The Purple Penguin

Hi! Yes, we’ve been enjoying ourselves. Please forgive any typos – I’m very tired and this keyboard is sensitive!

Right, we left Nelson and drove to Kaikoura which is a wonderful place. Really wonderful. We’ve had the best meal of our trip – if you are ever in Kaikoura go to Finz in South Bay. Yum. The service was excellent, the food was even better, and the whole experience worth every penny.

Kaikoura is nice little place. The dive we did was good, but not what we were expecting. We were expecting seals. Lots of seals which we did see on the rocks. It wasn’t until we got out of the water that they said ‘oh if you want seals you want to snorkle, not dive. You don’t get the seals on the dives.’ Well, gee. If we’d known that before we got in the water we would have snorkled instead! By the time we got out I was far too cold to do any snorkling. But we did have a very nice dive – very like UK diving really with lots of life and kelp.

The next morning we got up early and went out on a whale watching tour. Run very differently from any others we’ve done. It was a large boat and we all sat inside while they raced off to where they thought the whales would be. The crew spotted and we sat inside watching informative slide shows or the map showing where we were, the compass heading, and the depth. We were only allowed to get up and go on deck when the boat had stopped. Interesting. But we saw three sperm whales (and I even got footage of them diving), dusky dolphins playing around the boat, and a seal colony. We also saw wandering albatross! Really nice trip.

We got off the boat and headed out for Hanmer Springs. We only spent the one night there so got there, got checked into our chalet (a whole one bed place to ourselves!), and then headed for the thermal pools where we had a soak for about 2 hours. Then up and off the next day for Franz Josef.

We took a slow drive through Lewis Pass and down the west coast. Stopped to see things and just generally ambled down. Just before Panakaiki (the pancake rocks and blowholes) we saw Joe’s penguin sign – a little penguin in a yellow diamond. Yes we have photos. And photos of Joe standing in front of it. We drove very slowly the whole 10Km but didn’t see any penguins.

Panakaiki was interesting and we were watching Hector dolphins off the coast more than the rocks. Well, the rocks don’t move much. Also saw loads of birds. Then we went to Hokitika where they have loads of greenstone shops. Had a quick look and ended up in the supermarket getting lunch for the following day (today).

Got to our place to stay and found we are in a tiny little room – from our own nice chalet to a tiny room barely big enough for a double bed! Oh well, the bar had happy hour.

Then we were up far too early this morning after last night and off for a full day glacier walk. This was hard work! But fun. Climbing the face of the glacier was difficult – the steps were huge. But it doesn’ t half cure a hangover.

Right, this place is closing and the poor bloke wants to go home. So more update later and hopefully some flickr photos uploaded!

Now in south island and so far so very very good.

The ferry is nifty and the trip over is lovely. I kept hearing that Cook Strait was nasty but it was quite calm. We did see the big dark clouds over the south island though. Going through the sound is beautiful and Joe took an entire roll of film.

I did say that as every thing says Nelson is the sunniest area of NZ that we would have rain and yep, we’ve had rain. But it was a lovely drive to Nelson (and I must say that the ferry terminal in Picton is much nicer than the one in Wellington!) We went along the coast – little twisty roads climbing and going down into bays. Very nice drive.

I think we got a car upgrade though as this one is much bigger (we can fit everything into the boot!) Still I’m getting used to it.

So lovely dinner last night. Our hotel is way out, between Nelson and Richmond (yep, little town called Richmond!) probably a touch closer to Richmond. So we have to drive everywhere. But we headed to a place called Waterfront and had the best seafood platter – prawns, scallops, crab, white fish, salmon, and mussels with new potatoes and a very good salad. Lovely food and nice people. We also had a huge pudding – Joe had the upside down apple pie and I had the passionfruit and lemon meragne. Very nice but very large.

We haven’t said much about food – so far so good. It’s all been good if not excellent. Lots of seafood, some venison, lots of lamb, and steak! Though I’m still getting used to the idea of serving pesto with toast and eggs in the morning. Of course we’re blowing the budget on good meals! (Joe just asked ‘what budget? We have a budget?’)

Today we were off to go diving. A place called Pupu springs (it’s full name is longer but I don’t have it here). Our cave dive and drift dive were off – the path and steps to the cave dive were being worked on so we couldn’t get to it. Fish Creek is empty of water, so not much good for diving! But the springs were lovely. Very very clear water, very very cold clear water. There were trout, dancing sand in the springs, dancing rocks, loads of little crayfish, and I saw a small eel! Up close and personal even. We managed to spend about 40 minutes in the spring so a very nice dive. Though they do have pretty strict rules – only four divers at a time (there were only three of us so no problem) and you can only spend 15 minutes in the spring. We were the only three divers there so we had no problems – we’d come up and check to see if anyone was waiting, there wasn’t so we went back in. Joe got some good photos and video!

Speaking of which, we do promise to try to find a place to upload photos! It just takes ages and not every internet cafe will let us do it.

Yes, we have been traveling and not able to get to an internet connection. No really, no electricity, no nothing. Honest. Well, ok, so we were having a great time and sort of neglected to check for internet places.

The concert and dinner was fun. We had a good time, enjoyed the dancing and singing and had a good dinner. The next morning we went to the geysers and crafts centre. That was good – walked all over the park looking at the mud pools, hot pools, river, and geysers. We then drove to Taupo to have a look at NZ’s largest lake. Joe got out of the car, took a few photos, and said ‘right, we’ve done this then’. I thought it was quite nice.

Then we drove to Napier which is a lovely place. The town was pretty much destroyed in 1931 by an earthquake and was then rebuilt within 18 months using all the latests designs and techniques. So it’s a beautiful Art Deco town. The first night we walked into town and ended up in a Spanish tapas place. Had an excellent meal.

Next day we spent the morning doing the Art Deco tour of the town and walking about. Then in the afternoon it was wine tasting in Hawkes Bay (can you tell this was my sort of day?) We had to introduce ourselves in the mini-bus on the wine tasting tour (8 of us and the guide) and say what wine we liked. Joe introduces himself then says ‘I don’t drink wine’. There’s always one in every tour! The guide broke the news to him that he was on a wine tasting tour and pretty much stuck. But we had a good time. Joe would listen to the information about the winery then when the wine was poured, disappear off. Of course, one of the other women from London came over to me and said ‘keep him around and you’ll get double the tasting!’ Now I know quite a bit more about 5 wineries in the Hawkes Bay area – definitely like it!

The drive to Wellington was nice – right through a gorge which was lovely. But pretty much the scenery has been very much like home with farms and lots and lots of sheep and cattle.

Wellington is lovely. We rode the cable car yesterday to the Botanical Gardens and a view over the city. Had a coffee in the cafe at the top. Today we went to the main museum which was great. Lots to do and see and quite tiring.

Tomorrow we’re off early to return the car and take the ferry over to the south island. We get another car once there and are off to Nelson. Freshwater diving the day after!

So, the dive on the Rainbow Warrior was cancelled. Not enough people on the boat apparently. There we were first thing in the morning and our main dive is cancelled. Gutted doesn’t even begin to describe it. However, the nice woman in the dive shop rings her mate who runs dives to the wreck out of Matura Bay and he can take us. Hooray! So we have to be at the bay by 1.30 in the afternoon as he has to finish work before taking the boat out. Luckily we’d been to the memorial the day before so we knew where to go. Now we have a morning to spend in Paihia.

So we went for breakfast and checked out the little shops and town. Also saw a nifty looking ‘Aquarium, restuarant, bar’ nice place for dinner thinks us. And after a wander through the place we head off for the bay.

We had a nice drive to the bay and then went on a different route to see the sights and over looks. Beautiful roads, beautiful bays, wonderful drive. We got to the place (a holiday park on the beach) a bit early so spoke to the woman in the shop there. We bought a couple of t-shirts and wondered about the diving when the woman asked what time we were suppose to show up. When we said half past one she smiled and said, oh you’re very early as he’s always a bit late. Hmmm. We drive in and see a small motor boat. Hmmm again. Yep, that’s the boat. The one hooked up to the tractor with bits hanging off.

Everyone finally shows up and the good thing is there are only 6 of us going diving. So it’s a peaceful dive. But it is a small run business – just the bloke and his son. And if we hadn’t been pretty experienced, confident divers this would have been a scary experience. But in all he’s really nice and the trip went well. We got out to the wreck and, despite ear problems, got to do our dive.

The Warrior is a wonderful dive – full of life and small enough that you can really see what you are diving. The statue that was put on her in July is already starting to be covered with life. And the fish are not shy – they come right up to you.

We skipped the second dive as we both had problems clearing. Probably shouldn’t have done the first dive but that was one we couldn’t miss!

Back to Paihia very late however; took ages to get the boat out and sort things. We had to rinse all the kit and get it all packed away and chat to the dive operator. He obviously does it for the love of diving and not for the money. So we got back to Paihia well after 8pm.

Into this nice posh restuarant looking like something the cat dragged in (both of us looked like we’d just surfaced from a dive – funny that). But they sat us and fed us. We were in 35 South which is right on the wharf and has huge aquarium in the centre. Lovely place and the food was wonderful (right, who dreamed up maple syrup whiskey? Canadians? But it is very nice over venison) but the service was quite slow. Still we enjoyed dinner then off to the room to sort kit. By this time it’s night and I’ve not seen the southern sky at night yet. So we grabbed a couple of g&ts, head down to the beach, find a bench, and sit and watch the sky and waves while having a drink. Very nice ending to a fun sort of day.

Today was simply a driving day – straight down to Rotorua and our hotel. We’re off out tonight for a concert and dinner – traditional Maori concert and dinner!

Well, today we are in Paihia getting ready to dive the Rainbow Warrior tomorrow. Hopefully go better than our Poor Knights dives.

To answer some questions:
Was Joe surprised? No, not really. With what we had to get for the trip he guessed New Zealand.

Does he like it? Is it good? Etc. Yep.

Any surprises left? Yep, he has no idea where we’ll be spending Christmas, his birthday, or new year’s eve. 🙂

Did we get photos of the baby penguins? Yep. Not very good, but we got a photo.

Have we seen penguins other than in aquariums? Yes. Little blue penguins on every boat trip. Cute.

Today we have seen loads – Drove from Tutukaka to Paihia today in the rain. It has rained off and on from drizzle to downpours all day. Bleugh. But we’ve had such lovely weather I guess we can’t complain too much.

On the way we stopped at a little place called Kawiti Glow-worm Caves. Family run and you get to walk through the cave then out through the forest. Pretty nifty and glow worms look good – like green stars. We also saw eels in the creek that runs through the cave. The guide tells you about her family, the cave, the history, it’s pretty nifty.

Reached Paihia and couldn’t quite check in so we walked around the town, sorted out the diving for tomorrow, got lunch, that sort of thing. Then sorted out our room. Another nice place. Then we headed out to drive to the Rainbow Warrior memorial. What you don’t get told is that the memorial is down a gravel road with no signposts and then you have to climb to get to it. It’s way up on the hill which is great for the views. And the rain held off until we were back in the car! So we climbed to that and had a look at where we’ll be diving tomorrow.

On the way back to Paihia we stopped at the Haruru falls which are quite pretty. It’s a kiwi reserve as well, but we weren’t lucky enough to see a kiwi.

I have uploaded some photos (only about 5) to flickr with the tag ‘Joe Kathleen trip NZ’. Or you can try this link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/12819735@N00/sets/1514111/
Not sure that will work but give it a go!

Right off to dinner and various stuff before up far too early to dive the Rainbow Warrior!

I can now highly recommend Dolphin and Whale Safari out of Auckland – right next to the NZ Americas Cup sailing experience. They were great. Of course, we also ended up with a great day out so I may well be biased. We did however have a group of students on board and they weren’t too interested so that was a bit of a downer. But overall the trip went really well.

Just out of Auckland and we came across a pod of common dolphins that played around the boat. Wonderful. It helped that I grabbed a spot right on the bow. Greedy thing that I am. So watched them for a while then headed out looking for whales. And boy did we ever find them. Definitely saw Brydes and more common dolphins, but also saw plumes along the horizon that were possibly Fin whales. Not blue as we didn’t see any fluke. But the best thing ever was the feeding – dolphins, whales, gannets diving, the whole Blue Planet experience. And of course I couldn’t figure out the video on the digital camera and even forgot I was holding the stupid thing for a while. Oh well. It was wonderful.

So Joe and I are well sunburnt and very happy! Last night in Auckland and we went to the pub round the corner from our hotel and had a very nice meal and excellent drinks. All local booze so far and it has been very nice indeed.

Picked up the rental car this morning and off out of Auckland – once we finally found the highway. They don’t really believe in road signs. It was a beautiful drive up north and we are now in Tutukaka in a really great place called Malibu Mal’s. We have a whole suite to ourselves with kitchen and washer and everything. I’m wishing we were staying longer!

Tomorrow we are off diving. We’ve been to the dive centre to do all the paperwork so up early tomorrow and onto the boat. Poor Knights – which I keep being told is wonderful so we are looking forward to it.

Will update as we can and sometime will get some photos onto flickr. We’ve taken enough! We are checking e-mail, but may not be replying – any questions may get answered here!

Waiting for Joe to swallow a tablet – we’re off whale and dolphin spotting. So long boat trip.

Yesterday: Walked around the harbour area and looked at the cruises in the harbour/bays. Saw the dolphin and whale tour heading out and went and asked for info. We were thinking a short trip out but nope, they go out for most of the day and we’d just missed the boat. So we booked for today.

Then headed for the bus station and Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Experience. That was nifty – lots of penguins and even baby penguins (everyone say ‘awwwww’). We then walked back to Auckland stopping by a little restuarant/bar for a small lunch. Sat eating and looking over the bay – lovely. Walked along the waterfront and stopped to pick up some odds and ends then back to the hotel to get ready for dinner. First day in NZ and we’re sunburnt. 🙂 Weather is lovely – bright sunshine and about 22 degrees C. Lovely.

Orbit is nifty – we got there as the sun was going down. So lovely to sit and eat and watch Auckland light up below us. The food was indifferent, service excellent, and view fantastic.

The internet cafe is interesting. Rows of machine with people playing networked games. I think we’re the only ones on the internet – everyone else is playing World of Warcraft!

Don’t know when we’ll update again. Off tomorrow morning for other parts of NZ and I’m still keeping poor Joe guessing.

Hi all! We are here. Arrived yesterday afternoon – over an hour late but we arrived.

The flight was long – very long. During most of the flight had no idea what time it was or even what day it was. Knew where we were, could see that on the flight information, but time? So we sat and ate and watched films and ate and dozed and played games and sat and sat and sat.

I have now officially been to Australia! Hooray. OK, two hours (more or less) in Melbourne airport. Still that’s Australia.

We went out for our first meal in NZ and had . . . Japanese. Yep. Little place near the hotel which was wonderful.

Joe’s bit: After a long flight changing in Dubai and Melbourne; yes Kathleen can now not complain that she’s never been to Australia. We arrived in Auckland. Got a shuttle bus from the airport to the hotel. Pretty days and we’re not feeling too bad. Checked in, quick shower and change after over 24 hours in the same clothes. We then wandered around the block and had some nice food and then back to the hotel and crashed out about 7:00!

This morning’s report: Got up and did the boring getting ready for the day (and Joe will insist on breakfast). Then off to the Sky Tower which is nifty. There’s a glass floor in the lift so you can watch the floor disappear way way way below you. We went right up to the Sky deck and took loads of photos. We are lucky – the weather is sunny and blue sky, barely a cloud to be seen, and even sort of warm. Then made reservations for the restaurant tonight – we’ll go up and watch the sun set then have a nice meal while watching Auckland spin slowly below us. Now we’re off to the harbour area.

We are packed and ready – off tomorrow evening. Joe still claims not to know where we are going so hopefully still a surprise. Of course he’s pacing about driving me crazy. So it goes.

We managed to fit everything into our bags. With minimal sitting on the bag to close it! So clothes for the trip, including warm weather things, and all our dive kit including dry suits.

Will post when we arrive (if we can)! We now have a flickr account for photos so hopefully can just post links to photos. I’ll put the tag ‘joekath trip’ on each of our trip photos – hopefully this will make them easy to find.