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.
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