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Week 8
Friday 4th April – Wellington to Havelock North
then Napier
Today was a lovely hot and sunny day – the best for
at least a week. Rented a car for the next four days to take
us across the north island to Auckland.
Set off up the highway through the Hutt Valley, stopping
off at Rimutaka Summit (555m) to look at the views. This is
a very scenic route northwards, quite different from the south
island in that the mountains are less severe and much more
forested. Continued via Featherston, Masterton and Eketahuna
and stopped to eat our picnic lunch just north of Dannevirke.
Continued on to Havelock North, near Hastings, arriving mid-afternoon.
Visited a couple of vineyards – first was Te Mata where
we sampled three wines then we drove to Clearview Vineyards
(on the coast) and tasted about eight wines, deciding to buy
two bottles of one we really liked! This afternoon the weather
was superb – not a cloud in the sky and beautiful weather
for vineyard visiting and wine-tasting.
We then drove up to Te Mata Peak (399m) – fortunately
you can drive right to the top! From here there are superb
views especially out over the sea to the east and north to
Napier and the whole of Hawke Bay. Apart from the numerous
vineyards, the Hawkes Bay Region is one of the main New Zealand
fruit-growing areas - we saw plenty of orchards full of ripe
apples.
Reached Napier, a few miles further north, about 18.00 and
checked into the Old Stables Backpackers – a friendly
hostel arranged around a small courtyard. In the evening we
got a Chinese takeaway, which we took back to the hostel and
ate outside in the courtyard with our bottle of Clearview
Gewurtztraminer – it was a nice warm evening.
Saturday 5th April – Napier to Rotorua
Spent the morning in Napier looking at some of the famous
Art Deco buildings constructed in 1931-33. Napier was mostly
destroyed by an earthquake in 1931 and the resulting rebuild
has left it as one of the best examples in the world of an
Art Deco city.
Weather was still warm and partly sunny – set off from
Napier at midday and drove to Taupo along Highway 5. This
is a remarkable route for its ever-changing scenery in just
a two-hour drive. First there are the vineyards and orchards
just north of Napier, which soon fade into lush green rolling
hills as the road starts to climb. Next there are dramatic
mountainous pine forests, then flat open plains, followed
by more pine forests and straight roads that run for miles
into the distance. About half way along the route we stopped
at a scenic lookout – finding a great view over some
waterfalls on the mountain opposite.
On arrival in Taupo we had our lunch overlooking the lake
(it's New Zealand's largest lake). Then headed north for a
couple of miles and visited Huka Falls – there are giant
rapids leading to the spectacular, and very blue, falls themselves.
Drove a short distance to the “Craters of the Moon”
– a fascinating thermal area where steam billows out
of craters, and the bush itself. It’s a surprisingly
bushy area despite the steam and frequent sulphurous smells.
There are also a few areas of boiling mud – an amazing
sight, accompanied by wonderful sound effects.
Drove from there to Rotorua (about 50 miles further north)
through very pleasant scenery, much of it pine forest. Started
raining heavily just as we reached the city. Steam rises from
various places in Rotorua and frequently there are very strong
sulphurous smells as you drive around. Stayed with the brother
of friends from the UK and his family who live about 15 miles
from Rotorua in the midst of lovely green farmland - surrounded
by sheep, cattle & deer. Had a great welcome and excellent
dinner of roast lamb.
Sunday 6th April – Rotorua
Having rained all night, it continued to rain heavily all
day (about 100mm or 4 inches in the last 24 hours!) Despite
this we all went out for a drive, around Lake Rotorua, passing
the Green & Blue Lakes to Lake Tarawera. The weather meant
that we couldn’t see a great deal, so we drove south
about 20 miles along the road towards Taupo to visit Wai-o-Tapu,
one of the best thermal areas.
First we stopped at the mud pools, similar to, but much larger
than, what we saw yesterday then had lunch at the visitor
centre café. Then toured the thermal area in the rain.
There is an incredible variety of colours, both in the rock
and the pools, ranging from yellow (sulphur) through red/brown
(ferrous oxide) to purple (manganese oxide). Some of the craters,
such as the Devil’s Home are huge and the most famous
pools are the Champagne Pool (formed 900 years ago) with adjacent
multi-coloured Artists’ Palette and the Devil’s
Bath, an incredible pool of yellow water. A superb place,
well worth a visit.
Due to the weather we returned to our friends' place mid-afternoon
and spent the rest of the day indoors.
Monday 7th April (take 1) – Auckland then flight
to Rarotonga
Got up early and drove from Rotorua to Auckland. The route
passes mainly through lush green farmland with plenty of dairy
cattle. Weather was showery, even foggy for a time, but as
we approached Auckland it improved substantially and whilst
in the city it was hot and sunny – a lovely day. We
reached the city in 2½ hours – a journey of about
150 miles.
First we went up the Skytower – a great place to get
an idea of the scale of the city. Visibility today was excellent.
The Sky Deck is 220m high, so you can see the whole city and
far into the distance.
Next we walked down to the harbour, had lunch then walked
around the wharves and up Queen Street (the main shopping
street).
Drove to the airport, dropped off the rental car and took
Air New Zealand flight at 19.00 to Rarotonga (The Cook Islands)
- a 3½ hour flight, arriving 00.30 the same day as
I have now crossed the International Date Line. Time here
is 22 hours behind New Zealand.
The airport has a great atmosphere when an international
flight arrives – many locals, including the immigration
staff, wear flowers in their hair, and there’s a chap
playing typical island-style music through a rather old-fashioned
amplifier. A friend of a friend from England had very kindly
offered to put me up for my four-day stay and she came and
met me at the airport.
Monday 7th April (take 2) - Rarotonga, The Cook Islands
Having crossed the International Date Line, I get to enjoy
the 7th April all over again... and it's even hotter and sunnier
than yesterday!
Spent the day enjoying the wonderful scenery on this tropical
island, just 32 kms (20 miles) around. Beaches are deserted,
everyone is friendly and it's the closest to paradise I've
been.
Looked around Avarua, the largest town, in the morning, and
had lunch at a café by the waterfront – octopus
and rice with taro – the latter supposedly being something
related to a potato, but I couldn’t quite see the connection
between this rubbery grey wedge and my usual spuds!
Went to the police station to get my Cook Islands driving
licence – it’s a simple process of swapping $10
for the licence, and they even take the photo for you! Come
back in half an hour and it’s ready.
Then rented a scooter for the four days... just need to watch
out for dogs and chickens running across the road! Although
you can easily ride around the island in less than an hour,
I spent the rest of the afternoon doing the full circle whilst
enjoying the incredible views of the mountains and beaches,
finishing with a great sunset.
Tuesday 8th April - Day trip to Aitutaki, The Cook Islands
The day trip of a lifetime. Flew by small plane to the island
of Aitutaki, had a tour of the island, then a lagoon cruise.
Snorkelling in crystal clear waters with tropical fish, barbecued
tuna for lunch, time to explore Moturakau, the island where
the UK version of the TV show "Survivor" was filmed,
then two hours on Tapuaetai (One Foot Island). A quite incredible
day.
The only island in the Cooks where dogs are forbidden.
More details to follow as soon as I have time ...
Wednesday 9th April - Rarotonga, The Cook Islands
A morning trekking across the island with the famous guide
Pa, a wonderful character who knows every inch of the path
and walks barefoot the whole way. A great experience.
Afternoon enjoying the scenery and beaches.
More details to follow as soon as I have time ...
Thursday 10th April – Rarotonga
Had a 20-minute scenic flight in a light aircraft around,
and over, the island in the morning - wonderful views.
Went snorkelling in the afternoon and saw a huge variety
of fish.
Really sorry to be leaving the Cook Islands tonight - this
has been the best four days of the trip.
More details to follow as soon as I have time ...
Back to: Week 7 (Fri 28th Mar - Thu 3rd Apr)
Forward to: Week 9 (Fri 11th Apr - Tue 15th Apr)
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