The last leg! Feel I ought not to have the BLOG without finishing off some of the final days in NZ!! From Hanmer Springs only just over a week ago, we drove to Picton and the ferry in the daylight so saw some good views BUT the weather was pretty dull and showery AND my camera started making very strange noises so couldn't take many photos. In Wellington we found a camera shop with the help of the hotel staff, and they looked it over. The upshop was a new lense but more powerful than the original one which wasn't in stock and was "old" and that was my state pension gone in one transaction!!! Now I have this posh zoom a mile long!! I had said to ken that we ought to invest in a stronger lense when we were home but hadn't expected it to be sooner rather than later!! So we didn't see much of Wellington in the end but did have a nice meal!

The drive to Napier was wet and we went over the mountains again. These mountain roads are quite something and the bends pretty awesome. The rain was behind us but we then heard on the TV that many places that we had just left had had massive amounts of rain in a short time and there were many floods. The pass in the south island was closed just after we were near by.

We drove to Rotarua the next day as 30+ years ago Ken got a job as a Deputy! Tried to put him off as the smell is awful or so I remembered from my visit! Anyway it isn't so strong but now a very touristy place with amusements everywhere so we didn't stay long! So decided to stay in Hamilton that night where we watched the Rugby!!! Yes even me. The Grand Hotel wasn't that grand but when we first drove in we pulled over to look at the accommodation book and get our bearings when I saw that we were parked outside this hotel. Anyway the reason for stopping was to buy a print for Chris's birthday. I had searched the internet to find a Gallery that had some. So a trip to find the Gallery next and success!!! Hope she likes it as there were only two to choose from. So our luggage has been added to again!!!

The next day took us to another area that Roger had suggested. Coromandel. This Peninsula does it for me!!! Had all of the north and south islands in one bit, except the snow mountains. As usual we found a lovely quiet bay and sat over a leisurely lunch before driving to Coramandel for the fish that Roger said we had to try. Eventually found somewhere to stay but it wasn't too special [going down hill each night!!!!] Sorry Roger but the place is another in a time warp! Found a place to eat that had been recommended by the lunch stop people and had a coffee. I wasn't too impressed but the matter was taken out of my hands as Ken was suddenly shattered so we popped next door [freezing wind] which had achieved an award and had a light meal.

Such a lovely drive! Now to Auckland and we planned to stay near the airport. Eventually we found somewhere!!! Went to collect my pot and driftwood from the fumigator!!!! Yes, we don't talk about it!!! And it has been packed in a large sealed box with paperwork attached and so another bit of luggage!!

Dropped the hire car back and checked in. Surprise, surprise we are now overweight but he let us off when I explained that we had started in PNG and were enroute to UK!! We then found that we had been upgraded to Business Class from Sydney [transit] to Singapore!!!! Champagne to start as the rest of the passengers walked through to economy!!! Lovely flight!!

And now we are ready to fly the last leg. Had a lovely evening on A TRIP!! So although it is only 8am we are packed and ready to check out and we'll spend the day by the river. Flight is 11:30pm tonight!!

But can't leave this without saying that Singapore was brilliant. Downloaded some pictures but not many so not done it justice. Our last day was great. After breakfast down by the river we separated and I took off and walked for miles. Daft shoes so ended up walking back to meet Ken in bare feet!! But I went to the top of whatever it's called, all 56 floors which took the same seconds to get up in the lift ..soundlessly!!! Scarey but couldn't see out so?? Views from the top were great but I have to admit I stayed away from the edge having taken pictures from below showing the overlap!!

So we met for lunch and because of the rain got stuck there for three hours!! Then took the boat trip as we had done the night before BUT we were the only ones on board!! We kept seeing other boats really full so said to ken, they'll think we are someone important! End of a lovely holiday now the flight!

Overweight! Not impressed and the airport fellow insisted that we carried one of the bags as hand luggage. VSO would have paid the excess but he wasn't interested! Then who should we meet in the airport … Karen the VSO Country Director with husband enroute for Madang!!! She confirmed they'd pay! Ken say no way.. not returning!

So that is it. England calls!

The last leg! Feel I ought not to have the BLOG without finishing off some of the final days in NZ!! From Hanmer Springs only just over a week ago, we drove to Picton and the ferry in the daylight so saw some good views BUT the weather was pretty dull and showery AND my camera started making very strange noises so couldn't take many photos. In Wellington we found a camera shop with the help of the hotel staff, and they looked it over. The upshop was a new lense but more powerful than the original one which wasn't in stock and was "old" and that was my state pension gone in one transaction!!! Now I have this posh zoom a mile long!! I had said to ken that we ought to invest in a stronger lense when we were home but hadn't expected it to be sooner rather than later!! So we didn't see much of Wellington in the end but did have a nice meal!
The drive to Napier was wet and we went over the mountains again. These mountain roads are quite something and the bends pretty awesome. The rain was behind us but we then heard on the TV that many places that we had just left had had massive amounts of rain in a short time and there were many floods. The pass in the south island was closed just after we were near by.
We drove to Rotarua the next day as 30+ years ago Ken got a job as a Deputy! Tried to put him off as the smell is awful or so I remembered from my visit! Anyway it isn't so strong but now a very touristy place with amusements everywhere so we didn't stay long! So decided to stay in Hamilton that night where we watched the Rugby!!! Yes even me. The Grand Hotel wasn't that grand but when we first drove in we pulled over to look at the accommodation book and get our bearings when I saw that we were parked outside this hotel. Anyway the reason for stopping was to buy a print for Chris's birthday. I had searched the internet to find a Gallery that had some. So a trip to find the Gallery next and success!!! Hope she likes it as there were only two to choose from. So our luggage has been added to again!!!
The next day took us to another area that Roger had suggested. Coromandel. This Peninsula does it for me!!! Had all of the north and south islands in one bit, except the snow mountains. As usual we found a lovely quiet bay and sat over a leisurely lunch before driving to Coramandel for the fish that Roger said we had to try. Eventually found somewhere to stay but it wasn't too special [going down hill each night!!!!] Sorry Roger but the place is another in a time warp! Found a place to eat that had been recommended by the lunch stop people and had a coffee. I wasn't too impressed but the matter was taken out of my hands as Ken was suddenly shattered so we popped next door [freezing wind] which had achieved an award and had a light meal.
Such a lovely drive! Now to Auckland and we planned to stay near the airport. Eventually we found somewhere!!! Went to collect my pot and driftwood from the fumigator!!!! Yes, we don't talk about it!!! And it has been packed in a large sealed box with paperwork attached and so another bit of luggage!!
Dropped the hire car back and checked in. Surprise, surprise we are now overweight but he let us off when I explained that we had started in PNG and were enroute to UK!! We then found that we had been upgraded to Business Class from Sydney [transit] to Singapore!!!! Champagne to start as the rest of the passengers walked through to economy!!! Lovely flight!!
And now we are ready to fly the last leg. Had a lovely evening on A TRIP!! So although it is only 8am we are packed and ready to check out and we'll spend the day by the river. Flight is 11:30pm tonight!!
But can't leave this without saying that Singapore was brilliant. Downloaded some pictures but not many so not done it justice. Our last day was great. After breakfast down by the river we separated and I took off and walked for miles. Daft shoes so ended up walking back to meet Ken in bare feet!! But I went to the top of whatever it's called, all 56 floors which took the same seconds to get up in the lift ..soundlessly!!! Scarey but couldn't see out so?? Views from the top were great but I have to admit I stayed away from the edge having taken pictures from below showing the overlap!!
So we met for lunch and because of the rain got stuck there for three hours!! Then took the boat trip as we had done the night before BUT we were the only ones on board!! We kept seeing other boats really full so said to ken, they'll think we are someone important! End of a lovely holiday now the flight!
Overweight! Not impressed and the airport fellow insisted that we carried one of the bags as hand luggage. VSO would have paid the excess but he wasn't interested! Then who should we meet in the airport … Karen the VSO Country Director with husband enroute for Madang!!! She confirmed they'd pay! Ken say no way.. not returning!
So that is it. England calls!