New Zealand!

After two days solid travelling and with the loss of the 22nd December due to the time difference, we finally arrived in Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday the 23rd of December 2006. We were met at the airport by Alan and Cath, two friends from back home who moved out to New Zealand 6 months ago, it was really good to see a familiar face from back home!
Once back at their home we unloaded our bags and put a load in the washing machine, unfortunately Lee also managed to put his mobile phone in! Its funny he managed to keep everything dry and in working order for two months while in the hot and humid rainforest, even through the start of the wet season, then he arrives in New Zealand during their summer and washes his phone!!! Although the SIM still allows you to send text messages we cannot use his actual phone or access any numbers that were on the SIM, so we apologise to anyone who has sent Lee a text and not had a reply or had one saying "Hi, err who is this?" We will be checking the SIM on Rachael's phone but it may not be as regular. In Lee's defence, the reason he did not check that particular pocket was because he had a flea in his trousers that had been biting him all the way from Peru! Incidently he has not been bitten since!

Still wide awake despite the jet lag and time difference, Alan and Cath took us for a walk up Mount St John, the extinct volcano right behind their house! It was the strangest sensation, all around us we could hear and see birds that we see all the time at home, goldfinches, chaffinches, blackbirds! It was hard to think we were actually the other side of the world! Then in the midst of all these British birds popped up two Eastern Rosellas (type of parakeet) and a small bird called a Silvereye...ok so we are definately not at home! Walking back down we spotted a classic, native New Zealand bird the Tui and saw some Pohutukawa trees. Also called 'Christmas Tree' as at this time of year they bloom vivid red flowers.

By now Rachael was feeling extremely knackered, just heading for an hour or so kip, she woke up 7 hours later to Alan knocking on the door saying dinner was ready! Oops =0) Lee managed to stay awake a little longer, even went on a little tour around Auckland in Alans truck, until he too succumbed to sleep and slept the evening until dinner. Oh and yes, Thank you Cath for a delicious roast chicken dinner...yummiest food we've had in a long time!

Sunday CHRISTMAS EVE - the start of our big camping trip around North Island. First we popped into Auckland city centre to buy a few essentials...i.e. some flipflops! Oh yes, sorry they are called Jandals over here!
Back at the house we loaded up all our gear in the back of Al's huge truck and headed off south. The countryside around here is pretty cool, very similar to home with its rolling hills, occasionally more mountainous hills and large green fields, but then you would see a palm tree or a load of large ferns, or then pass through a gorge with steep rocky sides covered in more rainforest type vegetation. As we were driving along we managed to spot quite a few birds, particularly lots of Myna's and Australasian Harrier's.

Just after 4pm we arrived in Mount Maunganui, near Turannga in the western Bay of Plenty. Once we'd set up camp we headed to the beach, and what a beach! Miles of beautiful white sand, being lapped at by a gorgeous ocean that changed from dark blue to vivid turquoise. At the far end of the beach was the lump of rock from which the town gets it name, Mount Maunganui. The evening was beautiful, clear blue skies with only a few fluffy clouds and a balmy breeze...this was the New Zealand we had looked forward too. We even had our first paddle in the Pacific ocean, although it was rather nippy still!
Back at the campsite we cooked some dinner, Alan and Cath have definately got it all sorted, they even have a kitchen sink!!!

Monday CHRISTMAS DAY - Merry Christmas! Since we have been travelling for the last two months and having a strict weight limit to contend with, we were unable to really buy each other any christmas presents. Although we count the Jandals as presents we didn't have anything to actually open... Alan and Cath saved the day! They had very kindly bought us each a present to unwrap, which made our day! A couple of wonderful, traditional maori carvings were just the trick.

After presents had been opened we headed off to climb Mount Maunganui. The weather was improving, with the cloud cover gradually breaking to reveal a warm sun. The Mount was really cool, offering impressive views over the surrounding beaches and oceans. We had a wonderful encounter with a couple of Fantails, small birds that look a little like Long Tailed Tits back home.

Once down from the Mount it was time for Christmas dinner, this year a BBQ on the beach! Different from the usual roast turkey, but then this whole Christmas Day has been completely different from usual... the other side of the world from family and friends, relaxing on a beach with champagne, a hot, sunny day....and yes both Al and Lee got sunburnt!
Back at the camp we had a wonderful warm shower to wash away the suncream and sand. We are both still very much appreciating warm showers after two months of cold water!

Then in the evening we had a relaxing stroll around the bottom of Mount Maunganui to see if we could spot any Blue Penguins, we didn't but it was still a lovely walk. There we have it, Christmas was over for another year, as usual it went far too quickly, but we are both looking forward to spending next year with our family!

Tuesday BOXING DAY - Managed to ring friends and family this morning to wish them Merry Christmas, strange to think it was still Christmas back at home! Still getting our heads round the time difference here. In Peru we were 5 hours behind, now we are 13 hours ahead!
We packed up camp and headed further south along the coast. A gloriously sunny day, the scenery was stunning... blue and turquoise shimmering ocean, white sandy beaches, brilliant green forests and mountain ranges dotted with volcanoes!
Lunchtime we arrived in Whakatane and had a picnic by the harbour. Offshore we could see Whakaari or 'White Island', New Zealands most active volcano, although offshore we could still see smoke coming from the top. Unfortunately we'd missed the last trip to visit White Island and Whale Island (so called because of its shape). We continued on driving, inland this time towards Taupo, we stopped to take pictures of the wonderful lakes and mountains in the area and stopped to look round Fort Galatea, a historical reserve.
Finally we set up camp along the shores of Lake Rerewhakaaitu, one of the many small lakes in the Taupo - Rotorua area.

Wednesday - Headed off towards State Highway 5 between Rotorua and Taupo, a highly geothermically active region. First stop was Orakei Korako, the Hiden Valley. A short boat trip across Lake Ohakuri led to beautiful pink and white terraces of silica, geysers, soda fountains and mud pools. All over steam was billowing up frfom the ground, there were clear blue pools and blooms of orange algae. The walk ways led to Ruatapu Cave, a huge natural cavern with a pool of jade-green water at the bottom.
Did quite a bit of bird watching while by the lake and walking through the valley and saw Grey Teal, Grey Duck and Grey Warbler (do we sense a theme here!)

Next stop was Huka Falls, a spectacular part of the Waikato River that rushes through a narrow gorge and then plunges over the falls in a swirling mass of white and turquoise water. The colour of the river was stunning, a mix of ice blue and turquoise, and although it started to rain a little, it did not take anything away from the beauty of the falls.

After lunch we headed back along State Highway 5 and then turned off for Aratiatia Rapids, a rocky, narrow stretch of the Waikato River that had been blocked by a dam, however at various times through the day the gates are opened allowing water to rush through the rapids once again. We arrived 15 minutes before the gates were due to be opened again. On the lake behind the dam a few Black Swans and Grey Ducks had congregated. 4pm and the gates were opened - contrary to Rachael's idea of a little man hurriedly turning a crank to open the gates, its actually all automated! - It's extremely impressive to watch thousands of gallons of water rush through the gates and start to fill the rocky, river bed. As the water rises it rushes in down river, washing over the giant boulders and rocks creating white water rapids. Half an hour later and the gates are closed, the water level slowly drops and the waters calm.

We now headed back along the highway towards our campsite. First however we stopped at another set of mud pools, this one was much bigger than the ones at Orakei Korako, and were much more active. Steam billowed everywhere, making it look like a prehistoric swamp, the mud not only bubbles here, but spurts really high into the air!

Our final stop of this geothermically active day, was Kerosene Creek, a small river with lots of mini waterfalls and pools that is extremely hot! We went for a swim in the hot, mineral water. The setting was quite surreal, sat in a steaming , hot creek, surrounded by forest on what was an overcast and rather cool day. We didn't stay in too long, the water was so hot we could only stand it for a short while, we then headed back to our campsite for a cup of tea and rissotto for dinner.

Thursday - Warm, sausage butties for breakfast we then packed up and headed for Lake Taupo. By the time we reached Taupo at the top end of the lake the sun had broken through the cloud and it was promising to be a lovely, sunny day. We headed around the north end of the lake, towards Turangi and the Tongario National Park. The lake spread out before us - its New Zealands largest lake and was created by a huge volcanic eruption over 26,000 years ago that devastated the whole of North Island! Its waters are now calm and traquil, that amazing shade of bluey-green and its shores are white from thousands of crushed shells and bleached rock.

After lunch we headed down to a small place on the lake shore called Whanganui, that is well known for its excellent rock climbing (Alan and Cath are both keen climbers). We turned off down a very bumpy and dusty road, that descended towards the lake at a very steep angle, with numerous potholes and a sharp drop to the left we were all glad we were in Al's truck which coped very well with the terrain. The scenery was again stunning, with forested gorges and sheer cliffs leading to the blue lake beyond. Finally at the bottom we went to check out the area and for Al and Cath to investigate climbing. The small beach was beautiful, the only people around were other climbers and a community of Maori's. With the blue sky, turquoise water and white beach the setting was peaceful and tranquil.
Turned out to be too late to start climbing today, but the place was a little gem.

We drove back up that steep, bumpy road (Al was pleased to get some off roading done in his truck!) and then continued around the lake to Turangi, we camped just outside the town at a site that beautiful hot spa and mineral pools, a real treat.

Friday - Up and at early this morning, we were all off White Water Rafting on the Tongario River at 9am! The day was clear, sunny and very warm, the best day so far...

Once at the rafting centre we were kitted up...first swimming costume, then a fleece top, next all in one, sleeveless wetsuit, then a spray jacket, booties, life jacket and finally helmet phew!
We were then driven to the start point and given a quick introductory talk about the paddling commands and saftely instructions, then we were off in our inflatable raft downa 13km stretch of the Tongario River that has about numerous rapids ranging from grade 1 to 3.
I keep saying it but the scenery was beautiful, high steep sides covered in forest and huge boulders mixed with sheer cliffs. The sky was blue and cloudless, the water clear blue and off course the white, bubbling water of the rapids. It was excellent fun, paddling and then holding on as we bumped and splashed down the rapids! At one rapid Ben, our guide, got Lee and Alan to lean over the front of the raft, we all then moved forward one seat and paddled down the rapid. Needless to say Alan and Lee got soaked, but it was hilarious to see this wall of white water crash over them and then soak us sitting behind!

30 minutes towards the end we were able to go for a swim, we got the shock of the day.... the water was absolutely freezing! it knocked the breath out of you! The final rapid was the best of all, as we splashed and bumped our way down one of the other guides was on the shore taking photos of us! The trip was over all too soon, but we both thoroughly enjoyed it!

Rest of the day we headed back towards Auckland, first through the Tongario National Park to get a view of Mount Ruapehu, then on through King Country with its rolling hills that look like the spines of green monsters sleeping.
We stopped at Otorohanga and visited the Kiwi House, a native bird park. Here we got an upclose view of New Zealands native birds including the Brown Kiwi.

Arrived back in Auckland at about 7.30pm, ate a Hell's pizza and then crashed at Al and Cath's house for the night to recharge our batteries before heading up north for New Years...Bay of Islands, Ninety Mile Beach....here we come!

Saturday - 1 week in New Zealand...we have seen and done so much! Today we are heading up to Northlands for more fun and games, plus hopefully Dolphin Watching!!!!