Weekend-----Part 2

                                          Kath and Will Fell in the Sea!

As the guidebooks say, "There is no point in coming to the Bay of Islands if you don't head out on the water."  We looked over the brochures and chose a day-long trip on the Gungha, a 65 foot sailboat.  We were told that Captain Mike is a seasoned sailor with many good stories to share.  This proved true.

The beauty of sailing is the quiet, in contrast to boats requiring loud motors.  The first picture shows Will and I enjoying ourselves as we sailed toward Roberton Island, where Captain Cook spent a week exploring the area.

The Gungha anchored off the coast of the island and a dingy brought us to shore.  On our arrival Will and I decided to give kayaking a try.  Two young gals had successfully managed a one-man kayak, so we attempted the same.  Our trip was short-lived as we soon found ourselves completely submerged with salt water over our heads.  Will commented later, "Kath you didn't scream!"  I couldn't!  The second picture shows us, completely drenched.  I smiled for the pic, but I was freezing!  Our dry clothes were out on the sailboat.  I took off the wet black waterproof pants, holding them up to dry in the breeze.  Then I hid behind a flax plant and took off my jeans and put the black pants back on.  The young folks on the trip got a kick out of us---------the oldest ones aboard!

Then we hiked to a lookout on the island and were greeted with spectacular views of the Bay of Islands as the two other pictures illustrate. 

Weekend Adventure-----Part 1

Since we had a three day weekend, we chose Paihea, the Bay of Islands, as our destination.  Will made reservations at a hostel called Cap'n Bob's Beach House.  Our room at $60.00 a night had an ocean view, but a trek to the shared bathroom via the outside deck, kitchen-livingroom area, and down the hall!   The french doors lead to our room.  It was lovely to eat our breakfast on the deck.

Dinner with Ainsley and Bruce at their "Lifesyle" Block

Before leaving for New Zealand, I had lunch with my friend, Beth Robinson, and her daughter, Heather.  Beth was born and raised in NZ.  While vacationing in Spain, she met her husband-to-be, an American named Dave.  Beth and Heather gave me suggestions for things "to do" and "to see".  Not only did I receive travel advice, but Beth gave me contact information for her brother and sister as well. 

Her brother, Bruce, and his wife, Ainsley live less than an hour from TeKauwhata and invited us for dinner last Thursday evening.  We had a delightful time!  The picture shows us at their "lifestyle block" posing in front of their beautiful flowers.  According to Bruce, "lifestyle blocks" are pieces of property in the country for people who are not farmers.  However, Ainsley and Bruce have gorgeous flower beds, raised garden plots, and a variety of treees. 

Will and I were very appreciative of the home-cooked ham meal with lots of home-grown veggies and blueberry buckle for dessert (blueberries from their garden as well).

The second picture shows Bruce with hand carved gifts from the Maori people.  A highlight of our NZ experience is spending time with the locals.

Eel, anyone?

I met Donna, the check-out girl at the TK Supermarket,  and she invited Will and I to tour the eel plant where her husband is the manager.  It is a big operation.  They catch eel in the rivers and lakes in this area and ship them live to China, Japan, Belgium, U.S., etc.

Before our tour we had drinks and snacks at Donna's.  We always enjoy these opportunities to interact with the locals.

The pictures illustrate our tour.  The two eels on the floor show one that is too big and one that is too small so according to regulations they will be returned to a river or lake the next day.  The eels in the big tank with be put in oxygenated containers and sent via airplane to their destination.

They also smoke some of the eels.  We were given smoked salmon and smoked eel.  The salmon was supper last night and it was delicious.  We haven't opened the eel.  Will let you know how it tastes on a future blog.

Rotorua on way home

On the way home from Tongariro National Park we stopped at Rotorua.  One of the tourist books says this,  "Rotorua, as the locals proudly boast, is the only  place in New Zealand where you can tell exactly where you are with your eyes shut."  They are referring to the distinctive aroma of sulphur that permeates the town----boiling mud pools and hot springs.

We took a guided tour by the Tahourangi Ngati Wahia people who live amongst the geothermal activity.  (Whakarewarewa living thermal village)  They are able to use the steam vents for cooking and the natural mineral waters for bathing.  We viewed the geysers and hot mud pools from their village.   The large geyser in the picture erupts about every hour.  It was a good tour and we learned a little more about Maori history and culture.

For our tramp, Will chose the Redwood Forest park.  The trees are over a 100 years old and it's impossible to show a full tree in a photo.  These two pics attempt to give you a feel for the size.

Three Day Weekend at Tongariro National Park

We had a fun three day holiday weekend at Tongariro National Park.   We booked a room with a kitchenette which worked well as we could eat breakfast there and make sack lunches for our tramps.  The first picture shows NZ's largest lake, Lake Taupo which is fed by sparkling ice-melt from the Tongariro National Park.  We drove along the lake enroute to the park, but didn't have time to explore.

Tongariro National Park has numerous tracks which are well marked and in great shape.  We enjoyed the tramping, taking our lunches and resting by the beautiful sights.  Our two favorite tramps were Taranaki Falls and the Silicon Rapids.  We are posing in front of the falls.  A memory of this area will be the combination of flax and grasses growing side by side.

The last picture shows a Canadian couple who hail from Switzerland.  We ate dinner with them and shared stories.  I chose this pic to feature the food--------lasagne on top of fries! 

Kath Went Head over Heels Tramping on a Tagged Track

Yesterday I went tramping with 6 members of a TeKauwhata Tramping group.  Two weeks ago, I had been on a tramp with their very fit and fearless leader, Joy.  She had taken me to Mt. William where we had a delightful time on a track marked with orange metal triangles attached to trees.  We stopped often as Joy described the plants and trees.

Yesterday's tramp was the most difficult hike I've ever done.  We met at 8:00 in the morning and drove to a large dairy farm about 1/2 hour from TK.  Joy talked with the  farmer who said that we would need to return by 3:30 as the 350 cows would be coming down the road for milking.  It was a beautiful sight with cows grazing on the hillside.

Capturing the scenery was short-lived as I realized that we too would be climbing up those hills to the wooded DOC land.  I huffed and puffed as we climbed and climbed.  (I was over-dressed as usual.)  Finally we stopped and I gulped down water and took off my extra shirt, tying it to my waist.  Then we got into the bush where we followed a tagged track.  Previously Joy and Marion had put orange tape around the tree limbs to mark the track as shown in the above picture.  My shiny face is sweat!  Now we were literally "plowing through the under brush" as one of the gals described it.  Most of the time the track was hidden.  Ferns and bushes were hitting us in the face.

All of the girls had hiking sticks.  I did not.  This put me at a disadvantage.  "Time for a break." were welcomed words.  We sat surveying the beauty, eating our fruit.  On we went as our trip was a loop.  "Time for lunch."   As the track flattened I was feeling better.  We started to descend.  My foot got tangled in the low-lying vines and before I knew it I started to fall.  I landed on my rear, and then my legs went over my head as I did a backwards summersault (sp.?)  I could feel the impact on my neck and upper back.  Those who witnessed my fall asked in worried voices,  "Are you ok?"  I assured everyone, myself included, that I was fine.  Joy announced that my gymnastic move was a 7.5!  At that point she suggested that I use her walking stick and I was surprised what a difference it made.

The rest of the tramp went well and I felt lucky to be where few humans have trod.  The girls pointed out the various trees, orchid, etc.   We saw those NZ fan-tailed birds that are often featured on pottery, clothing, whatever.  We returned at 2:00, before the cows.

When I got home, I went to take off my contacts and the left one was missing.  I bet it fell out when we pushed our way through the eye-level ferns!

Today I'm sore, but happy to have had this experience.  The ladies were warm and friendly, but I was out-classed!   I don't think I will be invited on their next venture, but that's ok!