Denis & Judy's Kiwi Adventure

 May 12 - Drove to Auckland and then south to Papakura train station. Auckland is like Vancouver, a lot of smaller settlements that the city has consumed. We planned to stay in Drury which is just south of Papakura. While checking train schedules/costs we learned that this Saturday and Sunday (two days we were planning to travel) there are no trains running from Papakura (the station nearest  us) to the city. So we need to go about 5 stops by special rail busses and there's a bus leaving in a few minutes. Denis rushed to repark the caravan in the train parking and we hopped on the bus to the train and into central Auckland. We explored around the downtown, watched a Falun Gong dance and band troupe perform while enjoying a coffee. Walked along the Quay. It's a long bus/train ride but better than trying to find a place to park the caravan and much cheaper.  Today Sunday, we headed in again and caught a ferry to Waiheke Island, 21 km from Auckland harbour. The island is 19 ...

May 10 - Stopped in Kaikohe to do laundry at Liquid Laundry, no coins involved you have to put money on a card then swipe the card to start the washers & dryers. A bit of an ordeal to get it all figured out. After that and the drenching rain of the last days we thought we deserved a treat and went to Ngawha hot pools, for a detoxifying soak (one of the other patrons told us the toxins were just draining out of her). It was nice but we reeked of Sulphur even after showering. Carried on to Dargaville parked by the rushing Northern Wairoa River in the Gumdigger statue park.  Headed further south to Wellsford, strolled around town and had a good coffee at McDonalds while we used their wifi. May 12 - Drove to Helensville, then visited several wineries. Tonight we are in  Riverhead at  Hallertau Biergarten Tomorrow on to Auckland

Pic from Glowworm Caves  May 8 - Heading north, left in time to travel through Auckland in the morning rush hour traffic, crossed the Harbour bridge. Stopped for lunch at Lang's beach, watched the crashing waves while being rocked by the wind. Went to beautiful Whangarei Falls, half the height of Niagara, amazing to us no guard rails! My watch said 23 flights of stairs by the time we walked down and back up,  made my steps goal as well. Drizzled rain but beautiful walk Headed north, bought fresh oysters at Paroa Bay just before we reached Paihai. Parked along the beach, windy rainy night, we really couldn't enjoy sunset or sunrise. May 9 - headed to Cape Reinga in torrential rain and gale force winds. We were a bit hesitant at continuing but kept on. Several places ditches were overflowing and water running over the road. When we arrived along with a tour bus and 3 other caravans the rain had abated but very foggy. We planned to hike to the light house but the path was blocked...

May 6 - It has been frustrating to get the blog posted because even when we should have wifi it's very sketchy! 2:30 am in our cabin on the ferry and the wifi is working! Mostly semis on this night time run. Most towns in New Zealand have free standing public toilets (no need to go into a business) BUT some have EXELOO! The interior is stainless steel and white tile, you slide the door closed and a gentleman’s voice tells you to push the button to lock, then advises you that you have a maximum of 10 minutes. Then the lovely piano music begins, Moon River was the selection today. Heavy rain as we left the ferry at 6:30 am heading to Whanganui but it had quit by the time we reached Levin about 90 minutes later. Stopped for breakfast, then continued on our way arriving in time for the Saturday market, bought veggies and had lunch. Toured the museum on the waterfront, saw paddle steamer Waimarie leave on a trip up river. One of the reasons we wanted to check out the market is because t...

D enis enjoying one of his NZ treats - Hokey Pokey Marshmallow Fish, he say it goes good with wine. We parked at Riverside campground (Murchison) and the river was definitely rushing by after all this rain Ever since we arrived we've been looking for one of these steamers. Denis found them online at Mitre 10 (like Home Depot) but we've been to several locations and none in stock. I convinced him we should check Op shops (second hand stores) tried several, but no luck there either.  Much to Denis' relief something about Op shops and some gift shops seems to cause me to have an allergic reaction. Woke to cloudy skies but no rain (yet). We're travelling to Nelson today, once again along the twisty uphill & down scenic route, rain occasionally slowing but not stopping.   Bought a bag of Nashi pears (small apple pears) from a gate kiosk in Tapawera. Stopped at Siegfried's Winery for a mussel appetizer that we'll be trying to recreate at home! And of course picked...

 May 1 - Into the rainy spell again. Planned to stop at Mt Cook and Fox and Franz Josef glaciers but pouring rain, wind and fog nothing to be seen. We have to press on because we have a ferry booking back to the north island (Saturday at 1:00 am, cabin booked) Camped in Greymouth, did laundry, real showers etc. We have an electric heater so having power is nice, helps dry things out. Rain abated so we walked to Monteith Brewery for drinks and fish & chips (with Tuimato sauce, ketchup is not usually served with fries here. Wifi was very lame where we camped, so I went to the library in the morning and was able to catch up with the blog.  Pouring rain again! This is the lookout on the Greymouth breakwater, I didn't manage to catch it but waves were crashing as high as the railing. Guess what I didn't climb the stairs to check it out. We stopped in at a fish market and bought fresh fish. Seems like there's a not lot of fresh fish for sale other than at supermarkets. Sorry ...

  May 1 – droved into Queenstown, it’s a combination of Kelowna and Banff. Very busy even now in the off season. Cool day but no rain, we walked around the waterfront. They offer jetboating, parasailing, shark boats & floating dining, Denis plans for something like this at LLB. We just missed our ship, a cruise on the TSS Earnslaw. It is the only coalburning ship operating in the southern hemisphere. It was built to haul passengers and freight between Kingston and Queenstown before the road was built.  We resisted all the water activites  and consoled ourselves with  Fergburger for lunch. Most famous burger in NZ, it was very good and huge! Crazy busy, about 20 places to sit and 50 people people waiting for orders pretty quiet next door at the bar. Denis wants to know why we don't have these in Canada I found a neat swing on the waterfront Off to Arrowtown, very quaint former goldrush town, shopped around, had more ice cream and bought local wine. There was a lar...

  Headed to Invercargil this morning, visited E Hayes & Son, hardware, emporium, ‘Druckers’ of the south! This place is an old-style hardware, high end kitchen & gift shop. Plus, about 100 old motorcycles and other engines and a few collectible cars. They have the motorcycle that New Zealander, Burt Munro took to Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, where he set speed records. A movie was made of his story: World’s Fastest Indian. Amazing collection of antique and unique hand tools. You could spend days and not see everything. Took the scenic route to Te Anau, onward to Milford Sound. Very challenging drive includes 1.2 km Homer Tunnel. Camped at Milford Sound Lodge and took an early cruise on Milford Sound.  It was interesting, reminded both of us of Grose Morne in Newfoundland. Saw two Higgs dolphins and two very small seals. Up close to rocks covered in starfish. Got my face misted by one of the waterfalls, which is supposed to make you 10 years younger. I haven’t not...

  late update, Denis trying to all the Moeraki Boulders lined up. In Dunedin: w alked to the city centre, Octagon, beautiful old buildings mixed with modern. Very Scottish  influence, school uniforms of different tartans. Walked up the steepest street and down the other side to Speights Brewery. Then on the way back we realized we could enter the railway station. It’s undergoing major renovations (shrouded in scaffolding) but open.   We stopped for beer, tea & dessert at Cobb & Co restaurant. Parked in free to stay car park that backs onto to railway tracks, I think they started shifting cars about 5 am. We drove up to Royal Albatross Centre, arrived at 8 am and they don't open until 10:15.   Walked around the unfenced area and saw lots of albatrosses soaring overhead.  The blue penguin colony had already departed for their day of feeding in the ocean. We did see a variable oyster catcher that was quite friendly and followed us around. Also shags, nest...

  Went on to Omaru, Steampunk Museum & Victorian Precinct. We didn't visit the museum but  stopped for a drink at a lovely old Victorian pub.  I tried the penny-farthing, no mean feat getting seated even with a step ladder. We drove along the Esplanade to check on the penguin colony but it was too early to see penguins, just lots of seals resting on the rocks. Not sure how the penguins make it up to the nesting boxes without being massacred. Parked in the tourist park on the Esplanade, when we checked in we were warned to be careful for penguins if walking around after dark, also that they can be very noisy. We walked up to a brew pub for supper.   on the way back were lucky enough to see a few penguins at the carpark gate but only managed one pic. Thurs Apr 27 – Took the beach road to Kakanui, onto Moeraki Boulders, round boulders on the beach, some are broken apart which exposes what looks like seams of resin. Fine & jail for tampering with the boulder...

Arrived Christchurch Apr 24 - parked in holiday park, did laundry, had real showers. Leftovers for supper.  Next morning, Anzac Day, took the gondola ride and explored around the summit a bit.  Back downtown we hopped on the tram for a tour, had a snack at the market, got back on the next tram.  Walked a couple blocks to the Cardboard Cathedral, so called because it’s built of sonotube to be used until the original can be restored, target is 2027. Lots of buildings being restored but lots had to be demolished. Toured some of the former Canterbury College, beautiful old buildings now the Arts Centre . Stayed the night at Straight 8 Winery, mostly white wines because reds don’t do well in the cooler climate. Very friendly hosts, lots of advice on things to see along the road. Storm again during the night, wind was rocking the van and cones were flying off the trees and hitting the roof. I was a bit concerned for the solar panel. Off in the morning to Ashburton, bought Anzac...