Arrived yesterday and couldn't find the hotel so saw quite a lot of the area as we drove around. Got a little upgrade at the hotel so breakfast included. Time short here so decided to take a bus tour, against our better judgement really, but it was OK. Some of the area is really run down and we have seen many beggars and generally down and …
Hello everyone, this is my opening blog. We have just over 4 weeks to go now. Leaving here on 3rd Feb to spend a couple of days with Chris & Rowena before we fly on the 5th. As usual we have left some jobs too late. Inoculations next Friday, have broken a tooth so that needs attention and ESTA needs sorting for when we pass through the USA. Must get some relevant currency as well.
Arrived yesterday and couldn't find the hotel so saw quite a lot of the area as we drove around. Got a little upgrade at the hotel so breakfast included. Time short here so decided to take a b…
A little different today. Quite overcast and vey humid but still very warm. Even I went snorkelling today and what a revelation that was. Plenty of parrot fish, multi coloured yellow, blue, br…
Not much to report today. Went for a kayak around the lagoon this morning after breakfast. Then just lay on loungers on the beach for much of the day. I had a nap and awoke to find Yvonne snor…
Kia Orana, as they say in the Cook Islands or should it be Aloha? Sorry about the delay, we have no Internet connection unless we pay an astronomical fee and absolutely no phone signal so we f…
mikeyvonnewarren
We fly out on Monday, our time so we spent today at the test match and have tickets to do the same on Sunday. Eden Park is impressive but not that many people in.
Steve Lucas
Keeping warm is the 'order of the week' in South Notts as snow showers abound yet again as I write (0820 hours Wed 20th). I've forgotten what Ramsdale GC looks like Mike ! Will you have any time to do anything in AKL before you fly out on Saturday ? Bet you're both looking forward to chilling out for a week before the beastly flights back to Blighty ? Take care and enjoy your final few days in Aotearoa. Best wishes, S and J xx
Geoffrey Bradford
I know where you are coming from!! Same here but only about +4. No golf, too cold. Forest won, Watford lost. Rugby great if you are warped. Life normal. Paul Cheetham is 60 on 25th, doo at pub. Curry!!!. Collection for a cheap plastic seat, with sign 1953 -??. Not my idea. Understand snow on Cook Islands! Warm wishes
---------------- Love Jane & Geoff.
Steve Lucas
Too sad for words but thanks for the photograph - The Garden City may never be the same again but will re-emerge one day as a modern testament to the Cantabrian spirit. God defend New Zealand ! S
Steve Lucas
Superb photograph Mike - just like what you would see on any postcard or poster - well done you ! The Whale Watch trip is still something I have yet to do as my trip in 2003 was cancelled due to bad weather. One day soon ! If you get a chance, stop off in Hanner Springs on the way back to ChCh and chill out in the Spa.
Au revoir ! S & J xx
Laura
So glad you got to see whales, and from that pic it looks like they were really close.
We're having sunshine with our snow showers here, not too dissimilar to the blue skies you're getting....
mikeyvonnewarren
We had coffee @ Dolphin Encounter before our walk yesterday. Test started well for England. Hope weather intervenes to slow game down! Thanks for your advice re restaurants, spotted them both but not enough time unfortunately.
Steve Lucas
Oh happy memories of Kaikoura ! Breakfast at The Dolphin Encounter ! Watching the first session of England v Black Caps at The Basin Reserve in Wellington on TV. Blue sky and sunshine - hope you get to see some play on Day 4. Regards, Steve
mikeyvonnewarren
Hi Steve, thanks for info. Previous pic was taken on Golden Bay as you suggested. Hope the weather improves before we get home. If test still on Sunday we are going as we have some sort of executive entry compliments of our sister in laws brother. He is a member at the ground but only watches the rugby. England rugby seems to be going well.
Steven Lucas
Kia Ora ! Kaikoura is my spiritual home - spent many a happy time there since my first visit in 1997. It has a great golf course between the sea and the Kaikouras mountain range. 'Kai' is Maori for 'food' and Koura for 'Crayfish' and it is pretty special there. There are two very good restaurants - one is called Hislops and the other is The Green Dolphin. Hope you get lucky with the Whale Watch ! Very envious ! Ciao for now ! Steve
mikeyvonnewarren We fly out on Monday, our time so we spent today at the test match and have tickets to do the same on Sunday. Eden Park is impressive but not that many people in.
re: Hamilton, New ZealandSteve Lucas Keeping warm is the 'order of the week' in South Notts as snow showers abound yet again as I write (0820 hours Wed 20th). I've forgotten what Ramsdale GC looks like Mike ! Will you have any time to do anything in AKL before you fly out on Saturday ? Bet you're both looking forward to chilling out for a week before the beastly flights back to Blighty ? Take care and enjoy your final few days in Aotearoa. Best wishes, S and J xx
re: Hamilton, New ZealandGeoffrey Bradford I know where you are coming from!! Same here but only about +4. No golf, too cold. Forest won, Watford lost. Rugby great if you are warped. Life normal. Paul Cheetham is 60 on 25th, doo at pub. Curry!!!. Collection for a cheap plastic seat, with sign 1953 -??. Not my idea. Understand snow on Cook Islands! Warm wishes ---------------- Love Jane & Geoff.
re: Basin Reserve, Wellington, New ZealandSteve Lucas Too sad for words but thanks for the photograph - The Garden City may never be the same again but will re-emerge one day as a modern testament to the Cantabrian spirit. God defend New Zealand ! S
re: Christchurch, New ZealandSteve Lucas To read Hanmer Springs !
re: Kaikoura, New ZealandSteve Lucas Superb photograph Mike - just like what you would see on any postcard or poster - well done you ! The Whale Watch trip is still something I have yet to do as my trip in 2003 was cancelled due to bad weather. One day soon ! If you get a chance, stop off in Hanner Springs on the way back to ChCh and chill out in the Spa. Au revoir ! S & J xx
re: Kaikoura, New ZealandLaura So glad you got to see whales, and from that pic it looks like they were really close. We're having sunshine with our snow showers here, not too dissimilar to the blue skies you're getting....
re: Kaikoura, New ZealandLaura I'm pretty sure you said you weren't going to spend your time wine tasting......can't blame you on the Cloudy Bay opportunity though :)
re: Blenheim, New Zealandmikeyvonnewarren We had coffee @ Dolphin Encounter before our walk yesterday. Test started well for England. Hope weather intervenes to slow game down! Thanks for your advice re restaurants, spotted them both but not enough time unfortunately.
re: Kaikoura, New ZealandSteve Lucas Oh happy memories of Kaikoura ! Breakfast at The Dolphin Encounter ! Watching the first session of England v Black Caps at The Basin Reserve in Wellington on TV. Blue sky and sunshine - hope you get to see some play on Day 4. Regards, Steve
re: Kaikoura, New Zealandmikeyvonnewarren Hi Steve, thanks for info. Previous pic was taken on Golden Bay as you suggested. Hope the weather improves before we get home. If test still on Sunday we are going as we have some sort of executive entry compliments of our sister in laws brother. He is a member at the ground but only watches the rugby. England rugby seems to be going well.
re: Blenheim, New ZealandLaura & Andy We have snow. I have nothing more to say!!!
re: Nelson, New ZealandSteven Lucas Kia Ora ! Kaikoura is my spiritual home - spent many a happy time there since my first visit in 1997. It has a great golf course between the sea and the Kaikouras mountain range. 'Kai' is Maori for 'food' and Koura for 'Crayfish' and it is pretty special there. There are two very good restaurants - one is called Hislops and the other is The Green Dolphin. Hope you get lucky with the Whale Watch ! Very envious ! Ciao for now ! Steve
re: Blenheim, New ZealandSteven Lucas To read Hokitika - crap spellcheck at my end !
re: Greymouth, New ZealandSteven Lucas Holistic eh ? Also the Jade capital of Aotearoa so I trust you treated Yvonne to an item or three ? Best wishes, Steve
re: Greymouth, New Zealand