Well, we managed all the build up to the festival: practice (Tuesday), Meet & Greet (Thursday evening) and Parade of Nations (Friday). Denis & I went to Hobbiton movie set on Wednesday and made a quick trip back to Auckland to pick up the ‘caravan’ on Thursday, with a side trip to Raglan for fish & chips. Just to confuse him the wiper & signal arms are switched from right to left, different on the two vehicles.

Saturday the races started, we had two 500 metre runs, it was quite windy and lining up was taking longer than usual. The organizers were hoping to get in 3 but it started getting too dark. Sunday was even windier, we paddled out to the start, but the cross wind just kept pushing boats into other lanes before all boats were in place. The organizers finally called it off, hairiest docking I’ve experienced; evev people, who I’m sure didn’t plan on a dip that day, were in the water guiding us away from the boats that were supposed to be loading for the next heat. Everything else was celebrated from shore, including the flower ceremony. All in all, we were satisfied with a 21st ranking since we haven’t been on the water for 7 months and quite a few of these teams go 12 months of the year!

This Hamilton pic reminded me of Fort Saskatchewan.

One last breakfast in Hamilton and then off to Mount Maunganui, Tauranga, Bay of Plenty. Now it’s four weeks of ‘caravanning’ around New Zealand! Went for a soak in a sea water pool, we were parked on the surf side of the isthmus and watched the surfers while we ate our lunch. 

These boys had carriers on their bikes for their surf boards

Then down the road to Rotorua, we toured the Government Gardens, many huge black swans bobbing in the bay. Walked down Eat Street, had beer & cider. Checked out the souvenirs, Denis has his first NZ t-shirt, but he had to wear his Oilers tee today, didn’t help as they lost in OT.

Denis on twisty tree Kuiru Park

Tuesday – more walking around Rotorua, quick visit to the ‘i-site’, walking tour of the Kuirau Park, geo-thermal area many 100 C pools and bubbling mud pools but we found some foot soaking pools which were quite lovely. Drove to Māori Village, walked around, had coffee and cookies @ Patrick’s Bakery. Goodbye to Rotorua and off to Taupo, looked for place to camp in town but no luck. Visited Huka Falls, most photographed place in NZ. Camped for tonight just before the falls a couple miles, Reid’s Farm.

Denis at the outflow of Huka Falls, it's about 500 m chasm of churning water,


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