Wellington

 

Happy and healthy 2017, dear reader 🍾🍾🍾

As I gaze out of the window, I see rain!  ☔️It attempted to dampen the NewYear festivities last night but refrained at the 12th hour. The weather had been disappointing - day 4 in Auckland cold and windy,  day 5 summer had arrived, day 6 varied as we travelled sunny initially but we are met by a biting wind on arrival in Wellington!! 

Last night at the Belgium Bar, a Kiwi couple engaged us in conversation. They were axious to ascertain our views on NZ. I said tha t the landscape was more spectacular than expected and the people so engaging and without exception. the staff in hotels and restaurants were always polite and friendly. Considering tourism is their number one industry, having overtaken agriculture, he Kiwis value their visitors. However, we advised that we were shocked by the prices  _ we had been warned about the cost of accommodation but not the cost of eating out. - both c 30% greater than Ireland. 

As I understand it, the average Kiwi cannot afford to stay at a hotel- they are for business people and tourists. The middle-aged couple told us that they could not afford to travel the country as we were doing. He was a helicopter instructor and she worked at a University. They had travelled with an their son and daughter to work in Saudi for two years to make some money! A holiday in The Polynesian islands would be a cheaper option for them! 

They were both from Wellington but lived on the South Island   They had rented out their home for the holiday season and were staying with family   - this allowed them to eat out!! How has the cost of living outstripped salaries ? Their answer a free trade agreement with Australia,whereby they cannot sell their produce below Australia. and Australia is in boom at present!! We then received lots of helpful advice as to where the highlights were down south with some hidden gems unknown to tourists! 

Yet for all their low standard of living, a Dublin Bank teller , whom CC encountered when changing money, admitted the same but yet he had no regrets about moving his family here. It's the quality of their lives that one envies based on outdoor pursuits. 

We continued to the harbour two blocks away to see the fireworks display at midnight. 

There was s concert on and the young people were seated enjoying themselves awaiting NewYear's arrival. 

It didn't disappoint! 

Around us lots of young people exceptionally well behaved.

This morning we wake to rain!! Can you believe it - we go to NZ for a summer  and end up with cool temperatures and rain! The city has very successfully situated itself between the harbour of Pirt  Nicholson and the surrounding hills. Modern and traditional architecture have been successfully married. Ian Atfield revamped Wellington in the 1990s with the addition of Civic Square comprising a modern library, an Art Deco Art Gallery and its many sculptures. 

We left the hotel to visit Te Papa museum, another example of Wellington's architecture. 

Wellington is known as the Windy City. - partly because of the wind that comes off the Cook straits and partly due the funnelling effect down the streets between the tall buildings. I was almost blown onto a road such was the force of the wind !!  Captain Cook was unable to enter Wellington Harbour in 1773 due to the severity of the wind!!

We arrived at the entrance of the building that is Te Papa. Inside also impresses. Our first visit is to Gallipoli experience. 

There is a large queue and I'm reliably informed that it is most impressive. 

The exhibition was truly impressive- the depth of coverage was immense. If you dear reader, visit Wellington do not miss the Gallipoli exbition. 

Our next visit is to the 'Awesome Forces' exhibition which explains the volcanic forces , which have shaped the NZ landscape . It too did not disappoint and the highlight was the replication of the experience of being in a house as a force 5 earthquake hit!! We had a short visit to the Passport section - detailing the lives of some of the immigrants over the years. 

We braved the wind and rain and returned to the hotel. Hopefully the weather will be kinder tomorrow........

Auckland- Wellington

I Wellington here we come ! An 11.5 hour bus journey down the Island - north to south. It is reputed to be a most scenic journey so I hope it lives up to its reputation. (NZ$68 Auckland - Christchurch - combined ticket).

We arrived at the bus station early so we are now esconsced in the front seat on the upper deck   Seats are not assigned but deck level is. 

We passed by the industrial suburbs of Auckland. Out first pit stop was Hamilton , a major railway hub but had little to offer the general tourist Our lunch stop was Tokopoa,  where we dined al fresco from a local bakers.  

This town is the centre of the forestry industry   The sculpture below pays homage to the contribution of forestry to the area's employment. 

We continued to Lake Taupo. This is a volcanic crater filed by water 185m deep, created by the Taupo volcano which erupted in 186 AD, spewing out 24 cubic kilometres of debris - at least ten times greater than that produced by Mt St Helen or Krakatoa   Ash was carried around the world - the Chinese noticed their skies blackening and the Romans recorded that the skies turned blood red! As we approached the town a traffic jam developed. Looking forward I thought what I saw was a cloud of smoke but in fact it was steam rising from the thermal springs. The area is close to Rotorua, the centre of the volcanic activity in the area. 

We continued to nearby Lake Taupo. 

The town was crowded with tourists and the traffic delayed our entry and contributed to a late arrival in Wellington by one hour - 11.5 became 12.5..It was a typical sea/lakeside town with the usual shops sporting recreational goods. Lake Taupo is , in area, the size of Singapore and far out o n its horizon were three volcanoes. 

Up to this point the land had been low and supported arable farming The Maoris had the discovered the agricultural benefits of volcanic soil. 

We continued travelling south and hugged the lake for the next 50km or more. At Turangi we entered Tongariro National Park , 

a UNESCO world heritage site. and drove 'the desert road'. The area does appear desertlike but our driver informed us that it experienced too much rain to be called such. The landscape mirrors that of a desert with a sandy, vegetation which only supported grasses. In the distance, one could see the 1967 Mt Tongariro, and the highest point Mt Huapehu at 2797 and Mt Ngaunihoe at 2287. 

Leaving the desert road , we stopped at Waioru   All towns appear similar as the colonial architecture has been sacrificed to more utilitarian styles, more reminiscent of small town, USA. 

As the north -south train is now mainly a tourist attraction, locals take the bus, which resulted in numerous stops. The road is only a two lane one, with a passing lane available from time to time. It is reminiscent of Irish roads prior to the construction of our motorway s. 

We continued to Palmerston North, a large and impressive city. From there we followed the very scenic route along the coast into Wellington. 

We had arrived - travelled the length of the Island, experiencing its impressive scenery and the mores of its people. The Kiwis are extremely friendly and helpful.  

We made our way to the Ibis Hotel, two blocks from the bus station , checked in and then adjourned to a Belgium pub for sustenance. It had been a log, long but enjoyable day. 

Auckland

Auckland is situated at the northern end of North Island   NZ is composed of two islands connected by ferry, namely North and South Island. 

                   North Island

               South Island 

Auckland is one of the least densely populated cities in the world , the size of London but with only one and a half million inhabitants. Fifty volcanoes dot the landscape - all but one are extinct , and it  last erupted 600 years ago. The new city skyscrapers are surrounded by low rise suburban wooden villas. Once a British colony, it is now multicultural as Maori, Polynesian and European live in harmony. It is the largest Polynesian city in the world. The Maoris are reported to have witnessed the last volcanic eruption, the Europeans arrived at the beginning of the nineteenth century , followed by the South Pacific Islanders in the 1960s and '70s. 

On arrival yesterday morning at the Amora Hotel Gray St. , (NZ$ 425 - 2 nights ) (NZ $1= €1.42), ( rated 4 star - in reality 3 star), we were surprised to discover that summer had not yet arrived. A cold,chilly wind enveloped the city , though many Kiwis were attire d as if for summer! It was a chilly 15 degrees.! I hope it warms up - my limited wardrobe cannot accommodate such low temperatures!! A high of 23 is expected today but what really impresses is the light - sunset 20.45.

As we ambled down Gray Street and into  Queen's Street, we espied the Skytower , at 328 m , it is NZ's tallest structure, height wise , It just eclipses the Eifel Tower and Sydneys's Centrepoint   Here. If one is brave or foolhardy, one may take a skywalk at 192m - not me!!

Today we decided, as our driver from the airport recommended, to visit Waneki island some 35 minutes ferry ride from Auckland.   

 As we journeyed to the Island we passed Rangitoto, the most famous of Auckland's volcanoes. 

It didn't impress as it had been massively eroded. We arrived at the island's terminus 

and we boarde one of the Island busses. We had been advised that it would leave us at the most renowned of the island's wineries Cable Bay but our information was incorrect and we had a tour of the Island , nor a major error as we intended to do so later. Eventually we reached the winery which we were reliably informed had an excellent chef   

On arrival at this utopian location, 

one was impressed by the superb view of the azure blue.sea. We witnessed the Kiwis on holiday - large groups of young singles or young couples with their first child. There was a noticeable lack of people in our age group!! People were strewn along the lawn where lunch was served in picnic fashio n - rugs provided or in the open air adjacent restaurant. 

The food was excellent but nothing peculiar ton NZ. Like ourselves they inherited the somewhat dull British cuisine. Efforts are being made to use the high quality agricultural produce but I have to admit Ireland is way ahead!! 

Lunch completed, we walked back to the town of Onera , the islands chief town sporting a typical seaside atmosphere    - restaurants and coffee shops abound together with art galleries and a wine tasting centre. 

Walking through the park en route from the 

Cable Bay winery, I was struck by the beautiful flora together with sculptures of modern art. It was a blessed retreat from the summer sun. 

together with an example oh 'human' art. 

It was an idyllic day The sun shone and the Island was blessed with a stunning vista. As we departed the Island , on a Fuller ferry, we looked back at an island - the playground of Auckland where the population of 8,0000 of the Island trebles in summer 

Tomorrow we take an 111/2 hour bus trip to Wellington where we will celebrate New Year's Eve ..........

Dublin - Amsterdam - Guangzhou - Auckland

What a trip  11,500 miles - we left Dublin on  the 0650 flight on Tuesday December 27th and arrived Auckland on Thursday December 29th at 0730!!

We arrived at Schipol (Amsterdam) on the 0650 flight from Dublin - a flight of 1 and a quarter hours. The sky at sunrise was a burst of vibrant reds and yellows- more reminiscent of sunset rather than sunrise !! 

We now awaited confirmation of a seat to Guangzhou. We flew out at 1230, an eleven and a half hour flight and arrived in Guangzhou at 0730. (Wednesday). We departed Guangzhou again at 14.30 and arrived in Auckland at 0730 (Thursday) adding 13 hours to my life. What a journey- not to be taken lightly!! 

  

            Auckland Airport and 787

Today, we visited the tourist office and can confirm that the Kiwis continue to live  up to their excellent reputation in tourist services - by the time we left, we had booked plane, train, bus, ferry and car - all our travel arrangements in place - more anon!! 

Auckland is a city of contrasts - on the one hand are the old buildings appearing as if they need some TLC 

                 The Civic Theatre

           The Ferry Terminal Building 

      Former GPO now Railway Station

and on the other the ultra modern buildings that make up the new city, appearing lto mirror a mini Manhattan, along its harbour. 

     Queen's Street - main thoroughfare 

The city skies are dotted with cranes, the price of houses is rapidly increasing and there is a shortage of construction workers - where did we hear that before?