Turangi NZ(The Tongariro crossing)

Well now, those who know us, will probably realise that we weren't going to be put off one of our intended targets..i.e. "The Tongariro crossing' thought widely to be one of the best day walks in NZ. It takes a path in the vicinity of 3 volcanoes, Mount Tongariro, Mount Ngauruhoe and Mount Ruapehu. So, with a change for the better weatherwise in the Taupo area and good forecasts for at least 5 days, we returned to a hostel in Turangi at the southern end of Lake Taupo.
As a warm up, we climbed Mount Tauhara which overlooks Taupo(3,500ft) on Sunday afternoon and then retired to the Hostel to spend a pleasant evening preparing for the following day. We had previously booked seats on a coach to take us to the start of the crossing and were then picked up at the end (17km North and East of our start point). The mountain did not disappoint!! We spent an absolutely beautiful day walking over what are essentially 3 volcanoes in various stages of dormancy. Unfortunately as there was a lot of snow and ice near the summits, we were advised not to go to the crater edges(no crampons and axes!!), but the scenery around more than made up for the short-fall!! Blue skies, red craters, and emerald lakes to name but a few of the myriad colours around. We really felt as though this was a special place... sitting on the ground with very warm soil and steam issuing from the surface (and even warmer bums) certainly confirmed this!! Wow!! what a day and one we both will remember for a long time to come. Our patience rewarded in the end!!

Napier NZ

Really wanted to do the Tongariro crossing, but we have to wait until it comes into condition so a trip over to the east coast saw us in Napier, famous for its Art Deco revival after an earthquake and fire in 1931 raised it to the ground. The aftermath of the earthquake, however produced more land to build on and the style at the time was Art Deco, so lots of lovely(depends on your taste of course!) buildings. In fact the most concentrated collection of such buildings in the world.

A few images to satisfy the budding architects amongst you!!

The weather was a bit 'iffy'(grey sky and windy) so we moved on to a wine tour the following day which Paul loved(although they didn't give big enough samples!!).

Taupo NZ

Moved a little further south to Taupo to stay in our 1st B&B with Marlene a very kindly Kiwi in her early 70's who looked after us really well. Did a 10k walk along the river Waikato to the Huka falls...really impressive and the only outlet to Lake Taupo. really wanted to do the Tongariro crossing a 17k walk across a 12,000 ft range in the National Park but the weather high up has been unsuitable(high winds and snow) so the trip has been cancelled several times(plus the mountain has erupted recently and they're a bit nervous about its current condition!!)

Yesterday did a sky dive from 12,000ft(in tandem of course)...a massive adrenaline rush and brilliant experience for us both. We've now seen it, done it, got a DVD, and a T-shirt..just hope we'll be able to remember it in years to come!!. Thankfully both lived to tell the tale(never wanted to die with another man strapped to my back..don't think my mother would have understood!!!!....however, Pam said she wouldn't mind!!!)

On to Napier the Art Deco town for a less exerting day today and then to Hastings for a guided wine tour...I'm really looking forward to that (though it might give me a different sort of rush if I over imbibe!).

Rotorua NZ

Stayed in Rotorua at a very comfortable YH, which had lots of facilities and was buzzing with young people......we didn't feel at all out of place!!!!

Visited Whakarewarewa which seemed to be the best place to see Maori culture and visit the thermal hotspots. At the Maori welcoming ceremony(the Wero), guess who was chosen to be leader of the visiting party..yes,...you guessed!! In order to bind physically & spiritually, the Hongi has to be carried out(touching noses twice)..I got a beautiful girl again!(Pam's beginning to feel jealous!!) We were then ushered into the meeting house and treated to a cultural performance of singing & dancing. This ended with...guess who..being chosen as warrior to dance the Haka.. a somewhat nerve-racking experience!

We then had a guide to show us around the carving & weaving centres, before showing us around the rest of the thermal village. Bubbling mud pools, fumiroles, and, to cap it all, the Pohutu geyser were highlights here..this latter with steam reaching up to 30m eerie and exciting stuff!!

Day 2 saw us visiting the Polynesian Spa early in the morning to take an hours thermal bathing in an assortment of pools varying from 36 to 42 deg..very relaxing. In the afternoon we went up in a Gondola to the adjacent mountain and thoroughly enjoyed luging down in mini trolleys..a great adrenaline rush..especially the advanced track!!(Pam loved it!!)

Waitangi and Russell NZ

Bidding farewell to Jo & Paul(hopefully we'll see them again before another 44 years passes!), we pushed on up North to the Waipoua Forest where the finest Kauri trees in the world are being conserved. stopped of at the Forest to view 'Tane Mahouta' a huge, sacred Kauri tree which the Maori's call their 'God of the Forest'.
Lunch at Opononi and then on to Pahia to one of the finest hostels we've stayed in. Clean, comfortable, towels provided, herbs in kitchen...the list goes on, and to cap it all, it's position in Pahia Bay, a comfortable little town is lovely.
After a 1 night stay, we visited the Treaty House at Waitangi where the Maori's signed an historic document which promised them protection and continued rights to their land(another case of the British Government hood-winking native people!!). Brilliant exhibition and museum.. highly recommended.
On then to Russell on the car ferry to view the now quaint little town that used to be called 'the hell-hole of the Pacific' due to it's reputation for drunkeness, violence, debauchery and prostitution..(sound like Glossop doesn't it??)

Red Coast NZ

A long overdue re-union with a cousin I hadn't seen for 44 years saw us roaring up north in our hire car to meet Jo & Paul in their lovely house overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Hibiscus Bay. It was brilliant to catch up on family news after all those years("ee!! she hasn't changed a bit"), and we were treated like royalty yet again for 2 days.

A visit to their son Mark's restaurant followed that evening, and lots of good food and great company saw us in the lap of luxury once again!

The following day we drove over to the west coast to Muriwai Gannet colony where we enjoyed great views of the rugged west coast and fascinating behaviour of the Gannets who were just starting their breeding behaviour. In the evening Paul cooked a delicious Thai curry and copious amounts of alcohol were consumed!!(well...by me anyway!!).

Auckland NZ

Arrived here after a relatively short flight(4.5hrs) to find it pisitively possing it down..not a good welcome!!
Booked in at Auckland City YH which is O.K but certainly not the standard we've been used to over the last two weeks. I guess that, from now on, we'll be "roughing it" more, but what the hell!! Went to the Auckland Museum to see one of the finest collections of Polynesian artefacts in the world and followed this up with a visit to the Sky Tower and impressive structure which dominates the skyline. Needless to say, we passed on the opportunity to bungy jump from a position almost 160 M above the ground, but we watched!!

Next day took a ferry out to Rangitoto Island...went up to the edge of the crater of what is essentially an extinct volcano...great views and really weird geology and plant life. Nearly missed last ferry back......but that's another story!!

Rarotonga Cook Islands

A 9.75 hr flight to Rarotonga saw us arrive at the airport in Avarua at around 6.15am to be welcomed by dusky maidens who hung beautiful smelling Frangipani flower garlands around our necks and "George" playing a guitar and singing Hawaian type music. We're normally greeted by surly-looking policemen with sub-machine guns, so this was a nice change!!

A 20 min drive to the Pacific resort hotel..wow what an island this is!! The weather was a little dull, but nevertheless temperatures were in the 80's all day long so not complaining really!!

The welcome meal in the evening was wonderful. treated to more music from George and then an hour of dancing girls and boys in traditional costumes, culminating in a final dance where yours truly was chosen to dance with a beautiful Raro girl.........is this paradise or what??

Next day, the weather was good and we took a kayak out to a little island. The water in the lagoon was crystal clear and azure blue(will include short video of this later as it takes a lifetime to upload!!).

The following day was absolutely beautiful and saw us hiring cycles and biking all the way around the island.It's only 32k so not far really(but far enough to give us both numb bums!).

Kayaks again the next day and some snorkelling too(Pam's first time.. so lots of fun and laughter and water up noses!!).

We really will be sad to leave Rarotonga as we have been treated extremely well by the hotel staff, who are very friendly and happy people.

Santa Monica L.A.

Departed Boston for our 6 hour flight to L.A. and arrived there late afternoon to stay at Best Western in downtown Santa Monica(a bit of a concrete jungle!!).

Friday saw us walking about a mile to the beach where we hired fun-trikes and cycled down the Pacific bike trail for about 2 miles

to Venice Beach; a concoction of stalls which sold nothing useful, but interesting nevertheless !! Weird and wonderful examples of the human race converge here and it really is a microcosm of all

we think of, when we think of the USA. Ageing hippies

(no I don't mean us!), beautiful girls and athletic -looking guys (now I'm talking us!!) abound and the Pacific Ocean wasa bit warmer!!. The weather here is fantastic and blue skies, golden sands and warm seas all make for a comfortable life.

On Sunday we visited the Getty centre, just outside town,

a 1.1 billion dollar site which houses many of the artworks

which he collected throughout his life. Truly impressive

architecture with stunning gardens and a whole host of other

facilities.

Boston Mass.

Arrived here and were met by Doreen & Rick, long time friends, who are hosting us for a few days.
Went back to their home in Needham and were treated like Royalty for five days.
On Monday we had a tour of the local neighborhood and in the afternoon went into Boston including a stop-off at the Hospital where Rick works.

Monday evening saw us meeting with David(their son) who we hadn't seen for around 13 years. It was lovely to see him and talk to him about his experiences in India.

Tuesday we visted Raptor centre at Pack Monadnoch(a 3,000ft peak in New Hampshire)and had great views of Turkey Vulture and other species. Great weather and lovely countryside, with the Autumnal colours just starting.

Wednesday saw us Journeying to Cape Cod

( stopping off for Cream Teas) where we had a lovely day and

visited Wellfleet Nature Sanctuary. A beautiful haven for wild life with impressive coastal salt marsh scenery.

Eventually we arrived at Provincetown where we B&B'd at the White Wind Inn(which won 1st prize in the Gay B&B's guide 2006!!), a well-appointed and friendly stay. Tackled Lobster for the first time!!!(needed bib, but delicious and could develop a taste for this!!).