Awhitu Peninsula

November 6

Toured around the Awhitu peninsula – close to Auckland as had to be back there on Saturday.

Saw our first black sand beach.  The photo looks dark, but it’s the black sand – volcanic.

Saw the lighthouse at Manukau Heads – climbed up inside too – the harbour leading into Auckland from the Tasman sea.

Could have bought fruit at an unmanned fruit stand – an ‘honesty box’.  (You can find avocados and other veggies as well at these places.)

Stayed overnight at Orewa – a campground on the Pacific Ocean.

Camper Van Day 1

November 5

After  learning how the equipment worked and stocking up on groceries, we headed south west.  With the help of our GPS (Tom Tom) we travelled down a secondary highway, backroads and finally through what seemed liked farmers fields to Port Waikato.  What should have taken about 2 – 2 1/2 hours ended up taking 4 or 5 hours.  Tom was a little confused.  Shortest route vs fastest route – didn’t matter.  We were on grassy roads!

You know it is off-season when a campground that has about 60 sites (as well as cabins) has only got 3 sites in use. 

Museums & Antarctic Encounter

November 4

Visited the Auckland Museum and attended a Maori cultural show.  

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Also did a very quick tour of the War Museum.  (Big, beautiful stained glass in the ceiling in one area.)

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Took in Kelly Tarltons Antarctic Encounter & Underwater World.  It is built in the sewers of Auckland but you’d never know it.  This is what picked us up…

There were penguins, sharks, sting rays, sea horses, lots of fish (of course) and a museum showing artefacts from an expedition to the south pole. 

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Lots of elementary school kids there too, all in uniforms, and even though they were quite well behaved it was a little noisy.

There was also an interactive area – probably meant for the kids!

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Auckland City

November 3

Took another city tour by bus.  Each one we’ve taken has been great to give us a little info about major points of interest.  We’ve hopped off if something seems interesting and then hopped back on when the next bus comes by.  Here in Auckland we travelled to the top of Mount Eden and were able to see the Harbour Bridge through the mist and clouds. 

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Then into Parnell Village for lunch – saw the Rose Gardens (beautiful, as they were all in bloom).  It is indeed more ‘English’ here than in Aussie (although Tassie was pretty ‘English’ too). 

Down to the Ferry Terminal…

and up to the Sky Tower where people actually jump off – not us!  Not true bungy but close enough…

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And I managed to find several of my favourite location…

While we were on the bus we couldn’t believe our eyes when friends from Devon hopped on.  Phil & Marilyn Blanchette knew that Gerry would be in Sydney for the games but had no idea that we were coming to NZ afterwards and we had no idea they would be here at all!  I still can’t get over it – what are the chances???

Grand Pacific Drive

November 1

Wow, a month has gone already!

Flew back to Sydney today, rented a car and drove part of the Grand Pacific Drive that heads along the coast to Melbourne.

We used the freeway to get south quickly then headed for the coast at Kiama.  Passed through lots of little towns on our way back including Woollongong, Towradgi, Woonona, Thirroul, and Wombarra.  Saw light houses, kite flyers, a public ocean swimming pool in the rocks, lots of Sunday afternoon picnickers and people enjoying the beaches.

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Hobart: by Red Decker Bus

October 31

Before hopping on the bus we explored the outdoor Saturday Market at Salamanca Place.  It was huge (over 200 vendors) and SO many people.  The photo doesn’t show even 1/2 of it.  There was everything available – new & old, produce, crafts, music, buskers, food, coffee, and more…

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Jails, churches, tiny homes for servants of folks with very large homes (servants weren’t allowed to live-in as they were usually ex-cons).

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Did you know that Sir John Franklin (of the Northwest Passage fame) was once the governor of Tasmania?  Bob??  There is a park & statue in Hobart honouring him.

Stopped at the Cascade Brewery for lunch – Australia’s oldest (1824). 

 

Also stopped at Lark’s Distillery – rum, gin, vodka but especially single malt whiskey!

Then drove up to the top of Mount Wellington.  Brenda – it wouldn’t have helped to be the driver.  The road was first built in the 1930’s.  It has been improved, but still is narrow and lots of horseshoe turns.

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Had supper at the Casino on the Derwent River.  Lovely view & good food.  Played the 1 cent & 2 cent slots but did NOT pay for the trip with my winnings!   (Neither Australia nor NZ have pennies & yet they have 1 & 2 cent slots in the casinos.)

Golf in Tassie

October 29

Gerry found a golf course in Port Arthur – Tasman Golf Course.  It was 13 holes with 5 that had different tee boxes. $15 for the full day as long as he wanted.  Rules were he had to stay ahead of the group behind and behind the group in front.  (He was the only one on the course besides the greens keeper!)

 

Hole 7, 140 yards over cliffs & ocean to green.