Visit to Russell March 5th

As mentioned last night........ rain, and lots of it, all night and most of today.... in fact still raining now at 10pm Saturday. I took a couple of shots from Estuary Cottage now that the tide was in and then set off for our next destination Whangarei. Once settled I fired up the laptop to check the signal strength as the landlord was not sure if the wifi stretched to this end of the complex. We had an email from Peter and he suggested that we would like Russell on the bay of islands.  So we set off up the SH1 and missed our turning and eventually had to take the ferry across a river to get to Russell.  This turned out a much quicker route and the ferry arrived at much the same time as we did so no waiting. Russell is a lovely little port. There were birthday cruises and a wedding going on..... as you do, on a summer's Saturday afternoon... except it was raining. On the way back we took the longer (no ferry) road, but saw a lot of the Bay of Islands.... which was nice!!! Not alot of photos as it was raining all the time........... but here they are.

The Coromandel Peninsular. March 4th

We knew from the outset that this would be a big day. A day to “Fill our eyes” as Juli would say. We started off by returning to the Whangamata beach and estuary where Ann had swam the night before. To take photos of this fantastic location. We then set off up the east coast on the SH25, taking photos of the superb vistas on the way. We had decided to look in on “The Waterworks”  as it had seemed a great place when I came across it on the internet. To get there we took the 309 road which cuts across the peninsular and saves several Kms. However it is yet again, a gravel road and progress was slow. There were many other fools on this road and the views were stunning, so it was worth it. We really enjoyed our time at the Waterworks and Ann managed to have another swim to add to her tally. The water related activities were really great for us big kids as well as the little ones that were there.  Every now and then you come across some whacky sculptures. The road from there back down the west coast of the peninsular was equally stunning and very twisty, so we were glad to get back on the 25 to Auckland. This was however Friday afternoon rush hour as we got there and I had forgotten all about three lane motorways doing 5kmph. To add to this dreary stretch of the journey it started to rain….. this is supposed to be summer!!! During the day we had passed many places where the road had been washed over with mud slides and I guess after today there will be more. When we arrived at Waiwera, I took this shot from our bedroom window just as the light was fading….. and then the rains came again. It is still raining heavily now at 10pm……… who knows what tomorrow will bring.
Photos here.

Wai-O-Tapu March 3rd.

Today it occurred to us that we have really been made aware of the power of the earth and how man thinks he has control, but is sorely mistaken. We have seen the results of earthquakes, cyclones, floods and fire, and yesterday and today we witnessed the incredible forces stored not too far below the earth’s surface. It seems quite amazing that all that heat, the stored energy and propulsive power is so close to the surface at times, but there all the time, below us wherever we are! Wow!

After visiting Wai-O-Tapu  for a couple of hours we returned to Rotorua and then on to Whangamata where we had supper and from where in the morning we start our big day touring the Coromandel.

I have added a couple of links into yesterday’s posting, so you may like to scroll down and follow them, for a more complete picture of Rotorua.

More muddy pictures here.

Roturua --- March 2nd

It has been a weird day, but great with it. We have explored all around Lake Roturua looking at all the very strange geothermal activity around here. There is lots of it around that isn’t a part of all the general tourist dollar gaining scam! Around the edge of the lake you can see gusts of steam escaping in the distance, and when you explore it is all laid out and signposted, with safe boardwalks and signposting. Another great site was where there is a whole park built around some of the warm water holes used by the Maori throughout history. Again you see the steam and there are lots of mud geysers and bubbling hot water pools. Once again it is all laid out and signposted, with safe board walks and signposting. The I-site told us about this one, but it isn’t advertised anywhere as no-one makes any money from it. We came across this “old” building… The Bath House Museum  … only now being finished off after decades of not having enough money to realise the architect's original design. The second wing being built to match perfectly the first and central portion finished over a century ago. (1908)

The afternoon we spent luxuriating in some of the hot mineral pools at the Polynesian Spa .  I also had a great mud massage…different but fab! This did cost a bit but well worth it. It was a rainy afternoon but when you are already wet, hey ho, who cares.  Tomorrow on our way (actually not on our way) to Whangamata, we visit Wai-O-Tapu  for some more geothermal excitement. Be sure to follow the blog, if you like mud pools.
Photos here.

Lake Taupo and Craters of the Moon - March 1st

We stayed at a sweet little cottage before setting out towards Lake Taupo.  Bird Cottage had everything you could possibly need, shame to only be there one night, but that’s the nature of touring!

The lake itself is quite amazing, so big it seems to be a sea and with lots and lots of ‘beaches’ along its shore, lots of camping and little sea side cottages, so small they were more like bathing huts at times. I was a bit incapacitated with my twisted ankle, although much better than yesterday, so we did lots of car touring today. On one end of the lake are the Huka Falls, which are not the best falls we’ve ever seen, but truly impressive for the amount, and power of the water rushing through a narrow chasm carved by the water. No fish can migrate up it, and you would be a fool to try to navigate it, though some have tried! The blueness of the water is surprising too.

Between the lake and Rotorura we began to see some signs of geothermal activity, stopping at ‘The Craters of the Moon’ to investigate our first fumaroles and mud holes. The yellows and greens, the strange shapes, all quite bizarre. 

Photos here.

Pukekura Park - New Plymouth, Feb 28th

Had a great day looking at Pukekura Park, walking the paths, and enjoying the beautiful day in the sun along with lots of the inhabitants of New Plymouth. It is incredible that so many cities have the foresight to provide such fabulous green spaces right in their heart. It is a great place with lots of wild space, lots of water, ponds and waterfalls, some formal lawn areas and some display greenhouses, literally full to the rafters with lovely specimen plants, not unique, or even really unusual, but so well grown and arranged. Also there are some really special big old trees within the ‘wild’ area, a Ginko Bilbao and some huge old native trees, up to 2000 years old. I was so busy looking up at the trunks and branches I tripped and sprained my ankle! What a pain. Not as bad as last time and the other foot, but horribly painful, so the rest of the day with it strapped up, and up to rest!  Tomorrow is another day…

Photos here.

Paloma Gardens to New Plymouth Feb 27th

Today was a real “Yarrows” day and a real treat for Rich. We had gone to Whanganui because of the Yarrow’s shipyard built paddle steamer “The Waimarie” and we had a great trip down memory lane on our trip up the river. Rich got to steer the boat, and to shovel coal into the boiler…so exciting! When he asked the Captain if it was NZ coal… he replied “Yes and its crap!” It was a nice restful trip in the sun for me and we saw some lovely houses on the banks and other people out enjoying their Sunday leisure time on the river.

Whanganui is a lovely little town, with lots of Art Deco buildings and a thriving glass school. The suitcase is for you, Jen. There happened to be a Morris rally on the river bank too. In Manaia we found the Yarrows Bakery which is renown in the area for its croissants, among other things. Then we could see Mount Taranaki, the dormant/active volcano, in the distance as we drove on our way to New Plymouth. We have since found out that it erupted roughly every 90 years for ages.  The last eruption was in the 1850s, so it is well overdue.  Beware, New Plymouth,.... the UK Yarrows are in town!

Photos here.