North Island life is more hectic than South Island and this seems to have leached into our existence. Not getting around to writing the blog ...somehow not managing to fit as much into our days here. Not a good sign !
South Island was definately the more "warm &fuzzy" place to be ...real tourist heaven and a magical place, a real paradise in all senses of the word. It definately had one feeling at the edge of the world...in a very good way.
It is said that one must smell the roses (which I am doing at every opportunity) and feel the grass under your feet. Did the "feeling the grass" thing in the city park in Taupo. Have never experienced the feeling of such soft, thick and luscious grass ever before. It was cool and soft, just like a thick carpet. What an amazing feeling. Clint and I just strolled around on the grass enjoying the feeling. People must have thought we were a bit odd....but as I said at the beginning of the trip "let the madness begin".
After enjoying the wonderful environment of Lake Taupo, with its many black swans, views of Volcanoes in the background and enjoyable thermal baths (especially the waterslide which seemed to be there just for me to let my inner child come out to play) , we went on to see The Craters of the Moon and then the Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.
As amazing as the geothermal environments in this volcanic area are, they really do remind one of the descriptions of hell in Dante's Inferno. Bubbling mud pools, acidic lakes, sulphur pools in lumenescent lime green, sulphur smells and acidic fumes that start to burn your eyes and blackened craters due to the extreme heat, all make for a very uninhospitable environment. Interesting again to see the power of the earth, what is bubbling beneath and how it can all change every day.
Today we experienced this hot water bubbling up on a beach. You dig a hole in the sand (or jump into a hole just vacated by others - which is what we did) - and the water that seeps through is really hot...in some places too hot to sit in. There were masses of people on the beach, all enjoying this natural phenomenon - so enjoyable.
Last night we spent in Mount Manganui, a great holiday spot on the Bay of Plenty on the Pacific Ocean. A colourful local had us intregued by his stories (45 and still living with his mom), the last bottle fight in the town at New Year 2001, the ship that ran aground in October 2008 and then what happens at a dubious strip-club in the town ( in more detail than one really wants to know). He then told us of a Chinese Restaurant to go to, which we ended up doing, with most probably half of the local population - food slightly better than the atmosphere ! Interesting none the less.
Before leaving for the Coromandel Peninsula we climbed the +-280m mountain just above our campsite. Good exercise (perhaps why it was used by every exercising person in town ....except those hundred or so folks who were competing in an ironman swim around the island...just watching them made me sea-sick) for the morning was rewarded with magnificent views of the area. Huge peninsulas and so many bays and so many boats ! And...just miles and miles of beach fringed by tree plantations. Reminded us a bit of Thailand and Bali.
The rain accompanied our drive, yet we could enjoy our arrival and afternoon in Hahei on the Coromandel Peninsula ...overcast yet warm. It is raining now ...but we are snug and warm in our camper with great coffee and TimTams. Clint is downloading and editing photos...so hopefully we'll be able to post them soon. Having to go to the bathrooms before bed is going to be a challenge though...in the rain....joys of camping !
Better get wifi soon ....Judy's 50th coming up ....and Dylan's 19th. Wonder if he is going to miss us singing to him in the morning ? I know I will ! Not a good day to be apart as a family ...but maybe that is just me, always sentimental about birthdays. Definately a big day in my life ...always to be remembered fondly...with much gratitude !