1 Feb 2010 -- New Zealand, Abel Tasman Kayak Trip

Near Abel Tasman National Park and the town of Marahua we made plans to do an ocean kayak trip. We stayed in our first bed and breakfast and the next day showed up for a guided trip. This was one of our must do events, having looked into doing this while still back in the states.

Abel Tasman was a Dutch explorer. He was the first known European to reach the islands of Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania) and New Zealand and to sight the Fiji islands, which he did in 1643.




The Stables Bed and Breakfast - Out in the countryside.



Our guide for the day and she was very good. Notice she has a single person kayak. We tried to get single kayaks but they gave us a song and dance about safety. Perhaps singles were a status symbol.



Doug and Janet in their huge double kayak.



The kayaks were large doubles. So large in fact, we didn't have to coordinate our strokes, we did anyway. Plenty of storage room so a couple could carry all the gear needed for several days camping.





It was high tide for most of the trip. We were able to go into several coves and poke around. Pulled into one of the beaches and had lunch which was included in the tour package.



Janet took this picture of an unusual (for us) starfish just below the surface.




The tour guide took this one.



The weather was perfect and we hit it just right. We were told that the day before the sea was running high and the tours could not come ashore. This was a full day of kayaking and we enjoyed every minute.



After a day on the water we stopped for a burger near our bed and breakfast. By this time in our trip, fish and chips didn't have the allure it once did.





We split this one for we had been forewarned as to their size. Didn't go hungry. Huge sandwiches.

31 Jan 2010 -- New Zealand, North Island to the South Island.

The ferry terminal in Wellington while waiting to board. We had just turned in our rental car after a week on the north island. The rental car company wouldn't let us take their car to the south. For the ferry we had to make reservations and check our baggage just as one would do for an airline flight.




This is the ferry route from Wellington, the south of the north island to Picton, the north of the south island. In the photo, Wellington is on the right. The little black line is the ferry route.




The sign caught our attention as it was designed to do. Our first stop on the South Island after picking up the rental car.



The Honest Lawyer was a good stop for a beer while recovering from getting lost trying to drive south. We made it but the beer helped.

28 Jan 2010 -- NZ-Gannet Colony

This day we took a Gannet Colony tour out of the town of Napier. A big tractor pulling the wagon and just for fun the guide/driver took us out into the surf to get us just a little wet.



Along the one-way five mile trip on the narrow strip of beach, the guide explained the gannet colony, the geology and lay of the rock formations and cliffs we were seeing.






Just before the Gannets came into view, we got lucky and saw this immature Blue Penguin.



The official government sign.




We were allowed to get close to the colony and the Gannets didn't mind. They just went about their business. Much noise and clicking of beaks. Yeah, smelled like the back of the hen house.



Lots of chicks everywhere




These Gannets are in the Booby family. These birds are plunge divers and spectacular fishers, plunging into the ocean at high speed.



They were flying in from all directions, crash landing. When taking off, would run into the wind on their own Gannet made runway.






Wonder what he's looking at?



He's looking at you.




Those white spots are Gannets. This colony was separate and way below, down very steep cliffs from the colony we visited.

27 Jan 2010 -- New Zealand, from Rotarua going east

Rotarua was inland so after enjoying it there, we headed for the ocean, going east and seeing things along the way. Many sheep on the way to the east coast.



Janet got a NZ Paua shell neckless and she had to try a Paua sandwich. The sandwich didn't meet her expectations, the neckless did.





The longest pier in NZ, the town of Tolaga.



The beaches were soon in sight and we stopped at many. Played here for an hour then went to another.




Janet trying to get wet while trying to stay dry, didn't work. The water was warm, clean and just perfect.




What a great beach. Late in the evening and not another soul around.



Then there was a second bottle. Should have stopped at the first.

25 Jan 2010 - New Zealand, Hell's Gate and mud baths in Rotarua

Couldn't leave Rotorua without seeing Hell's Gate.



We signed up for a mud bath, then took a tour of the back forty to see where the steam was coming from.













Playing in the mud.




Having fun getting dirty.



This was after the mud bath. A shower got the really thick stuff off, perhaps. Clean water looks murky doesn't it, it was.



Had to wash that mud down.

24 Jan. 2010 -- New Zealand, Rotorua

We arrived in Rotorua, still north on the North Island in time for lunch. Big lunch and yes, Janet helped out with this one after her salad.













Dagwood has nothing to brag about.














Typical tourist visiting the former "Taking The Waters" treatment center. Rotorua is centered over a vast underground system of hot springs and the not "so unpleasant" sulphur smell permeates most of the city. Smells like gold to the residents.





That night we enjoyed dinner and a show by an outstanding group of Maoris, the aboriginal people of New Zealand. First we saw the long boat coming up a wide spring fed stream.





Later that night we were taken to the springs feeding this stream to see the "Glow Worms". Not worms at all, but moths. Several more times during our stay in NZ we got to see the glow worms. When it's dark they shine like so many stars.





Maori dinner cooked in ovens underground. Traditional and very good.


















Maoris, a fierce group and not to be taken lightly. Maoris served proudly and with distinction during WW II. Seems the Maoris put the fear into their English opponents during rugby matches using these forceful expressions.














The tattoos on the faces are washable ink but the others are real. As they say in the "olden days", all were real.


The "Chief"