Well we have arrived in the capital of N. Zealand, Wellington! So at this point we are right at the bottom of the north island - incredible to think our adventures on this part of N. Zealand is nearly over! Our bus ride down from Taupo to Wellington was rather brilliant. I think our driver was v. much having a lapse of 'road rage' as he frequently filtered out this anger amongst all of us passengers through his tannoy. N. Zealand drivers were being frequently referred to as 'jerks' and 'idiots'...it created quite alot of chuckles in our double-decker! Def. our most animated bus driver yet!
Anyway...I had heard before we came to Wellington that it was renowned for being rather windy - and my word...on our first full day there, it did not fail to live up to this reputation! During out time in Wellington we visited the Parliament Buildings and also this famous cable car that appears on many Wellington postcards. For aaaages we were looking for this cable car which takes you up to a viewpoint overlooking Wellington, and by the time we found it we were virtually at the top of the track already. When we all realised this after speaking to the driver, I rather stupidly loudly said 'Oh well there's not much point paying for just one stop when we can walk it!'...and it was at this point I looked round and saw all the paying passengers staring at me from the cable car. I should really think sometimes before I speak - lol! We also went to their national museum - thought we would do something cultural for the day, and it made you realise just how prone N. Zealand is to earthquakes and volcanoes. Its ironic that whilst we have been away, Britain (which is not renowned for such events!), has had flights cancelled because of the Icelandic volcano eruption.
Our time in Wellington also saw us have our first cinema outing - woooop! We went and saw 'The Last Song'...starring the highly acclaimed actress of Miley Cyrus - lol!! We were all expecting BIG cheese, which it sincerly did not fail to deliver on, but there was to all our complete surprise some really sad moments in it. To our huge embarrassment...(and I can't quite believe I'm writing this)...but we all had a few tears!
For all the Lord of the Rings fans out there as well (including myself!)...we showed our dedication to the films by visiting Mt Victoria which is where the scenes of the hobbits running from the 'Black Riders' took place and we also went to the studios. It was weird to think we were treading in the footsteps of Elijah Woods & Peter Jackson!
Friday, 23 April 2010
Monday, 12 April 2010
Our time in v. smelly Rotorua!!
Well we left Auckland and our next stop was Rotorua! Rotorua is a small town famous for its volcanoes and for being a hub for where Maori descendants live. The smell of the sulpher from the volcanoes was unbelievably strong and slightly took you back on arrival! All I can compare it to is probably the thought of gone off egg and that about ten times over, and you will nearly arrive at the smell of Rotorua - lol! Despite the smell though, activities in Rotorua well made up for it! We had one full day in Rotorua so we packed in as many activities as possible. In the morning, Liz & I headed over to N. Zealand's famous mud baths! It was such a bizzare experience to bathe in mud - especially on your feet, as it felt like you were treading on slime or something! Well weird! Anyway...the mud is meant to be really good for your skin...so hopefully we should be looking radiant from it all now. The cost of beauty - lol! The mud though had a really strong sulpher smell to it, which I can still smell on me now after numerous showers - so I'm really hoping it goes soon. A sulpher fragrance is really not v. attractive! The mud baths looked out onto the rest of a volcanic reserve with steam sizzling out everywhere from the thermal pools! All I can really compare it to is something perhaps out of Jurassic Park - was kind of expecting a dinasour to pop out at any point - lol!
In the afternoon we all headed over to a Maori thermal village where we saw a really brilliant cultural performance and had a tour around the area. In the show, we saw a live version of the Haka. Was pretty terrifying as these rather bulky men was slapping their thighs with tongues sticking out and grimison facial expressions as eyes were enlarged to such an extent that they looked like they were going to pop out! Can totally see why the Maori's used the Haka to scare off enemies! There was also a great moment of 'audience participation' when we all tried to learn some Maori words which were then put into the 'Hokie-Cokie.' The only one I can remember, which I think nearly everyone else could as well (!) was that 'No, no' was the word for bum...and it was during this verse that the vocals and the laughs from the audience became much louder!
After the performance we went on a tour of the village with def. our best guide yet! Michael - our tour guide told us that about seventy Maori's still live in this village thats landscape is consumed by mud baths and thermal pools. We were shown their cooking facilities which simply comes from all these natural resources. There is no need for ovens or microwaves! For example, they could leave a frozen piece of meat on a sheet above the steam from a thermal pool, and in two and a half hrs it will be cooked. They also have designated vegetable pools, where they dip the food into the water and soon enough it is cooked. It takes ten dips of a piece of sweetcorn to cook in a well over hundred degree pool. They also don't require any shampoos/body washers as the natural minerals from the reserves just cleans yourself. Shows how cheap and simply life can really be! Michael also showed us a huge thermal pool that had caved in nearly six years ago on the 26th December 2004 - the same day as the Tsaunami. On this day as well, one of the thermal pools, known as the 'Prince of Feathers' spurted water out of its cracks higher than it has any other day due to pressure from underground. No scientific connection has been proven, but its interesting to note the correlation.
We left Rotorua yesterday and made our way to Lake Taupo, which is where we are residing for a few days. On the way here, we went through a place called Waitomo, which is reknowed for its glow-worms. Sooo...obv. we didn't want to miss out (!), and down into the caves we went and saw the worms. Absolutely incredible!! Can't tell you how magical they were! It was like stars sparkling all over the cave walls. There was a large area in the centre of the cave called 'The Cathedral.' This is because every Christmas, they hold a carol concert in the cave, which is simply lit by candles and the glow-worms. We were all thinking how amazing would that be! And as I said before we are now in Lake Taupo...I'm sure Sarah is going to write something about here, so I will leave that to her!
In the afternoon we all headed over to a Maori thermal village where we saw a really brilliant cultural performance and had a tour around the area. In the show, we saw a live version of the Haka. Was pretty terrifying as these rather bulky men was slapping their thighs with tongues sticking out and grimison facial expressions as eyes were enlarged to such an extent that they looked like they were going to pop out! Can totally see why the Maori's used the Haka to scare off enemies! There was also a great moment of 'audience participation' when we all tried to learn some Maori words which were then put into the 'Hokie-Cokie.' The only one I can remember, which I think nearly everyone else could as well (!) was that 'No, no' was the word for bum...and it was during this verse that the vocals and the laughs from the audience became much louder!
After the performance we went on a tour of the village with def. our best guide yet! Michael - our tour guide told us that about seventy Maori's still live in this village thats landscape is consumed by mud baths and thermal pools. We were shown their cooking facilities which simply comes from all these natural resources. There is no need for ovens or microwaves! For example, they could leave a frozen piece of meat on a sheet above the steam from a thermal pool, and in two and a half hrs it will be cooked. They also have designated vegetable pools, where they dip the food into the water and soon enough it is cooked. It takes ten dips of a piece of sweetcorn to cook in a well over hundred degree pool. They also don't require any shampoos/body washers as the natural minerals from the reserves just cleans yourself. Shows how cheap and simply life can really be! Michael also showed us a huge thermal pool that had caved in nearly six years ago on the 26th December 2004 - the same day as the Tsaunami. On this day as well, one of the thermal pools, known as the 'Prince of Feathers' spurted water out of its cracks higher than it has any other day due to pressure from underground. No scientific connection has been proven, but its interesting to note the correlation.
We left Rotorua yesterday and made our way to Lake Taupo, which is where we are residing for a few days. On the way here, we went through a place called Waitomo, which is reknowed for its glow-worms. Sooo...obv. we didn't want to miss out (!), and down into the caves we went and saw the worms. Absolutely incredible!! Can't tell you how magical they were! It was like stars sparkling all over the cave walls. There was a large area in the centre of the cave called 'The Cathedral.' This is because every Christmas, they hold a carol concert in the cave, which is simply lit by candles and the glow-worms. We were all thinking how amazing would that be! And as I said before we are now in Lake Taupo...I'm sure Sarah is going to write something about here, so I will leave that to her!
Auckland and the Bay of Islands. a little late
Well, I'm a little slow on this whole blogging game, so super sorry for that one! Auckland is my new second favourite city (London still holds the topspot. just.) Its the perfect size - big enough that you feel like one of the crowd, but not so giant that you can get lost by turning a corner. It reminds me a lot of New York - its the towering reflective skyscrapers, but its also a very green city. We visited the skytower (The Southern hemisphere's tallest building fact fans) and after zooming quite a few floors up (a little sketchy on the details here) the views were outstanding. Auckland is surrounded and built upon volcanoes (48 I believe) so its definately hilly - the calves had a good workout. It also has a beautiful harbour or two and from up so high you could see the many boats that were docked there. We had a hilarious bus driver from Auckland airport, German Chris, who regaled us with facts about New Zealand and Auckland. As well as providing the term "indoor bungy" to describe the bumps we experienced going over speed bumps (my new favourite phrase)he also told us of the Kiwi dream to have a quarter of an acre and a house. From the skytower you could see that even if most Aucklanders didn't quite get that much room, they definately had gardens big enough for a tree or two. The city has excellent shops (I'd managed two weeks without a purchase, I couldn't not buy anything. it was in the sale. plus, its a super cute skirt) is refreshingly clean - I barely saw any graffiti, and very little litter (thats a lot of t's there) and really, I'm just in love with the place.
We visted Waiheke Island, a 40 minute ferry ride out of Auckland, and where many a commuter lives. My inital impression was how Devon like it all looked. Bar the vineyards, and the blue sky, and the heat, it was like a second Salcombe. with decidely less Rahs. It was the green rolling hills and the boats that decided it I think. Did a fabulous and very jungley bushwalk through its regional park, visited a beach that rivalled Fiji in the beauty stakes, and decided that I would very much like to live there. If its was only a eeny bit closer to the UK. Back in Auckland we climbed one of the many volcanoes - Mt Eden, and got a second chance to see impressive views of the city. Along with the obligitory Japenese tourist clicking away on thier cameras (and really, I can't talk, absolutely any photographic opportunity and the camera's out. I took a photo yesterday of a supermarket. really)saw a number of very healthy beans who appeared to have running up a volcano as part of thier daily exercise plan. mad.
Whilst exploring Auckland we came across the university, which rivals and beats Exeter on the beauty stakes. Had a flick through a Masters booklet, they do my course. Its tempting! But the whole "on the other side of the world" thing means that at the momement at least, London still wins.
We spent 5 beautiful days in Auckland, staying in a cute-as hostel, for those Exeter goers, reminding me quite a lot of Hope Hall. Lantana Lodge for any coming Auckland way. I highly reccomend! It was quite a pull leaving, but visiting the Bay of Islands made up for it! Pretty! so v v pretty! We stayed in Paihia, a tiny beach resort which seemed to have more souvenir shops than it did permanent residents. The main draw, bar the scenic islands (we wanted to visit them, but felt a bit islanded out after Fiji and Wahieke) is for a dose of New Zealand history. Its where a treaty was signed in 1840 between the British and the Maori, giving, I think the Maoris British citizenship and protection from further invaders in return for recognition of British soverignity. I'm a little sketchy on the details - we visited the Treaty ground at Waitangi, and it was brilliant, but the introductory video was decidely dry and I rather terribly napped through it. Our hostel provided free mountain bikes, so we cycled up to Waitangi, which was alot of fun, especially once we figured out how to put on the bike helmets and adjust them (its New Zealand law kids)Also visted the Haruru Falls- pretty, but a bit of an anti-climax after a 90 minute walk. The walk was cool though, including a stroll across a Mangrove Swamp (wee bit smelly though)and more of Bushwalking! We spent a wet morning in Russell just across the Bay with our bikes, and saw the flagpole where the first New Zealand flag was flown, along with the first Police station and longest surviving church (New Zealand is, well, new. they're pretty big on how long things have been there) and er, oldest Hotel! impressive. It brightened up in the afternoon spectularly (I love the NZ weather, it changes so v quickly) and we had a gorgeous afternoon visiting Long Beach.
Oof, the internet is almost out! Better run, but we've all retained all our limbs, are keeping safe and having a truly amazing time!
We visted Waiheke Island, a 40 minute ferry ride out of Auckland, and where many a commuter lives. My inital impression was how Devon like it all looked. Bar the vineyards, and the blue sky, and the heat, it was like a second Salcombe. with decidely less Rahs. It was the green rolling hills and the boats that decided it I think. Did a fabulous and very jungley bushwalk through its regional park, visited a beach that rivalled Fiji in the beauty stakes, and decided that I would very much like to live there. If its was only a eeny bit closer to the UK. Back in Auckland we climbed one of the many volcanoes - Mt Eden, and got a second chance to see impressive views of the city. Along with the obligitory Japenese tourist clicking away on thier cameras (and really, I can't talk, absolutely any photographic opportunity and the camera's out. I took a photo yesterday of a supermarket. really)saw a number of very healthy beans who appeared to have running up a volcano as part of thier daily exercise plan. mad.
Whilst exploring Auckland we came across the university, which rivals and beats Exeter on the beauty stakes. Had a flick through a Masters booklet, they do my course. Its tempting! But the whole "on the other side of the world" thing means that at the momement at least, London still wins.
We spent 5 beautiful days in Auckland, staying in a cute-as hostel, for those Exeter goers, reminding me quite a lot of Hope Hall. Lantana Lodge for any coming Auckland way. I highly reccomend! It was quite a pull leaving, but visiting the Bay of Islands made up for it! Pretty! so v v pretty! We stayed in Paihia, a tiny beach resort which seemed to have more souvenir shops than it did permanent residents. The main draw, bar the scenic islands (we wanted to visit them, but felt a bit islanded out after Fiji and Wahieke) is for a dose of New Zealand history. Its where a treaty was signed in 1840 between the British and the Maori, giving, I think the Maoris British citizenship and protection from further invaders in return for recognition of British soverignity. I'm a little sketchy on the details - we visited the Treaty ground at Waitangi, and it was brilliant, but the introductory video was decidely dry and I rather terribly napped through it. Our hostel provided free mountain bikes, so we cycled up to Waitangi, which was alot of fun, especially once we figured out how to put on the bike helmets and adjust them (its New Zealand law kids)Also visted the Haruru Falls- pretty, but a bit of an anti-climax after a 90 minute walk. The walk was cool though, including a stroll across a Mangrove Swamp (wee bit smelly though)and more of Bushwalking! We spent a wet morning in Russell just across the Bay with our bikes, and saw the flagpole where the first New Zealand flag was flown, along with the first Police station and longest surviving church (New Zealand is, well, new. they're pretty big on how long things have been there) and er, oldest Hotel! impressive. It brightened up in the afternoon spectularly (I love the NZ weather, it changes so v quickly) and we had a gorgeous afternoon visiting Long Beach.
Oof, the internet is almost out! Better run, but we've all retained all our limbs, are keeping safe and having a truly amazing time!
Thursday, 8 April 2010
Fiji (part two...I am finally going to write this thing!!)
...Fiji does not really have designated bus stops and buses often run quite late (as its Fiji time - something we got told regularly!). Instead the bus just stops wherever someone calls to go on it and the buses have no windows, so often you have branches of trees just swinging inside it - have to remain vigilant for such occasions!
My favourite day in Fiji was when we decided to go for a boat trip to another much smaller island that was called 'Castaway'. This island is next to another island where the Tom Hanks film 'Castaway' was set (I wonder where they got the film title from - lol!). 'Castaway Island' was described in out travel book as a setting that was 'just short of paradise'...and it did not fail to live up to these expectations! It was simply stunning. We were greeted onto the island by an encore of Fijian singers and guitar players, all full of smiles & Bulas! For the day we sunbathed while lying in hammocks that were on the beach...although we did have one hilarious moment when Liz got into a hammock and just fell straight out the other side! Sarah & I were obv. totally sympathetic...once we managed to regain some sort of composure after laughing so hard. Sorry Liz! While we were sunbathing Sarah & I also tried to challenge our brains when completing some of Sarah's quizzes. We had a v. proud moment when we managed to work out how many squares there are on a chess board...I knew that Brownie chess badge would come in handy one day - lol!! In the afternoon we were slightly more adventurous and headed out on some kayaks which was lovely and then before we knew it, it was time to leave. We were waved off the island with a more solemn tune from our earlier encore of singers, and made it back to Nadi where we then got our stuff all ready to begin our N. Zealand adventures the next day!
My favourite day in Fiji was when we decided to go for a boat trip to another much smaller island that was called 'Castaway'. This island is next to another island where the Tom Hanks film 'Castaway' was set (I wonder where they got the film title from - lol!). 'Castaway Island' was described in out travel book as a setting that was 'just short of paradise'...and it did not fail to live up to these expectations! It was simply stunning. We were greeted onto the island by an encore of Fijian singers and guitar players, all full of smiles & Bulas! For the day we sunbathed while lying in hammocks that were on the beach...although we did have one hilarious moment when Liz got into a hammock and just fell straight out the other side! Sarah & I were obv. totally sympathetic...once we managed to regain some sort of composure after laughing so hard. Sorry Liz! While we were sunbathing Sarah & I also tried to challenge our brains when completing some of Sarah's quizzes. We had a v. proud moment when we managed to work out how many squares there are on a chess board...I knew that Brownie chess badge would come in handy one day - lol!! In the afternoon we were slightly more adventurous and headed out on some kayaks which was lovely and then before we knew it, it was time to leave. We were waved off the island with a more solemn tune from our earlier encore of singers, and made it back to Nadi where we then got our stuff all ready to begin our N. Zealand adventures the next day!
Thursday, 1 April 2010
Bula to Fiji!! (part one - as my time on the computer is about to expire!)
Well we have finally begun our travel excursions! After eight months of working and saving those pennies, the ruck-sacks have been packed and the sun-hats are once again making an appearance! The flights were all v. smooth and ran to schedule and we safely arrived in our first destination; Fiji. Had a slightly worrying moment at Heathrow when we boarded with only three mins to spare before our plane was due to depart, but thankfully we just about made it! The queue for the extra security checks moved v. v slowly.
I think Liz, Sarah and I all managed to catch up on our dosage of films while on the plane. Watched 'An Education' (highly recommend!), 'The Blind Side (good - slightly dragged out) and about half of 'Up in the Air' (goodness knows why that ever had so many Oscar nominations - pure highlight was simply seeing the lovely George Clooney again!) Soooo...anyway there you have some obv. high quality advice from a true film expert - lol!! Slept most of the second flight after a v. exciting moment occured in L.A. In the queue for the security checks none other than John Travolta (Grease-Lightning!) walk right infront of us!! I love the fact as well that my normal slow observant self did not manage to let me down at this moment - despite the sudden lull in noise of the American accents (which seemed to be never voiced at a normal chatting level - lol!) and the bombardment of a huge security team, it was not until Liz pointed out that JT was standing infront of us that I noticed him!
So...we have arrived in Fiji and have managed to book some really nice accomodation. We arrived at 5.30am and it was already really hot. We are staying at a hostel that is right on a sandy beach with a refreshing little swimming pool. I have already tested the pool (no surprise there!) and its v. nice. Yesterday we went into the centre of Nadi to explore the town centre. It was a b-e-a...beautiful sunny day so my freckles have managed to flourish once again and the sun-cream is being regularly applied! We decided to take the Nadi bus into town which was an experience in itself.
I think Liz, Sarah and I all managed to catch up on our dosage of films while on the plane. Watched 'An Education' (highly recommend!), 'The Blind Side (good - slightly dragged out) and about half of 'Up in the Air' (goodness knows why that ever had so many Oscar nominations - pure highlight was simply seeing the lovely George Clooney again!) Soooo...anyway there you have some obv. high quality advice from a true film expert - lol!! Slept most of the second flight after a v. exciting moment occured in L.A. In the queue for the security checks none other than John Travolta (Grease-Lightning!) walk right infront of us!! I love the fact as well that my normal slow observant self did not manage to let me down at this moment - despite the sudden lull in noise of the American accents (which seemed to be never voiced at a normal chatting level - lol!) and the bombardment of a huge security team, it was not until Liz pointed out that JT was standing infront of us that I noticed him!
So...we have arrived in Fiji and have managed to book some really nice accomodation. We arrived at 5.30am and it was already really hot. We are staying at a hostel that is right on a sandy beach with a refreshing little swimming pool. I have already tested the pool (no surprise there!) and its v. nice. Yesterday we went into the centre of Nadi to explore the town centre. It was a b-e-a...beautiful sunny day so my freckles have managed to flourish once again and the sun-cream is being regularly applied! We decided to take the Nadi bus into town which was an experience in itself.
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
Packing ahoy
I have piles of clothes and assortments of medicines (I pretty much wiped Boots out) and other travel "essentials" stacked throughout my house. I'm not sure how I'm going to remember to pack it all in the giant bag. I'm not sure either how I'll carry the giant bag once its full. Maybe I could chuck out the non-essentials, and just take clothes. Inhalers can be brought in Fiji right?! I am starting to feel a wee more organised though. Currency is being collected this afternoon, important numbers are being scribbled down and visas have been applied for. Just got to get down to the packing. eek!
Its odd to think we're going in, argh, 2 days! V excited along with a healthy dose of apprehension about the whole adventure! Crossing all fingers and toes, (and praying to the travel God who is Mr BA, and the scary US security people) my next post will be about the gorgeousness of Fiji!
Its odd to think we're going in, argh, 2 days! V excited along with a healthy dose of apprehension about the whole adventure! Crossing all fingers and toes, (and praying to the travel God who is Mr BA, and the scary US security people) my next post will be about the gorgeousness of Fiji!
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