Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Our Travels
- Blog
-
Location Date Asia 1485820800 1435446000 Oceania 
1434668400 Europe 1431817200 South America 1431039600 North America 1404255600 -
Location Date Queensland 1434668400 South Australia 1424304000 Victoria 1423612800 New Zealand
1386460800 -
Location Date Christchurch 1386460800 Kaikoura 1386115200 Havelock 1385942400 Nelson 1385856000 Motueka 1385769600 Cass 1385596800 Aoraki Mount Cook National Park 1385424000 Queenstown 1385164800 Stewart Island 1384905600 Dunedin 1384732800 Auckland 1319583600 Matakana 1319497200 Coatesville 1319065200 Paihia
1318892400 Blenheim 1318374000 Napier 1317855600 Taupo 1317596400 Oamaru 1316646000 Franz Josef 1316127600 -
Location Date Tue, 18 October 2011 1318977540 Mon, 17 October 2011
1318867800
This morning we collected the hire car and were soon on our way out of Auckland, over the harbour bridge and travelling north towards the Bay of Islands. In a short time we left the city and suburbs behind us and were back in farmland, windy roads and hills on either side. We came to a short stretch of toll road and decided to take the 'pretty' way down by the coast instead. I'm glad we did because we came across Waiwera Thermal Park, a mini water world type park with naturally warm water where Amanda had fun with the family when she was here around 15 years ago. Great to see it still exists and still going strong!
The detour was soon over and we were back on the main road. It seemed a very long journey today. We stopped briefly at Waikato to have a look round the visitor centre for the Northlands. We were met by some very enthusiastic volunteer ladies and came away with a huge pile of leaflets.
Our next stop was at Waipu where we turned off the road to visit the Settler's museum. This details the journeys and early experiences of the many Scots who made the long and dangerous journey to the New Zealand all those years ago, often via Canada and/or Australia. The displays were fascinating and we were especially interested to see it all as it is possible that some of Simon's ancestors were among the early immigrants to this area from Scotland. Many thanks go to the volunteer lady at the desk who was very helpful and we came away with lots more leaflets and contact details for their geneologist so we can follow up later.
Many more miles up the road and we stopped to view the 'must see' famous public toilet in Kawakawa, designed by Austrian artist Frederick Hundertwasser. It is a very classy, baroque style affair and we can testify that it is in full working order and not just for show!!
We finally reached Paihia and our serviced apartment on the water front. It is a really pretty place, but too late to do anything that evening. We ate in a lively restaurant called 35 degrees south, directly overlooking the wharf. Unfortunately the weather took a turn for the worse and the rain poured down. It continued to do so throughout the night!
The detour was soon over and we were back on the main road. It seemed a very long journey today. We stopped briefly at Waikato to have a look round the visitor centre for the Northlands. We were met by some very enthusiastic volunteer ladies and came away with a huge pile of leaflets.
Our next stop was at Waipu where we turned off the road to visit the Settler's museum. This details the journeys and early experiences of the many Scots who made the long and dangerous journey to the New Zealand all those years ago, often via Canada and/or Australia. The displays were fascinating and we were especially interested to see it all as it is possible that some of Simon's ancestors were among the early immigrants to this area from Scotland. Many thanks go to the volunteer lady at the desk who was very helpful and we came away with lots more leaflets and contact details for their geneologist so we can follow up later.
Many more miles up the road and we stopped to view the 'must see' famous public toilet in Kawakawa, designed by Austrian artist Frederick Hundertwasser. It is a very classy, baroque style affair and we can testify that it is in full working order and not just for show!!
We finally reached Paihia and our serviced apartment on the water front. It is a really pretty place, but too late to do anything that evening. We ate in a lively restaurant called 35 degrees south, directly overlooking the wharf. Unfortunately the weather took a turn for the worse and the rain poured down. It continued to do so throughout the night!
- comments