Leaving a sunny and comfortable Wellington behind, we were excited to set out for the unexplored "North Island". We started gently, by revisiting Uncle Roger and Wendy in Masterton. Alister was pleased to get his first few Kiwi half round of golf at Roger's club and we were very lucky that New Zealand's premere air show was happening at the same time "Wings over Wairarapa". So we had fantastic aircraft and formations dancing over our heads for the whole weekend.
After that we really set out on uncharted territory. Heading to Palmerston North, through the beautiful Manawatu Gorge, we were warmly welcomed by Mary and Wayne Dorn at their dairy farm. We spent a wonderful couple of days with them ... milking the 180 cows, feeding the chickens, pigs, putting up electric fences, riding on the tractor, mowing the fields, and Alister even learnt to ride a 250cc motorbike across the fields!! Great fun for all of us. We even took a few hours to head to Foxton on the West coast for yet more unsuccessful fishing :-)
We then crossed the earie and beautiful Desert road, in the shadow of enormous, active volcanoes (Ruapehu is very active just now) and arrived at the biggest caldere lake in the world, Lake Taupo. Whilst it is the "Trout Fishing Capital of the World" we will save our attempts for another day (the fishing licence required that we only used flies ...) Aunt Sally welcomed us at her holiday home with spectacular views across the lake (at Pukawa). We explored the area and visited the geothermal pools nearby at Tokaanu.
The landscape, from Lake Taupo towards the north was beautiful - hundreds of small volcanic hills. We arrived at the very touristic, but very charming Waitomo Village (home of the glow worms). Delphine and Alister managed to do some "blackwater rafting" and we all enjoyed the spectacular caves and their tiny green luminescent residents.
After that we really set out on uncharted territory. Heading to Palmerston North, through the beautiful Manawatu Gorge, we were warmly welcomed by Mary and Wayne Dorn at their dairy farm. We spent a wonderful couple of days with them ... milking the 180 cows, feeding the chickens, pigs, putting up electric fences, riding on the tractor, mowing the fields, and Alister even learnt to ride a 250cc motorbike across the fields!! Great fun for all of us. We even took a few hours to head to Foxton on the West coast for yet more unsuccessful fishing :-)
We then crossed the earie and beautiful Desert road, in the shadow of enormous, active volcanoes (Ruapehu is very active just now) and arrived at the biggest caldere lake in the world, Lake Taupo. Whilst it is the "Trout Fishing Capital of the World" we will save our attempts for another day (the fishing licence required that we only used flies ...) Aunt Sally welcomed us at her holiday home with spectacular views across the lake (at Pukawa). We explored the area and visited the geothermal pools nearby at Tokaanu.
The landscape, from Lake Taupo towards the north was beautiful - hundreds of small volcanic hills. We arrived at the very touristic, but very charming Waitomo Village (home of the glow worms). Delphine and Alister managed to do some "blackwater rafting" and we all enjoyed the spectacular caves and their tiny green luminescent residents.
We have now arrived in Auckland and have enjoyed our first 36 hours and have been treated to true Kiwi hospitality at barbecues at Antony and Sarah's house and with James Joanna and Sophie (whom we met at the Abel Tasman campsite).
On Sunday we pick up a new bigger campervan as well as Helen and we head off to the Bay of Islands in Northland.
On Sunday we pick up a new bigger campervan as well as Helen and we head off to the Bay of Islands in Northland.
3 comments:
Well I have been waiting for the next installment. I expect you will do further touring of N Island on the way down from the far north. You still have 5 weeks left to do.
love Grandad
hello, c'est thibaut et odile en direct de BXL. Super vos dernieres photos. Enjoy!
Biz
Hey Al,
I am just figuring out this comment/blog thing. I have been checking in on your site weekly. You are one lucky family! What an adventure! I can't believe I sit in my office and look at all the fun you are having. Something is just not right about that. :-) Reminds me of the days we rented a convertible and drove up and down the West coast of California visiting winery's, waterfalls, national parks, casinos and whatever else we felt like doing. You certainly seem to be making the most of it. Not surprised. Warm hellos to Delphine and the kids. Can't wait to see you guys again...perhaps on some joint family adventure. Best.
Noel
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