Tue - March 29, 2005Tuesday, March 29, 2005 (Auckland – New Zealand NI)Attacked by the bed. Food gone - road trip.
Trying to find foreign currency in another big city. Still shopping for that
illusive New Zealand souvenir whilst watching people jump off a tall tower. A
definite feeling that we've now done New Zealand.
Posted at 11:07 PM Read More Mon - March 28, 2005Monday, March 28, 2005 (Auckland – New Zealand NI)One look at the weather prompts a change in
plans. A brief reminder of what our former lives were like. A ragged our hostel
but strangely comfortable. I just can't resist a permanent Internet
connection.
Posted at 10:32 PM Read More Sun - March 27, 2005Sunday, March 27, 2005 (Rotorua – New Zealand NI)Eggs for breakfast after all. Getting
Zorbed
for my birthday was the closest thing to being spun in a front-loading washing
machine. Flying in the face of what Mother told me about getting dirty and
loving every minute of it. Finishing up with a few slices from the
carvery.
Posted at 11:40 PM Read More Sat - March 26, 2005Saturday, March 26, 2005 (Rotorua – New Zealand NI)More exploration of the thermal activity that is
rife all throughout this region. How to make a geyser do its thing. More thermal
parks to explore. Getting on well with our host rewards us with a cheaper third
night. Topping off a lovely day with a home-cooked roast dinner.
Posted at 11:56 PM Read More Fri - March 25, 2005Friday, March 25, 2005 (Rotorua – New Zealand NI)Our first impressions of Rotorua were not good
ones but at least the B&B is a welcoming place. Exploring some of the
thermal activity in and around this region. An evening of cultural enrichment as
we experience a bit of Maori culture.
Posted at 11:39 PM Read More Thu - March 24, 2005Thursday, March 24, 2005 (Te Kuiti – New Zealand NI)Add this hostel to the
bad
list. All the backpackers and half the population of New Zealand are also in
search of accommodation this Easter so what chance do
we
have of getting a place to stay? Driving through Lord of the Rings country.
Looking forward to exposing ourselves to Maori culture. Don't tell the Israelis
that it's pork for dinner!
Posted at 11:08 PM Read More Wed - March 23, 2005Wednesday, March 23, 2005 (Wellington – New Zealand NI)Panic sets in as we suddenly realise that we are
one piece of baggage short and have been since we first arrived in New Zealand.
Exploring Te Papa - the museum that sets the standard for all others. Another
destination, thus another car but parking here is a nightmare. Cooking in
cramped conditions. With Easter coming, at least we have a place to stay for
tonight but after tomorrow? Who knows!
Posted at 10:48 PM Read More Tue - March 22, 2005Tuesday, March 22, 2005 (Wellington – New Zealand NI)Everything you ever wanted to know about
Antarctica but were too afraid to ask. Thunderbirds are go! Buying cash with
cash. Good-bye to another rental car but will we make it to Wellington
tonight?
Posted at 11:40 PM Read More Mon - March 21, 2005Monday, March 21, 2005 (Christchurch – New Zealand SI)Happy birthday to me - 38 and an old fart
already. Already not looking forward to the impending end of this trip. Finally,
a cheaper rental car for Wellington. Exploring Cathedral Square and finally
coming face to face with a pair of kiwi birds. With a car and a place to stay in
Wellington now booked, we can finally relax a bit.
Posted at 10:18 PM Read More Sun - March 20, 2005Sunday, March 20, 2005 (Christchurch – New Zealand SI) Time for a change in the time. When all else
fails, buy your way out of a bind. Ah, a traditional English summer fete. Ten
out of ten for this museum. Happy birthday Mum. Is there a cheap car light at
the end of the tunnel after all?
Posted at 12:38 AM Read More Sat - March 19, 2005Saturday, March 19, 2005 (Christchurch – New Zealand SI)Pushing on through to the where we started from.
Just follow me please. Perhaps re-routing to Wellington wasn't such a good idea
after all?
Posted at 11:31 PM Read More Fri - March 18, 2005Friday, March 18, 2005 (Oamaru – New Zealand SI)Slowing things down a bit. Money matters. When to
plan and when not to plan. And still in pursuit of those penguins. Stone sphere
and an out of the way lighthouse. Finally, our first penguin in the
wild.
Posted at 11:29 PM Read More Thu - March 17, 2005Thursday, March 17, 2005 (Oamaru – New Zealand SI)You cannot leave this hostel - until you juggle
these three balls! Dunedin and the Otago Peninsular awaits us. Still in pursuit
of those penguins but seals are apparently everywhere. Exploring the Victorian
buildings of Dunedin. Chocolate cakes makes any day complete.
Posted at 11:24 PM Read More Wed - March 16, 2005Wednesday, March 16, 2005 (Milton – New Zealand SI)How to completely fill a car with passengers and
backpacks. How very much like Europe New Zealand can be. In search of penguins
and other wildlife. A rather eccentric hostel owner. Stocking up on food whilst
we still can.
Posted at 11:19 PM Read More Tue - March 15, 2005Tuesday, March 15, 2005 (Te Anau – New Zealand SI)Problems back home that need addressing. Enjoying
the ride up to Milford. The
cheeky
parrot. Not a sound - a fiord. A sunny day in the one place that gets the most
rain in a year. Picking up a hitch-hiker.
Posted at 11:14 PM Read More Mon - March 14, 2005Monday, March 14, 2005 (Te Anau – New Zealand SI)Waiting for the chance to photograph the kiwi
too. Te Anau is much nicer that expected, even if the drive out there was quite
boring. First stop, as always, the information office. Enjoying the relaxing and
laid back atmosphere. A nice steak and lamb dinner - followed by a mild
earthquake.
Posted at 10:18 PM Read More Sun - March 13, 2005Sunday, March 13, 2005 (Queenstown – New Zealand SI)A definite pattern starting to emerge. My
adrenaline pumping activity of choice - the jet boat - a very powerful ride to
remember. Aimlessly driving around the surrounding countryside. Sheep,
gallery's, jumping off mountains, gold panning and more. No kiwis? Mini-golf
instead, then.
Posted at 09:23 PM Read More Sat - March 12, 2005Friday, March 11, 2005 (Fox Glacier – New Zealand SI)That rare moment again. Budget-busting
activities. Our first foray onto a glacier. Exploring ice caves and crevices.
The end to a perfect day was met with anything but perfect news as some
unfinished business back home suddenly becomes a real headache.
Posted at 12:32 AM Read More Thu - March 10, 2005Thursday, March 10, 2005 (Fox Glacier – New Zealand SI)Rain, rain and more rain creates waterfalls,
waterfalls and more waterfalls. A very nice self-contained hut - even if it is
the most expensive place we've stayed at so far. Getting our first look at our
first glacier. Wet weather demands wet weather clothing.
Posted at 10:32 PM Read More Wed - March 9, 2005Wednesday, March 9, 2005 (Ross – New Zealand SI)Off to Ross, where the
Honourable
Roddy was dug up. Trying to keep alive the
remnants of a town that was once a gold producing capital.
Posted at 11:28 PM Read More Tue - March 8, 2005Tuesday, March 8, 2005 (Hokitika – New Zealand SI)1 year travelling today! A nasty reminder about
how perilous these roads can be. Pancake coastal scenery and a re-created 18th
century mining town as we head South. Where to sleep when there's no dry
mattress.
Posted at 11:15 PM Read More Mon - March 7, 2005Monday, March 7, 2005 (Murchison – New Zealand SI)That rare occurrence of not needing to get up in
the morning is so very inviting. Not so much gold after all and with the river
so full and fast, not much chance of finding more either. If it could happen to
a local, it could happen to us. Another expensive outlay on the
horizon.
Posted at 11:19 PM Read More Sun - March 6, 2005Sunday, March 6, 2005 (Murchison – New Zealand SI)My morning text message. A small car but it
drinks lot of petrol. Throwing the map to the wind. A more natural spring but
still not the real deal. Our home from home. Rodeo on the river. Panning for
gold is an acquired art and just avoiding the sandflies is hard enough. Being
shadowed as we travel around the planet.
Posted at 11:54 PM Read More Sat - March 5, 2005Saturday, March 5, 2005 (Hamner Springs – New Zealand SI)Cushioned in a valley between the mountains. How
to relax and save money at the same time. The not so natural thermal reserve.
Competing with the hostel for the Internet custom. Thinking ahead to glacier
walking and gold panning.
Posted at 11:29 PM Read More Fri - March 4, 2005Friday, March 4, 2005 (Hamner Springs – New Zealand SI)Forced out at the usual time. making our way
through the mountains without being sick. Beekeepers and English girls. Another
nice new hostel.
Posted at 12:59 AM Read More Thu - March 3, 2005Thursday, March 3, 2005 (Kaikoura – New Zealand SI)Another attempt at getting the good seat in the
helicopter - this time with success. It was expensive but the flight was worth
the money. What happened to its tail?! We're going to have to work on lowering
our daily out-goings for New Zealand. We've seen one from the air, and now
another from the boat. The albatross, dolphins and seals were a nice bonus - as
was the T-bone.
Posted at 10:54 PM Read More Wed - March 2, 2005Wednesday, March 2, 2005 (Kaikoura – New Zealand SI)Another time zone, another couple of hours lost.
Is every last hostel in New Zealand booked again?! How
not
to encourage your wife whilst driving. Whales ahoy ... or not. The helicopter
flight that wasn't More close encounters with seal.
Posted at 09:20 PM Read More Tue - March 1, 2005Tuesday, March 1, 2005 (Flight from Sydney to Christchurch)Our last night in Australia is a restless one.
When airport security isn't. About as far from England as is physically possible
but the similarities with are stunning. Your basic rental car for a decent
price. Where would we be without mobile phones? Just book a room in a hostel,
what could be simpler, right? Still gathering our thoughts about what to do and
where to go in New Zealand.
Posted at 08:14 PM Read More |
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Total entries in this category: Published On: Mar 29, 2005 11:07 PM |