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Goodness 10 days since the last blog - we've been rather busy.
Here we are in NZ, a place that Jeff has always wanted to visit. We had heard that it's just like England, fifty years ago . Well, so far we have not seen that in the North Island, it's modern and very up to date; however the tales of wonderful scenery and welcoming folk are absolutely true, that is except the bus drivers in Waiheke Island!!
Our first destination was Parnell, Auckland - a very smart, buzzy area, I can only draw a comparison to it being a bit like Tunbridge Wells Pantiles with endless fashionable bars,coffee shop, restaurants and live music .........and girls in heels and smart clothes. It was the perfect location for us. We got over jet lag by walking the city, taking the bus and finding out what a beautiful city it is, it has everything.
In three fabulous days we visited Waiheke Island -truly stunning it's where the rich and the famous have homes and where, those who are travelling, have made the right choice to visit. The wonderful beaches are endless and filled with shells, everyone a gem, a gift of magical beauty. The tepid water is inviting and the sky was perfect. A tip, in case you visit, is that buses don't run as frequently as you think and the best beach and bars are closest to the ferry!!
Our visit to Eden Park, the home of the All Blacks Rugby, was made even more special by an act of kindness of a wonderful person. It was a bit of luck that I saw a door open and being in the right place at the right time. He gave us a quick, but memorable and emotional tour of the vast, beautiful stadium. Magical!!
Later, we visited the Auckland museum, which is the most stunning white neo classical building set in a jaw droppingly beautiful park, which has a panoramic view of the city. As it was near closing time, a kind ticket attendant let us in for a quick tour of the museum.
Our decision for New Zealand was to see as much as possible, staying two nights in each of the chosen locations and driving quite large distances on our travel days. Having left Auckland we went north to Bay of Islands and stayed at Opua. The well maintained 1890's property was situated on the front, over looking the bay, where the car ferry ran across to the small island of Russell. It was a little bit like Fowey in Cornwall.
The morning we set out, the clouds gathered as a cyclone was brewing off shore, but we were fortunate, it was warm. I really wanted to see dolphins, so we went to Russell, apparently seeing dolphins is very common place. Well,no luck with dolphins!
We walked Russell and then caught a ferry back and meandered back via a coastly path to our 'new temporary home' - we were ten minutes away when a young man and his girlfriend drew our attention to something in the bay - very close to us. There were three Orcas. We had seen Ocras previously in Vancouver Island, this was just special, so very special. The ferries stopped as the passengers watched, all boats slowed down and showed their respect. For forty five minutes we watched in silence, everyone who gathered,just held their breath as these majestic mammals were surfacing to their unknown audience. We clearly saw their fins and their black and white bodies as they dived and swam in the water. They disappeared and reappeared, performing again and again. Just like all wild animals, suddenly they vanished and the show was over. Only two sightings in the bay in six years and we were there. A wow moment indeed!!
The rain and the wind came and under cloudy, heavy skies we left Opua and made our way to Hamiliton. a long drive. We met up with a NZ teacher , Anna Topping, who worked at St Marks for a year, fifteen years ago. By chance, Jeff found her email address just before we left and an email made the connection that had been broken for so many years. Anna met us at our motel and took us to a nearby pub. Time passes, things change- so much catching up and memories and stories. We laughed and laughed and laughed. Anna gave us a night tour of Hamiliton and returned us to our destination. One night- what a fabulous memory.
The one thing about New Zealand is the names of places, some are so familiar; however the majority are phonetically challenging. You ask an New Zealander where a specific place is and they look at you with a blank expression. The words really are very tricky, but must be a great accumulation of points in 'Scrabble.' We hope our pronounciation improves over time!!
On the way, under the cloudy skies we stopped off at Raglan - a name sake of the school I worked at for eight years. The resort is famous for surfing and for being what looked like, a really lovely place. It would be well worth a longer visit next time.
A long, spectacular drive to Taupo -(T -o po) fantastic accommodation run by very sociable couple Warryn and Dianne. Taupo is a must visit - it has everything, many Aucklanders have a second home thereand it is very easy to see the attraction; however it really is for those who like to keep active - a haven for those who like extreme sports. Weekend activities include cycling around the lake- 140 km, running marathons, sailing, bungy jumping.......
So far we have cycled through a very large vineyard in Tunuyan, Argentina, we cycled along a rather, it has to be said, uninspiring old railway track in Opua and I knew Jeff really wanted more. He had salivated at the thought of joining any of the lycra clothed cyclist that we had seen so far. Our lovely hosts suggested a ride to the Huka Falls - ever since the bridge experience in France, a few years ago, Jeff has always been slightly wary of me and bikes. I have to admit I have been quite pleased with my cycling thus far.
The day was absolutely beautiful, the clouds had disappeared- and the sky was just so blue. It wasn't long before we realised that there were quite a lot of very 'fit' mountain cyclists using this route. You have most probably worked it out, that what we thought was a pleasant ride to the Falls, turned out to be an 'extreme bike ride' - there were peaks and troughs, highs and lows, extreme highs and extreme drops. It didn't take long before I realised that I was out of my league. Jeff needed Matt, Jonathan, the Gimes and the team from the gym fanastics - instead he had me!
The unmade paths were very narrow and really didn't provide enough room for mistakes or for other bikers to pass.
As I still can't go down hill on a bike this added another slight problem, I would like to say it was because I wasn't familiar with the bike, but alas it wasn't. This meant that everytime we went down, I jumped off and ran down. I hoped that Jeff didn't notice, but feel sure he did. There were only a few silent moments where Jeff considered how long the ride would be without me.
The views were unbelievable - picture postcard memories. At different points cyclists would pass at speed. One group, who was led by a Mark Webber lookalike passed us followed two minutes later by a groups of six, they literally flew up the narrow path - leaving a trail of dust. Their faces were as shocked as mine!
Huka Falls, once reached was an amazing sight the blue water gushing over the rocks at such speed was incredible.
There was only one slight problem we had to get back - we found another route through the giant Redwood trees - not quite as challenging!!
Jeff's 'patience and words of encouragement' earned him a well deserved drink.
The day finished with drinks with our hosts. Perfect. I was quite proud of myself - I kept going even if I was slow! Perhaps 'extreme routes 'are not for me!
We left Taupo early and headed passed Lake Taupo across the Tongariro National Park on route to Whanganui.
Thank you so much for your comments, love and support. x
Footnote from the Old Boy!
I know we have not been in touch for a while but over the last week or so there have been a few humorous moments that I would like to share with you. The first occured up in the Bay of Islands where Jackie was determined to see porpoise so we took a boat trip across the bay to place called Russsell. There and back and no porpoise but we had a 6km cliff walk back from the boat to our house and about 200m from home a guy stopped us on the path to show us the three Orca that were surfacing in the little harbour in front of our home!
Some of you will and some of you won't know that Jackie does not like driving down steep hills. We were driving down to Rotorua the other day and I had overtaken a logging truck some way back when I said 'Can you drive for a minute as I feel a bit weary'. You've got it, we immediately started a series of descents but on the last one which was very long the truck caught us up. Jackie could only see a grille in the mirror and then he started using his air horns. Panic set in and there was no hard shoulder, Shall I stop she said at which point I was looking to bail out. Luckily we were at the bottom of the hill but there was only one place I needed to go when we eventually parked.
As many of you know I like to cycle so when our host offered us some bikes to ride out to see some spectacular falls my eyes lit up. After a few abortive starts we eventually got on the track to the destination. However it was not the one our host intended and it was a competive off road track that took us through extreme ravines and across narrow timber bridges riding on shale with mammoth drops in a number of places. To say the least I am sure that she pushed the bike more than she she rode it but good sport that she is we successfully got there!
Hope that you are all well an take care of yourselves.
- comments
Jenny Is this trip to try and get your wife to overcome some fears!!! It all sounds amazing so keep enjoying x
Love Kate. X Sounds great, think I would like the shops more than the bikes. Keep having fun x
Janette Well done Jack - sounds impressive. You had great rewards with the views, so worthwhile and you're right to feel proud of yourself. How fantastic to see the Orcas - sounds just amazing!! Continue with the energy and fun, love Jan and Mark xxxx
Tracey W I know the plan was to be outside your comfort zones on this trip but I don't remember "scaring Jackie half to death every other day" being specifically on the "to do" list!!!! Lol - she will be bungee jumping soon at this rate! PS Well jealous of the orca sighting xxx
Dianne Hi Jackie, You may well soon be competing in the Tour de France :) Are you planning on a bungee jump next, think you should xx
Karen Seaton Only just caught up with your blog - been in Sheffield! It all sounds so amazing the distance you've covered; the sights you've seen and the experiences you've had in such a relatively short time. Keep on having a wonderful time, with more adventures to come, I'm sure! xxx