Monday, July 16, 2012
Day 1 of vacation!
My itinerary for the week - check out the map:
-Monday,
July 16: Waipukurau to Auckland
a.
11:20
AM bus
b.
Auckland
for the night
-Tuesday,
July 17: Auckland to Bay of Islands
a.
Auckland
city tour with Sky Tower
b.
5:15
PM bus to Bay of Islands
c.
Bay
of Islands for the night
3 -Wednesday,
July 18: Cape Reinga Day Safari
a.
Stay
at Bay of Islands
4 -Thursday,
July 19: Bay of Islands to Auckland
a.
Hole
in the Rock Discovery Cruise
b.
5
PM bus to Auckland
c.
Auckland
for the night
5 -Friday,
July 20: Auckland to Palmerston North
a.
9:15
AM bus
b.
Stay
with Norm from LIC
6 -Saturday,
July 21: Palmerston North
a.
Stay
with Norm from LIC
7 -Sunday,
July 22: Palmerston North to Waipukurau
It felt nice to
sleep in a little this morning, since I was able to finish my blog last night
and pack as well. Becs drove me to Waipukurau to catch the 11:20 AM bus to
Auckland. I booked all of my bus tickets, tours, and accommodations through
Nakedbus.com, which had
some pretty good sales and reasonable rates for buses and hostels.
The first leg of
my journey was a 1-hour trip to Napier city center. I had an hour layover there
where I was able to grab some coffee from Starbucks, take some pictures by the
Pacific Ocean, and look around the visitor center.
 |
| View of the Pacific Ocean outside of the Napier Information Center |
The next bus I rode was to Rotorua and
my bus driver played the movie Despicable Me! He was awesome and I love that
movie. It was nice entertainment too, especially since the weather outside was
rainy and cloudy so there was not much to see. We drove through Lake Taupo and
there was very little visibility, which made me thankful I had such nice
weather the weekend I was there with Sam and Rachael.
 |
| On the way to Taupo |
After arriving in Rotorua
I had my second and last bus switch but only had to wait 15 minutes for my bus. I arrived in Auckland around 9 PM and walked down Queen Street to
the hostel I was staying at for tonight.
 |
| View of Auckland from my hostel |
Although I was on the road for about 9
hours today it really was not bad, between the bus stops and switches and the
movie, it really didn't feel that long. Hopefully the rest of the bus rides
this week will feel the same!
Tuesday, July
17, 2012
Day 2 of vacation
+ SKYTOWER!
After checking out
of the hostel I stayed at last night and storing my luggage there for the day,
I grabbed some breakfast from my trusty Starbucks and walked back down Queen
Street to the bus stop for my tour of Auckland. The tour guide arrived with the
bus around 9 AM and there were only 5 of us total – a nice small group. The bus
driver had lived in Illinois for 4 years back in the late 70’s where he met his wife. He was familiar with the midwest and knew about Wisconsin, so he asked me if I was a cheesehead. Classic!
He took us all around
Auckland in the bus, sharing a plethora of interesting information about the
city and surroundings. We drove past the war museum, and then over the Auckland
Harbor Bridge to a beach across from Mount Rangitoto, where we were able to get
out and stop for coffee. I took the opportunity to walk along the beach, take
pictures, and collect a few shells. The next big stop was the top of Mount Victoria (the highest volcano on Auckland's north shore) for a 360° view of the city of Auckland. It was beautiful! I was so thankful
the weather cleared from the rain yesterday and it turned out to be a warm,
clear, and sunny day.
 |
| Beach along the north shore of Auckland across from Mt. Rangitoto |
 |
| Mount Rangitoto |
 |
| Auckland City skyline - view from Mount Victoria |
After driving back
over the bridge, our bus driver took us to the Auckland Fish Market, where
every day the fisherman auction off their morning catch and sell them at the
market. We ordered fish & chips for lunch (made with the day’s fish
special, of course!) and then had a chance to look around the market. There
were piles and piles of fresh, whole fish just sitting out waiting for people
to buy them! The market also had fresh cuts of fish like smoked salmon and
squid. We enjoyed our lunch along the water and by then it was time for the
tour to be over.
 |
| Freshly caught fish at Auckland fish market |
After the tour I was dropped off at the Auckland Skytower just a block from Queen Street and my
hostel. My tour of the city included a ticket to the top so I was able to get
on the lift and ride the clear-sided elevator up 186 meters (610 feet) to the
main observation deck. The view was incredible! Plus it was clear and sunny so
I could see for miles!
 |
| Auckland city and Mt. Rangitoto in the distance - view from Skytower |
 |
| Auckland Harbor Bridge |
My ticket also
allowed me to go up to the highest viewpoint possible in the skytower, the
Skydeck, so I went up to 220 meters (721.6 feet) and had another look around.
Again, it was a breathtaking view of the harbor and city.
 |
| Mt. Eden (Maungawhau) in the distance - summit of 186 meters (558 feet) - is the highest of Auckand's city based volcanic landmarks |
 |
| I took this picture of Auckland Town Hall through the telescope that was on the Skydeck level |
 |
| Auckland War Memorial Museum |
 |
| View of Auckland and Viaduct Harbor from Skydeck |
 |
| Skytower from ground level |
After I got my fill of the
fantastic views from the Skytower, I went down to ground level and had a look
around the gift shops and other stores on Queen Street. I spent the rest of my
afternoon shopping and then went back to the hostel to grab my bags before I
walked to the bus stop for my 5:15 PM bus to the Bay of Islands. The bus ride
was uneventful and by 9:15 PM I arrived safely at my hostel, "The Pipi Patch" in the small
ocean-side town of Paihia.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Day 3 of vacation – Cape Reinga
Day Safari
This morning came early at 6 AM
while it was still dark out. I got ready quickly and walked the short distance
to the front of the hostel I’m staying at to wait for the ‘Dune Rider’ bus to
pick me up for my day drip to Cape Reinga. While I was waiting I met two girls
from Germany – Anja and Tanja – both about my age. They met yesterday
and are going home soon after working in New Zealand and Australia,
respectively, for most of the last year. The bus picked us up shortly after 7
AM where we met the other passengers – about 12 of them – plus our friendly bus
driver, Dan. We started our trek north out of the Bay of Islands and onto Hwy 1
that leads to the northernmost point of New Zealand, Cape Reinga.
 |
| Our Dune Rider bus for the day |
Our first stop along the way was
at the
Gumdigger’s Park just north of Kaitaia. There
we saw an ancient buried Kauri forest that was unearthed after a farmer tried
to dig a drain through a field for his drops. The first tree was found when the
farmer was digging a drain through a field for his crops and found a giant
Kauri tree worth $500,000 – $1 million lying sideways about 12 feet
underground! Kauri are among the world’s oldest trees (aging up to 2000 years)
and grow up to 50 meters (164 feet) tall and 15 meters (50 feet) around. The native Maori people of
New Zealand used this wood to build items such as boats and houses.
 |
| The first Kauri tree unearthed - left as it was found lying sideways buried underground |
The Kauri
tree produces gum that was used as fire starter and chewing gum by the Maoris.
When I was on my tour in Auckland the tour guide took us to see 200 year old
houses by Mt. Eden that were made of Kauri and many worth as much as $1
million! Kauri trees are protected in New Zealand because it takes so long for
them to grow (many generations) and carvings made by the wood are very
expensive. For more on Kauri conservation:
http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/native-plants/kauri/
Next we completed the first half
of our journey up Hwy 1 to the
Cape Reinga Lighthouse, which was built in 1941. It
replaced the Maria Van Diemen lighthouse (built in 1879) on the nearby island
of Motuopao because the older lighthouse was difficult to access when the seas
were rough. The
Cape Reinga Lighthouse became automated in 1987 so no more
light keepers were needed.
 |
| Anja (left) and Tanja (right) and I at Cape Reinga |
When you look out into the
ocean just behind the lighthouse you can see where the Tasman Sea and the
Pacific Ocean meet in a whirl of crashing waves. The view was breathtaking and
we were able to take the 10-minute trek down to the base of the light house
from the end of the road. Out in the distance I could see Scott’s point, where
the infamous 90-mile beach begins/ends from Cape Reinga.
 |
| The water on the right is the Pacific Ocean and the left is the Tasman Sea - they meet in the middle behind the lighthouse |
 |
| Cape Reinga Lighthouse |
 |
| Scott's Point |
After we had our fill of the
lighthouse (as if I ever could!) we drove back down Hwy 1 about 10 minutes and
took a 3 km side trek out to the giant sand dunes located on the western side
of 90-mile beach. There the bus showcased its off-roading capabilities and
drove onto the wet sand! Once Dan found a good place to stop we were able to
get out and try sand boarding if we wished. He took us to the top of a giant
sand dune and demonstrated how to lay face first on the board with our elbows
in while we slid down this giant sand dune, using our feet to steer and as
breaks. I must admit it was pretty fun and the view from the top was just as
great.
 |
| Dan demonstrating how to sand board |
 |
| The hill we climbed up before sand boarding down |
 |
| View from the top of the sand boarding hill with the Pacific Ocean in the far distance |
Now that everyone had eaten a
healthy helping of sand, Dan continued to follow the wet sand until he
practically drove us straight out into the Tasman Sea! And so began the start
of our drive down
90 Mile Beach,which really is only 55 miles
(88 km). It got its name from the farmers that used to drive their cattle down
the beach and claimed they drove 10 miles every day for 9 days to move their
cattle the length of the beach, which begins at Reef Point (west of Ahipara
Bay) and ends at Scott’s Point (5 km south of Cape Maria Van Diemen). And yes,
we actually drove on the wet, sandy beach of the Tasman Sea while the tide was
down.
 |
| Driving down 90 Mile Beach - in the background is a other famous hole in the rock |
 |
| 90 Mile Beach |
Dan let us stop a couple of times for a short walk to different lookout
points. The second one we came across had tiny shells that made up the entire
beach!
Once we completed our leg of the
90-mile beach, Dan drove our Dune Rider back onto Hwy 1 where we continued south
along the coast. Next we stopped at the
Ancient Kauri Kingdom in Awanui for a short
break, just long enough to clean the sand out of the bus and grab some ice
cream! Our final and last stop for the day was the famous Fish & Chips shop
in Mangonui. We had their fresh fish of the day while enjoying a fantastic view
of Mangonui harbor, perfect ending to a perfect day.
 |
| View of the harbor from the fish & chips shop |
Thursday, July 19, 2012
This morning I met Anja at the
front of the Pipi Patch at 8:30 and we walked
the short distance down to the wharf for our 4-hour Hole in the Rock Discovery
Cruise. Our boat took off around 9 AM and we were off to tour the Bay of
Islands, see the Hole in the Rock, and maybe spot some dolphins along the way.
 |
| Our cruise boat for the morning |
On our way out of the bay we saw
a small seal! He was so cute having a good old time playing in the water
alongside the boat.
After seeing the seal our
captain cruised the boat along amongst the islands for a while before heading out into the Pacific
Ocean to see the Hole in the Rock. You could tell when the bay ended and the
ocean began because the water changed from a dreamy turquoise to a deep, dark
navy blue and the waters got much more choppy. The captain drove the boat right
next to the rock but was unable to drive through the hole because the waters
were so rough. At least we got to enjoy the view!
By the time we left the Hole in
the Rock it was past 11 AM and time for our next stop – lunch on Urupukapuka Island.
There are 144 islands total in the Bay of Islands, 2 of which are privately
owned and 2 of which are open to the public.
 |
| Lunch stop |
The cruise ended back at Paihia
warf and we landed safely at 1 PM. We did not see any dolphins today (most
likely because of the rough water) but the crew gave anyone who wanted one a
voucher that will give the cardholder a free cruise if they ever return to
Paihia. The voucher has no expiration date so maybe I will just have to come
back eventually for a free cruise!
I spent the rest of my afternoon
shopping at Paihia’s small shops along the beach and sharing today’s pictures
with Anja back at the hostel before my bus left town at 5 PM for Auckland.
Again, I had an uneventful bus ride and made it to the hostel okay once I was
in Auckland (I stayed at the same hostel as Tuesday night but had a different
room and different roommates).
Friday, July 20, 2012
I was up at 7 this morning even
though my bus did not leave Auckland until 9:15 AM, but I was not tired and I
wanted to get up to have time for a coffee and some last minute shopping. After
I grabbed some Starbucks, I stopped at a gift shop I had been to on Tuesday for
another purchase, and then made my way to the bus stop. I did not have to
change buses all day so that was nice and the bus driver did a fine job of
letting us passengers know the day’s schedule (like approximate times for stops
and meal breaks). Again, we drove through Taupo, except today it was bright and
sunny so you could see the mountains across the lake. The route we took drove
South right next to the entire east coast of the lake and then down Hwy 1 on
“desert road”, passed the mountains I could see across Lake Taupo while we were
in Taupo.
 |
| Mount Ruapehu |
 |
| Mount Ngauruhoe - AKA Mout Doom in Lord of the Rings |
 |
| Desert Road view of the Rangipo Desert |
At 6:10 PM my bus finally
arrived in Palmerston North, where Norm’s wife Jackie (Norm from LIC that I
worked with tagging all of those cows) was waiting for me at the bus stop. She
met me with a nice hug and I could tell right away it was going to be a great
weekend. Next we drove a short distance to a very nice pub on the main street
and started the night off with some drinks. About a half hour later, Norm, his
daughter Katrina and her fiancé Rob and one of her friends met us at the pub
where we were going to watch the night’s comedy club act. We had a nice dinner
and drinks and I got to know Norm’s family more before the
show started. The comedy show was quite funny and we all had a few laughs. Thankfully neither of the comedians found out I was American…there were plenty
of those jokes already!
By the time the show was over it
was 11 PM and although I had ridden a bus all day, I was tired. Norm and Jackie
drove me home to their house about 20 minutes outside of town, where there was
a nice warm bed and a kitty (Chocolate) waiting for me. Like I said before, I
can tell this is going to be an awesome weekend!
Saturday, July 21, 2012
I was able to sleep in my warm
and cozy bed this morning until about 8. Once I was up Norm, Jackie, and I had
a quick breakfast and then we drove about an hour down the road to visit some
friends of theirs, a couple who own their own free range organic chicken farm.
We arrived at The Willows Organic Farm around 10:30 AM where I met Pauline Blaikie, her husband John, and about half of their 8000 chickens.
 |
| A baby lamb on the farm |
About noon we finished our visit
and stopped at a lookout spot called Stormy Point on our drive back to Palmerston.
 |
| Stormy Point |
In town we picked up Jackie’s mom
and then headed to a local café/gift shop/pottery and garden store for lunch. I
had an amazing warm salad with lamb, plus a coffee and some cake. Next, Jackie wanted to take me
to a local small town – Shannon – to do some shopping. We spent the rest of the
afternoon looking (and buying) some of the articles in the cute little shops
owned by a local designer.
After returning to Norm and
Jackie’s house, Jackie cooked a wonderful supper of chicken and then we watched
a rugby game while drinking some wonderful wine. What a busy but wonderful day!
And now off to my comfy bed for the night.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
I was able to sleep in again
this morning until about 8. Then Norm, Jackie and I had bacon and the eggs that
we got from yesterday for breakfast and Katrina joined us. After breakfast
Jackie took me to meet her friends
Jimmy and Julie Vallender who live nearby and own about
200 charolais beef cattle.
They introduced me to their cows that are going to calve soon as well as the
one calf that has been born so far. Lastly, Jim took Jackie and I to meet his
three
charolais
bulls.
When Jackie and I returned to
the house, Norm showed off his cooking skills by baking me a spicy apple cake
to take back with me! I shared some pictures of home with them before packing
up my things for the ride back to Waipukurau. Norm and Jackie drove me
home and on the way we stopped in Woodville for some lunch at a café. We made
it back to the farm by 4 PM and showed Jackie around Ashton. Then it was
getting dark and time to say my goodbyes to Norm and Jackie as well as my
thanks for providing me with the memorable weekend.
By the end of today there were
about 100 cows that have calved so far this season! I had an amazing week of
adventure but am ready to get back to work tomorrow.
Bring on the calves!
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