Holodeck » Our Trip to NZ

Day 6: the great storehouse

Andy — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:38:26 +0000

After a long lie in, Alex, Will and I discussed options. The day was due to be punctuated by trips to the beautician (Danda, not us) and to the barbers, which limited our travelling options. Unfortunately, the two-woman barbershop in Redcliff was unable to handle more than one person at a time, which meant that Will had his haircut at 12.30pm and mine was at 4.30pm.

Our best option was the Christchurch Gondola, located in Heathcote valley. The guidebook promised “

spectacular panoramic 360-degree views, which include Christchurch city, Lyttelton Harbour, Banks Peninsula, Canterbury Plains and the distant peaks of the Southern Alps”. Unfortunately they hadn’t catered for the rain. Despite this, the views were pretty impressive…

The 945 metre Gondola ride gently lifts visitors, in the comfort of 4 person passenger cabins, almost 500 metres (1500 feet) above sea level. Unique 360 degree views of Christchurch, the Canterbury Plains and Lyttelton Harbour unfold as you rise to the summit complex, on the crater rim of Christchurch’s famous extinct volcano.

This was Will’s second trip in a Gondola (the first was in Singapore to Sentosa), so he was an old hat.

The highlight of the trip for Will was a visit to the new Time Travel experience – a brief walkthrough of the history of Christchurch, courtesy of some CGI and an odd-looking young female presenter. The animated ride explained how the South island was formed by volcanic activity (much of the evidence for this is visible in the surrounding exposed rock structure). The absence of predators made the land almost paradisical

and when the first Maori settlers arrived in dug out canoes, they named the land ‘the great storehouse’ due to the abundance of natural food.

Once Dave and Han got back from work, we took the dogs for a long walk along the beach in Sumner and settled in to watch Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (Will’s choice) and Die Hard 4.0 (my choice). Don’t panic, Ant. I sent Will to bed before Die Hard…

Homeward Bound..

Andy — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 20:46:00 +0000

So, the past few days have disappeared in a flurry of wedding-related activities, BBQs and trips to the beach. As I am now on a 52KB modem, I can’t upload any photos, so you’ll have to take it from me that the weather was fantastic and the occasion was even better.

I asked Will what he was looking forward to doing most. “Sleeping in my bed” was the reply. To be fair, he has been on a huge journey and I’ve no idea what he is going to remember, but he has handled himself incredibly well and done us proud.

Before leaving, I made certain assumptions about internet access in NZ that have proven completely wrong. It made me realise how much we now take swift access for granted. There is a whole generation here for whom the internet and digital access is still a poor user experience andf it has been interesting to see how many of the sites that I have tried to access simply haven’t catered for this. Most surprising for me has been that I couldn’t access work mail at all. No idea why, so I’ll talk to Mark about it when I get back.

Also, I made certain assumptions about terminology that have also proven to be incorrect. A ‘town’ in NZ could be a couple of houses, a high street or a thriving community. A road can be ‘sealed’, ‘unsealed’ or ’4WD’. And camper vans can definitely travel on 4WD.

I’m looking forward to going home. Seeing my family and settling back down to normal life. NZ is a fantastic country, but I’m not quite sure I’m ready to settle here…

…see you at Terminal 3

Day 13: Let’s Offroad!

Andy — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 04:09:00 +0000

We woke up this morning to a beautiful view of Lake Taupo and the sun shining. Was the tide turning? Only time would tell.

After another shower (you’ve got to take the opportunities when they arise, don’t you?!), we cooked breakfast and then set off for Waitomo Caves.

Dave had been working through the maps the previous evening and reckoned that by going ‘off the beaten track’ we could cut an hour from the journey. The start wasn’t so bad as the road had been tarmac’d. The end wasn’t tto bad either – I’ve attached a photo of a more moderate stretch of road that we drove along. The middle was quite hairy. But fun.

We the arrived at Waitomo Caves well in time for Dave’s Black Water rafting tour and Will and my glowworm tour. The Ruakuri Cave was interesting and we have loads of photos. Will rated the Glow Worms as 100 out of 100. My only disappointment is that everything seems to have become just a little bit over commercialised. Having said that, we have loads of photos and its the first time Will has rated anything so high.

Not sure what we are doing this evening, but it will involve beer and wine, as this is the last leg of the trip.

He was right.

Day 12 – crossing the Cook Straight to North Island, then up to Lake Taupo via Napier

Andy — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 03:35:00 +0000

Today saw us depart the South Island for the last time (for this trip, at least) and head on the ferry to Wellington and the North Island. Not much to say apart from the crossing was very uneventful (aside from Will making two new friends, while watching Nancy Drew. Don’t ask.)

We then drove up the West Coast through rain, floods and fruit vendors across the East Coast to Napier, where we then headed East to Taupo through the Geothermal Highway. Or something like that. Not much to say about the trip apart from it rained. LOTS.

We arrived in Taupo and after booking in at a local campsite, headed out to dinner. Taupo has changed a lot since I was last here. Ther eis now a large thriving town, for starters. Anyhoo, the restaurant had some crayons and the middle photo is a snapshot of Will’s drawing of the Gold Power Ranger.

Back to teh campsite for a shower (yaay) but no hot spa (boo). Tomorrow – Waitomo Caves.

Day 11: Panning for Gold in Buller Gorge and on to Havelock – home of New Zealand’s finest green lipped mussels

Andy — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 03:27:00 +0000

Waking early to yet more rain (a continuous theme) we decided to head back down the road to Buller Gorge to pan for gold. The start of the jounrey was ominous – a walk on a rope bridge (well, it was metal actually) across a steep gorge. I wasn’t sure that Will would make it. But we had nothing to worry about – he wandered across like it was perfectly natural. Hmmm…

Panning for gold was fun. So were the tour of the earthquake and the tour of the fault lines. Even more so was the ropeslide back (even Will took part). However, Buller Gorge introduced us to another theme of the South Island – the sandfly. For those who have not experienced the sandfly, just imagine mosquitoes in greater numbers, without the warning whine. Our ankles still haven’t recovered.

Later that day, we headed north, switching our inital endpoint from Nelson, to Blenheim and then opting to drive all the way to Picton (where the ferry was) via the scenic route. It was very scenic. In the rain. Hmmm…

On the bright side, we did stop for some fishing in a fantastic location. Dave opted to use pickled mussels as bait, which proved to be nectar for Butterfish. Even I managed to catch one. But no photos, I’m afraid…

Day 10: Summer Bay to Waipara Vineyard and Hamner Springs

Andy — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 03:18:00 +0000

So, its actually the 9th January and I’m writing from a terminal in the North Island, but this is the first internet cafe we have come across in the past 3 days. No photos (haven’t had a chance to upload them), so bear with us.

The first leg of the trip involved a visit to Waipara Vineyard and some wine tasting. Waipara is an award-winning vineyard, which is reputed for the fragrancy and quality of its wines. Hannah, Dave, Alex and I made our way through award winning Merlots, Cabernet Sauvignons, Resilings and Pinot Noirs before lunch. Will occupied himself in the sandpit.

At this point, Dave, Will and I left Han and Alexandra behind and began the road trip. And then the rain started… Nonplussed, we made our way through a National Park to Hamner Springs, so that we could experience a thermal bath. Will thought that the water smelt disgusting (the sulphur makes the springs smell of rotten eggs), so spent most of his time in the kids pool, while Dave and I relaxed.

That night we ploughed through some hideous rain, before resting by the side of the road, 34km from Murchison. BTW, we decided at the last minute to change the driving plan – crossing from East to West and driving up the West Coast to Nelson, rather than traipsing to Kaikora.

Day 9: the road trip begins

Andy — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 22:25:00 +0000

So this is home for the next five days, we may be offline for a bit…

Day 8: Swimming with dolphins in Akaroa

Andy — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 19:26:00 +0000

Will’s Corner
“Hello out there Connie and Maisie. Why aren’t you on the blog? I went swimming with dolphins yesterday. I jumped in the South Pacific Ocean. It was scary but OK. I had a barbie for dinner.”

“Hello Mummy, Thomas and Edward. I’m having fun. I’ve got a crystal. Bye” Yesterday was the BIG trip: a 1.5hour drive (through some more incredible scenery) to Akaroa to go swimming with dolphins.

The blog
The South Pacific Ocean is home to Hectors dolphin – an endangered species and one that was virtually hunted to extinction. In 1984 there were less that 400 dolphins in Akaroa and deaths exceeded births by over 400%. The NZ Government created Akaroa as a Marine Nature Reserve and today, the population of dolphins stands at around 1,000 (of a total global population on 7,000). The dolphins are completely wild, so the process of spotting and then choosing to swim with one is a precarious one.

First you need to spot them by looking for their black dorsal fins (dolphins usually travel in pods of three). On approach you need to ensure that the pod is not a mother with a calf (they tend to be more protective). Assuming that is OK, you need to check that the dolphins are not displaying signs of aggression. One all these criteria are satisfied, we look to see whether the dolphins are being sociable. We initially came across a pod of three. The first few dolphins we spotted weren’t up for play, so we initially went on a boat trip of Akaroa harbour.

On finding a suitable pod, we then got in. Including Will. What can I say – the South Pacific is pretty cold. But the boy was completely unafraid. The rest was simply incredible. After the first two dolphins arrived, another ten came to play. Armed with two stones (which you click together underwater to replicate the clicking sound that dolphins make), the entire group were then subject to an hour’s worth of breathtaking engagement. The photos will never give the experience justice.

Back at the ranch, we all received our certificates, duly purchased tat at the souvenir shop and stopped for a couple of bevvies. I’m getting quite used to Monteith’s Black. mmmm…. The rest of the day involved a trek back, hunting for possum roadkill (apparently my dad didn’t believe that they existed – we have the photo to prove him wrong) and a barbeque at a friend’s house. Actually, we turned up and used their BBQ, they just provided the house, bbq and beer! Tomorrow will see the camper van collected and the road trip begin.

Some nicer photos…

Andy — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 22:00:00 +0000

I gather we have an army of blog followers. So I’ve uploaded a couple of nicer photos. And we’d love to see your comments.. Yes, Doz, John, Ant and Sam. I know you’ve been at the pub. That means you, too. Will’s Corner Will says “Hello, Connie. I’m just at New Zealand. I’m just going to Akaroa and I’m going to do swimming with Dolphins. Love from Will.”

If anyone else would like me to say hello, then please drop me a comment.

Day 7: Swimming with Dolphins

Andy — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 20:22:00 +0000

A quick one this morning, as we are off to swim with Dolphins in Akaroa. Dave is now officially on holiday, so we have finalised the travel arrangements for the next couple of days. Our home, from the 6 to the 10 January will be a two-berth mobile camper home. Yaay!

This means that we will have limited access to email, so the blog updates might become a bit more sporadic. Anyway, we are off for a swim now…