A journal of my travels in NZ (North Island)...

NZ (North Island)

Auckland 19th to 24th October

I think we need to start keeping lists of ‘Top 10’s’. Auckland is now right up there as one of my favourite cities. It has everything you could possibly want from city living … clean air, plenty of night life and restaurants, a harbour and beaches, low levels of traffic, friendly locals, and it’s only a short trip to get to the country. In fact it seems to be possible to live in almost solitude, surrounded by parkland and still be able to commute 45 minutes to the city. Just imagine?

Visiting Jason’s friend Alida you can see why she has fallen in love with the Kiwi way of life. And meeting Ian and Nicola, who returned after 10 years in the UK about 5 years ago, just reinforced what a wonderful life you can have living here. SO …. have checked the job lists and rather coincidentally they are currently looking for a diabetes dietitian at Auckland hospital!

While we were in Auckland we just had to jump on the tourist wagon and ascend the Skytower; at 328m it is the tallest structure in the southern hemisphere and gives out panoramic views of the city.

To celebrate our 6 months on the road the venue was at the chic Cin Cin on the Quay for a dozen oysters and champagne. I can assure only the best for these travellers!

Auckland was also the pick up point for my mum and dad who travelled the twenty odd hours to meet us. It must have been a great effort for them to come and see us for a month knowing that their first grandchild is about to arrive. Needless to say there were a few tears shed and plenty of emotion at the airport, but then I’m not sure whether Jason’s moist eyes were in trepidation of spending a month with his in-laws!

Bay of Islands 24th to 26th October

A few hours north in the campervan past stunning coastal scenery and we reached the Bay of Islands, our base for a couple of days … staying at Haruru Falls and visiting Paihia and Waitangi National Reserve. The area is the site of the first permanent English settlement and the reserve is the place in which the Waitangi Treay was signed by the 40 or so Maori chiefs giving England rule over New Zealand.

Anyone remember the Rainbow Warrior? For me I remember hearing about its sinking on John Craven’s Newsround and Blue Peter! For those who can’t cast their minds back so far here’s a short recap on its history. In 1985 the Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior was anchored in Auckland harbour preparing to sail to Moruroa near Tahiti to protest against French nuclear testing. That was until French saboteurs, under the orders of their government strapped a significant amount of explosives to the ship, sinking it and killing one of its campaigners. Just by chance the saboteurs were caught after which there was an absolute uproar in France. Not because they had sank the ship and killed a man but because they were stupid enough to get caught!! The 2 were rightly imprisoned for their actions but after a multitude of strings being pulled they were sent back to France for a hero’s welcome! Injustice.

You may be wondering why I appear to have gone off the rails giving you a history lesson? Well, the Rainbow Warrior was re-floated, sailed to the Bay of Islands and re-sunk. And we were lucky enough to dive on the wreck! Once down there it was just an incredible experience, looking at all its new inhabitants, looking up under its stern, entering one of the cabins and peeking under a hatch to see a huge scorpion fish. I’m so pleased I did it, but I think our captain and dive master had a bet on whether I would do it or not. Serious sea-sickness (not just me I might add … 3 other passengers lost their breakfast over board), freezing water, and waves overhead threatened to change my mind!

(www.divenz.com)

Kauri Coast 26th to 28th October

It’s said that many people miss the west coast of the North Land altogether. For us it was a beautiful journey through a never ending forest of Kauri trees, some as old as 2000 years . In fact we loved the trees so much we dropped by the Kauri Tree Museum in Matakohe. Never thought trees could be so interesting! We spent the night at Baylys Beach, part of the 100km long Ripiro Ocean Beach with huge sand dunes and strong currents. It is incredible to able to spend the night in your campervan in such places, with so much natural beauty and views that are so remarkably dramatic.

The same went for the following night in Sanspit near Warkworth. Right next to the sea….. I’m going to run out of adjectives to describe the views. Sorry.

Coromandel 28th to 29th October

So, on to Coromandel peninsula, through Thames ( a gold mining town) and a stop at Hahei beach for a night. The real draw here are the views from the cliff tops and some stunning walking to Cathedral Cove.

Next morning we dropped down to Hot Water Beach for some fun and frollicks on the sand. Thermal waters brew up just below the sand and after a bit of digging … you have your very own thermal spa. The water is so hot Jason had to build a channel to bring in cold water! If he gets no luck with the pharmaceutical industry when we get home I think he may consider becoming a plumber.

Bay of Plenty 29th October to 1st November

Tauranga and Mount Manganui

Still, we got the chance for some Kiwi “fush and chups” at long last. God they are good over here and are a close rival for my local chippy in Grimsby. In fact the point that tips in the Kiwis favour is the price. Imagine being able to buy fish and chips four times for only 7 pounds? Just a shame they don't do mushy peas.

Had planned a trip out to White Island (Whakaari), New Zealand's most active volcano. An incredible sight from looking at the postcards, but the weather had its own way and the trip had to be canceled. Ah well, you can't win them all.

(www.whiteisland.co.nz)

Rotorua

Rotorua, further inland, is known as Sulphur City and phew it really has some evil smells. It has the most energetic thermal activity in NZ with bubbling mud pools, gurgling hot springs and gushing geysers. We visited the Te Whakarewarewa (pronounced fa-ka-re-wa-re-wa!) to get a slice of the action and to learn more about the Maori culture. Our guide was fantastic, leading us around the replica Maori village, craft centres and thermal treats.

We continued the Maori theme with a trip to a cultural show and Hangi (a meal cooked in an earth oven). An incredible evening trying out hongi (nose to nose greeting), a haka (war dance), and watching some incredible performances of song and dance.

Rotorua's museum (or the Bath House) was more than impressive. It was originally an elegant spa and retreat, built in 1908, and used as a rehabilitation centre for soldiers during World War one. I did a bit of rehabilitating and had an indulgent mud bath! The gardens look typically English and being typically English we couldn't resist a spot of spectating on the bowling green!

(www.rotoruamuseum.co.nz)

One of our ulterior motives for visiting Rotorua was because it was the last known address of my godmother Janet, my mum's best friend, who was tragically killed in an accident here 16 years ago. I guess mum has never really had closure so after a serious bit of detective work by my dad they managed to track down her husband, Dave, and be reunited with some wonderful memories.

Taupo 1st to 2nd November

On to Lake Taupo and the bad weather still doesn't want to cheer up. A major reason for being here was to sky dive, but alas too much cloud. Will have to save that one for a later time. But we managed a short visit to Huka Falls, more like rapids than a waterfall, with crystal clear turquoise water.

Napier 2nd to 4th November

The biggest draw about Napier is its title of Art Deco Capital of the World. In 1931 Napier was dramatically changed when a disastrous earthquake, measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale, virtually destroyed it. With frantic reconstruction after the disaster meant that most of the buildings date from the peak years of Art Deco style. It creates a feel of “Toy Town”!

(www.artdeconapier.com)

And who could miss the opportunity of a life time? The National Aquarium of New Zealand, based in Napier, offered us the chance to dive in their shark tank! So loaded with a bucket of fish and a tank of air we jumped right in to feed the monsters ... one of which was 9 feet long! It was hilarious to see the publics reaction at seeing us in the water through the glass dome! One to tell the grand kids!

(www.nationalaquarium.co.nz)

Jason and I went for a few pints to a pretend Irish Pub on America's election night only to find ourselves drowning our sorrows over America's stupidity in re-electing the world's number 1 terrorist. What is the world coming to?

Wellington 4th to 6th November

Wellington, although the capital of NZ, is much smaller than Auckland. And rightly there is a fair bit of rivalry between the two. We stayed just outside Wellington in Upper Hut and had a great night out to an art house cinema, the Light House Cinema. Makes you wonder why we would ever want to go to a multiplex ever again. A glass of wine, a settee as your seat and the intimacy of only 40 guests.

Good to see that the Kiwis are keeping the English traditions going too. We watched the firework display in the harbour on Guy Fawkes night! The best fireworks I've ever seen. I wonder how Sydney at new year will compare?

Thanks to Te Papa museum I have managed to resolve my questions about why NZ's fish and chips are so good. Turns out a load of migrants left Grimsby at the turn of the century and brought their skills with them! About the only good thing to come out of Grimsby though!

A trip on the cable car and a night out with Jason's friend, Peter and his wife, has brought our antics in the North Island to an end. The Harrison's have left Jason to his own devices in Wellington, for a little break. Meanwhile we are heading for the South Island. Still waiting to become an auntie! No news yet!