Monday 6th March (Day 29)
Another sunny day in the making. After getting sorted, breakfast was the next on the agenda. We both wanted......... a bacon butty. So off we went in search of one. It was easier than we thought as across the road was a cafe that was happy to make a couple. Stomachs replenished we drove a short distance to a Redwood forest. These are not native to NZ but have taken well and, while not as big as those in the USA and Canada, some are very large. We took a two hour trail called the Pohaturoa Trail. A very pleasant, if warm, walk with good views. It should have been about 8km but we found ourselves partway around a second time! So in the end we walked about 12km. Then another short drive before eating a picnic and on again to the Waikite Valley Thermal Pools. The water in the valley runs out of the ground at 100 degrees and had to be cooled down to fill the pools, which vary from 34 to 42 degrees. We were having a nice 'bob along' when we got chatting to a couple who mentioned the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland which was about eight to ten kilometres away. Well we were dried, packed and off very quickly. Arriving some fifteen minutes later we entered the 'wonderland'. Full of bubbling mud, craters and pools of water of every color - bright yellow, green, blue, red. It was a 90 minute walk that was well worth the effort. By now it was getting close to 4.00pm and we were to be collected from our hotel just after 5.00pm so another quick dash and shower before we were collected by coach for an evening at the Tamaki Maori Village. At 5.20pm we were on our way. A few more pick ups and by 6.30 we were at the village. By tradition a Maori village is sacred ground and only invited guests can attend. To be invited in we had to have a 'chief' from amongst us to negotiate our safe entry. The village warriors then came out and 'intimidated' us with spear like weapons (the 'Te Wero') to let us know they were willing to fight. They then laid down a peace symbol which our 'chief' had to pick up signalling no ill intent. Having done that the village chief and our chief had to perform a 'Hongi', the shaking of right hands and touching of noses (twice). Then we were all invited in. For the next hour or so we moved around various 'houses' or school of learning where we learnt about the Haka, Stick Games, weaponry skills and chants. Next the 'Hangi' or feast. The meal is cooked in a 1.5m wide 1m deep pit. A large timber fire (1.5m tall) with stones on top was burnt and when it had burnt down the hot stones were in the bottom of the pit. The food was placed on these and damp sacking placed over it. This steamed the meat, fish and veg. So off to to the meal but first some traditional Maori entertainment, a Haka, dances, and warrior skills. The only description for the evening was brilliant. Finally, we were returned to our hotels by about 9.30pm. Such a great evening. We finished off on the hotel bar for a nightcap before moving on tomorrow.
Tuesday 7th March (Day 30)
After packing we popped across the road for another bacon butty to start the day. Then settle the bill and a 140km (150 mile) journey to Auckland. The journey was quite unremarkable in the main, that is until we approached Auckland itself. From the south there is really only one road in (State Highway 1) and, although we were entering Auckland at midday this three lane road was full of fairly slow moving traffic. This is the first real traffic we have experienced and the M25 can still beat it. Parking was an issue though so we opted for valet parking at the Heritage Hotel, $45 - Ouch! The room was really nice and we were only 300m from the Sky Tower and that was to be our first destination. A lift speeding up to the 51st floor then a second up to the 60th. A 360 degree viewing point with glass floor in the lifts. On a clear day you can see 50 miles. We could not see that far but could see good distance. We then returned to floor 51 and had lunch overlooking the harbour. As we ate the cloud started to roll in and by the time we finished you could barely see the ground. Returning to ground floor we had to wear waterproofs and put up umbrellas as it was raining hard (25mm in an hour). The rain eased and we continued to stroll around. Then a shopping trip up Queen Street, Auckland's poor equivalent of London's Oxford Street. 6.00pm saw us relaxing in our room watching the weather forecast which 'promises' to be tropically wet for a few days.
Wednesday 8th March (Day 31)
Well we had nice croissants in our room that I bought from a local baker. Then pack and check out. The Bay of Islands (Paihia) is our next destination which is just over three hours away. I am not sorry to be leaving Auckland. While I agree we did not meet it in good weather I, personally, found it uninspiring. The journey to Paihia was not without interest. Part way we had a tropical storm; double windscreen wiper speed; 60kph and still vision was difficult but worse was to come. This bad weather came and went. We stopped in Whangarei for a coffee and to do a bit of shopping. We then drove to the Whangarei Falls. This involved a short circular walk. The falls themselves were much better than I expected and a swim in the bottom pool underneath the falls was inviting. However, as the temperature was in the mid 20's and we had meat in the car we decided not to dilly-dally so off we went with the air conditioning on. Our next unscheduled stop was Kawakawa. What drew us to it was a sign pointing to our left with the legend 'Hundertwasser's Toilets'! Well how could you pass that one by? This was a one street town with a functioning restored steam rail line (it only runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday). But back to the toilets. Friedensreich Hundertwasser's was a local man who was an ecologist and declared a 'national treasure'. His last design was the toilets which were more than worth the slight detour. This country continually throws up the unusual. Next stop was Paihia itself. Here we booked into the Waterfront Suite. This was really centrally located and an absolute gem. Our first task was to do the final bit of washing to last us until we got home. The apartment had its own washing machine and dryer so it was an easy task. While that was happening I cooked a curry for the evening. Then it was a walk around the (small) town; a drink and then return for a swim before dinner.
Thursday 9th March (Day 32)
Well we apparently had a lot of rain through the night but I, at least, slept through it. The morning started grey with rain threatening so we didn't rush to get out. Indeed I strolled to get some eggs for a cooked breakfast. Then it rained, well that does not describe what happened. It was like buckets of water being tipped on you. We decided that we would drive to Opononi on the west coast. We arrived in sunshine but with the ever present rain still threatening. Opononi is a small coastal town with great views. It is famous for a dolphin. In 1955/6 this dolphin, called 'Opo', was adopted by the locals and would 'throw' a ball back to you and play in the water. It became a bit off celebrity. Then, as the memorial to him said he died suddenly. What actually occurred was he was 'suddenly' killed by some unknown dynamite fishers! A sad end. Then on to the Waipoua Forest. To get here we drove along a ridiculously winding road with the forest hemming in from both sides and the wind and rain had brought branches and leaves down making it all very slippery and challenging. We then stopped at a Kauri tree called, Tane Mahuta (the God of the Forest). This is a huge tree with a girth of 14m. This tree is at least 1,500 years old but probably considerably more. It started growing around the time that the Romans stopped ruling England. This tree was impressive and photos just did not do it justice. Then off to Dargainville where we stopped for a coffee and cake. The weather was still on-off rain so we opted to just drive back to base. Then on the way home it rained - hard - indeed harder than we have ever experienced. Double speed windscreen wipers and less that 30kph and still it was difficult to see the road and we aquaplaned, fortunately with no damage. We had 25cm (over four inches from midday to 4.00pm). That was not a lot compared to some in New Zealand, as in the Coromandel peninsula, which is not far away, they had that in just over an hour, mud slides, houses and cars wrecked and with more rain to come. Back in Paihia we had to console ourselves with a beer and retire to the apartment for some wine and steak. We watched the weather forecast and tomorrow looks, if anything, worse.
Friday 10th March (Day 33)
The morning started again vey windy and wet. We decided not to take the boat trip to the 'Hole in the Rock', an iconic trip. Instead we went to the Haruru Falls and for a short walk in the forest track beside the river. As we pulled into the car park we were surrounded by chickens and chicks who, I suppose, thought we would feed them -they were disappointed. We then drove to Waitaingi where the treaty between Britain and the Maoris was signed. However, entry was almost £50 for two and it was mainly outside and we decided the weather looked bad so we did not go enter. We returned to have lunch and then Chris went and had a massage. After that we caught the ferry from Paihia to Russell across the bay and took a walk up Flagstaff Hill where we had reasonable view despite the clouds. While on this walk we saw many Weka birds, which are flightless birds, similar to the Kiwi. The were not scared of us at all allowing us to get very close. Then it was take the ferry back and cook what was left in the fridge as tomorrow we are off to Auckland again. Today was not as bad as forecast, at least here, as we only had a inch or so of rain but still a short distance away they hadn't three of more inches of rain.
Saturday 11th March (Day 34)
Well today we leave the Bay of Islands. To be honest it has been a bit of disappointment. Not because the place is lacking in things to do and see but because with the tropical storm it, well, put a dampener on things. Anyway by 10.00am we had checked out and were on our way to Auckland. It took around four hours, with a short lunch stop. We drove up to the museum but on looking it seemed to be a repeat of the Wellington Museum - just a bit bigger - and for £25 each we decided to give it a miss. We then drove to a shopping precinct in an old waste disposal facility. A lot were closed! What to do? A decision was made to drive to our hotel, Sudima, out by the airport as it had a pool and other facilities for us to use. A slow drive in the Saturday traffic but it was easily found. A swim followed by a drink and a lovely meal before having to finish our last bottle of wine.
Sunday 12th March (Day 35)
Well, when I was awake during the night it sounded like it was raining. This morning it was pouring down. We got sorted for the plane and loaded the car and drove the short distance to the airport (about a mile). The Hertz reception centre was closed. However, we parked up and dropped the key in a box in the departure hall. I hope they remember that the damage was already there! We then had a wait for the check-in desks to open (10.00am). Cases dropped off it was time for breakfast - not the biggest selection of cafes - who wants a KFC for breakfast? Certainly not me. Through security and a three hour wait for the plane to take off. We got on our double decker plane and waited. The departure time came and went and we sat there. Then the Captain informed us of a delay due to an engine issue that was being fixed. I really did not want to know, couldn't he have lied? Eventually we were off and I cannot fault Singapore Airlines for the quality and choice of food it was excellent. About three quarters of the way to Singapore a woman started to panic as she was hot. Panicking made her hotter which made her panic. A virtuous circle. No one had a bucket of water to chuck over her so they had to use a few wet flannels. Eventually they moved a few people around and laid her down and slowly she got recovered and was quite embarrassed Anyway four films later we landed at Changi - 7.15pm, 80 degrees and humid - a sign of things to come? The car driver that met us stated a few thunderstorms may occur. He also took a longer route to show us some sights, during which we found our trip to the Long Bar at Raffles for a Singapore Sling would not take place as Raffles is closed for the best part of a year for restoration. We checked in to the Park Hotel at Clarke Quay to be informed we had been upgraded. We also had a complementary mobile phone, giving us free unlimited internet and international calls to the UK and a tourist guide app. A walk around the lights and buzz of Clarke Quay before returning to the hotel and, although bed called as with the time zone changes we had been up twenty hours, we watched a streamed rugby match of Switzerland against Ukraine rugby as Ashley our son was playing for the Swiss. They won 54-18
Monday 13th March (Day 36)
It looked a bit overcast this morning and cool. However, as soon as we left our room to go down for breakfast we realised it was hot - mid 20's. We had a nice breakfast sitting on a veranda making plans for the day. Then we strolled off to our first point of interest. The Singapore museum; It had some interesting exhibits and some decidedly not so. The highlight, for me, was a moving light show of flowers and animals in a darkened space by a Japanese artist. Quite stunning. Next was the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple in the 'Little India' section of town. Last time we were here, three years ago, it was covered in sheeting, although open. This time all was well and the stunning edifice could be seen. The temple itself was closed though. Well, we will get it right one day maybe. It was then decided to make our way towards the Marina Bay and Raffles Hotel. To do so we detoured a bit and wandered through the back streets of little India. Covered walkways, sari shops, Indian gold jewellers, electronic stores and restaurant / cafes plus associated and non-associated smells. We found a Chinese street market to peruse and another Temple, where a local took time to show us around, and even gave us a fortune 'cookie' and 'read our future'. We then got to Raffles and, sure enough it was 90% boarded up. However, we could have had a Singapore Sling in the Billiard Room (the Long Room Bar was shut) but that wouldn't be 'real' so, at least for the moment, we gave it a miss. A short distance on we got to Marina Bay with the stone lion spouting water and the iconic Marina Bay Sands Hotel. We ambled around the bay into Bay Gardens where we went into the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest. These are two large structures, a bit like the Eden Project. The Flower Dome had flowers and trees from all over the world, was quite busy and an 'OK' experience. (The main benefit was it was cool in temperature.) The Cloud Forest was a different thing and much better (still cool). It was in a much larger structure and was a self Contained Rain forest. With the largest indoor waterfall in Asia to the world (can't remember). It had walkways from the very top and the plants were stunning. Lastly in the gardens we went in the OSBC walkway up high in artificial 'trees'. Great views were had from there. By now we were foot wearily having walked around ten miles in, by now 33 degrees and high humidity. So it was a underground train (the MRT) back to the hotel and a cooling dip in the pool. Off then for dinner. A chance meeting with someone in the lift put us onto Robertson Quay, right next door to the hotel and full of restaurants. After this we got the MRT back to Marina Bay for a light and music show in the Bay Gardens followed by a second light, water and music show in the Bay itself. The second one had not only lights and lasers but 'screens' made of sprays of water that people, trees and even musicians were projected onto. Both were stunning and worth the effort to see them. By now we were very tired from a long hot humid day and all the walking. BED!
Tuesday 14th March (Day 37)
Well the last day! Down for a buffet breakfast and then a discussion for today's activities. First of all we went and got a one day travel pass ($10 each). This is because we decided to walk much less than yesterday. Our first stop was back at Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple which was open. It was an interesting walk around. We then again strolled a bit in Little India. The smells and activities are difficult to describe but it is a mix of heavily scented flowers and spices. Back then to the Chinese section where again we strolled around. We went to the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple which was amazing. Gilt gold everywhere. A coffee was then needed and a return then to the Hotel to cool down in the pool - where I crashed out for an hour or so. We then set off again to Boat Quay for a drink, meal with drink and drink. By now, while still in the mid 20's, it was dark and the vista was very different with the Bum Boats lit up along with the buildings. A return via Clarke Quay and then a night cap opposite the hotel. Finally it was time to pack in preparation for tomorrow.
Wednesday 15th March (Day 38)
Well all good things come out an end and this is the last day. Despite small complaints about the weather and train rides cancelled etc it has been a great experience with the highlight, without a shadow of a doubt, the three mile high parachute jump. Anyway we started the day with a big boy breakfast and then were collected by cab and taken to Changi Airport. Here we checked in and got through the security procedures very quickly. We then had about three hours to 'kill'. This is easy at Changi which must be one of the nicest airports anywhere. Not only are there the usual duty free shops but also art, flowers, koi carp and a butterfly garden to look around. So the time flew. We then boarded and by 1.00pm were trundling along the runway in an attempt to get into the air. While confident the plane will take off it still amazes me that such a massive object with all the people and their luggage actually flies. Then it was almost fourteen hours flight to Heathrow where we were met by Matthew our son for a welcome lift home as by the time we landed we had been on to go for around twenty hours.
