Photos New Zealand Trip

 

Pohutu Geyser RotoruaAdam after mountain biking in the rain

River at Karapiro Power Station

Performing sheep at the Agrodome Rotorua

Maori warriors in war canoe

Maori haka

Adam on the luge, Rotorua

 

Waitomo caves

Laura on a Drift Kart

Giant Kauri tree, Coromandel Peninsula

Kauri forest, Coromandel Peninsula

Train, Driving Creek railway, Coromandel. Looking down on train from the Eyefull Tower.

Zig Zag on the Track on the Driving Creek RailwayOrakei Korako Thermal area

Huka Falls

Mt. Ruapehu

Adam and Laura in front of their great great grandfather's Cudell De Dion 1902, Southward Museum, Paraparaumu

About to go on a helicopter over Wellington

Laura in the front seat

Adam

On the Wellington Cable Car

Napier main street

The "public piano" Napier main street

Tangarakau Gorge

Stream, Tangarakau Gorge, Forgotten World Highway

Tunnel on the Forgotten W orld Highway, Taumaranui to Stratford.

Mt. Taranaki

West coast black sand beach

Mt. Manganui

Mt. Manganui walk

 

Driving Creek railway

New Zealand with the grandchildren continued

21.4.14  Before we left Rotorua for Lake Taupo we took the Sky Gondola to the top of the mountain to access the Luge.  Of course, as it was a holiday weekend, the queues were very long but eventually we got to the top.  The weather had been looking OK when we left the carpark, so foolishly, we did not take rainwear up with us.  And, as soon as we got to the top the clouds came in and soon it started to rain.  By the time Adam and Laura had queued to take a Luge ride it was raining steadily.  For the first ride Adam was the driver with Laura as passenger.  The rain got harder and harder and Bill and I stood waiting for them to return wondering how they would be.  It seemed a long time before the chair lift returned them to us, both soaking wet.  Laura wasn't too happy so she and I took the Gondola back to the carpark and the motorhome where she changed and got warm.  Adam stayed and had about 3 more turns on the fast track before coming back for some lunch.  He appeared to have enjoyed the experience immensely. 
On the way to Lake Taupo the weather cleared and we detoured into Orakei Korako thermal area. A launch whizzes  sightseers across the river then there is a walk of about 1 1/2 hours around a track with many steps past various lookouts overlooking thermal cliffs, steaming pools, hot water gushing, mud plopping etc.  Called at a supermarket on the way into Taupo to stock up then booked into another Top 10 HP with excellent facilities for childrens' amusement.

22.4.14  This morning we went on the Huka Jet.  "Fantastic Jeremy" was our driver and he was a cowboy and an extremely good pilot and guide. Firstly we zoomed down river to the barrage before the rapids doing many 360 deg. spins  then back up river at some fantastic speed to the base of the falls.  More spins. Laura absolutely loved it, with her hair flying everywhere (into knots), as we all did.  Truly a fun and worthwhile thing to do.  Later we found the "Hole in One Golf" and Bill and Adam had a try.  Golfers pay for a number of balls and have to drive them out into the lake, hopefully getting the ball onto a small platform moored out in the water and then into the hole.  The prize is $10,000 but sadly, no luck.  Then we found the Mini Putt Putt Golf and had a couple of hours fun playing that.

23.4.14  Before leaving Taupo we had another round of mini golf, then drove down the Desert Road past the three volcanoes (views) as far as Waiouru for lunch.  Cold and miserable so a good day to be driving.  Decided to go to Ohakune and when we got there decided to travel on to Wanganui because of the weather.  A wonderful view of Mt. Ruapehu along this road.  The Top 10 in Wanganui had some pedal thingies that the kids had great fun tearing around on.  Dinner out was not successful.  Disappointing food.

24.4.14  We could not stay with our friends, John and Julie, outside Palmerston North because of Bill's cold and John's poor state of health so decided to go to Foxton Beach.  Late morning tea/early lunch in Bulls MacDonalds.  The beach was so uninviting in Foxton that I rang my sister in law, Frances, in Levin and we continued on to see her.  My nephew, Robert, was able to leave his work and also came, which was an unexpected bonus. Also met his partner, Marina, briefly.  Booked in at caravan park at Paraparaumu beach and had nice fish and chips for dinner. 

25.4.14  It is only a short drive into Wellington from here so we had plenty of time after booking into the Lower Hutt Top 10  (excellent park) to drive into Wellington and visit Te Papa , the National Museum.  A typical Wellington gale was blowing and this was an experience for the kids as they held their arms out and almost took off.  Te Papa is a wonderful and innovative museum and to see it would take days.  We enjoyed what we saw.  More fun riding pedal cars when we returned to the park.

26.4.14  Back into Wellington this morning where, with some difficulty, we found a place to park the motorhome on Queen's wharf.  Had a look around and went up to Kelburn in the Cable Car.  Lunch in another MacDonalds.  On the wharf helicopter rides were available so we jumped on and had an aerial view of the city.  The kids first time in a helicopter.  After much searching we, at last, located another mini golf course quite close to the HP.  Much fun. 

27.4.14  We had a late check out so the kids had plenty of time for free play before we left the park to go into Lower Hutt for lunch and then onto the airport.  We handed them over to a guide about 3 pm for their trip home to Sydney.  They went off happily and we felt sure they were in good hands. 
So ended the main part of our trip to NZ.  We hope that, in spite of the inclement weather, Adam and Laura enjoyed their time with us and will always remember it.  We certainly had a wonderful time being with them.

Now we had a week to return the motorhome to Auckland and to make contact with old friends etc.  We drove out to Upper Hutt to my long time friend Hazel's home where we had a delightful evening.    She has made her new house into a lovely, welcoming, and warm home.  Bill had to sleep in the van as he is still coughing.  Managed to Facetime Angela on Hazel's Ipad to ensure the kids had arrived safely.  

28.4.14  This morning Hazel and I went for a brisk walk along the Hutt riverbank before we left to find the doctor with whom Hazel had made an appointment for Bill.  Finally left Wellington for Napier at 11 am.  Drove up over the Rimutakas ranges on a road I found to be a bit scary.  Narrow, steep, curvy with long drops to the valley below.  The weather also closed in again and the temperature dropped considerably.  11degrees, rain and wind but it cleared after we passed Woodville.  Had a huge and delicious lunch of home made soups in Masterton.  Booked into Kennedy HP (an ex Top 10 park), excellent, and found our way to my oldest friend Jean.  We had a most lovely evening catching up with Terakihi (fish) and veg for dinner.  Jean seems to be happily and comfortably ensconced in her new little unit in the retirement village where she used to work (and still does occasionally). 

29.4.14  Before leaving Napier Bill and I walked up and down the main street admiring the 1930's architecture.  It really is a most attractive city with a character all its own.  From here to Taupo over the Napier Taupo road stopping for lunch halfway at a small roadside café.  More nice soup.  We decided to go on to Taumaranui for the night as we had enough time to get across to New Plymouth the next day to see my elderly aunt Nancy.  A very scenic pleasant drive.  Taumaranui is an older town with some nice old trees and a very helpful I site.  Dinner at the RSA Club was rather ordinary.  The caravan park was tiny and basic but OK.  Very cold night. 

30.4.14  It was very cold and foggy in the early morning and we left at 9 am to drive the Forgotten World Highway, hoping the fog would lift.  It did and we saw some truly spectacular scenery.  A testing, slow, winding, exhausting drive but well worth the effort.  Particularly the Tangarakau Gorge.  Spent some time in the gorge by the river at the site of Joshua Morgan's grave.  He was an early surveyor and died whilst surveying the road.  Stopped in Whangamomona at the historic characterful pub and had coffee and a muffin.  Arrived in Stratford for a late lunch.  Popped down to Eltham to have a look at Bill's home town.  Arrived in New Plymouth and booked into yet another Top 10.  Found my Aunt Nancy in the rest home and she was thrilled to see us as I was to see her.  95 on 23rd December and whilst she is rather frail she is in good shape mentally. 

1.5.14  On to Te Awamutu today.  Lovely west coast scenery, black sand beaches etc.  Called in to see my cousin, Olive, and caught her just as she was going out.  A truly lovely reunion but much too short.  Family memories.  She is 84 on the 14th May and still very "with it".  Still driving.  Looked at her Fiat "Spyder" under wraps in the garage.  Afterwards we went to Clive and Marians' home nearby and parked in their driveway.  Much chat and catching up.  Bill slept in the van again while I had  the luxury of a proper bed. 

2.5.14  We spent the morning talking and relaxing and I rang cousin, Pauline, to arrange a visit.  Left after lunch to drive to Te Puna.  Booked in at Omokoroa HP not too far from Te Puna.  Found Pauline and John without difficulty, a lovely property in a delightful valley. Except  for their very long narrow driveway with two right angled corners.  Negotiated the first then the second then encountered low overhanging tree branches.  This necessitated Bill backing up and turning around so that we could leave in the dark.  A very very nifty piece of manouevring.  After that excitement we had an excellent talk and dinner with Pauline and John.  Once again, not enough time.  Left about 9pm.

3.5.14  Our last full day in New Zealand.  Decided to drive the short distance across to Mt. Manganui.  Booked into the beach side CP right underneath the Mount.   For a change, it was a beautiful day.  We strolled along the beach front, had a relaxed lunch at the Coffee Club, then a rest.  Bill managed to make contact with an old school friend and we met them for coffee back at the Coffee Club.  Graham and Colleen Nummie.  A very pleasant and lively couple.  The afternoon was drawing in but we walked the Mount track for some much needed exercise.  Great scenery, then we wandered over to the Hot Pools for a quick dip.  Our last dinner was in a good hotel not far down the street and it was very good. 

4.5.14  Packed, cleaned van etc.  Left at 9.30am  to drive to Auckland.  Treated ourselves to a Tip Top icecream at the Criterion Dairy in Paeroa.  Lunch in the shopping centre close to the Kea depot.  Arrived back in Sydney and met by Tim.  There by about 9pm. 

New Zealand with the Grandchildren April 2014

11.4.14   Bill and I travelled to Sydney today in order to have a couple of days with the two families before we left for New Zealand with our two older grandchildren.  Adam, who is 13 and Laura, who is 8. 

13.4.14  Today we were all up very early, 5.30 am, to get to the airport in good time.  The flight was on time and uneventful.  In Auckland we found the shuttle bus which took us to the Kea (motorhome) premises.  Went through the delivery process then quickly unpacked our suitcases and shoved our clothes into various cupboards.  First stop a nearby supermarket where we did a big shop then into the Navman went the address of the holiday park at Miranda and off we went.  Miranda was a little further than we would have preferred and it was getting rather dark by the time we arrived.  The rain began as we arrived!  Miranda Top 10 Holiday Park is on the western shore of the gulf opposite the Coromandel Peninsula.  It has a very pleasant heated thermal pool which the children were quick to make use of while I managed to put our first motorhome meal together.  The remainder of the evening was taken up with organising beds and the inside of the camper.

14.4.14  Today was our first proper day of the trip.  We got away promptly and drove across to the Coromandel. While the scenery was lovely as the road snaked around close to the bay it was a very winding slow road and not to the children's taste.  We reached Coromandel township for lunch and in the afternoon took a ride on the Driving Creek Railway.   The railway was built over many years by one man and many thousands of native trees have been planted to regenerate the native forest.  It winds up a steep hillside, through beautiful bush, over  high narrow bridges and ends up at a spectacular lookout.  Well worth doing.  Next we drove over the 309 road stopping to do a walk into some giant kauri trees.  The road was gravel, dirty and slow and it was raining again.  Eventually we arrived at Hot Water Beach Top 10 HP.  Another excellent park with a great playground for the kids, jumping castle etc. 

15.4.14  The weather had not improved and the Cathedral Cove boat trip was cancelled, sadly.  The sea was too rough also to be able to dig on the shoreline to make ourselves a hot pool to sit in.  So we left and drove across to Papamoa beach near Tauranga and another Top 10.  Once settled we went to find the BloKarting place to do some drift karting.  Drift karts have 3 wheels, one in the front driven by an electric motor, and the two rear wheels being very smooth. Riders drive them at speed around a twisty course and by using body weight  put them into controlled ?? slides.  Great fun and much enjoyed by everyone. 

16.4.14  This morning we returned to the BloKarting place and Adam and Laura had a great deal of fun zooming and sliding around the circuit.  Adam was extremely competent and Laura really got the hang of it also.  On our way across to Waitomo we stopped in Karapiro for lunch at the service station and went down to the dam to show the kids a hydro electric station.  Next stop the Otorohanga Kiwi House where we were fortunate enough to see Kiwis foraging for food.  They now have an excellent walk through bushy gardens which passes cages of various birds, and there are many birds wandering free and swimming on the waterway.  We watched giant eels being fed fresh meat which was really interesting. More rain as we arrived in Waitomo and another Top 10 with trampolines etc.

17.4.14   Today we visited two caves, the most spectacular being the second one where we had a ride in a boat along an underground stream in pitch blackness to observe myriads of glowworms.  Stunning.  After we came out of the last cave we climbed up a wet grassy hillside through the sheep  along a narrow path liberally covered in sheep droppings.  As Laura said, "I think the sheep use the track for a toilet". 

18.4.14  Before leaving for the drive to Rotorua we visited another cave, the Aranui Cave.  This cave has spectacular formations, shawls, stalactites and stalagmites of all shapes and sizes and is of a truly impressive size.  Along the way to Rotorua we stopped to view another Hydro Power Station  (Arapuni) which has a swing bridge across the deep swift  river immediately below the power station.  After booking in at the Rotorua Top 10 we went for a short drive to show the kids some thermal and Maori stuff at St. Faiths church and the surrounding village.  We saw boiling pools in backyards, steam coming out of kerbs, and coffins enclosed in concrete above ground etc. as well as the very nicely carved church. Unfortunately, the public is no longer able to visit the beautifully carved and decorated meeting house. We also walked through a local park which has a very active thermal area.

19.4.14  And the rain poured down so definitely not suitable for Adam to go mountain bike riding.  So off to the Agrodome to see the trained sheep perform.  A very slick professional show and much enjoyed.  Lunch in the van in the carpark before a quiet afternoon in the Holiday Park.  Bill not feeling well.  Laura and I had a soak in the hot pool and some nearby children made friends.  In the evening we went to a Hangi and were entertained to Maori hakas, poi dances, Maori warriors paddling a war canoe up a stream, more glowworms on the stream bank and a delicious dinner of tender meats and vegetables and salads followed by plenty of desserts. 

20.4.14  The weather was still uncertain this morning but we set off to meet Paul Spanbroek at the Redwood Forest Mountain biking centre.  Some incorrect information had us at the wrong place but eventually we found Paul and Adam was set up on a suitable bike.  They set off and we decided to take Laura to Te Puia and Whakarewarewa.  Pohutu geyser was performing almost constantly and we saw boiling mud pools, hot springs and streams etc.  Walking in the rain!  Lunch in the restaurant and then the highlight for Laura.  We visited the carving school and the weaving school.  Both of great interest.  The worker in the weaving school took the time to explain the whole process to us and gave Laura the sample of treated flax that he had used as an example.  She was delighted.  Adam turned up at 4pm very happy, unbelievably wet and muddy.  Apparently had an amazing day and loved every moment.  Thank you Paul. 

Kuala Lumpur 21.10.13 and.home 22.10.13

Today is the last day before we travel home.  We set off about 9.30am to walk to the KLCC gardens and on the way found the "City Walk" not far from the hotel. Followed it and found the Bukit walkway. A shortcut through laneways lined by little restaurants and shops.  Shady. Ended up at the Aquaria and Gardens.  Gardens are a delight, green, large well signed pathways and well tended.  Walked along and found a very nice shopping centre, and an upmarket Dept store, Parksons.  Lo and behold they had a sale on so we did some shopping.  Nice shorts for Bill, T. shirts for Adam and Laura and Matthew.  The Petronas Tower Skybridge is closed on Mondays, wouldn't you know it, so missed out on that.  We found a nice restaurant for lunch.  Delicious mushroom soup and a soft drink.  Retraced our steps to the hotel for a rest then went back out and found the overhead walkways to the Pavilion Shopping Centre.  Most impressive.  Got a shonky taxi back about 4.15pm.  A last dinner at Healy Mac's Irish Pub.  The motorbike riders here are crazy!  They push to the front at traffic lights, in squadrons,  sometimes using the footpath to do so, which can be a bit disconcerting, and take off at huge speed with much revving and roaring of motors when the lights change.  Many just ignore the lights and tear through.  KL is really rather a nice city and the huge park area near the KLCC is a real asset.
Home today.
An early start, up at 5.30am and a good breakfast before being picked up at 7am. to go to the airport.  The plane left on time and was very comfortable with excellent service, wonderful food, even Lobster Thermidor. The benefits of business class.  Read, watched a video and the time passed fairly easily.  Bill had excellent views when we passed over inland Australia.  Next time, I am having the window seat!  Home about 10.30pm.  All well. 
This was a trip that was full of historical and current interest and will be thought about for a very long time as we slowly digest all we have learnt.

Views around KL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The K2 Tower

Kuala Lumpur Bird Park 20.10.13

Today we went to the Bird Park using a taxi. 17 RMB.  Arriving at 9.30am.  The Bird Park covers a huge area and is completely covered by very high netting  so many birds are free to wander etc.  Unfortunately many others are in cages.  Some I could understand but I would have liked to see the parrots, at least, flying free.  Still, we saw many birds we had never seen before although I felt that there plenty of scope to broaden there varieties.  Another taxi back to the hotel about midday for a rest out of the heat and humidity.  After lunch took a taxi to SOGO which was recommended to us but turned out to be a very middle/lower Department store.  Another taxi to another shopping centre but it was full of little shops selling mostly watches, phones and accessories etc.  Noisy and crowded.  Walked to the Fat Computer Centre where the crowds were unbelievable and the noise level intense. This kind of shopping is not for us but interesting, nevertheless.  Yet another taxi back to the hotel.   Dinner once again at the Irish Pub.  It was convenient with good food. 
Taxis are cheap here and readily available.
A selection of the birds we saw at the Bird Park.