Travel Tips

October 3th. So today is the day! We got up at 4.30 having set three alarm clocks. We had breakfast and checked everything at home and then walked to the station to get the first train to Rotterdam. The weather was fine, not cold and dry although I am glad there were two of us as it was very dark. The trains (both at Nieuwerkerk and Rotterdam) were on time and we were at Schiphol just after 7.15 and we had a cup of coffee before checking in. Our luggage was fine as hand luggage and we got the seats Koos had asked for. Then we went through customs and looked around and had another coffee. Luckily neither of us finds it boring to wander around airports. We left from G8 and we had seats on row 62 but there was a space between the seat and the window, which gave us some extra legroom. The seats all have their own little television so everyone can decide what they want to see. I was glad of the warm towel to freshen up. We were about 30 minutes late in leaving. The meal was lovely and apart from a little turbulence over Iraq and the Bay of Bengal it was a good flight. Fri: We arrived in Singapore at 6.20 and were very quickly through customs - she was also very friendly and this time at least we were not aliens!! The Singapore stopover desk was our next stop, where we got vouchers for the bus to the hotel and for the transfer back to the airport tomorrow. We decided not to go on any excursions but to do what we had planned and just wander around and have a restful afternoon and morning. We checked into the hotel and the room (on the 16th floor) was ready. So we had a shower and a cup of coffee. By this time a headache was coming up so I slept for two hours while Koos went out for a walk. He came back and collected me for lunch, which we had in the coffee shop. It was a delicious buffet lunch and the very pleasant surprise when paying was that stopover guests got two for the price of one! Then we both headed out to wander along Orchard road, we remembered some things from the last time but so much has been built as well. We went back to the hotel for a welcome cup of tea and a restful evening. Koos decided to go out again, and he had a look around the large electronics shop he had seen, I stayed in. He bought me the VCD of "a beautiful mind" and he had a case for his palmtop. We had dinner in the coffee shop again - the buffet and again it was 2 for the price of one.

Sat: We both slept well and awoke about 8.30 dressed, packed and had a 2 for the price of 1 breakfast buffet (SIA stopover) before walking to see the worlds largest fountain. In the evenings there is a laser show with it. We spent the morning wandering around the Suntec City Mall, which is Singapore’s largest mall. On the way there we saw Raffles hotel, there is just so many new skyscrapers in Singapore since we were here in 1984. We had planned on using the time here just to relax in the hope that I had no migraine at the start of the trip through NZ. We stopped several times for cooling drinks. We spent some time in Tower Records looking at the VCDs and bought 4 films. About 4 .30 we wandered back to the hotel and collected our cases and had a drink and a cool off before being picked up to be taken to the airport. Not our usual cultural rush rush to see everything possible but a very enjoyable short stay in a very hot and clammy Singapore. We were picked up at 18.30 for our transfer to the airport and we quickly checked in, we got the seats we had asked for. There was only time for a quick look around the shops before we had to go to the gate for our flight to Auckland. It was a full flight and we left on time.... 21.00. A little girl got really hysterical just before we took off ... the noise was horrendous but luckily once we were in the air she was quiet. It was only just over 83000 kilometres to our final destination of NZ. We had a good meal and Koos fell asleep while I was writing my diary up. I bought the 2 things from Origins I wanted - one for headaches and one to help me feel asleep. I hope they help. I have wanted to try them for a while. I did not sleep at all this flight. Sun: We arrived in Auckland at 11.18 to a temperature of 16 degrees, which is very different to the 35 we had yesterday. The taxi was waiting for us, the driver Johanna was from The Netherlands originally. She moved here 40 years ago... you could hear absolutely no Dutch accent. On the way to the hotel she took us to Mount Eden so we had a lovely view over Auckland. The hotel is great; it is not just a room. We had a unit of two double rooms a fully equipped kitchen, sitting area and shower and toilet. We had a shower and did some washing and then went out and had a walk along Queens street to the harbour. The weather is lovely but cool in the shadow. The shops were open for a while which makes it nicer. The streets were busy as well; there were races for the America cup this afternoon so perhaps that is why it was busier. We had dinner and then an early night. Not only six hours time difference with Singapore luckily we just missed the extra hour when NZ went onto Daylight serving for its summer, that was last night. Pretty unique... we get to have summer time and winter time in the one month, AND also to have 11 hours time difference twice- what fun holidays are. The vouchers and route panning were in the hotel for us, it was all well done.

Monday I had gone to bed early, after nearly falling asleep at dinner and slept well until just after 8.00. We got up, dressed and had breakfast and then packed the few things we had used. We went down to the hotel lobby and checked out and waited for the rental car. On our voucher it said it would be delivered at 9.00 but just after 9.00 we got a phone call asking us when we wanted it delivered... it arrived at 9.30. So we left just after 10.00 and we headed north and the hotel was ideally situated for getting out of the city. We went on the 1 north and stooped at Wenderholm national forest for a coffee. It was lovely weather but cold. We had lunch in a little café along the way. Then we headed north again until we got to the Dargaville turn off, and got onto the 12. We followed that a long time, stopping twice to get photos of the lovely coast. We were going to see the Giant Kauri trees in the Waipoua forest .It was a short walk into the forest to the biggest tree. They are pretty impressive trees, we had a drink after we had seen the tree and it was nice to sit outside for a while. We reached the Bay of Islands and our overnight address just after 18.30. We are staying 2 nights at the Haruru Falls Panorama Resort; it is a very nice resort. We went shopping for our evening meal and things for breakfast; it got very cool towards evening.

Tuesday. We were late getting up - it was 8.30. We had breakfast and packed our lunch and then headed towards Piahai where we parked the car for the day. We walked to the harbour to look for trips and saw the Excitor, which we booked for 10.30. We then had a coffee and I took a seasickness tablet because it was a fast boat we were going with. At 10.10 we joined the group to get ready for the trip. That meant getting into our orange and black waterproof trousers and jackets, putting on our life jackets and putting the camera in a waterproof bag. Attired in our charming outfits (I rolled the trouser legs up several times to make things easier) we walked to the jetty and boarded our craft. Then we were off to Russell across the bay to collect the last 8 members of the group. Then we headed out to sea.... we were just at speed (and it was just getting bumpy) when the lady in front of me started getting seasick. So we stopped and she got a seat at the back, which is less bumpy. We went out to Pierce Island where we were going to pierce the wall (a large hole in the island) but unfortunately the sea was too rough so we could not do it. We went around the island and it was rough, several times we were showered! Then it was time to head back, we stopped at Otehai bay and then past Robinson Island where we saw Cooks Cove, which is where, Capt. James Cook first landed in NZ before going back to Paihai. By that time we were ready for lunch. We were given coupons for a coffee so we bought a toasted sandwich and a piece of carrot cake to go, with it. After that we got the ferry to Russell, which is a lovely little town. It was in fact to first capital of NZ. We looked around the there before climbing up Flagstaff Hill which is a steep climb but the views over the bay of islands make it all worth while. We walked back down and caught the ferry back to Paihai where we had a very welcome drink before wandering around the few shops there. Then it was time to go to the Haruru waterfalls, they are the mini Niagara- and do have the shape of Niagara. The falls are almost a thousand years old and are in the hidden valley of the beautiful and peaceful Waitangi River. Just a few easily navigable kilometres upstream from the open waters of the Bay of Islands, the deep basin at the foot of the falls was once the base for a multitude of canoes and the riverbanks home to numerous Maori villages. Later Europeans came to appreciate this spot, site of the country's first surveyed road in 1820 and river port. A thriving trading station grew which soon had a coaching stop and the country's first licensed hostelry. Haruru means big noise and it is subtly floodlit at night which is lovely. The weather was lovely today although on the water we needed our jackets.

Wednesday We were both awake in the night with headaches, I think it came from the very soft mattress but it may have been an effect of a whole day in the open air. My face was a bit burnt; you could really see where my glasses were. We were up early as we have a long drive today; the reception was still closed when we left so we put the keys on the bed. We were heading south today and our first stop was a public toilet in Kawakawa. Don’t get me wrong this is not just any old public toilet. The sign under the town name was "world famous toilet"; this one was designed by Hundertwasser and is unique. We had seen the Hundertwasser Huis in Vienna last October so it was fun to see this work of his as well. Of course I had to use the toilet and I also took a photo of both the inside and outside.... don't suppose many people take holiday photos of the toilet. After this cultural convenience stop we headed south once more and stopped at the waterfalls at Whangerai. The waterfall is not really spectacular from the top but a 30-minute bush walk to the base of the falls lets you see them at their best and is a lovely walk in itself. Then after a cup of coffee it was south once more as we still had a long way to go. It was very busy as we went through Auckland. Then we headed towards Hamilton; we stopped for lunch and to get petrol and had a quick look in a craft shop. Not far from Hamilton we got onto the road to Otorohanga because we were going to visit the Kiwi House there. We got there at 3.45 and it was very interesting. There were two Kiwis (a pair) on show and we got to see them clearly. They sleep 20 hours a day and are on show four hours. At 17.00 when the Kiwi House closes the kiwis are in the burrow but they can get out into their enclosure if they want to, the lights go on so that daylight is simulated for the birds and the plants. We also saw the Tui and other native birds - it was very interesting. Then it was time to head to the Waitomo Caves and to-nights address. The Abseil Inn is situated on a hill and there is a VERY steep driveway up to it. The room is lovely and the views are marvellous. We went into Waitomo for dinner; we had a lovely pizza there before going back for coffee at the Inn.

Thursday. We slept later because breakfast was at 8.30; there were 9 people in the Inn. Then we went down the steep driveway and to the town to get tickets for the glow-worm cave. We went around to the cave and waited for our 9.30 tour. There were two tours of Japanese children before us. The tour was great; we had a cup of coffee before moving on towards Rotorua. Our hotel room overlooks the geothermal area of Whakka. We had stopped on the way for a picnic lunch so once we had checked in we walked to the geothermal area and spent the afternoon there. Then we went into the centre to get our dinner things. Then we went back to the room and I phoned to get information about the trip to White Island for tomorrow. We had thought that we were two nights in Whakakane but saw today that we only have one night. The trip to White Island, which is an active volcano, takes six hours and it was very high on our list of things to see here. They said that lots of people travel out from Rotorua to do the trip so I booked it or tomorrow... although he had to phone me back later in the evening when the weather forecast for tomorrow was known. It meant an early start but the trip was important to us. Friday. We were of course up early at 6.00 today although I had slept badly. I think that was because I was afraid of missing the alarm. We had breakfast and dressed and then I phone the White Island Tours to let them know we were on our way. It is 85 kilometres along and very twisty road from Rotorua to Whakatane but the road was very quiet. We were of course very early in Whakatane so we stopped at the McDonalds for a coffee and just to be sure I took my seasickness tablet. We drove to the White Island Rendevous, which is where we had to check in, and it was also the motel for tonight. We signed the disclaimer to say we were fit enough to transfer from the boat to the zodiac and from there to the jetty. We got our boarding passes... two small metal lamp shades and then we just had a little while to wait. We wandered along the shopping street and back and then it was time to board. There were about 40 people on the trip. We sat on the top deck outside... it was a bit windy but we had warm clothing on. The trip out to the island took about 80 minutes and we were served a cup of delicious fish soup on the way. We transferred to the zodiacs a little way from the shore and then had to get onto the broken jetty, climb over some boulders, passing a dead Moray eel on the way, before we were on solid ground.... although how solid is the ground surrounding a active volcano? We were with two guides and in our obligatory hardhat and gas mask and we headed up to the rim of the Donald Duck crater and then further up to the active volcano crater. It really is an amazing sight, the fumaroles surrounded with brilliant yellow sulphur and pouring out steam was another show stealer. I tasted the water from ththe steam, which tasted metallic but passed on tasting the pure sulphur. The walk up to the crater and back to the destroyed factory took about two hours. Then it was time to scramble across the boulders and get back in the zodiac for the trip back to the boat where lunch was waiting for us. We had a very welcome cool drink, sandwiches, a chicken satay and fruit. The sea had become much rougher and the journey back to land seemed longer. We got back just after 15.30 and of course we were in the right spot to check in as it was also our hotel for the night. The room was lovely and we got coupons for complimentary coffee, which we had before going out to get our dinner. The room was complete with kitchen and microwave so we got a microwave dinner... pumpkin vegetable pie. I went to bed early and was soon deeply asleep.

Saturday We had planned on sleeping until 8.00 but the upstairs neighbours woke us up just before 7.00. We tried to get back to sleep but gave it up as a bad job and were up just after 7.30. We had breakfast and checked out ant were on out way just after 8.30. We decided to take the longer route around the East Cape to Gisborne. That is nearly 400 kilometres but is a wonderful route with twisty road which follow the coast closely most of the way. We had a stop for coffee with a lovely view although were no seats so we had to stand and we had a picnic lunch although it was a bit cool so we had to put our jackets on. We arrived at our overnight address about 15.30. We are the only guests this evening and the couple running the house are so friendly we were welcomed with a cup of tea and biscuits. Then we went out for a walk to see the statues of young nick and Capt. James Cook. It was on 9/10 October 1769 that young Nick first saw land. Toka Taku, the Maori chief, and James Cook met on the river rock and when communication mistakes were made and by mistake several Maori's were killed. Therefore Cook got no fresh provisions and therefore named the bay "Poverty Bay". We walked back to the house, which is a wonderful old building dating from 1905. We had been invited for drinks and a snack at 18.30 so I had a shower first. We had a glass of glass with our hosts and chatted for about an hour before going out for dinner. When we came back the bed was turned down, the electric blanket was on (Koos quickly turned his off) and there was a glass of mead and chocolate on the bedside table. This is a very different B&B then ones we had on earlier travels. The house is wonderful and has a rich history having been a house, and hotel (our room had been the bar in that time), a girl’s school (day and boarding) and a Chinese restaurant before its last restoration.

Sunday We woke up to rain but the skies were not really dark so we had hopes that it would clear later. Breakfast was at 8.30 and it was delicious fresh fruit salad and it really was fresh fruit no tinned fruit, muesli and yoghurt and then a cooked breakfast.... Koos had eggs Benedictine but I stayed with toast, as a cooked breakfast is too much for me. This is such a unique place and Sheila (check) and Derek are so friendly - this most definitely gets a recommendation on my VT page! Koos was happy to breakfast to Haydn's music his day was made even though it perhaps was a little better if Beethoven had been playing BUT then we would have never gotten away. It was raining a little as we left but it gradually cleared up as we drove own state highway 2 towards Napier. It was a lovely drive down although we did have some heavy showers. We made a detour at Mahia where we had a coffee. Mahia was an island but because of sand deposits it is now a headland. Refreshed by coffee we continue down towards Napier stopping only at a lovely viewpoint for lunch. We arrived in Napier about 2.30 and checked in to the Maori on Parade, which is our home for tonight. Our room is lovely with a huge bay window across the whole length of the house. We then walked to the museum and saw the exhibition about the 1931 earthquake, which destroyed Napier. It was after this disaster that the town as it is today was built in Art Deco style. Unfortunately it began to rain again, we got our dinner and then wandered around the city centre for a while. The rain got very heavy an it was a lot colder so we called it a day and headed back to the Manor where we warmed up with a cup of coffee. These rooms with tea and coffee making facilities are great. Spent the evening with the paper and watching the world go by. It was while reading the evening paper before dinner that we red that Prince Claus had died... it was a shock although we knew he had suffered ill health for a long time.
Monday. We were up at 8.00 and had breakfast; it was then we heard about the terrorist car bombs attack at Kuta beach Bali. We had been there during our trip around the world; it was so awful to see the slaughter. The weather was better this morning; we packed and rove into the centre where we parked because I wanted to go to a craft shop I had seen yesterday. They had some lovely patchwork kiwis as a kit and I wanted to get that. We were there just before the shops opened so we had time to wander slowly through the street. I got a kiwi family kit and also a small "kiwi Christmas" stocking and a kiwi bookmark. I love handwork so these kinds of kits are a lovely souvenir. I also had to get some Imodium because I had a bit of a wobbly tummy; it was a mixture of travelling, being tired and eating a bit differently. It is always a problem just one of the joys of travelling. After that we headed towards Hastings an North Havelock because we wanted to go up to the Te Mata peak.... thank goodness the weather was fine. It is a very steep drive up to the peak but the views over Hawkes Bay and the surrounding countryside make it worthwhile. It was bitterly cold on the peak though!! We went down to sea level again and off towards Wellington. We saw beautiful snow-capped mountains in the distance and took a typically NZ view.... sheep in the foreground, green fields and trees and in the distance snow covered mountains. Unfortunately the longer we were on the road the darker the skies became and we had several very heavy showers as we went along the State highway 2 to Wellington. We stopped for our picnic lunch but it was a bit too cold to sit out on the picnic benches. We stopped to take a photo of the sign saying we ere on latitude 40. We crossed the through the Rimutaka range stopping at the summit which is 555 metres. We then went on to Wellington and our address for the next two nights. Koos phoned to arrange for the rental car to be picked up this evening. We had a cup of tea while we were waiting for the people for the rental car.