxx
Saturday, 20 November 2010
Well that was a weekend :-)
First off, sorry for this being a weekend late. We've been in the land that WiFi forgot over the weekend. Secondly, HAPPY BIRTHDAY PIERS! Sorry I missed your birthday mate and I'm amazed to hear that Sharon didnt make it past two VCs and a Vino Collapso before Collapsing!
Anyway where did we get to? Well on friday we wandered down to the shore, I would say sea but the tide was out so far all we could see were mangrove trees and swamps. There were cute tiny crabs scuttling around in the mud to look at. We finally made it out of Auckland late on Friday evening after having to take Penny back into work to sort out a staffing crisis and possibly the greatest Fish and Chip based experience I have ever had. Its a two hour drive from Auckland to the Coromandel Peninsula and much of that is in twisty mountainous terrain, which was dark and foggy. We finally made it to our little green house at about 11pm and were completely wiped out by the journey. I couldnt sleep being in a random house and kept waking up in the night. Also Faye tried pushing me out of bed with her knees so that didnt help.
Saturday morning we took a drive over to Hot Water Beach. More mountains to drive along this time with lots of low cloud and about 10 meters of visibility. So if we were going to fast for the corners we wouldnt know it until we are about half way over the edge. Nik drove slowly to compensate. Hot water beach is at the base of some of these mountains with hot springs trying to force themselves up through the dense rocks, but failing. So the boiling water comes up through the beach instead. This means that if you dig (with your rented spade) into the sand a little way you can make yourself a pool of hot water to sit in and admire the view. The issue is that everyone knows about it so when you get there there are about 30 people, all with spades hunting hot water under their feet and vieing for position to start digging. It can get very silly at time Im told with people breaking the dams of other peoples puddles and walled defences and stealing their hot water. We started digging our little hole as the tide went out and our little sea defences kept getting washed away but we did manage a puddle big enough for 3 of us and 4 if we huddled. Then we met up and started chatting with a german couple called Chris and Hannah (or possibly Anna it was hard to tell with his accent). They had another spade so we made our puddle larger and invited them to join us. So far international relations were going well. Wall still continued to fall in in places. Then we got chatting to an irish group (well Nik did, hes good at that) and invited them to join our puddle. At this point the spring shifted and everyone jumped out with roasted shorts and feet. Then we got the french involved (well one VERY viking-ish frenchman) who appeared to have been created solely for the purpose of creating large sand sea defence walls and then it all just got silly. We ended up with walls so high that we had to dig inlets to let the cold water in before we were all boiled alive. It was a great deal of fun and very refreshing. And just goes to show that when no politicians are involved we have absolutely no problem with international relations.
We then wanted to do some bone carving in Whitianga (pronounced Fi-ti-an-ga) but unfortunately the shop Nik new of was closed so we went for coffee next door instead. So instead we went home to cook Bar B Que instead. Penny and I decided to go for a possible run and got to the end of the road before deciding to climb a Pa site instead (think fortefied mound like a castle mound only with terraces in the sides rather than a building on top) that the Maori used to use to defende themselves. I can see why they used them, we were able to see all the way across the town in every direction. It was positively scenic.
Nik handed in his man card for dinner and I cooked. There are many things I've learned on this holiday, some of which include my new enjoyment of Asparagus and Calimari Rings, and that it is possible to bar-b-que asparagus with pleasing results. No one died from my cooking and we even had some steak left over for our adopted black labrador May and Basement Kitten. They belonged to our hosts (next door).
Today we got up late, because we could, and decided to take a drive over to Cathedral Cove. On the way we played in rock pools and found Hermit Crabs and some strange fish, star fish and brittle star and prawns. We got to Whitianga again and the carving place was open but not for carving unfortunately so we gave up on that and headed for Cathedral Cove. If you have seen the film Narnia its the scene where they walk out onto the beach. Its just incredibly pretty and Faye made the mistake of letting Nik have the camera, there will be a lot of strang angled shots of us I am sure and he kept shouting over the beach "Work the camera baby! and other such things which was entertaining.
What cathedral cave does have is an impressively long walk up and over a large hill to reach it. Its worth it when you get there but our calves were in bits by the time we got back to the car. Fortunately we found ice cream and that made it all better. We've filmed quite a lot of the return journey because it was a bit breathtaking but I shall have to edit it as no one (even myself) wants to sit through an hour of watching a car drive up mountains.
Tomorrow we have a 7 hour drive to Napier simply so that Faye can storm a vinyard and drink their samples table dry, and I am sure it will be more stunning scenery. In fact I think its safe to say that New Zealand is the landing ground for all the pretty bits of the planet that they couldnt fit in anywhere else.
Its been a long day, despite telling Nik I wouldnt need any dinner I am hungry now so a boiled egg might be in my near future. I hope everyone is coping with the cold and the snow and that someone has dried off cornwall and put it back down safely.
Love you all
Archie and Faye xxx
Anyway where did we get to? Well on friday we wandered down to the shore, I would say sea but the tide was out so far all we could see were mangrove trees and swamps. There were cute tiny crabs scuttling around in the mud to look at. We finally made it out of Auckland late on Friday evening after having to take Penny back into work to sort out a staffing crisis and possibly the greatest Fish and Chip based experience I have ever had. Its a two hour drive from Auckland to the Coromandel Peninsula and much of that is in twisty mountainous terrain, which was dark and foggy. We finally made it to our little green house at about 11pm and were completely wiped out by the journey. I couldnt sleep being in a random house and kept waking up in the night. Also Faye tried pushing me out of bed with her knees so that didnt help.
Saturday morning we took a drive over to Hot Water Beach. More mountains to drive along this time with lots of low cloud and about 10 meters of visibility. So if we were going to fast for the corners we wouldnt know it until we are about half way over the edge. Nik drove slowly to compensate. Hot water beach is at the base of some of these mountains with hot springs trying to force themselves up through the dense rocks, but failing. So the boiling water comes up through the beach instead. This means that if you dig (with your rented spade) into the sand a little way you can make yourself a pool of hot water to sit in and admire the view. The issue is that everyone knows about it so when you get there there are about 30 people, all with spades hunting hot water under their feet and vieing for position to start digging. It can get very silly at time Im told with people breaking the dams of other peoples puddles and walled defences and stealing their hot water. We started digging our little hole as the tide went out and our little sea defences kept getting washed away but we did manage a puddle big enough for 3 of us and 4 if we huddled. Then we met up and started chatting with a german couple called Chris and Hannah (or possibly Anna it was hard to tell with his accent). They had another spade so we made our puddle larger and invited them to join us. So far international relations were going well. Wall still continued to fall in in places. Then we got chatting to an irish group (well Nik did, hes good at that) and invited them to join our puddle. At this point the spring shifted and everyone jumped out with roasted shorts and feet. Then we got the french involved (well one VERY viking-ish frenchman) who appeared to have been created solely for the purpose of creating large sand sea defence walls and then it all just got silly. We ended up with walls so high that we had to dig inlets to let the cold water in before we were all boiled alive. It was a great deal of fun and very refreshing. And just goes to show that when no politicians are involved we have absolutely no problem with international relations.
We then wanted to do some bone carving in Whitianga (pronounced Fi-ti-an-ga) but unfortunately the shop Nik new of was closed so we went for coffee next door instead. So instead we went home to cook Bar B Que instead. Penny and I decided to go for a possible run and got to the end of the road before deciding to climb a Pa site instead (think fortefied mound like a castle mound only with terraces in the sides rather than a building on top) that the Maori used to use to defende themselves. I can see why they used them, we were able to see all the way across the town in every direction. It was positively scenic.
Nik handed in his man card for dinner and I cooked. There are many things I've learned on this holiday, some of which include my new enjoyment of Asparagus and Calimari Rings, and that it is possible to bar-b-que asparagus with pleasing results. No one died from my cooking and we even had some steak left over for our adopted black labrador May and Basement Kitten. They belonged to our hosts (next door).
Today we got up late, because we could, and decided to take a drive over to Cathedral Cove. On the way we played in rock pools and found Hermit Crabs and some strange fish, star fish and brittle star and prawns. We got to Whitianga again and the carving place was open but not for carving unfortunately so we gave up on that and headed for Cathedral Cove. If you have seen the film Narnia its the scene where they walk out onto the beach. Its just incredibly pretty and Faye made the mistake of letting Nik have the camera, there will be a lot of strang angled shots of us I am sure and he kept shouting over the beach "Work the camera baby! and other such things which was entertaining.
What cathedral cave does have is an impressively long walk up and over a large hill to reach it. Its worth it when you get there but our calves were in bits by the time we got back to the car. Fortunately we found ice cream and that made it all better. We've filmed quite a lot of the return journey because it was a bit breathtaking but I shall have to edit it as no one (even myself) wants to sit through an hour of watching a car drive up mountains.
Tomorrow we have a 7 hour drive to Napier simply so that Faye can storm a vinyard and drink their samples table dry, and I am sure it will be more stunning scenery. In fact I think its safe to say that New Zealand is the landing ground for all the pretty bits of the planet that they couldnt fit in anywhere else.
Its been a long day, despite telling Nik I wouldnt need any dinner I am hungry now so a boiled egg might be in my near future. I hope everyone is coping with the cold and the snow and that someone has dried off cornwall and put it back down safely.
Love you all
Archie and Faye xxx
Thursday, 18 November 2010
Mornington Cresent!
This blog is a little late, sorry folks.
We actually got our lie in yesterday and pretty much noodled about for the morning. We decided to take the ferry over to Devonport which is a surprisingly sleepy little town considering its just over the water to Auckland. They have two volcanoes in the town centre, which Nik insists on referring to as "Bijou Volcanoettes with Sea Views". They almost qualify as mole hills now to be fair, and the army did a good job of making them smaller by redesigning them as gun enplacements during the war. Faye got to look at war type stuff so she was happy.
It was a lovely unrushed day and the reason the blog was late is because we got onto the subject of "I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue" and the rules of Mornington Cresent. So we decided to have a quick game to explain the rules to me. Penny won but hadn't realised it and after declaring mornington cresent went on to declare a pandemic and forfeitted the game. Which just goes to show what kind of an evening we were having. She eventually claimed pregnancy as her defence and scuttled off to pack for this evening.
Tonight its Coromandel, and apparently lots of rain. But I hear Cornwall is flooded and the rest of the country is expecting snow, so our warm 25 degree summer rain should be a walk in the park, which coincidentally is where we are off to in a little while.
Love you all
Tui and Kiwi
We actually got our lie in yesterday and pretty much noodled about for the morning. We decided to take the ferry over to Devonport which is a surprisingly sleepy little town considering its just over the water to Auckland. They have two volcanoes in the town centre, which Nik insists on referring to as "Bijou Volcanoettes with Sea Views". They almost qualify as mole hills now to be fair, and the army did a good job of making them smaller by redesigning them as gun enplacements during the war. Faye got to look at war type stuff so she was happy.
It was a lovely unrushed day and the reason the blog was late is because we got onto the subject of "I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue" and the rules of Mornington Cresent. So we decided to have a quick game to explain the rules to me. Penny won but hadn't realised it and after declaring mornington cresent went on to declare a pandemic and forfeitted the game. Which just goes to show what kind of an evening we were having. She eventually claimed pregnancy as her defence and scuttled off to pack for this evening.
Tonight its Coromandel, and apparently lots of rain. But I hear Cornwall is flooded and the rest of the country is expecting snow, so our warm 25 degree summer rain should be a walk in the park, which coincidentally is where we are off to in a little while.
Love you all
Tui and Kiwi
Wednesday, 17 November 2010
Comments and Followers
I cannot seem to get the followers button to work so I removed it but I have now changed the setting so you can all leave us comments now.
Hope that helps
Tui
Hope that helps
Tui
Amongst the Birds
As expected yesterday was a pretty uneventful day. We wandered into the town centre to catch our bus and didnt have much to do so spent it on the wharf watching the sea. What did happen was 5 StingRay turned up in the wharf and came right up to the very edge of the beach. Neither of us had seen them before and there were small ones (50cm or so wide) up to one that was a meter and a half I would estimate from wing tip to wing tip. We also had to defend someones lunch from seagulls. I am sad to say that our excitement for the Rays did not rub off on everyone. A blustering american lady seemed completely non plussed by the opportunity to see them like they regularly wandered into her sitting room uninvited on a regular basis and always put their boots on the best sofa cushions. Ho Hum, can't please everyone.
I wish I could say that the bus journey was short and uneventful but it was late, long and we had an alcoholic heavily pregnant bail jumper sat behind us. In times like these I resort to Sherlock Holmes and finished 3 books on the journey. Faye fell asleep as much as she could.
Happily we made it back by 6pm and Nik met us at the top of the hill (mountain with suitcases) and took us back to a lovely meal and a lot of cider. Faye is sun burned to the point of being crispy and Ive brought in a team of out-of-work students to come in and waft her with a large fan until shes feeling better.
Today was a great day, as we took a 1.5 hour trip on a boat to the island reserve of Tiri Tiri. This is an island where the rock itself is over 200 million years old. The next land mass next to it (mainland north island) is only 20 million years old. So its not going anywhere in a hurry. We were taken on a guided walk around the island to look at the reintroduced and protected birds that were now living on the island. We saw Tui (lots of Tui), Saddlebacks, North Island Robins, 1 Riffleman, Whitehead, stitchbird, read headed paraketes, a little Morepork Owl and Greg the Takahe (think black turkey with a beak like a vice and a bad temperament). They were all very sweet, especially the owl and Greg. We avoided sun burn and continued our tradition of picking up old ladies*.
The island was a lot like being in Jurassic park but without the terror. It was a great day and has been topped off by more dinner and an abundant supply of crushed apple cider (and beer for the lady). Time for a film whilst Nik does some course work editing and tomorrow we are going to have something that I believe is called a "Lie In".
Coromandel on the weekend. It promises to be absurdly beautiful and apparently the scenery can cause spontaneous applause. We shall let you know.
Love you all and I am working on the comments and followers issues already pointed out to us.
Tui and Kiwi (currently checking her eyes for light leaks, 'no Im not sleeping honest!').
* for those of you unfamiliar with our last trip, we have a tendency to talk to pretty much everyone, this usually ends up with us either rescuing or entertaining little old ladies for considerable amounts of time. We dont mind this as we quite like old people. They are friendly and often carry a large assortment of boiled sweets. Today I was given $2 for allowing the guide to use my phone for the octegenarian who couldnt cope with any more climbing and needed the jeep to come and collect her (it went into the reserve charity box). We then spent the boat ride home chatting to them.
I wish I could say that the bus journey was short and uneventful but it was late, long and we had an alcoholic heavily pregnant bail jumper sat behind us. In times like these I resort to Sherlock Holmes and finished 3 books on the journey. Faye fell asleep as much as she could.
Happily we made it back by 6pm and Nik met us at the top of the hill (mountain with suitcases) and took us back to a lovely meal and a lot of cider. Faye is sun burned to the point of being crispy and Ive brought in a team of out-of-work students to come in and waft her with a large fan until shes feeling better.
Today was a great day, as we took a 1.5 hour trip on a boat to the island reserve of Tiri Tiri. This is an island where the rock itself is over 200 million years old. The next land mass next to it (mainland north island) is only 20 million years old. So its not going anywhere in a hurry. We were taken on a guided walk around the island to look at the reintroduced and protected birds that were now living on the island. We saw Tui (lots of Tui), Saddlebacks, North Island Robins, 1 Riffleman, Whitehead, stitchbird, read headed paraketes, a little Morepork Owl and Greg the Takahe (think black turkey with a beak like a vice and a bad temperament). They were all very sweet, especially the owl and Greg. We avoided sun burn and continued our tradition of picking up old ladies*.
The island was a lot like being in Jurassic park but without the terror. It was a great day and has been topped off by more dinner and an abundant supply of crushed apple cider (and beer for the lady). Time for a film whilst Nik does some course work editing and tomorrow we are going to have something that I believe is called a "Lie In".
Coromandel on the weekend. It promises to be absurdly beautiful and apparently the scenery can cause spontaneous applause. We shall let you know.
Love you all and I am working on the comments and followers issues already pointed out to us.
Tui and Kiwi (currently checking her eyes for light leaks, 'no Im not sleeping honest!').
* for those of you unfamiliar with our last trip, we have a tendency to talk to pretty much everyone, this usually ends up with us either rescuing or entertaining little old ladies for considerable amounts of time. We dont mind this as we quite like old people. They are friendly and often carry a large assortment of boiled sweets. Today I was given $2 for allowing the guide to use my phone for the octegenarian who couldnt cope with any more climbing and needed the jeep to come and collect her (it went into the reserve charity box). We then spent the boat ride home chatting to them.
Sunday, 14 November 2010
Its the 15th Honest! and Aloe Vera is amazing.
We've just discovered that our blog time is UK time so where it says the 14th today its really the 15th for us. This might be useful to just me in a years time, hey ho.
So today was our last usable day in Paihia and I am really going to miss it here. The people are extremely friendly and helpful. We've done everthing except skydive and scuba dive that there is to offer here and we are very sun burnt (more on our discoveries later).
So today we went to the Hole in the Rock. Which is a famous rock here called Percies Island. Its got a hole big enough for a boat to go through.. so we did. But before we got to that we found another pod of dolphins and got to watch them leaping and chasing the swimmers swimming with them. Apparently this only happens when they are making baby dolphins, so we watched mucky dolphins this morning. Dolphins do it with style I can say. Weve got lots of photos and video of them jumping.
Anyway, Hole in the Rock was cool and worth seeing. We got back and decided to chill out, as Ive not managed to stay awake past 9PM every night this week.We found a restaurant opposite our hostal that did lava rock style cooking. Faye had lamb for hers and I had salmon. I think I have blisters where the salmon fat spat at me from the rock but it was very tasty and they did apple pie for desert YAY.
We've just got back to our room and Fayes foot swelled up to about half again of its normal size. Fortunately the lady working downstairs, Rangi, said this was due to her being bitten by sand flies and her sun burn has left her with a low immune system. So she wandered into the garden and broke off a chunk of aloe vera and its worked a treat on her bites and sun burns. We are now listening to the italian guests singing over their dinner. And I am buying and aloe vera plant!
Tomorrow we are back to Auckland and then off to Tiri Tiri island to see some endangered species. You might not get a blog tomorrow as it will all be bus trip and sleeping. But if anything interesting happens we will let you know.
Hope all is well in Blighty.
Love you all
Tui and Kiwi
So today was our last usable day in Paihia and I am really going to miss it here. The people are extremely friendly and helpful. We've done everthing except skydive and scuba dive that there is to offer here and we are very sun burnt (more on our discoveries later).
So today we went to the Hole in the Rock. Which is a famous rock here called Percies Island. Its got a hole big enough for a boat to go through.. so we did. But before we got to that we found another pod of dolphins and got to watch them leaping and chasing the swimmers swimming with them. Apparently this only happens when they are making baby dolphins, so we watched mucky dolphins this morning. Dolphins do it with style I can say. Weve got lots of photos and video of them jumping.
Anyway, Hole in the Rock was cool and worth seeing. We got back and decided to chill out, as Ive not managed to stay awake past 9PM every night this week.We found a restaurant opposite our hostal that did lava rock style cooking. Faye had lamb for hers and I had salmon. I think I have blisters where the salmon fat spat at me from the rock but it was very tasty and they did apple pie for desert YAY.
We've just got back to our room and Fayes foot swelled up to about half again of its normal size. Fortunately the lady working downstairs, Rangi, said this was due to her being bitten by sand flies and her sun burn has left her with a low immune system. So she wandered into the garden and broke off a chunk of aloe vera and its worked a treat on her bites and sun burns. We are now listening to the italian guests singing over their dinner. And I am buying and aloe vera plant!
Tomorrow we are back to Auckland and then off to Tiri Tiri island to see some endangered species. You might not get a blog tomorrow as it will all be bus trip and sleeping. But if anything interesting happens we will let you know.
Hope all is well in Blighty.
Love you all
Tui and Kiwi
Saturday, 13 November 2010
What day is it?
I've said that a few times today. I cant keep track of them. So last night we went down to one of the local bars to watch the rugby. I didnt make it past the opening whistle as I was so very tired from the day and the cider put the cap on it really. Faye was the same, neither of us could keep our eyes open. Kiwis stuffed the Kangaroos so all is good and riots were averted.
Today we took a catamaran to one of the islands in the bay called Urupukapuka. On the way we saw Dolphins playing around the boats which is always fun. Not as many as we saw last time we came to NZ but these were bottle nose dolphins not dusky so that could be why. They had a baby with them as well. Cuteness alert!
We landed in Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka, hired some snorkle gear and then (despite my better judgement) decided to walk through some fields, over a LARGE hill to find a place called Cable Bay. We followed another couple over the hill and couldnt find a way down to the beach we all thought we were aiming for,. The other couple disappeared into the trees and havent been seen since (by us) and we walked a little further on and climbed down some very rugged hillside into a holiday brochure photo. You know the ones that are all sand and palm trees and glistening water secluded in some far away place? This was it. Complete with noisy birds and stripy black fish. I broke my snorkle clip for a start but we found a solution to that, And Faye couldnt get her non return valve to stop returning so I agreed to cope with minor drowning and we swapped gear. Eventually we got over the temperature shock and the gear faults and spent about an hour snorkling. Faye found a scholl of black stripy fish who were friendly and chased us around as much as we chased them. We then had half an hour to climb back up the hill back to the boat before we got deserted on the island. We made it with a minute to spare but had to run in sandles. The fields and hillside we ran over were covered in sheep.. lots of sheep. and its annoying getting bits of sheep stuck in your sandal when you are running for a boat. I've showered since. Apparently everyone on the boat saw us running over the hill so we at least provided them with some entertainment.
We got back at lunch time and walked out to the Treaty House and grounds where the British finally signed a Treaty with the Maori to recognise their right to live there and offer them Crown protection. Lots of history and loads of amazing carvings. The staircase we saw yesterday carved out of Kauri trees was nothing to the canoe (Waka) we saw today. Its two meters scross at the centre and approx 20 meters long (without looking at the guide book) Its impressive.
Now we are chilling out as weve both gotten a little cooked in the sun today and could do with a quiet night relaxing.
Tomorrow we sail through a rock and chase more dolphins.
Happy days!
Tui and Kiwi
Today we took a catamaran to one of the islands in the bay called Urupukapuka. On the way we saw Dolphins playing around the boats which is always fun. Not as many as we saw last time we came to NZ but these were bottle nose dolphins not dusky so that could be why. They had a baby with them as well. Cuteness alert!
We landed in Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka, hired some snorkle gear and then (despite my better judgement) decided to walk through some fields, over a LARGE hill to find a place called Cable Bay. We followed another couple over the hill and couldnt find a way down to the beach we all thought we were aiming for,. The other couple disappeared into the trees and havent been seen since (by us) and we walked a little further on and climbed down some very rugged hillside into a holiday brochure photo. You know the ones that are all sand and palm trees and glistening water secluded in some far away place? This was it. Complete with noisy birds and stripy black fish. I broke my snorkle clip for a start but we found a solution to that, And Faye couldnt get her non return valve to stop returning so I agreed to cope with minor drowning and we swapped gear. Eventually we got over the temperature shock and the gear faults and spent about an hour snorkling. Faye found a scholl of black stripy fish who were friendly and chased us around as much as we chased them. We then had half an hour to climb back up the hill back to the boat before we got deserted on the island. We made it with a minute to spare but had to run in sandles. The fields and hillside we ran over were covered in sheep.. lots of sheep. and its annoying getting bits of sheep stuck in your sandal when you are running for a boat. I've showered since. Apparently everyone on the boat saw us running over the hill so we at least provided them with some entertainment.
We got back at lunch time and walked out to the Treaty House and grounds where the British finally signed a Treaty with the Maori to recognise their right to live there and offer them Crown protection. Lots of history and loads of amazing carvings. The staircase we saw yesterday carved out of Kauri trees was nothing to the canoe (Waka) we saw today. Its two meters scross at the centre and approx 20 meters long (without looking at the guide book) Its impressive.
Now we are chilling out as weve both gotten a little cooked in the sun today and could do with a quiet night relaxing.
Tomorrow we sail through a rock and chase more dolphins.
Happy days!
Tui and Kiwi
Friday, 12 November 2010
Of Swiss people and the edge of the world
Good morning campers!
So where did we get to? Well last night after our last blog we went and did the back packer thing and "Made Our Dinner". Well Faye made dinner and I was utencil gopher. I even got an Ozzie to do the washing up for me! I tried to stop him but he was adament and who am I to disappoint him. After dinner we got dragged into a conversation with a very rude Northener and her husband. Nice lady but insisted on speaking to the Swiss couple they were chatting to as if they were both deaf and dumb. After they went away we got chatting to the swiss couple and they told us all about their trip so far. They were very nice people and very helpful, and we got to teach them new english words which they were delighted at. He was excited by learning the word Gravel, I was glad to help.
Today at 7am we got on the coach to Cape Rianga (hard G in that) which is the spiritual exit from the island for Maori. There were many more Swiss on the coach and they had a great sense of humor (one chap kept singing Michael Buble songs at me - or one line at least). We drove up 90 mile beach (which is only 64 miles but whos counting) and drove up a stream to some sand dunes to sand board. They were a LOT steeper than they looked and we were knackered. My ride was good, Faye did her customary tumble and we are still finding sand in her underware. There are sand flies here still and we have bitten feet.
We visited a carpenters workshop where they make massive sofas out of wood called Kauri. Some of this wood is over 4000 years old and was found in a swamp. It dries out well. Then we went off to see the living versions of the trees, they are now protected from logging as they are sacred to the maori and there is only 1% of them left after the French and English cut them all down for ship masts and building material.
Tomorrow we are snorkalling and this evening we are off to watch the 4 nations rugby. Kiwis Vs Ozzies. Should be a cracking night.
Love you all
Tui and Kiwi.
So where did we get to? Well last night after our last blog we went and did the back packer thing and "Made Our Dinner". Well Faye made dinner and I was utencil gopher. I even got an Ozzie to do the washing up for me! I tried to stop him but he was adament and who am I to disappoint him. After dinner we got dragged into a conversation with a very rude Northener and her husband. Nice lady but insisted on speaking to the Swiss couple they were chatting to as if they were both deaf and dumb. After they went away we got chatting to the swiss couple and they told us all about their trip so far. They were very nice people and very helpful, and we got to teach them new english words which they were delighted at. He was excited by learning the word Gravel, I was glad to help.
Today at 7am we got on the coach to Cape Rianga (hard G in that) which is the spiritual exit from the island for Maori. There were many more Swiss on the coach and they had a great sense of humor (one chap kept singing Michael Buble songs at me - or one line at least). We drove up 90 mile beach (which is only 64 miles but whos counting) and drove up a stream to some sand dunes to sand board. They were a LOT steeper than they looked and we were knackered. My ride was good, Faye did her customary tumble and we are still finding sand in her underware. There are sand flies here still and we have bitten feet.
We visited a carpenters workshop where they make massive sofas out of wood called Kauri. Some of this wood is over 4000 years old and was found in a swamp. It dries out well. Then we went off to see the living versions of the trees, they are now protected from logging as they are sacred to the maori and there is only 1% of them left after the French and English cut them all down for ship masts and building material.
Tomorrow we are snorkalling and this evening we are off to watch the 4 nations rugby. Kiwis Vs Ozzies. Should be a cracking night.
Love you all
Tui and Kiwi.
Thursday, 11 November 2010
Auckland and Beyond
So yesterday was our first full day in the North Island. Mainly we spent it wandering around Auckland and window shopping. Auckland is a massive city, and acts like it. We've discovered its a money pit and charges UK prices for pretty much everything. But we did have a nice wander around and 'Accidentally' fell into a bar (5 quid a pint!). We also found the rugby shop and managed to resist buying anything (yet). We had definately jet lag yesterday and I kept falling asleep, Faye kept kicking me in the ankle.
Today was the real start of our holiday, off to see things. So this morning we got on the coach to Paihia (pronounced Pee ahh haa) which is in North Land. The coach took 4 hours with Jeff the camp driver. Mum would have hated the trip up, lots of stunning drops into tree filled holes. Very pretty. We are now on the coast in the Bay of Islands and are off to make our dinner and drown it in wine. Then off to watch a band in the bar next door. Tomorrow we are off to Cape Rianga and 90 mile beach for sand boarding and a bar-b-que on the beach, and snorkalling on Sunday. Its going to be a good few days. Its rained a little but its hot and the sun finally came out this arvo.
Tell you all about the trip tomorrow evening.
Love you all
Tui and Kiwi
PS. Sharon and Piers, thanks for the speaker, it sounds great out on the veranda :-)
Today was the real start of our holiday, off to see things. So this morning we got on the coach to Paihia (pronounced Pee ahh haa) which is in North Land. The coach took 4 hours with Jeff the camp driver. Mum would have hated the trip up, lots of stunning drops into tree filled holes. Very pretty. We are now on the coast in the Bay of Islands and are off to make our dinner and drown it in wine. Then off to watch a band in the bar next door. Tomorrow we are off to Cape Rianga and 90 mile beach for sand boarding and a bar-b-que on the beach, and snorkalling on Sunday. Its going to be a good few days. Its rained a little but its hot and the sun finally came out this arvo.
Tell you all about the trip tomorrow evening.
Love you all
Tui and Kiwi
PS. Sharon and Piers, thanks for the speaker, it sounds great out on the veranda :-)
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
Day One, BreakFast One
Hi Everyone!!
Well that was a long flight. The Airbus A380 is of course massive and was strangely only half full, so Faye could stretch out (when she felt like it). Unfortunately I couldnt sleep on that flight so racked up the highest score for bejewelled out of the both of us. No I shant be joining Bejewelled on FB before anyone asks. The first part of the flight took 12 hours and we had just one hour to get from our first plane to the second at the other end of the terminal. Fortunately we made it with time to spare and ended up sitting next to a hyperactive Mancunain Copper (of the female variety).
Our second flight was only about 10 hours. Only one strange incident, one of the male cabin crew came up to me and told me I looked like Wayne Rooney. I can only hope the posters he has of him are poorly printed! I pulled a face and said that possibly wasnt the best compliment he could give someone but thanks for trying. He got all flustered and even apologised to me at the end of the flight. Fortunately for Singapore airlines, I am not easily offended (no really!).
Nik picked us up at about 00:20 after he spotted and alerted the police to a potential terrorist (Or possibly an over enthusiastic luggage spotter - we will never know). and now we are having a very large english breakfast (the irony isnt lost on us) complete with HP sauce in the local cafe. So far so good. A small child keeps running past us with a wooden chair trying to make a dbid for freedom from his mum. All is good.
Catch you all later.
Tui and Kiwi xx
Well that was a long flight. The Airbus A380 is of course massive and was strangely only half full, so Faye could stretch out (when she felt like it). Unfortunately I couldnt sleep on that flight so racked up the highest score for bejewelled out of the both of us. No I shant be joining Bejewelled on FB before anyone asks. The first part of the flight took 12 hours and we had just one hour to get from our first plane to the second at the other end of the terminal. Fortunately we made it with time to spare and ended up sitting next to a hyperactive Mancunain Copper (of the female variety).
Our second flight was only about 10 hours. Only one strange incident, one of the male cabin crew came up to me and told me I looked like Wayne Rooney. I can only hope the posters he has of him are poorly printed! I pulled a face and said that possibly wasnt the best compliment he could give someone but thanks for trying. He got all flustered and even apologised to me at the end of the flight. Fortunately for Singapore airlines, I am not easily offended (no really!).
Nik picked us up at about 00:20 after he spotted and alerted the police to a potential terrorist (Or possibly an over enthusiastic luggage spotter - we will never know). and now we are having a very large english breakfast (the irony isnt lost on us) complete with HP sauce in the local cafe. So far so good. A small child keeps running past us with a wooden chair trying to make a dbid for freedom from his mum. All is good.
Catch you all later.
Tui and Kiwi xx
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
To Terminal 3 and Beyond!
Well we've made it as far as Terminal 3 so far. We are on our way to the Kris Lounge (hoping to be let in) and saw a PC and thought of you.
So far traffic sucked and we are grateful to dad for driving us out here and making bacon sandwiches.
We wont have any time in Singapore for a blog entry so will tell you all about the A380 when we get to Auckland tomorrow.
Love you all
Tui and Kiwi
So far traffic sucked and we are grateful to dad for driving us out here and making bacon sandwiches.
We wont have any time in Singapore for a blog entry so will tell you all about the A380 when we get to Auckland tomorrow.
Love you all
Tui and Kiwi
Wednesday, 3 November 2010
Pre holiday first post
Hello random readers!
Well we are off to New Zealand in less than a week now and we are both very excited about it. We will be using this blog to keep everyone updated on our travels so please check in often as we intend to update it daily.
See you all in a month!
Archie and Faye (Tui and Kiwi)
Well we are off to New Zealand in less than a week now and we are both very excited about it. We will be using this blog to keep everyone updated on our travels so please check in often as we intend to update it daily.
See you all in a month!
Archie and Faye (Tui and Kiwi)
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