2nd Post from western NZ

Judy was here.

Hello all,

Judy and I are making our way around the western side of the North Island and having a wonderful time. Driving between towns is like the switchbacks between Flag and Sedona--only times 500. All roads are two-way, and narrow. We have to negotiate hairpin turns and logging trucks. Forestry is a big industry here, it takes only 25 years for a seedling to grow into a mature tree ready for harvest. Sheep and cows are our only company at times--they are everywhere. I will post some photos now of our recent travels...and maybe a map or two.

This was day one, Auckland to Whangamata--up and around the Coromandel peninsula. It's hard to remember all the names, they start to sound the same...you'll see.


This was day 2, Whangamata to Whakatane...you get the confusion with the names.


This is a pretty good example of the roads, most of the time closer to the edge and sans wooden guardrail (that couldn't hold back a stray bicyclist).

This was day three.

This was day 4...we are in the heart of NZ wine country now. We plan to see a Museum or the Aquarium tomorrow morning and then visit a few wineries in the afternoon. I will try to post a few more photos, but I'm fighting a slow internet connection. Cheers for now. D&J

This is Hick bay, near the top of the Coromandel peninsula. Safe to say we did not go out on this wharf...crazy! See next photo...I don't know how this still stands?

We ran across this church, what a setting.
There were 3 horses wandering around, the natural way to mow the grass.

Judy and a friend.

Hot Water Beach. Dig a hole and viola! Hot Water!

Yes, this enormous tree is growing out of solid rock...sideways!

Judy, near Napier. Black sand beach.
It's not really sand, small black stones, miniature river rocks really. . . see next photo.

art!

We have arrived! We spent the first day trying to stay awake...we failed. We didn't sleep much on the plane--bad seats. Oh well...live and learn. We nearly didn't make it thru customs...because of my golf shoes. Yes, golf shoes. I didn't read the customs form very thoroughly, and didn't declare my dirty golf shoes. Who knew? Evidently that's a big no-no. I was pulled aside by their bio hazardous material team, and to say the least, got a talkin to (just got a warning). I was a little irritable but Judy's diplomacy came in handy.


On Day 2, Wayne took us to the North Shore, which is the area north-east of Auckland. Overlooking the bay is a memorial to New Zealand's first labor party leader Michael Savage. It's the end of summer here, so the flowers are still blooming and grass grows everywhere, I mean everywhere!


Day 3--I went golfing...hard to believe isn't it. Wayne took me and a couple of his mates to Muriwai, a golf course west (?) of Auckland. A couple of photos to follow. It was an ocean course, and the weather was hit and miss--so was my game...as usual. We paid $35 NZ (which is about $17.50 US). Unbelievable.




We took off Saturday to explore the sights around the Coromandel peninsula. The highway runs perilously close to the ocean. Judy got to see the sights, I was too busy keeping an eye on the road. I have to focus, not easy driving on the wrong side of the road and the wrong side of the car. I really have to think before using the turn signal, I get it confused with the windshield wipers...still. Photos to follow.


We ate breakfast down the road at a town called Thames. Sidewalk sales were going on, of course Judy contributed to the local economy--I'm certain her luggage will now smell like home-made soap, oh well..... (photo of prominent building in Thames--you get the flavor of the place)

Bye for now, we are headed south in the morning. Will post again soon. Bye for now.
Dave and Judy

Coming Soon

Judy and I leave Monday, March 9. Leaving LA around 8pm, arriving in Auckland around 5am. Our dear friend Wayne McKenna has agreed (bless him) to pick us up at the airport--his only stipulation, 2 bottles of rum from the duty-free shops...a fair trade for the early hour.

After we get settled in, we will be posting from our travels around the North Island. Stay tuned.