Day 17 - LEAVING FOR HOME - Wednesday

REMEMBER YOU CAN CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE THEM


The names of places were something we all noticed - a lot in Maori and all with a history behind them. On our way from Rotorua to Auckland to catch our plane home, we passed Matamata, Kaiaua, Raungaiti, Papakura and 'regular' names like Clevedon and Firth of Thames.

We left Rotorua early enough so we could do a little sightseeing on our way north. We drove as close to the coast as we could and saw a lot of interesting birds and boats.



At one point we spotted a Black Swan Lagoon - there were hundreds of them - apparently it's a breeding area and one that's permanently occupied. I tried to get as many swans in one picture as possible but this is the best I could do.






Driving along the Firth of Thames, we spotted these boats and pots offshore. We surmised they were either fishing for prawns, crabs, lobster or something similar. A little farther down we saw a small outboard with a few men with fishing poles right near the pots. If you know what the pots are for, please let me know.





New Zealand is known for its lamb so I had to get a photo of a field of sheep .. then we saw one wading in a stream (a little strange methinks) so I snapped that one too. It seems most of the sheep are on the south island and more cattle are on the north island.





We saw a lot of family burial plots in New Zealand like we did in French Polynesia. Here's one which is fenced off to protect it from the cattle.





Even in the towns, the cemeteries seemed to be very prominent - I'm presuming they had been there for decades and no-one wanted them moved. Sorry for popping the traffic lights in the middle of this shot but it was right there on a junction of two streets.

Day 16 - Rotorua, NZ - Tuesday

DON'T FORGET YOU CAN CLICK ON THE PHOTOS TO ENLARGE THEM.

We returned to Rotorua to find the Starbucks we'd seen on our way back to the lodge. This one had lots of inside tables and a large outside seating area. They did not have all the sugar-free flavors that they have in the U.S., but we all found something great to drink! Too bad they don't have Starbucks on the cruise ships.


We went in search of mud pools and hot springs today and got a good look at the landscape. Here I go again so forgive me upfront but it looks so much like England!




We stopped at Waikite Valley thermal pools - there were regular hot swimming pools and a cascade of the hot water down to them. The water comes out of the ground (under it's own steam, pardon the pun) at 208 deg.F, then it is sprayed into the air here to cool it to 100 deg.F and it runs over these 'ladders' to the swimming pools below.




We drove on looking for Kerosene Creek. We found a parking area which we thought was fairly close and walked down to the warm mineral creek running near the parking lot. Unfortunately, it was 2 km to Kerosene Creek so we stayed where we were. You can see the various minerals in this creek with all the colors on the rocks and sand.



This is one of many hot, bubbling mud springs in New Zealand north island - I think the entire island is one big bubbling mud hole under the land. Trying to photograph them when they spew up the hot mud is a total hit-and-miss project but out of a slew of shots, this one seems to have the most bubbling mud up in the air at one time.



At Orakei Korako I saw my first kiwi. Here are some facts: they burrow (and live) in the ground; have loose, hairlike feathers; have long whiskers; great sense of smell, can't fly. They fight to keep territory which is usually around 250 acres - and they're nocturnal. They are physiologically similar to both birds and mammals - a truly unique creature.






We stopped to see Waikato River . a major electricity producing river which provides a full 15 per cent of New Zealand's power. The roar, the spray, the smell, the sight was almost overwhelming.




As we detoured to the mud holes, we spotted the Huka Prawn Park and decided to stop there on the way back. It seemed like all we'd been doing on this trip was eating so we just wanted a snack. They offered buckets of prawns but when we found out we had to peel them ourselves, we reneged and had some cocktail-size prawn concoctions. I suppose we're a bunch of sissies.




OK, we didn't go all those thousands of miles to take pictures of sparrows and blackbirds, yet here they are. They were so used to people feeding them at the prawn park, they came right over and made themselves at home - especially the sparrows. This one's a very handsome male isn't he?




We finally arrived in Taupo and found this huge lake with a snow-capped mountain behind it. The town itself was nice too - what a place to live! We parked along the lake and took lots of pictures - were entertained by pigeons courting - and watched various watercraft on the lake.




This was a novelty to look at - the local McDonalds with an airplane 'attached' to it. You could go up the stairs and inside the plane - bet that brought in a ton of kids - no other fast food place had something like that.




Here's one of the main streets in Taupo .. lots of neat shops. We parked and all went our separate ways. I bought a bone, fish-hook necklace. Probably should have bought lots more stuff but didn't .. and besides, I got turned around a bit when I went through an alley to another road.




When we got back to Rotorua, we went looking for a 'cafe' because none of us was particularly hungry. We found CICCIO'S ... what fantastic, huge amount of food they gave us and then, after appetizers, entree and wine, we ordered DESSERTS!!!!! See that lit-up glass case on the left? Full of pastries you wouldn't believe and all are HUGE.



MORE TO COME - STAY TUNED.

Day 15 - Auckland, NZ, Sunday - Disembark

DON'T FORGET YOU CAN CLICK ON THE PHOTOS TO ENLARGE THEM.

The last port of call - we arrived (6am) in drizzle and considerable haze but the view of the city was fantastic. We docked in the far right inlet of the photo here. We had to vacate our cabins by 8:30a.m., so they could be cleaned and ready for the return trip to Tahiti. We cleared customs without a hitch because they had already come on board and checked us all out - how efficient! We took a taxi to the car rental place, got in our Toyota Siena and departed for Rotorua and the final three days of our journey.



As soon as we docked and tied up, this huge fuel tanker came alongside. I was impressed by how clean it was - not what I expected. It gradually edged forward - thank goodness because it stopped right beneath my cabin and I was packing and dressing!




One last photo of Auckland port area - what a beautiful city it is - I'd have liked to spend more time there although I'm not a 'big city' person.








Driving out of town, we passed a pickup with this on the rear window. It immediately brought a picture to mind but it gave me a chuckle anyway.






We left Auckland, heading for Rotorua where we had reservations in a lakeside lodge for three nights - it was a couple of hours' drive. We stopped at a rest stop on the highway for refreshments and found this fantastic cafe. The 'rest stops' aren't just toilets and picnic area - they are small shopping centers for highway traffic.



I took so many photos of the green rolling hills and farms and drove everyone nuts with: "it's just like England" ... click click click.




Our first main stop was to visit Aranui and Glow Worm Caves. This totem was by the ticket booth and stood about 20 feet tall. As you can see (the inscription on the bottom of the totem), the caves were discovered over 120 years ago. I'm a little claustrophobic but I love looking in caves - makes no sense - maybe I'm more curious than scared.







Aranui Cave was the first one we went in - it's very much like most other caves - lots of caverns (the river mostly dried up), stalactites, stalagmites and interesting formations. What surprised me here was the lighting that's in the caves. In other caves I've been in, the lighting is scant at best - in this one, the guide has a strong flashlight which she used to show us certain areas. There were no bats in the cave either - there used to be but something must have happened to scare them away.





Glow Worm Caves were a whole different experience. We were not allowed to take photos because these creatures live in the dark. This photo is actually a postcard but it accurately reflects what the glow worms' glow looks like. We didn't see as many as there are here, but we saw clusters of them from just a few to very many.






In order to feed, the glow worms excrete this stringy, mucus-like substance that hangs down from their bodies and acts like fly paper. Bugs fly into it and get stuck. I was surprised there were so many bugs flying around in a pitch dark, cold, damp cave but apparently there are sufficient to support the worms.



I don't like bugs any more than anyone else, but these bugs are fascinating. This is a glow worm hatching from its cocoon - rather like butterflies. Their life-span is only a few days so they hatch, feed, lay eggs and die in less than a week.









The last part of the tour of these caves was by boat - which was a little fun. This is the cave exit - we could finally start taking photos again after we left the glow worms.







Continuing our drive on to Rotorua, we saw some neat sights along the way. This kiwi stood out - literally. It was about 10 feet tall and colorful. Zooming past at 70 mph didn't leave me time to get it centered but at least I snapped it.





We finally arrived at Waiteti Lodge on Rotorua Lake - just a few minutes outside of town. This is the view of one side of the lake - there are lots more to be posted, showing the rest of the beautiful lake.







This is one of their really neat phone booths - a little like the English ones but larger and less confining. Not very interesting, but it's something you wouldn't have known had I not put it here!











Here's another photo of Lake Rotorua, taken from Waiteti Lodge, where we stayed. I'd taken some photos of the black swans and what looked like mudhens, then I saw this skiff heading to shore. The setting there is just gorgeous and the lodge is right on the lake.






This is my last photo for today of this gorgeous lake - I just had to include part of the Lodge's garden - remember, we were there in their Spring - November our time.







Our first night in Rotorua, after our visits to the caves and general exploring of the area, we went into a pub in town for dinner .. this is a street scene. Very similar to smaller-town USA but very clean and inviting.





Waiteti Lodge is right on the lake, next to a stream. The guest rooms are all upstairs including this huge lounge area which has a computer and desk, pool table, TV, and a long counter with everything necessary for morning tea, coffee, biscuits (cookies), etc. and wine glasses. There were two en-suite bedrooms and two bedrooms that slept 2 persons and one separate bathroom. We all got a good night's sleep after our full day of travel and excitement.

THREE MORE DAYS TO POST . .STAY TUNED

Day 14 - Tauranga, New Zealand, Saturday

This is Mt Maunganui and Tauranga in the western Bay of Plenty with a population of 110,000. The climate is warm and dry due to its sheltered position on the east coast, so in the summer the holidaymakers swarm in. It's a popular scuba location with its many islands and reefs and there are a wide range of outdoor activities.



We visited a kiwifruit farm which surprised me. It was quite reminiscent of a vineyard. The vines are carefully tended, trimmed and tied and the weather can make or break a good harvest.





Here's a close-up of one of the kiwifruit blossoms and, on the right, one of the reasons they do so well here.








We left the farm and drove right down to the river where we boarded this jetboat for a hair-raising trip down river into another dimension. We're on the back row, left to right: Rob, Kim, Jen, Paula.





We sped over lots of riffles, did a slew of 360s and slowed down only when we came across breathtaking scenery. The sides of the canyon were straight up, there were ferns larger than I've seen - it was like sailing into Jurassic Park - the cameras kept clicking and clicking.





You can probably tell from the wake just how fast we were going. It was a fairly new boat but Jimmy, our driver, burned out the engine. We had to tie up to the bank and wait for another jet boat to come and rescue us. Fortunately, we weren't too far from home but we didn't see Jimmy again.





After our ride, we went into their cafe where they provided tea, fresh kiwifruit (yellow and green varieties), and blueberry muffins. This little fellow was patrolling the outside deck - watching his harem no doubt. He looks like a California Quail but I didn't know they were in New Zealand.











We toured Tauranga after our jetboat trip and I found these two signs which I thought were hilarious. Sorry for the reflection on the budgie one but you can still appreciate the sentiment. Don't forget you can click a photo to enlarge it.




Here are two street scenes from Tauranga - we stopped at an outside cafe for coffee and saw quite a few staff from the Paul Gauguin walking by. AND I was happy to see zebra crossings and roundabouts in New Zealand - it reminded me so much of home.






We walked through this lovely little park in town (very much like England) - and found this pond with water lilies and this pretty waterfall.