Round Taupo

Decided to explore the Geothermal valley around Taupo a bit, we didn't manage to do this last time we where here. This is a really cool place as the only way to get to it is via a wee boat trip over a river. There was lots of guyers etc and smelt a wee bit too. The weather was amazingly hot (I managed not to get sunburnt - woo hoo).


There was a cave there and this is the view up from the bottom of the cave. There was a pool of water at the bottom of the cave which was so warm.

Drinking and Kiwi's

As it is rude not too, we booked ourselves in for an afternoon of wine tasting to educate us further in the art of wine production and how to know the difference between the wines. Before this we had done an Art Deco tour of Napier, as we are all rather refined people.

This is on of the finer Art Deco properties in Napier. The tour was really good and explained about the town being totally destroyed in the 1931 earthquake. Then everything was re-built in the Art Deco style.

Then it all went down hill ................ :o))

There was 14 of us on our wine tasting tour and even though we all (don't quote me on that) drank water, the alcoholic ness of the wine took over. We visited Mission Estate, Moana Park, Matariki & a brewery called the Filter Room.

We got on well with the other people on the tour and we ended up going straight out for food with four of them, Kerry, Kylie, Chester and Hayden. Lets just say we got home at 11pm but had been drinking from about 1:30pm. A very good day / night was had by all :o)
Photo is of Mission Estate

Body Boarding in Gissy

Well it was actually on my "To Do" list but I hadn't told the girls!!! We hired body boards from our campsite as it was right on the beach front. There are quite a lot of beaches that are unsafe for swimming but this one was fine. We went out and I was rather scared (keeping it poliet as my Mam reads this!). But after the inital shock of how cold the water was and some deep breathing, I really got into it. There were some big (probably not really) waves and one did knock me on the side of the head and it smarted a little. But I really enjoyed it. I didn't manage to figure out how to surf a wave in. Jen was totally amasing and did it, but she can surf !!!
But after 3.5 panic attacks in the water and an hour later, I decided that I was quite tired.
But well done me!!! The girl who is scared of water :o)

Road Less Travelled

Decided to spend 2 days and drive from Whakatane all the way to most easterly part of the North Island and then down to Gisborne.
Was amasing scenary but you couldn't really get to the beaches. Glad we went that way as was off the beaten tourist track but not much to see apart from the awesome scenary.

Stella's birthday - Spent day on a boat and visiting a volcanic island :o)

Stella's birthday is 6 days after mine and as it was her 30th birthday we had pre-booked a trip (nowt like being organised now is there). We got picked up early (a running theme here ??) and we booked in and paid and also got our free gift (again the bargain queen that is me found that we could get free bees).
We went on a posh boat over to White Island. This is an active marine volcano. It's about 300m above water but about 600m below water. We made the mistake on the boat journey over there are sitting on the top desk, it was rather 'lumpy & bumpy' for the 1 1/2 hr journey over to the island and unfortunately Jen was sick and Stella very nearly (she wasn't sick until we got on the island - always nice to leave a little present!). But iron gut Jaimie (only when it comes to boats) was fine and having a giggle at the fact that I couldn't walk straight and kept bumping into people and things.

Once at the Island, it was truely awesome. You get split up into little groups, ours was the largest with 20 people. We had Alan as our guide and Jeff to make sure everyone made if off the island. Before the tour we where issued with hard hats (can I not get away from them?) and a gasmask (not military issue which was the last type I was used to). Anyway, we walked around the island and were told loads of interesting stuff, like what to do and where to go if an eruption was to happen (eekk!) how to use the gasmasks (yawn) and that it was up to us when we used them.
They used to mine sulphur on the island but it was very hard work and conditions for the guys as the island did rather smell sulphurous and the guys had to brush their teeth 3 times a day to stop them going black. There is a lake on the island which is so acidic is is -0.5 on the pH scale !!! I did also notice pieces of asbestos corigating roofing on the ground as the old buildings are falling down (you can take the girl out of Newcastle but not her ability to spot asbestos at 100 yards) - Please help me !!!
After our tour of the island & once back on the boat, Stella & Jen had time to jump into the water and have a swim. I decided that it was far better to stay and look after their towels (ok, still chicken about water but am working on it).


The boat ride back was much better as we where sitting on the bottom and at the back of the boat, plus sunning ourselves.


A lovely day and was rounded off by Stella liking the birthday gift Jen & I had bought her.

Picked up Jen from Auckland Airport & Nearly Got A Parking Ticket

We had arranged to meet Jen at Auckland airport as she was joining us for the week. I had to drive the campervan about 1.5 hrs from Warkworth, north of Auck. I even drove over the Auckland Harbour Bridge - so now i have driven a boat under it (America's Cu p Boat) and then a campervan over it, albeit in the rain though. Auckland still looked awesome even in the rain.

90 Mile Beach - only 62 miles really !!!

So This is our first proper day of our holiday, even thought we got the camper yesterday, today was the first day we woke up in it. Had good night sleep - helpped by a very nice bottle of champagne (thanks Stella for that).

We'd booked a trip, so had to be up and out early as got picked up at 7:45am (yawn). It was so cool, as I thought that it was just a normal bus we where getting picked up in but it was a 4x4 high suspension bus. When we got near it, steps came down, bit liek a spaceship. The bus was full bar our 2 seats and Stella and I made people move so we could sit next to each other and in the process got really good seats !! he he he.

Bruce(y) our driver was really good and funny. We driove north and then made our way onto 90 mile beach. It's actually reconised as a road and does have a speed limit of 100km. It's called 90 miles beach as it used to be used by farmers to move their cattle and as they thought cattle could move 30 miles a day - hence they called it 90 miles beach. Now some smart arse decided to measure it and realised that it was only 62 miles. However, over the ditch in Oz there is an 80 mile beach (which also is not 80 miles) and not wanting to be outdone, they decided that it was still to remained named as 90 mile beach !!!

Driving on the beach was awesome and actually far smoother and not as wynding as the roads. I'll try and up load some photo's at some point.

We made our way up to Cape Reigna (said Re-anger) which is the most northerly part of the Norty Island of New Zealand. We had such a clear day and could see islands 50km away. This is where the Tasman Sea and Pacific meet and the currents looked might awesome but calm, wouldn't like to be there on a stormy day.

We made our way back and stopped in at the World Famour Manginue Fish & Chips shop. We had the most lovely portion of fip & chish. Totally random thou - you have to buy your vinegar seperate.

The trip got us backj at about 6pm and was a brilliant way to start to holiday.

Happy 30th & getting the campervan day to me :o)

Woo Hoo am 30 !!!

Stella gave me a few wee gifts. My birthday has been spread over about a month and was nice to finally be here. Thanks for all the text messages, some got the time difference right, some didn't, but made my birthday last even longer.

We picked up the campervan today. Smaller than last time, as only 5.2m long rather than the beast we had last time - which was a 6 berth !!!!

Made our way up the coast (in the rain) on the western side of Northland through some very wynding roads.

Finally got to Kerikeri and enjoyed my birthday champagne.

Dinner at The Orbit restaurant - Again !!!

Am becoming a regular here as had dinner in the revolving restaurant (The Orbit) up the Sky Tower in Auckland last time I was in NZ (with Stella, Ben, Allison & Will) and now again this time with Stella, David and Gail.

We met David and Gail in Sky City and had a pre dinner drink in Bar 3, which Stella and I remember was where we had ended the night last time rather drunk !!! It was nice to see David and Gail again. Unfortunately Gail wasn't her normal chatty self and was feeling a little under the weather.

As part of the package for booking dinner at The Orbit, you can go up to the observation desk 30 minutes before your dinner and enjoy the 360 degree view of Auckland - it was just as wonderful as I remembered. It was a little later in the day than last time, so the photographs aren't as good.

When you get onto the restuarant floor, it's weird as the midlle bit stays still and you are sat right by the window and it is this bit which rotates. And a wee drink of vodka and something it took a while for me to get used used. Seeing the sun set on Auckland was awesome as ever.

Dinner was wonderful and thankfully Gail turned into her normal self after a little food. A good night was had by all and I am hoping that if my folks do make it over that I'll be able to go there again !!!

Stella's Arrived to join me :o)

Got the airbus express from Auckland to the airport and had a slight disagreement with the bus driver. I got on and he told me that I could only have a single ticket - but I wanted a return. After a few words I found out that his ticket machine was broken and that he could only issue single ticket. So I told him to drop me off att he next stop so I could get the next bus (20 mins later) so that I could get a return ticket. Which he agreed to do, but I also asked for my $1 off voucher back - Bargain Queen till the end, doesn't matter where I am in the world.

Meet Stella at Auckland airport as she flew over from a very wet Sydney - yes it really can rain there. Was lots of hugs and tears and was really nice to see here after only seeing her a month ago. How am I going to feel in Mid March when we say bye. Not thinking about it !!!

Am really glad that Stella is here as now the holiday can start - woo hoo :o)

My First Trip To A Zoo & Is That Dead ?

I've never been to a zoo before. Had a day on the Hop-on, Hop-off bus and decided to give the zoo ago as Gail recommended it. Was really great, but only got to spend 2 hours there. It was over the hottest part of the day and a few of the animals were hidding. I went and saw the meer cats and had a giggle. This one looked like it was dead - it was just flat out asleep in the shade !!! How cute.

And the jet lag hit

I spent my second day in Auckland by taking the ferry from CBD over to Devonport. This is an older area of Auckland and has the Naval base on. Stella and I went to Devonport last time but as far as a cafe before giving in to our very bad handovers. So I decided that I would definately walk up Mt Victoria this time. It was very well worth it and had some gloriuos views over the water to central Auckland. I did sit in the sun for ages. There is so much traffic in the water that I spent nearly an hour watching it and reading my guidebook.

I was tired and ended up back in my hotel by 2pm and thought a nap would help - 5 hours later I woke up !!! Oooppss.

View from Devonport over to Auckland CBD

My First Proper Day - It's a Public Holiday too

I arranged to meet up with David & Gail - Stella Friends to go to the Waitangi Day Festival. We arranged to meet up at 1pm. So I pottered about and into town, then got the bus over to Okahu Bay where the festival was held at. The bus took a wee while as the traffic was really busy. I'd arranged to meet with them at the pier at Baston point. However I got off the bus at the total other end of the bay. In the bay was a beach with a pontoon and I was wondering if that was the pier, but then I noticed that further along the bay was a proper pier. So I decided to walk round to that. Luckly I had told David that I would wear a purple top and when I arrived there, a girl came over to me and said "Jaimie"!!! Turned out to be Gail. We then all walked back to the festival, was full of different food and clothing stalls and there was a massive stage, we didn't reconsise any of the music. Had a nosey round and then headed back to Misson Bay where they live. We had ice cream - which was lush and well needed by this point as it was about 27oC !!!
After a cuppa at Gail and Davids flat they took me up to One Tree Hill where the view of the city is awesome. Then we had some dinner at a restaurant which serves "The Best Pizza's In The World". Was a really lovely day and a great way to start my new adventure/life in New Zealand.

Link to festival and what Waitangi Day is about:
http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/whatson/events/waitangiday/default.asp


Festival, Gail & David

I Really Am In New Zealand NOW !!

Well started my journey in Newcastle and the flight to Dubia was ok, 7 and a bit hours of movies not on demand, but I coped. Then a 8.5 hour lay over in Dubia allowed me to get a hotel room. That was good and nice to lay out but I didn't really sleep, body was tired but my mind was racing. I went back to the airport and what a horrid airport - just in the fact that there are that many people all running around and there is hardly anywhere to sit. I was sat on the floor at one point. My next journey was Dubia - Bangkok - Sydney then finally here. Each time the plane stopped we had to disembark, walk round in a circle, go through customs again (note to self - do not wear a belt at all next time as that came off and on too many times) only to get back on the same plane.
But hey ho I am here, the island of the long white cloud. It is a balmy 27oC this evening and I am in a skirt, vest top and have my flip flops on (can't remember what they are called here - know it's thongs in Oz).
Anyway I am shatter, my random bag of food from the supermarket and my bed are all calling. So I'll crawl up the stairs and bid you good night as you are getting out of your bed to start your day.......

Meet my traveling partner - Puppy Power

As always I could not go away without Puppy Power joining me. I got a great surprise in the post this morning, a gift from Zoe. A new T-shirt for Puppy Power. Here he is in all his new T-shirt glory.

Thanks SO much Zoe, his other NZ t-shirt will be packed in the rucksack.

Cue - Littlest Hobo music .......

Finished packing up the house last night with the help of my folks. There is only the furniture remaining. We even cleared out the loft and garage. All the boxes are in my parent garage and I'm glad they have a double garage. It's a wee bit sad but as I have lived in over 25 different places, although I love my house it's not too hard to move on. Am wondering what my next place will be like. I am renting the spare room from my friend Jen in Christchurch, so no doubt photos shall be on here shortly. Well, a month. I don't actually get to Chch until mid March - holiday first.

Am pondering if the name change is a good idea. Sounded good at the pub the other night......