Wifi is terrible in NZ so we can’t say much about what we have been up
to so you’ll have to enjoy the photo instead. We will try and to a
better post if we get a better connection.
Below is the Champagne Pool at Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. Now is
Taupo, tomorrow in Napier.
After a cancelled flight and then a rescheduled flight 4 hours later
we eventually made it to Auckland late on Thursday night. We spent
Friday morning shopping for warm and waterproof clothes which we found
fairly successfully without spending too much and without adding too
much bulk to our luggage.
Yesterday afternoon we picked up our new home for the next month (see
piccy) from Escape Rentals who are really nice and easy going – isn’t
it lovely!! Photos of the inside to come so be patient, but so far
it’s great!
We spent Friday night in Port Waikatu, on the West coast an hour South
of Auckland. The campsites here are amazing – they have communal
kitchens and TV lounges etc. which is great because we only have one
gas ring which is a bit tricky to cook a meal on.
Today we woke up on our 1st wedding anniversary to open our envelope
from Clare & Andy – lots of lovely US dollars to spend – thank you
so much!! And thanks for the e-card too – who said it wouldn’t last?!
Jen then drove us East through gorgeous landscapes to Rotorua in
Central-ish North Island which is a hugely geothermal area – we will
explore more tomorrow.
Tonight we are treating ourselves to a nice meal with a lovely Bring
Your Own bottle of Pinot Noir – thank you very much Judith & David!!
Love to all xxx
We’ve got well and truly stuck into the tourist thing during our last week in Sydney.
Last Friday we spent a day by the sea in Manly. We went for a massive walk around the headland, looked back at the view of Sydney (see pic 1) and finished the day with some yummy fish & chips.
Sunday was the Kings Cross Food & Wine Festival, literally just up the road from our flat. We watched the pooch parade, navy & police bands and scoffed lunch sitting by the Kings Cross fountain (see pic 2).
Monday we went to the Australian Museum where, for both of us, the dinosaur exhibition ruled (see pic 3).
Yesterday after another museum Ben got an early birthday pressie. He had 45mins of real flight simulator (see pic 4) which he loved and we have the DVD to prove it!!
It’s all go…New Zealand tomorrow!!
We feel we have rested enough now in Sydney to start hitting the sights. Our first stop was the Art Gallery of New South Wales which had a good mix of Australian, Asian and Aboriginal art followed by a great photo exhibit at the State Library.
Last night we went to Matt’s other BhangLassi gig that was more of a plugged in gig and was again very impressive. They have some great songs which is shown by how memorable they were from the previous show.
Today was the Museum of Sydney and then the Contemporary Art Museum which thankfully was interesting rather than pretentious.
To get to all these sights involves a huge number of monster staircases such as the Butler Stairs shown below. Who needs a thighmaster when you have these steps!?
