Australia and New Zealand 2020

Franz Joseph Monday 3rd February

This is the photo I didn’t post last night in case it worried anyone. People were stranded here after the bad storm in December

Happily this greeted us this morning, along with torrential rain

We went for a short walk during a short break in the weather.

Patricia and I had managed to book for massage and hot pools for 1045 when the group Whatsapp alerted us to a change of plan. We were off to the glacier at 1030 to take advantage of the break in the weather! We just managed to change our booking and catch the coach.

The “temporary” Bailey bridge that occasionally loses sections to the water.

By the time we got to the car park the weather had closed in again and I’m afraid this is the best view you will get of the glacier!

We walked towards the glacier with our driver warning us not to walk down to the river bed after so much recent rain.

It was a walk through the warm wet bush.

There were a few brolly problems on the way.

We reached the river bed and I crossed on the stepping stones but went no further.

Those tiny bits of ice on the gravel bank are the only bits of the glacier we have seen.

We went straight for our massages when we got back to the hotel before relaxing in the hot pools. Our room hadn’t been done so we had to go and have G&Ts in the hotel lounge while we recovered.

Others in the group managed these photos in the sunny spells.

This, unfortunately is a news photo of the washed away road to Milford Sound. We are due to visit on Thursday. Fingers crossed please.

As the rain strengthened we decided to eat in the hotel

We enjoyed our meal and are now packing for an 0830 start for the long drive to Queenstown tomorrow.

Franz Josef Sunday 2nd February

We set off from Christchurch at 0830 for the long “scenic drive” to Franz Josef.

It didn’t really work out that way: the rain, clouds and mist made it a gloomy trip with few opportunities for photographs.

Between Christchurch and Arthur’s Pass high Leylandi hedges are needed to protect cattle, sheep and crops from the strong Nor’Wester wind. It just rained and rained.

Arthur’s Pass is one of three passes through the Southern Alps. The Alps form the backbone of South Island.

We drove through Arthur’s Pass in unremitting rain and gloom, reaching 930 m above sea level.

Lunch stop in Hokitika, the Jade capital of South Island

By the Tasman Sea
The rain miraculously took a short break at the right time!

Back in the gloom and rain we drove down the coast through Ross, where some gold is still found, through Harihari and Whataroa to Franz Joseph.

It was a 10 minute delay here. The road was damaged in many places by a big storm in December. The local population reopened the road themselves instead of waiting for the government.

Our Franz Joseph Hotel. The whole group went together to a nearby sports bar for dinner. We were like a crocodile of turquoise golf umbrellas on the way there and back; much too wet to take a photo.

The rain may threaten our walk to the glacier tomorrow. It has been moved from morning to afternoon in the hope of improved weather. Fingers crossed we get there.

Christchurch 1st February

An early start and 3 hour drive back to Auckland Airport for the short flight to Christchurch in South Island. We found a big drop in temperature and were unprepared in sleeveless tops. The breeze added a bit of windchill.

Inside the light and airy, cardboard transition cathedral. It was built after the earthquakes of 2010 and 11 severely damaged the existing cathedral.

The damaged Anglican Cathedral.
After much deliberation it has finally been decided to fully restore it.

Some of the 85 chairs, placed in memory of the same number who died in the second earthquake. The chairs stand where the buildings stood.

Down by the river in a pedestrianised area with restaurants and street entertainments.
The only vehicles the tram and the ubiquitous electric scooters.

Today was only around 18° here. Apparently it will be 32° tomorrow. Unfortunately we will be heading west to rain and cool weather in Franz Joseph.

Rotorua Friday 31st January

An 8.30am start on a gloriously sunny day after the best breakfast we have had so far.

First stop Kuirau Park in Rotorua.
Note the steam coming out of the vent.

About 12 years ago this mound erupted without any warning, flinging huge boulders in every direction.
Coach driver David didn’t mention this until we were leaving!

Bubbling Rotorua in Kuirau Park

The Government Gardens

Whangapipiro the Rachel Pool

Water from this bubbling cauldron is pumped to the Polynesian Spa where we later relaxed.

Next on to Te Puia to experience Maori culture, see geothermal wonders and a Kiwi.

(I’ll try to complete this post tomorrow; I’m far too tired tonight. We have breakfast at 0630 tomorrow before driving back to Auckland for a short flight to Christchurch. There’s lots more to tell, we’ve had a great day. Patricia is totally worn out and has been asleep for some time.)

Te Puia

Maori carving by students in the culture centre here.

The wood is from the Rimu tree, the native Red Pine. It can grow for up to 1000 years. Government permission is needed to cut down Rimu trees.

The Maori people and language were oppressed right up to the 60s. Since the 80s Maori immersion education in the Rotorua area is bringing the culture and language back to life.

Cold Maori settlers from the Pacific used flax and feathers to make warm clothing.

We didn’t see it reach quite that height but it was very impressive.

Our afternoon was a trip to Hobbiton, the site of the Hobbit films, in hot sunshine: an amazing place.

In front of one of the 44 Hobbit houses.

Bag Hall in the Shire. The hall is real but the tree is artificial with 20,000 artificial leaves individually wired on.

Relaxing in the Polynesian Spa to end the day.

Rotorua Thursday 30th January

Much of the day was spent on the coach to Rotorua. We passed through pretty Hamilton, but no photos I’m afraid.

Mahuhukiterangi Park opposite our Auckland hotel

Went for a short walk in the park before setting off for Rotorua.

A sacred Maori hill where high status Maoris are buried; the higher the status the higher up the hill!

The last Maori Queen was buried there in 2006. Her son now reigns, with no power. We drove past his residence Turongo House.

Our first refreshment stop.
Huntly Power Station, the largest thermal power station on the Waikato River.
Coal and gas powered.

Our second stop.
Lake Karapiro Reservoir formed by damming the Waikato River in 1947.

The dam for the Karapiro Hydroelectric Power Station

Maori Evening

We enjoyed a Maori buffet meal, then it was time for the songs, dances and finally the Haka.

The Haka

Tomorrow will be busy with an 0830 start to visit to Te Puia Thermal reserve and see the famous Pohutu Geyser. I’m looking forward to it.

Auckland Wednesday 29th January

This is our only day in Auckland.

The view on leaving the lift to get to our apartment; reminded us of prisons. The apartment however is lovely.

Our morning coach tour started with 45 slow minutes in convoluted roadworks, apparently a local bone of contention. I couldn’t resist this one for you Tom.

It got a bit better, we crossed Auckland Bridge to North Auckland, turned round and came straight back without even a photo stop.

The rest of the tour was good, this was the beach at Mission Bay.

We drove up Maritime Drive, the most expensive housing area. Local residents object to tourists admiring their homes so coaches are forbidden to stop.

Parnell Village is named after a builder brought from England to build colonial homes. He made it a condition of his contract that there should be a 40 hour working week. The 40 hour week is still celebrated here every October.

Auckland Domain

Views from the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park, a memorial to New Zealand’s first Labour Prime Minister who established a long-standing relationship with the Maoris.

A walk along the waterfront was challenging; those road works again.

The small boat RANUI in Viaduct Harbour. It has an interesting history.

Happy Hour Auckland style by the harbour

Today was cloudy at times but a lovely temperature in the 20’s, a delight after the humid heat of Singapore.

Packing tonight as we set off for Rotorua in the morning.

Auckland Tuesday 28th January

We have spent Tuesday mostly in the air or airports. Planning an early night now in our comfortable apartment hotel after steak and a drink nearby. No photos I’m afraid: we are exhausted.

Singapore to Auckland. Monday 27th January

Happy birthday Reuben. Sorry I’m a bit late.

We had an easy morning, took our time over breakfast then packed up ready to leave for our flights to Sydney and Auckland.

In the afternoon we just had a pleasant walk along the Singapore River before going back to the hotel for a 4pm departure.

It was still a public holiday so families were out walking and cycling by the river.

We’ve had a good but crowded flight to Sydney (8 hours) our next flight will be 3h 10m it is delayed already until 1025. Fingers crossed that it goes then.

It is of course now Tuesday 28th. The days blur into one another and we keep losing nights!

Chinese New Year Sydney Airport style. The drummer they were dancing to was great.

Singapore Sunday 26th January

A morning coach tour, Afternoon Tea at Raffles Hotel and eating out at the Fullerton Bay Hotel this evening.

Thian Hock Kong Temple

Taoist temple built with no nails and Scottish wood.
The little kumquat trees are like Christmas trees for the Chinese New Year

The Botanical Gardens

Unbelievably humid with steam sprays to keep it that way.

Raffles AFTERNOON TEA

Crab sandwich with curry bread, smoked salmon with squid ink bread + other sandwiches.
5 different pastries, the apple one was my favourite, a little dessert then scones with cream and jam accompanied with Earl Grey tea, all quite delicious in beautiful surroundings.

Relaxing in the shade.
We didn’t make it to the Long Bar and our Gin Slings!

Evening out with Philip and Wei Yu, our Liff ex next door neighbours.

Instead of the Gin Slings, we have had a delightful evening at the rooftop Lantern Bar in the Fullerton Bay Hotel with Philip, Wei Yu, Wei Yu’s sister and brother in law.