Taupo, Taranaki and Raglan

On Sunday Irene and me went off to another Auckland City church. We had seen a Green Lane Community Church building ever since we first came to Auckland in 2003 and we thought that it would be a good idea to visit. Although I had a good idea about its general location, 20 minutes from here, I set the SATNav to help. What I did not know was that there were two Marewa Roads and that I should have set the SATNav to Marewa Road, Ellerslie. Half an hour late we arrived and the door steward tapped in the entry code and let us in.

It was a very large congregation. At that moment they were putting on the stage representatives of many countries from around the World. What then followed was an introduction to the vast team of people who ran the church. The new pastor then gave his vision statement which very much about going forward in unity.

Communion was fascinating. Despite the large number of people every person had a small communion glass and a small piece of bread which we all took together.

At the end of the meeting I bought a little something to eat and we helped ourselves to free tea and coffee. Different types of coffee was available from the restaurant and, like the other large church we visited, you could pay by credit card.

We also purchased a worship CD from their to listen to on our journey next week.

After lunch Irene and me had a walk to the sea before packing for our three day trip in the morning.

On Monday morning we set off south. Google had shown a route to Taupo through Morrinsville. This is small NZ town, but we did find a pleasant cafe called the Crazee Cow.

From there we travelled on down the Highway to Taupo. We stopped, briefly for a picnic in the Rotorua district. The picnic area was not what we expected. The tables and benches had long been destroyed and people had been using the area as a dump. I found this so sad in such a beautiful setting.

I had thought that the road would pass the Huka Falls, but we were not on the right road. Our only visit to Taupo had been in 2003.Also the town now had a massive bypass over a huge concrete and steel viaduct. We needed to get to the motel and get directions to the falls. When we arrived the falls were just as powerful as we remembered. The sound of the falling water is almost deafening.

On the way back we stopped off at the town view point. There are magnificent views of the mountains, but the town in the foreground takes away some of the splendour.

The motel was one of the more basic ones. The rooms were around a courtyard. There was one room with bed, table, easy chairs, a TV and the usual cooking appliances. The toilet and shower facilities were separate.

Once settled in we made our way to the lakeside. There was only a sixty minute parking zone in this area so we had our refreshments and moved on down the lake side. Surprisingly there was no restriction on parking and so we left the car and walked. The first crazy game that we came to was a hole in one competition. I say that it was crazy because the tee was on the shore and the hole was on a raft out on the lake. Punters paid for a number of balls and teed them off, generally, into the water. We did see one bounce off before its inevitable demise. On the way back to the car we watched as a couple were launched from a boat to be towed through the air.

We drove off a short distance, took a photo of some boats and headed back.

Having parked we walked off to the toilets. By the lake we saw a group of people enjoying dipping in a pool. We noticed a notice warning of scalding water. From the rock was coming steaming water which cooled down enough a few feet away and was still quite hot to touch.

Then we sat on a very solid wooden bench to wait for the sun to set. We were not disappointed.

We collected our Subways and returned to enjoy them and a good nights sleep.

Once again the sky was blue and we set off down the lakeside; stopping off at a bay where Irene collected some  soft, light pebbles. Again the views were magnificent. There were interesting shaped rocks and the phenomenon of a stream so rapidly entering the lake that its path could be picked out for some distance.

The journey then took us by the Tongariro National Park. In 2003 it was winter and it was wet and cold, but this time we had clear views of the mountains.

We joined highway 4 at the village of 'National Park'. Here to Irene's surprise the SATNav turned us left towards the coast. I found out later that it had been wise to follow the SATNav's directions. Going north would have taken us over the 'Forgotten Highway'. This is a very steep and very windy road over the mountains and for most of its length it has no tarmac covering (unsealed).

I did have something of treat. The road took us by the mighty railway viaduct. See our MOTAT entry. I had also had a view of it from the train as went from Wellington to Auckland in 2009.

Our road took us through magnificent countryside and eventually Irene declared that she could do a spell of driving. Once around the bend the road became very hilly and windy, but eventually after a drive of three hours we arrived at the town of Wanganui. Here we bought petrol and had our lunch break. The town is spelled Wanganui, but to placate the Maoris the river is called Whanganui.

From Wanganui we followed the coast westward to the village of Hawera were we turned north to allow us to skirt the eastern fringe of Mount Taranaki; or to give it its full name 'Mount Taranaki or Mount Egmont'. We took this route because we thought that this might be our only opportunity to see the mountain. (There is a saying that goes 'If you can see the mountain its going to rain; if you can't see the mountain then its raining already.)

Much to my disappointment cloud began to build around the base of the mountain and climbed up to cover the peak. However, the was some clearance as we got closer a our next stopover.

Ian had booked us into a bed and breakfast in a place called Bell Block, which is the dormitory area for New Plymouth. The owner was a lady called Jenny. She turned out to be a faithful member of the local baptist church and we learned much that we did not know about NZ. I had not known that as a means of opening up trade with the Middle East. Most meat in the country is slaughtered according to Muslim rules.

After a cup of tea, a chat and unloading our belonging she furnished us with maps, information about the New Plymouth walkway and a recommendation to eat at Marinovich's Seafood Restaurant and Cafe. We were told that the chips were hand cut and that the fish was fresh caught that day.

New Plymouth had a wonderful idea of free parking at the sea front after 5.00 pm. We parked right next to the wind wand, which is a tall, slender, bendy pole with a red ball on which seems to have no other function than to make it easy to find our car. We walked along the boardwalk towards the port and industrial end to sea the mix of waves and setting sun and another great sunset.

New Plymouth 'Wind Wand'

Once the sun was down the wind blew very cold from the sea and we were pleased to find Marinovich's. It was a lovely seaside fish and chip restaurant. The waiter was a jolly chap. I started by ordering a Tui and then decided to have the snapper and chips. The sweets were irresistible. Irene died with chocolate and I set the place on fire with 'drunken rice'. This sweet consists of a bowl of sweet rice topped with tiramuso. It had a blob of ice-cream and a blob of cream with a model of the wind wand (a cherry with a stick). There was a little jar of brandy source which the waiter set light to and poured over the rice. Spectacular and tasty.

We went straight to our room in Bell Block and after a good nights sleep went in for 8 o'clock breakfast which was not the 'full English' but very nice with some home grown products. Despite the closeness to the mountain Jenny is able to grow grapefruit and lemons. Apparently, being close to the sea means that their are no frosts.

Having said our good byes, including taking a picture of Jenny, Irene and the B and B, we followed our host's directions to the mountain. I told Jenny that the address for the Egmont Visitors Centre was 2817 Egmont Road and was told that this was this distance from the start of the road. Most of the drive was very straight and flat and began to wind as we entered the park. At the end of the road was a modern building and plenty of car parking. From here there were numerous walking tracks starting at 10 minute ones to 7 days.

The low cloud around the base of the mountain cleared completely and the mountain was in sharp view against a clear blue sky. Jenny told us that her father-in-law having made numerous visits (some lasting over a week) to the mountain had died at aged 80 never having seen the mountain. We were indeed blessed. After a short walk we settled to do our pencil drawing. We were even photographed, with our permission, by a foreign visitor. As we sat cloud began to form and I photographed the changes to the point when it looked like the sky had been splashed upwards with white paint.

Egmont Visitor Centre

Drawing the mountain.
My collar is to keep the sun off
and the hat is to keep the cold out

Following lunch at the visitors centre we set off on our travels once more.

The road once again went through spectacular country side. In a few places tunnels had been cut through the rock. They were no longer than bridges and were simply unsupported archways. Road works were to be the bane of the journey. They were frequent extensive and slow.

At one point we were able stop for refreshments, but is getting late in the day and I thought better of driving on this kind of unlit road and it would be dark by 5.30 pm. 

We arrived at the Raglan Motel at about 5.15. We were just in time to unload the car and walk around to watch the sunset again. Young people were diving off the bridge despite warnings of the danger of doing so at low tide. We also saw a Maori canoe setting off into the dark.

The motel was fantastic. It was a two floor apartment. The first floor had a large lounge area with three seater sofa, TV kitchen, which included an electric hob. Upstairs was an equally large bedroom with sofa. On this floor was the toilet and shower. The shower had a choice of two separate heads. One was a fine spray and the other a large shower.

For our meal we purchased a pizza and pies at the 4Square store, which we cooked in the microwave.

The motel had a large balcony which looked over the sea.

Raglan is a very small town and after visiting the information centre we decided to make our way to Hamilton as we would find a Pak n Save and then some time in the beautiful gardens.

The Waikato River on the
 edge of the gardens

We needed some special bread for our evening meal with our friends when we got back. We found out later that we could have waited until nearer home as bread stocks do not run out as quickly as they do in the UK.

In the gardens at there is a cafe where we had our lunch. Then, following a wander around we made our way back to Auckland. Hamilton is being changed dramatically. There are detours all over the place, but we eventually got on to the routes out. The one unexpected interruption to the journey was the police. They had blocked off a road with several police cars in both direction and every driver passing though was subject to a breath test. This consisted of counting to five near gadget and being wished a nice day by a friendly officer.

Traffic became heavy on the junction were we left the motorway, but we were able to finish our Sylia Park shopping before heading to base.

In the evening we had a good meal and fellowship with our Christian friends to end the day.

Rotorua Revisited

Return to Rotorua

We first visited Rotorua in August 2003. Sally had been in NZ for about a year and we were making our first visit. In fact it was not only our first visit and not only our first international flight, but it was our first ever flight. Joni and Joseph travelled with us and joined us for our first international stopover in Kuala Lumpur. This was a stopover in the first luxury hotel that we had ever used and I remember both boys sleeping like babies the minute they put their heads on the hotel bed pillows.

The four of us were treated to an extensive exploration of North Island, taking in the far north of Cape Reinga down to Rotorua were each time we had two cars and stayed in classy motels.

The Rotorua motel was pretty much in the town and we were aware of the sulphurous smells/stench all around, but we did have the luxury of our own hot tub. We were keen to visit the geysers and similar features. Which mum and I did, while the boys were keen to do Zorbing and other activities.

Wherever you looked steam was in evidence. Wherever there was a hole, either natural or manmade, up came the steam. The golf course was perpetually under a mist. At one point I left the path to explore the fumaroles and was suddenly aware that Sally and Irene were waving furiously at me. Had we approached the area from the opposite direction to which we had we would have seen a notice saying that it was dangerous to leave the path. It was then that I had the revelation that we were in a potentially life threatening area. Not too far below us the Pacific plate was slowly slipping below the Australasian plate and that huge forces were at work and there were temperatures that melt rock. To the east is an active volcano on White Island and to the south is the active volcanoes in Tongariro National Park.

We learned that some wildlife had discovered the hazards to their cost. Some water birds did not have web feet. This was not an evolutionary trait. The highly acidic water of part of Lake Rotorua had rotted the webbing.

This adventure also introduced us to the Maori culture which took the form of a show in a whare. We have also encountered Maoris in Auckland Museum and in Queenstown. 

The day before setting off was something of an in day. Emily was able to go to Kindy in the morning. It is a great facility and much enjoyed by the young one. Zoe was still at a sleep over which meant Irene and me lunching while Sally and Emily went off to fetch Zoe; returning with her friend for a swim. While this was going on I had my first significant drive to Sylvia Park Mall for one or two bits. The exchange rate is really adding to the value. Like every supermarket, everywhere we found the special offers anomaly. A pack of four Bundaberg ginger beers was cheaper than a ten pack.

This morning we are preparing for the journey. I have been to Ian's office and bought his car back. I will collect him after work when the men will make the journey. Sometime soon, this morning the four ladies of differing ages will make their more leisurely way to a bach on the side of a lake near the town. (A bach is accommodation used for weekends and holidays. The owners rent them out in the same way as they may rent out caravans in the UK. They are no longer the homes built as tin sheds on the hill side, although some still exist. Planning regulations are getting tighter. There will even be more tightening up after 1st March, and I suspect that this is due to the Canterbury earthquake. I read Emily's child minders instructions which said that the home must have an adequate earthquake plan.)

I have just read the instructions about the bach. They include the precise location of the key in a marmalade jar, where to gut fish on a table outside, how to turn a multi-axle trailer and which boat launch area to use in bad weather. We are also to be careful with the use of water as the only supply is that collected from the roof. Sounds like we have a lot of fun in store.

Overlander

A very early start to catch the 7:20 am Overlander to Britomart, Auckland.

The trains here are narrow guage and the coaches seem to dangerously overhang the track. Book in for this service was almost airline style. Baggage was checked in and etickets checked at the desk. There were only three passanger carriages. One contained the dining area. Up front, behind the baggage car was an open observation platform and at the rear a closed one.

From the open area you easily get a feeling of speed.


Our journey took us through miles of open countryside, over gorges, with a stop in the National Park.

The train stops at the town of Ohakune. At this stop you can either buy food in the buffet car or at the station cafe. We chose to buy our food in the buffet car and eat it sitting at the picnic tables along side the track.

At this spot the Tongariro volcanic peaks are visble. There is little snow near the summit.


From here its pretty much down hill with the engineering feature being the Raurimu Spiral. It was declared a 'wonder of the world' when it was completed in 1908. It has three horse shoe curves, a complete circle and two tunnels.

Sally and Zoe met as at Britomart, a little later than expected; our south of North Island complete.