Thursday, 10th June 2010 - Whale Watching

After my little drama I still make it fr the whale watching. We board a bus to the dock and then get on our high speed catermirange. We head out and within a few minutes of looking we see a whale. It is absolutely amazing. It was great to get so close to them. Tries to get some really good pictures. Managed to get a few snaps of the whale diving.


The sea was pretty choppy with swells getting fairly high. I sat at the front f the boat which was the bumpiest part. I loved it. Unfortunately pretty much everyone one else was throwing up into the sick bags provided. Yuck.



After the whale watching i grab a bite to eat at the open air road side grilled seafood resteraunt before setting off for the West cost.

Thursday, 10th June 2010 - Crash!!!!

So I due to go on the whale watching boat. I ring them to confirm they are still running, they are. So off I head. As I go through town some guy pulls out of his parking space without indiciating or looking and crashed into my rear passenger door. No harm done. To me anyway. The car has a bit of a dint. But I have no worries insurance. So not worried.

Wednesday, 9th June 2010 - Seal Colony

Just at Kaikoura Penninsula there us another seal colony. Loads of really cute seals. Young and old. They seem oblivious to all the visitors. Lazing in the sun on the path and in the car parking slots. It was really kewl and I just wanted to go up and pet one. But there are loads of signs botted around warning against that.

Wednesday, 9th June 2010 - Plane over Whales

It is a really short drive from Kaikoura to the airfield. Where I board a little Cessna. I'm lucky eboughto ge to ride shot gun with the pilot. There is only me and two other passengers.


It is really great. Straight away I spot a Sperm whale. We circle it for a while until we see it dive. Next we fly straight to another sperm whale. This one is bigger. Again we circle it till it dives. It was amazing.



Then we go ad fly off into the mountains and get a tour of the snow topped mountains. Was such a kewl experience.



I hope the boat it going out again tomorrow. Because the only thing you lack from the plane is the sheer size of them. As there is nothbg around to compare them too. Fingers crossed.

Wednesday, 9th June 2010 - Kaikoura

After waking up and fueling up with some coffee I head down to Kaikoura. It's about a 2 hour drive. On the way I stop of at a scenic look out. Low and behold what do I find. seals. Loads of big and baby seals.


Kaikoura is the whale spotting Capitol of NZ. I am so keen to see some whales. I love them. There are a few options to are whales, from sea or air in either a helicopter or plane.



The boat is not going out today becase the swell is too high. The helicopter is flying today but they have a minimum number of passengers before flying so they are not going out at mo. So I'm a little disheartened. My last chance is the plane. Bingo. They are flying out and have no minimum passengers. Well just one.

Tuesday, 8th June 2010 - Interislander Ferry

It is a three hour ferry crossing to Picton on the South Island. I could see the hugh ferry as I was waiting to board. I love going on a ferry. Reminds me of being a kid. It looked like there was going to be loads to do.


So as I drove closer to the ferry, we drove past it! My ferry was behind it. Ferry? More like a barge. It was cold and very choppy on the three hour crossing. It had to be the dullest ferry in the history of the world I was not happy.

Tuesday, 8th June 2010 - Cape Palliser

It's a 150 Km out of Wellington and home to a lighthouse and seal colony. So off I went. When on the first mountain driving down I, for brief second lost control of car. I over steered. All was good. No harm done.


Also on the road I was faced with a couple of hundred sheep racing towards me. Lol.



With just 10km to go I hit a snag. The road turned into a gravel road. It was chucking it down and hailing as well. The car was sliding all over the place. So I had to admit defeat and without seeing the seals I headed back.

Tuesday, 8th June 2010 - Mt Victoria

I started my last day in Wellington by driving up Mt Victoria. Which provides lovely views of the whole of Wellington. I'm told on clear days you can see the south island. Not a chance today. It is foggy wet and windy. After getting out and looking around I decide to head for Cape Palliser.

Sunday, 6th July 2010 - Wellington

After a lazy sunday morning enjoying coffe and my new book I set off for Wellington. It's not they far. About 2 hours drive. I can see as I set off ths the weather is in the distance does not look pleasent.


As I am about 4 km out of Wellington the heavens well and truly open. It chucks it down. The road turns into a river. I can't see a thing in front of me. But as I climb the mountain road. I creep above the storm. Phew.



So they call Wellington the Windy Wellington. Not only windy it is freezing. It is wet as well. Cold wet and windy. Only one thing for it. After checking in I head out for some more coffee and carry on my book.


Not before checking out the Narion Museum Te Papa. It is supposedly NZ best Museum. I am not so sure. I was

Not impressed. It just did not do it for me. After a walk round Wellington. I succumb to the cold and head back.

Saturday, 5th June 2010 - Wai-O-Tapu

So heading south I stop off at Wai-O-Tapu, just in time to see Lady Knox eruption at 10:15promptly.

The whole area is a 3km walking track around a natural geothermic volcanic area. It was really cool and really smelly. Once the fog had lifted it was better. It was a pretty easy walk. Once I had warmed up.

I have finally succumb to the winter. I had three pairs of socks on today. Scarf. Hat. Gloves. Jeans. Hoodie. Still was chilly. And it is going to get colder the further south I go.

So I after my trek around Wai-O-Tapu I move south. I head for taupo but there is nothing really much to do there apart from go on the massive Lake Taupo, so I carry on south. Next to get to Talihope. Well it is even worse here. It's on the map in the in the Lonely Planet book. God only knows why. There is nothing and I do mean nothing here. So I carry on and get somewhere decent, Palmerston North.

It is a pretty nice drive though so I don't mind. I get my first glimpse of the snow capped mountains. Driving past the very mountain that was made famous by LOTR.

Friday, 4th June 2010 - Kuirau Park

This is free public park I'm the center of Rotorua. It is a volcanic area. You can see steam just pouring out and up in the sky. It is really kewl. Like the whole or Rotorua it stinks of rotten eggs.

It is strange to think that all this strange stuff is natural. There are two baths or spas in the park. But when I went to have a look there was a homeless man taking a bath. LOL. Kind of put me off trying it.LOL

Friday, 4th June 2010 - Rotorua Museum

The museum is in a mock Tudor building. It was originally built as a bath house where people came to take the cure. It has since been turned into a pretty cool museum. The free film was cool and explained about the last volcanic eruption in the area.

Friday, 4th June 2010 - Sky Line

On the way to Rotoru is the Sky Line. As soon as I saw it I knew I had to stop off. I paid for ticket and took the gondola to the top of Mt Ngongataha.

After having a walk around and getting loads if pics of the scenic views I go and grab my kart and rush down the luge. I loved it when I did it in Singapore and this one was just as good. Only no one to race (and win) this time. I could of gone down it all day long. But I hate sky chairs taking you back up the mountain. Once was enough. Lol.

So I headed back in a gondola back to the car and onto Rotorua.

Friday, 4th June 2010 - Rustic Pumpkin

So after waking up after a lovely rested sleep I head out. I'm gong south. Heading for Rotorua, but with a few stop offs on the way. Having missed breakfast I decide on an early lunch. A random road side cafe catches my eye.

What a treat. I had a croissant with smoked chicken, avocado, salad and a cranberry sauce. It was amazing. I got chatting to the lady owner. Who asked to see my Lonely Planet guide. And low and behold the Rustic Pumpkin is featured.

I carried on my journey to my first stop Tauranga. Bit was less than impressed when I got there. So I carried on towards Rotorua.

Thursday 3rd June 2010 - Tahiti Lodge

I booked myself into the beautiful backpackers at Tahiti Lodge. The lodge also serves as individual cabins, lodges,motel and the back packers.

But the place was cheap. Comfortable and they provided heaps of duvets. The woman at reception was the nicest and most helpful. She directed me to The Grange. The local pub come restaurant where I devoured a massive plate of fish and chips washed down with some larger.

By which time it was night fall. Shattered from the days activities I fall straight asleep.

Thursday 3rd June 2010 - Cathedral Cove

So I thought I would go see Cathedral Cove. So I took the scenic road up to the place. From there it is a 45 minute walk to the Cove. But the views from the car park was amazing. There was no sound at all. The sea was deadly calm. I took loads if pictures. It was the most amazing site.

Then I went on the killer 45 minute walk to the Cove. I could not help but be a little dissappointed when I got there. It was not as wowing as I had expected. But still was pretty. Not worth the 1 1/2 hour round walk though. Still I get a sence of accomplishment once I had completed my walk.

Thursday 3rd June 2010 - Hot Water Beach

I drove east from Auckland for several hours to Hot Water Beach in the Coromandel Region. Here at low tide hot water seeps up through holes dug into the sand and it's likened to a spa.

Only problem was low tide would not be will 17:45. At which point it would not only be pitch black but freezing. I did not fancy laying on a beach with those to contend with.

Thursday 3rd June 2010 - Auckland Zoo

So after another very unhealthy breakfast, this time Eggs Benedict with Bacon and a side of Pesto, I headed out to the Zoo. I was contemplating going to the aquarium with it's antarctic feature but I settled on the Zoo.

It was great. You got to go on a little board walk around African plains. With Giraffes, Lions, Zebra, Ostrich, Rhino and Hippo. It was really kewl. The lions was all snuggled up together sleeping. The hippos spent nearly all the time under the water so snapping them was
No easy task.

There was a cute elephant some cheetahs. The monkeys and Orangutans was really kewl. They where really playful. I could nt find the Alligator, Penguins or Tigers which was bit of a shame. But it was a really good time, especially as so cheap.

Wednesday 2nd June 2010 - Scenic Drive

Following the must do list from the lonely planet I went for a scenic drive along ????  There was not much light left so I made the most of what I had. There was so absolutely stunning views. I only wish there where more places to pull over to grab shots. The road was steep and winding. At a few points in the road it was a sheer drop to certain death.   Once I reached the highest point and just in time as the sum faded away. I made my way back to my room. Sleep.

Wednesday 2nd June 2010 - One Tree Hill

I figured I would hike up and go see the One Tree Hill. Now there is no tree here all there was where the three once stood was a little stump. A little disappointing considering all the hype. LOL. Here however I got my first sight of the millions and millions of Sheep. Noticeably they had all been shaved recently. Bit cruel I thought. It is winter after all.

Wednesday 2nd June 2010 - Mt Eden

After doing a little bit of shopping in the CBD I headed out to go get some more amazing views of the city and surrounding area from Mt Eden. I decided to walk up the hill. Not realizing you could actually drive. But still was a good bit of exercise.

At the top it was well worth it. It is literally a volcano. Inactive I must add. There is a huge crater which you can walk around.

Wednesday 2nd June 2010 - Sky Tower

You cannot miss the Sky Tower. Where ever you are in Auckland it sticks out. It is a massive needle pointing up towards the sky. It is the tallest structure in the southern hemisphere. I took the 40 secs lift to the first viewing platform and then the next lift to the highest platform. Great views and a really great Sky Tower. Second only to Melbourne's.  After snapping loads of pics and watching some braze and crazy people prepare to go out and walk around the outside of the Sky Tower or jump off it I headed for a Cappuccino in the cafe.

Wednesday 2nd June 2010 - Auckland Museum

Sitting in the middle of Auckland Domain (basically big park), the Museum is bright White and massive Greek looking building. It is home to the war museum. Now They advertise the place as free but with a compulsory $10 donation per person. Go figure that out. The museum covers the whole history of NZ from the first days, to British influence, all the wars and even predicts the future if one of NZ many volcanoes blows.

My favorite was the volcano section. I entered a replica house   Got myself comfy on the sofa to watch what I thought was a little documentary about what would happen if Auckland volcano blew. No. It was a demonstration. The house shook and heated up. The sights and sounds was really cool. But it was a pretty frightening 12 mins. Little did I know that I had escaped one land of danger (Oz) and now landed in another. I picked up the volcano and earthquake survival guide on my way out.

Wednesday 2nd June 2010 - Breakfast

So I wake up and head out to Ponsonby for breakfast. The guide book highly recommends this area. It is brimming with boutique cafes, bars and restaurants. I settle down into a busy little cafe with my Cappuccino and Poached Egg on toast with Pesto. Yes. With pesto. Strange? I agree but wow was it tasty. After satisfying my hunger I head out.

Tuesday, 1st June 2010 - Hello New Zealand

As we make our descent there is a blanket of cloud. But as we make our way below the clouds. Wow. It is spectacular. The views are amazing. It is so green and beautiful. First impression is I love the place. As we descend further you cannot help bit notice that it must rain loads here. There are puddles everywhere visible from the sky. The landscape is the epithesis of Australia. And I love it.

The first you notice when land is how NOT cold it is. It is nice. Not sunbathing weather but remember it is winter here. But I am very surprised and pleased not to have to layer up.

After collecting my bag and making it through customs and immigration I go and grab my hire car. Now they drive on the same side of the road which is good. Bit they have a funny road rule. When turning left, you have to give way to those turning right into the road. Bizarre. Oh and FYI you do not legally require car insurance.

First things first I need to find somewhere to stay tonight. After bit of a search I found a decent motel and booked myself in for two nights. Time has ticked on so after a brief visit to the CBD and grabbing a bite to ear I headed to bed ready for a busy day tomorrow.

Tuesday 1st June 2010 - Bye Bye Brisbane

So I was up at the crack of dawn. Well 5 am. Felt like the crack of dawn. I did not want a repeat performance of last time I caught a plane by myself and only made it by the skin of my teeth. So I arrived at the airport in good time.

Check in was an extremely painless process. I asked nicely and the lady gave me a window seat. Made my way through security check with only one hiccup. I set off the alarm after forgetting to take my belt off. LOL
Once through I headed for duty free.  Was very tempted by some really good offers on spirits. Especially Bundy Rum. But figured I'd get some on the way home.

It was a lovely clear day in Brisbane and the views were really something. I was looking out towards the coast and got some great views and pics of Morton Island.

So with that I bid farewell to Australia. Amazed I have made it out alive.