New Zealand

Monday was spent travelling on the Tans Alpine Train across New Zealand from Christchurch to Greymouth and back.
The weather started out beautifully with the forecast of late afternnon showers which infortunately eventuated.

Train Journey is a tale of two parts, the journey from Christchurch to Authur's Pass is in the most Quite spectacular, particularky between Springfield and the Pass, the second half down the western flanks of the Southern Alps is mainly though Ancient Beech Forest and does not have the spectacular view of the climb up.
We had 1 short hour in Greymouth, time for a Pit Stop, a few quick photos then grab a pie and back on the train. Travelling back to Christchurch into the oncoming rain was not as nice as the mornings journey as the views were limited.

Tuesday was our last day in New Zealand, mostly spent waiting at the Christchurch Air Port. The day outside was probably the worst weather wise since we arrived in New Zealand. We woke to drizzling rain with intermittent showers. A continuation of the weather from the prevoius evening.

We flew home on an A380, a much smaller plane than we travelled over on. The Flight was unspectacular, smooth and reasonably enjoyable as the beer was free (NZ Steinlager Pure) and the trip only a little under 4 Hours.

Picked up our now repaired car and proceeded North in expectation of Locust Swarms. Only encountered a few widely dispersed Locusts, a wind storm earlier in the week had apparently dispersed them.
Interesting to note the fact that most of the road side streams and gutters were flowing, something we have not seen for a good while.

Arrived in warm and slightly damp Echuca at 8.0pm.

All in all a very enjoyable trip.

Well where do we start.
Since we last blogged we have been in Helicopters flying up into the clouds over the Southern Alps. We have been over more mountain passes than you can point a stick at. And yes we survived.
It is nice in a way to be back in civilisation.. At least we have more than 2 square metres of floor space tonight.
Queenstown, well enough said. A bit like the Surfers Paradise of NZ. Packed to the rafters with under 25's mostly 3/4 drunk all flat out doing all the "thrill seeker" stuff.
Had to bypass Milford sound as it was too foggy and decided that the weather wasn't going to clear. We went onto invercargill instead, where we saw Tuatara "lizards" that aren't really lizards. More like living Dinosaurs. Plus we saw 3 replicas World 's Fastest Indians" plus the real thing. Leaving Invercargilll was interesting, we tried to get onto the South Scenic Route. But ended up doing a 1 1/2 hour circle and ended up back ,Yes you guessed, in Invercargill! Then using assistance of a friendly Road worker finally found the right road hidden down a few narrow country lanes. We got to see a lot more dairycows than we had hoped to.
Then on to Dunedin. A little bit of Scotland in NZ, even has it's own Tartan. Did a self misguided walking tour here.
Then we did a short day up to a little place called Temuka. Our cheapest night of the trip. Only about 5 other Camper vans in the Park.
Had an early start this morning and completed the journey to Christchurch.
Arrived just before lunch to find Most of Central Christchurch cordoned off. No not because of EarthQuake damage but becuase there was a Cycle Racing Criterion on.
Christchurch not as badly damaged as Media made out. Lots of houses lost Chimneys. Plus lots have fallen off their foundations.
Tomorrow we have to be at the railway station for the Trans Alpine crossing to Greymouth...
Departing at 8.!15 am 4 hours and return.
Apparentlly, has the most spectacular scenery in the world going through the Alps, listed as one of the most top train journeys of the world ... at least no driving for us involved too!
Check out photos. Will catch up again tomorrow night hopefully.

Day 3. spent around Rotorua. Walked many kilometers in a big arc, covering most of Rotorua. A really good day. Attempted to contact Polly's Uncle. That was a saga. Nobody told us about NZ's Area codes. Then when we worked that out we had already arrived at his house, only to find that he was not home and would not return until Saturday, when we were leaving.

Day 4. Tried again to make contact prior to leaving to no avail, so set off for Wai O Tapu, where there is a "controlable" geyser plus a variety of other Volcanic attractions. Spent the morning there, had lunch in the car Park, Finally contacted Polly's Uncle who had just walked in the door but had to go out as he was to attend a birthday party. A pity we missed him as he sounded like a lovely chap on the phone.
On to Taupo where the city was beseiged by cyclists participating in the Taupo Lake Challenge. Shopped for essentials then Afternoon tea by the lake. Snow covered Peaks visible across lake Taupo.
Then drove over Steep torturous road to Napier. A gem in NZ. City centre was rebuilt in 1931 /2 /3. After city devestated by Earthquake in Feb 1931. Lots of wonderful Art Deco and Spanish Mission Style Architecture. Did not arrive in Napier until 5.00 PM , but this proved provident as streets were emptying and littletraffic, so Photography was easier. Took too many photos so decided to stay here the night;
Tomorrow we will have to travel about 350 kms to Wellinton. So will be a long day of twisting and ups and downs.

Lorraines Bit
as above ... lots of maori population. ears popp regularly going up and down mountains, glad to be rid of stinkaroua smells,

Coromandel Peninsular, very hilly. Totourous roads. Hot Water Beach was packed with lots of bus loads of people. Toasted or toes then moved on.

Over night at Whangamata.
Then on to Rotorua. Went to Tanaki Village Cultural Experience last night. A recreated Maori village, with people doing activities and then a Hangi. Quite a good night.
Camped on edge of a big park that is riddled with Geothermal activity. Hot Springs, Boiling mud pools etc.

Sorry no time to add photos as we lost our first draft when Internet had a spasm. No Free WiFi any where in Rotorua.

Departed Echuca at 0600 hrs Arrived at Secure Car Parking 0830 after an interesting trip. About 20 kms fromTullamarine the Battery light came on in the car. On inspecrion, found that the bolt that holds the Alternator to the adjusting bracket to tension it had sheared off. Fan belt still intact but flapping in the breeze. This Belt services Alternator and POWER STEERING... So Arm Strong steering required to finish trip. Thank god Subarus have electric radiator fans.. to cut a long story short we pushed on and have organised the Car Park people who also do car servicing while owners away to fix the problem..
Finally on Plane at 1130 after a long wait in the Departure lounge. As previous flight delayed by late arrivals.
In air just after midday. Had a good very comfortable flight. Landed in Auckland at 1730 Hrs ( 1530 Esdst).
Then had a long wait while the baggage handlers lost then found an entire container of luggage, of course ours was included. This meant we did not get out of the airport until 1900hrs.
Rang our Motel and we were picked up within minutes.
Room very comfortable. Walked up to the local shops and had Chinese for tea.

Have downloaded the few photos I took. For some bizarre reason as soon as Lorraine takes a photo with her camera it makes the SD card unreadable in the SD card reader of the Laptop! Go Figure. Lorraine is writing this ... I took a great photo of the plane we flew on too!!

Well is getting late here and we want to make an early start to pickup camper in Morning, So Good Night all.