Queenstown - the place for every exciting sport you ever dreamed of ! A population of just under 10,000 permanents but it feels much bigger. I actually had flu for the most of our time here but if you are going to be ill, I would have to recommend doing it in 25 degrees sunshine with truely awesome scenery surrounding you ! On the Friday we did the Kawarau Jet boating (very different from the Shotover). Gives you a full 60 minutes and you get very wet but great fun. Once I got out of bed these days we wandered around the parks etc and just admired wonderful scenery. We did do the Gondola cable car thing on Sunday (I was feeling a lot better) and watched the bungy jumpers, paragliders etc. Ate in a variety of restaurants (I wasn't much into food these days) and found a really nice small hotel to have a pre-dinner drink in, with lovely views across the lake.
We discovered that accomodation the South Island was almost unattainable, car hire was nearly impossible and it was all much busier than normal peak season - so Alex ended up sorting some stuff out - a hire car from Rent-A-Dent - I jest you not ! And the only accomodation he could find for 2 nights when we were going on the Doubtful Sound in a place called Lumsden - but more on that later.
Noticed that the bus stops all had the ability for you to press the number of the bus you wanted and it would tell you how long until the next one !!
Also learned an Irish Maxim (that I've never heard before) which goes - God invented alcohol to stop the Irish ruling the world !
So on that note I'll sign off and try and do another update soon on driving in the Southern half of the South Island.
Hope everybody well
Love Ursula and Alex xx
Wednesday, 21 February 2007
Last 2 days in Christchurch
Sorry for such a delay in doing this !!
So Tuesday 13th Feb we took the bus to the very pretty village of Sumner - an half hour trip or so outside Christchurch. The beach was quite busy with holiday makers and it is the 'surfers' place to go around this area. At night time went to Sticky Fingers 'cos it was so great the first time - was great this time too ! We also caught up with some of the more 'local' pubs to discover that Christchurch with a population of approx 367,000 has all of the same problems that most big towns/cities have. They have just legalised prostitution but still have a street problem - they have a big problem with drink/driving (levels allowed vary depending on your age!) etc but of course most of this is not visible to the tourist.
On Wednesday the weather was truely great - we decided to get a take away salad (yummy !) and have ourselves a picnic in Victoria Gardens. So having passed the teddy bears house where there is a statement from the teddy bears that 'only happy Teddy Bears live here' we progressed to the Park. We sat watching the various people getting punted up and down the river. We wandered to where they had a sundial in the park made of flowers. And then because we knew the cruise ships had visited earlier in the day we went back to the central Square to look at some of the displays for the Festical for Flowers which was on all of this week in Christchurch. I splashed out on a pair of 'Topless Sandals' in the craft market - they have no straps and attach to your feet by being sticky. I will let you know later in the trip how successful they were.
So now it was time to depart and head to Queenstown.
So Tuesday 13th Feb we took the bus to the very pretty village of Sumner - an half hour trip or so outside Christchurch. The beach was quite busy with holiday makers and it is the 'surfers' place to go around this area. At night time went to Sticky Fingers 'cos it was so great the first time - was great this time too ! We also caught up with some of the more 'local' pubs to discover that Christchurch with a population of approx 367,000 has all of the same problems that most big towns/cities have. They have just legalised prostitution but still have a street problem - they have a big problem with drink/driving (levels allowed vary depending on your age!) etc but of course most of this is not visible to the tourist.
On Wednesday the weather was truely great - we decided to get a take away salad (yummy !) and have ourselves a picnic in Victoria Gardens. So having passed the teddy bears house where there is a statement from the teddy bears that 'only happy Teddy Bears live here' we progressed to the Park. We sat watching the various people getting punted up and down the river. We wandered to where they had a sundial in the park made of flowers. And then because we knew the cruise ships had visited earlier in the day we went back to the central Square to look at some of the displays for the Festical for Flowers which was on all of this week in Christchurch. I splashed out on a pair of 'Topless Sandals' in the craft market - they have no straps and attach to your feet by being sticky. I will let you know later in the trip how successful they were.
So now it was time to depart and head to Queenstown.
Sunday, 11 February 2007
Weekend in Christchurch
Just a really quick update on our first 3 days here...
Saturday was cold for us - we went out in t-shirts and 'cos it was only like 17 degrees we both got really cold. Watched the Rugby in the evening at the pub round the corner and the local Canterbury Crusaders (who play in Red) won against the team from Australia known as the Reds !! Is it any wonder I get slightly confused sometimes. Since Alex is having a little lie down, I thought I might impress you with my recently acquired knowledge on Rugby - so the 7's are where this year 16 teams played (it is only played with Southern Hemisphere teams) and they play for 7 minutes a side (until the final when they play for 9 minutes a side (I think)). And the Super 14's is for 14 teams and they play a normal length match (ie 40 minutes a side). I hope you are all dutifully impressed here (unless of course I got it wrong !!)
So Sunday we had a very lazy and totally free day (see what a good Scottish wife I've become !). It was a nice (ie warm) but dull (although UV still up at about 10!) day - so we saunter off with our jackets (which of course we didn;t need) and took the free city circular bus for a spin. The driver we got (a retired gentlemen) took it upon himself to give us a guided commentary as he went - it was great - he also recommended some places to go etc. which we will try out over the next few days. We then were proceeding towards the Botanical Gardens where we knew there was a Summer season play on (also free of charge). En route in Victoria Park however we had to stop and listen to the Riccarton Scottish piper band - all the kilts and bagpipes were out. Then off to the gardens to see 'All of the great Books - Abridged' - which was actually excellent. We meandered back through the Arts & Crafts Fair where a Maori Choir were given a recital (excellent), bought an icecream, watching all the kids playing. I also did laundry, updated blog and phoned Visa to see why my credit card had been rejected !! Their systems were down - so all you IT boys there's an opportunity for you. I was actually reasonably relieved it wasn't for some other darker reason like I'd spent too much (never !) or worse my card had been blagged by somebody else !
Today Monday 12th we took the TranzAlpine from Christchurch to Greymouth (only spent 1 hour here Sarah !) - scenery was beautiful - local lady on the bus on the way back tells me it is truely awesome in June - the middle of their winter and I can believe it.
So over the next day or two we are going to visit some of the locality (as per some local advice), go to the beach etc - weather forcast is 19 and sunny for the next few days. Also intend to do some boating or such like on the Avon. Overall we find Christchurch very 'old English quaint' like - weekends are full of free things to do - they have a pletoria of restaraunts and bars - and we like it a lot.
I have decided that picking photos to put up on the blog is a hassle so I intend to wait till we get home and create a little portfolio - I'm sure you won't miss our smiling faces too much till then !!
I also believe my dearest husband has some notion of adding to this blog by demonstrating how 'blonde' his wife has become - ie updating you all on some very slight, mildly amusing little incidents that have occured - hopefully he will be too busy though !
Hope everybody well.
Love Ursula & Alex
Saturday was cold for us - we went out in t-shirts and 'cos it was only like 17 degrees we both got really cold. Watched the Rugby in the evening at the pub round the corner and the local Canterbury Crusaders (who play in Red) won against the team from Australia known as the Reds !! Is it any wonder I get slightly confused sometimes. Since Alex is having a little lie down, I thought I might impress you with my recently acquired knowledge on Rugby - so the 7's are where this year 16 teams played (it is only played with Southern Hemisphere teams) and they play for 7 minutes a side (until the final when they play for 9 minutes a side (I think)). And the Super 14's is for 14 teams and they play a normal length match (ie 40 minutes a side). I hope you are all dutifully impressed here (unless of course I got it wrong !!)
So Sunday we had a very lazy and totally free day (see what a good Scottish wife I've become !). It was a nice (ie warm) but dull (although UV still up at about 10!) day - so we saunter off with our jackets (which of course we didn;t need) and took the free city circular bus for a spin. The driver we got (a retired gentlemen) took it upon himself to give us a guided commentary as he went - it was great - he also recommended some places to go etc. which we will try out over the next few days. We then were proceeding towards the Botanical Gardens where we knew there was a Summer season play on (also free of charge). En route in Victoria Park however we had to stop and listen to the Riccarton Scottish piper band - all the kilts and bagpipes were out. Then off to the gardens to see 'All of the great Books - Abridged' - which was actually excellent. We meandered back through the Arts & Crafts Fair where a Maori Choir were given a recital (excellent), bought an icecream, watching all the kids playing. I also did laundry, updated blog and phoned Visa to see why my credit card had been rejected !! Their systems were down - so all you IT boys there's an opportunity for you. I was actually reasonably relieved it wasn't for some other darker reason like I'd spent too much (never !) or worse my card had been blagged by somebody else !
Today Monday 12th we took the TranzAlpine from Christchurch to Greymouth (only spent 1 hour here Sarah !) - scenery was beautiful - local lady on the bus on the way back tells me it is truely awesome in June - the middle of their winter and I can believe it.
So over the next day or two we are going to visit some of the locality (as per some local advice), go to the beach etc - weather forcast is 19 and sunny for the next few days. Also intend to do some boating or such like on the Avon. Overall we find Christchurch very 'old English quaint' like - weekends are full of free things to do - they have a pletoria of restaraunts and bars - and we like it a lot.
I have decided that picking photos to put up on the blog is a hassle so I intend to wait till we get home and create a little portfolio - I'm sure you won't miss our smiling faces too much till then !!
I also believe my dearest husband has some notion of adding to this blog by demonstrating how 'blonde' his wife has become - ie updating you all on some very slight, mildly amusing little incidents that have occured - hopefully he will be too busy though !
Hope everybody well.
Love Ursula & Alex
Friday, 9 February 2007
Bay of Islands & Doubtless Bay
Sunday the 4th did some energetic driving (ie no breakfast, stopped for petrol where Alex was allowed to go to the garage shop and get a take out coffee and muffin !). Also helped some poor lady who obviously had never had to pump her own petrol and showed her how it worked - obviously first time in the big city. Got to a tourist office about 70 km from Paihai (Bay of Islands) and nice girl found us somwhere to stay when we got there. Everything very busy because of Waitangi Day on Tuesday - celebration of the birth of New Zealand - and Waitangi is where the Treaty House is where the original Treaty was signed between the British Empire and the Maouri. Neither of us were particularly impressed with Paitai actually - we both thought it was a bit like Blackpool in terms of the feel of the place - smelt of deep fat fryers and had loads of ice-cream shops... Of course the actually bay was stunning. We did decide to book on the Mack Attack for the next morning which is a 1400 horsepower cat that typically goes at about 35km/hr - although it is capable of more. Entire town seemed to go to bed at about 9.30 in the evening which meant we were up bright and early the next morning. After our Mack Attack experience (which was great actually) we headed North to Coopers Bay.
This was in a bay called Doubtless Bay - so called because Cook asked one of his seamen wherther it was a bay or a straight as they passed it to which the young man replied ' Doubtless a bay sir' - hence the name !!
Found a fab place to stay - the 'little touches' were brilliant - eg. reading glasses in case you had forgotten yours, bathrobes decent reading material etc. Location was on the waterfront and all you could hear was the crashing waves at night time - well until it started to rain - which it did about 9.20 that night and didn't stop for a good 48 hours !! We have never seen suck rain - it was kindof amazing in a funny way - and luckily we had intended to have a 2 day laze anyway so it didn;t really bother us. Lots of problems with land slides etc. and the bridge that connected the very nothern tip to the 'mainland' got taken out. Our hosts actually turned up the morning we were supposed to leave and told us the weather was too awful to leave and please stay another night on them !! So we did but we also paid them about 50%.
So we eventually left on Thursday morning when the weather was just perfect again !!
So I got a speeding ticket (yeah - ha ! ha !) for doing 69mph !!
We stayed in Parnell Village in Auckland Thursday night and fly from there to Christchurch on Friday - will try and do an update from here before we leave but it is very pretty - went to Sticky Fingers last night (Bill Wymans restaurant), booked to go on the TranzAlpine on Monday, watched a bride being delivered to her wedding in a punt on the river Avon (which is not names after the English river but the Scottish one !!) And of course tonight we will be watching the rugby the Crusaders are playing somebody - they are the local team !
So finally important Kiwi news - the sheep shearing record was broken last week - it now stands at 721 sheep being sheared in a 9 hour day (think about it - that's faster than 1 per minute)
Weather (apart from our 2 days of rain) is mainly perfect for us - 22ish degrees. UV Index is very high almost constantly 9.4 - 11.6 most days - so lotion slapped on even when there is no sun !
Cemetaries are unbelievably well kept
Feels very safe from a personal security perspective but of course when you ask there are things kept under wraps - that nobody talks about - like domestic violence, kids going to school hungry etc.
Overall road system very good - however they are typically awful drivers - U turns in the middle of major roads are common, sitting in overtaking lanes normal etc.
Well that's all for now - hope everybody well and will try and update by next Thursday when we head off to Queenstown
This was in a bay called Doubtless Bay - so called because Cook asked one of his seamen wherther it was a bay or a straight as they passed it to which the young man replied ' Doubtless a bay sir' - hence the name !!
Found a fab place to stay - the 'little touches' were brilliant - eg. reading glasses in case you had forgotten yours, bathrobes decent reading material etc. Location was on the waterfront and all you could hear was the crashing waves at night time - well until it started to rain - which it did about 9.20 that night and didn't stop for a good 48 hours !! We have never seen suck rain - it was kindof amazing in a funny way - and luckily we had intended to have a 2 day laze anyway so it didn;t really bother us. Lots of problems with land slides etc. and the bridge that connected the very nothern tip to the 'mainland' got taken out. Our hosts actually turned up the morning we were supposed to leave and told us the weather was too awful to leave and please stay another night on them !! So we did but we also paid them about 50%.
So we eventually left on Thursday morning when the weather was just perfect again !!
So I got a speeding ticket (yeah - ha ! ha !) for doing 69mph !!
We stayed in Parnell Village in Auckland Thursday night and fly from there to Christchurch on Friday - will try and do an update from here before we leave but it is very pretty - went to Sticky Fingers last night (Bill Wymans restaurant), booked to go on the TranzAlpine on Monday, watched a bride being delivered to her wedding in a punt on the river Avon (which is not names after the English river but the Scottish one !!) And of course tonight we will be watching the rugby the Crusaders are playing somebody - they are the local team !
So finally important Kiwi news - the sheep shearing record was broken last week - it now stands at 721 sheep being sheared in a 9 hour day (think about it - that's faster than 1 per minute)
Weather (apart from our 2 days of rain) is mainly perfect for us - 22ish degrees. UV Index is very high almost constantly 9.4 - 11.6 most days - so lotion slapped on even when there is no sun !
Cemetaries are unbelievably well kept
Feels very safe from a personal security perspective but of course when you ask there are things kept under wraps - that nobody talks about - like domestic violence, kids going to school hungry etc.
Overall road system very good - however they are typically awful drivers - U turns in the middle of major roads are common, sitting in overtaking lanes normal etc.
Well that's all for now - hope everybody well and will try and update by next Thursday when we head off to Queenstown
Tuesday, 6 February 2007
Freelance Driving in the North Island
Feb 1st
Time to leave Welly and progress in the hire car that we've procured for 8 days ! Thursday we decide to head for Napier but end up sopping at Hastings and staying. Took us just over 4 hours to get here (average about 60 KM/hour - really !!) - in places speed limit is down to 25 km/hr - general speed limit when not on crazy twisting roads/ravines is 100 km/hr. Stayed in our first motel - we have fallen in love with them - basically good quality 4-star accomodation with facilities such as partial kitchen, laundry facilities etc. This first one had a spa bath in each room. Went to dinner at Vidals (a winery). Wine was introduced to us by our Spanish Sommelier friend in Fareham
Feb 2nd
Went to Napier for breakfast and spent a good few hours here - really is the Art Deco capital of the world - they rebuilt the entire place in this style after it got demolished. Then got on the road to Gisborne. Gisborne is the first city in the world to see sunrise (it was mobed 1st Jan 2000). Cook landed here at one stage and names it the Bay of Poverty - 'cos they couldn't replenish his supplies. Stayed at another motel - fantastic views over the water and hughly helpful reception telling us where we could eat atc. By now we are pretty 'fooded out' and are desperately looking for unfussey simple fare. We end up in the Fishing Club of all places - where I got a jacket potato (I'm in heaven) and Alex a burger. Large glass of wine and a pint of beer NZ $7 - divide by 3 for Sterling conversion - and Alex is in heaven !! Popped into Winstons on the way home - apparantly we were too early and the DJ doesn't even arrive until about 11.30 pm - so we mustered onwards to the wine bar/bistro next door to motel where a pianist was playing and everybody was up and dancing. Good fun ! Gisborne is probably my favourite place during the driving experience - Alex liked Napier
Sat 3rd
We now head for the Bay of Islands which we reckon is about a 9 hour drive - so we do about 4 hours and end up in a place called Waihi. Looked a bit like a dump however went to tourist office who directed us to the only hotel in town where we get the last room at the exhorbitant price of $50 (this did not have ensuite facilities). So here I'm talking a blast from the past - it was like being in the Central Hotel in Manorhamilton 25 years ago. The nylon bedcovers, ancient wallpaper - all were in situ. We did have a sink in our room and a kettle (so sort of a kitchette ?!) and on the side board, as the very nice girl who showed us round, proudly pointed out, we had a telly. Wiring to the plugs were interesting and the TV aerial didn't seem to fix the continuous diagonal lines crossing the screen - but then what were we expecting for sub 20 quid a night. Also air-conditioning was optional (you could open the window if you wanted). Also it promised to be quiet - entire place closed at 8pm ! It was built in 1896 by a Scotsman (you could tell !!)
Anyway we then discover much more interesting stuff - this is the town that hosts what used to be the worlds largest producing Gold Mine and still has the gold mine. On this particular evening Helen Clark (NZ Prime minister) is coming to open the 'new' pump house (well actually the old pump house which has been moved from the edge of the mine where it was about to collapse) This move cost $4M and was paid for the the mining company. So results were a party atmosphere and free fireworks display. Also a newly opened bistro with fine dining at incredibly reasonale prices. So all in all entire eveing cost us sub 50 quid including accomodation, drinks dinner etc. Frugal-R-us !!
Think how much I've saved to spend on something else ! (Irish budgeting system still at work !)
This was also the evening when I got my first insect bite (as those of your who know me well there just has to be one in the vacinety and it will find me) Didn't realise it will about 24 hours later when my ankle was all swollen up - jokes about the bed bugs may not be far from the truth ! (Anyway it's better now)
Will update more soon
Love Ursula & Alex
Time to leave Welly and progress in the hire car that we've procured for 8 days ! Thursday we decide to head for Napier but end up sopping at Hastings and staying. Took us just over 4 hours to get here (average about 60 KM/hour - really !!) - in places speed limit is down to 25 km/hr - general speed limit when not on crazy twisting roads/ravines is 100 km/hr. Stayed in our first motel - we have fallen in love with them - basically good quality 4-star accomodation with facilities such as partial kitchen, laundry facilities etc. This first one had a spa bath in each room. Went to dinner at Vidals (a winery). Wine was introduced to us by our Spanish Sommelier friend in Fareham
Feb 2nd
Went to Napier for breakfast and spent a good few hours here - really is the Art Deco capital of the world - they rebuilt the entire place in this style after it got demolished. Then got on the road to Gisborne. Gisborne is the first city in the world to see sunrise (it was mobed 1st Jan 2000). Cook landed here at one stage and names it the Bay of Poverty - 'cos they couldn't replenish his supplies. Stayed at another motel - fantastic views over the water and hughly helpful reception telling us where we could eat atc. By now we are pretty 'fooded out' and are desperately looking for unfussey simple fare. We end up in the Fishing Club of all places - where I got a jacket potato (I'm in heaven) and Alex a burger. Large glass of wine and a pint of beer NZ $7 - divide by 3 for Sterling conversion - and Alex is in heaven !! Popped into Winstons on the way home - apparantly we were too early and the DJ doesn't even arrive until about 11.30 pm - so we mustered onwards to the wine bar/bistro next door to motel where a pianist was playing and everybody was up and dancing. Good fun ! Gisborne is probably my favourite place during the driving experience - Alex liked Napier
Sat 3rd
We now head for the Bay of Islands which we reckon is about a 9 hour drive - so we do about 4 hours and end up in a place called Waihi. Looked a bit like a dump however went to tourist office who directed us to the only hotel in town where we get the last room at the exhorbitant price of $50 (this did not have ensuite facilities). So here I'm talking a blast from the past - it was like being in the Central Hotel in Manorhamilton 25 years ago. The nylon bedcovers, ancient wallpaper - all were in situ. We did have a sink in our room and a kettle (so sort of a kitchette ?!) and on the side board, as the very nice girl who showed us round, proudly pointed out, we had a telly. Wiring to the plugs were interesting and the TV aerial didn't seem to fix the continuous diagonal lines crossing the screen - but then what were we expecting for sub 20 quid a night. Also air-conditioning was optional (you could open the window if you wanted). Also it promised to be quiet - entire place closed at 8pm ! It was built in 1896 by a Scotsman (you could tell !!)
Anyway we then discover much more interesting stuff - this is the town that hosts what used to be the worlds largest producing Gold Mine and still has the gold mine. On this particular evening Helen Clark (NZ Prime minister) is coming to open the 'new' pump house (well actually the old pump house which has been moved from the edge of the mine where it was about to collapse) This move cost $4M and was paid for the the mining company. So results were a party atmosphere and free fireworks display. Also a newly opened bistro with fine dining at incredibly reasonale prices. So all in all entire eveing cost us sub 50 quid including accomodation, drinks dinner etc. Frugal-R-us !!
Think how much I've saved to spend on something else ! (Irish budgeting system still at work !)
This was also the evening when I got my first insect bite (as those of your who know me well there just has to be one in the vacinety and it will find me) Didn't realise it will about 24 hours later when my ankle was all swollen up - jokes about the bed bugs may not be far from the truth ! (Anyway it's better now)
Will update more soon
Love Ursula & Alex
Sunday, 4 February 2007
Windy in Welly
Sun 28th took The Overlander train from Auckland to Wellington - known as Welly by the locals (ex-pats at any rate) - a twelve hour journey with observation deck and viewing platform etc. Main meals were $8 NZ and edible !- obviously they haven't been trained by British rail catering staff !! Arrived Welly exactly 12 hours later - it has been described apparantly as the San Francisco of NZ (New Zealand) - and yes it is very hilly and has a fab bar/cafe culture but I have to say the wind factor (and it is VERY windy) reminded me of Chicago. Wandered on Sunday evening and took the longest route to ground level (discovered later that we had a hotel across the way with lifts to ground level, also they have staircases littered over the city) - well we needed to stretch our legs ! Found the Great India which proved to be one of the best indians we've ever eaten in - nan breads beyond compare and staff that explained all of the ingredients of every dish - impressive !
Monday did the circular bus tour to orientate ourselves, the cable car for the fab views, the Carter Observatory (to hear them snipe about the Auckland one) and the Botantical Gardens which were outstanding - the rose garden was unbelievable. (Pete Hulme eat your heart out !) Eventually grabbed some lunch by the waterfront and sometime later dinner in Logan Browns - this is a definite must do for Wellington - it is definitely in my Top 3 restaurants of all time - it was superb !! By the way we did not fall on this completely by mistake - I hd in fact made contact with a girl from my Irish home town who had emigrated there and she had kindly provided some suggestions of what to do etc.
Tuesday we did (a fraction of) Te Papa Museum - Wellington is the capital and the museum is NZ showcase for doing a museum properly. Free entry and four floors - all of which deserved a whole day each ! We limited ourselved to the foundation of NZ (Land & people (how immigration happened etc)) and a tad of Mauri history. In the evening we met up with Niamh (Irish school friend) and her husband. Niamh had assured us of a nice new place that had just opened only 15 mins from the bar we met in (obviously timed when she was out running her dog - but hey I needed a walk I'm sure !). Niamh and I had not seen each other for about 20 years so obvioiusly husbands were fairly superfulous (sp ??) as we tried to catch up in a mere few hours !
On Wednesday we took the ferry to Eastbourne, came back to Welly and did the Parliament Tour - a one hour (free) guided tour of the buildings and how it all operates. Most interesting was the demoncracy NZ have - it is the only place in the world where ANYBODY may request a hearing on any subject and are guaranteed to be heard. Less than 24 last year - so not largely taken up by the population, however one hearing consisted of a gospel choir who sung their petition ! (And all 25 members or so were accomodated). On the way back we stopped for a coffee and Alex met a girl from Arran (his favourite Scottish Island) - how small a world is it !!
We also discovered on Monday that the entire 16 teams playing in the Rugby 7's were staying in the hotel across from us (the one we used for the lifts). All in the bar at various stages drinking their energy replenishment drinks ! All very young and very fit looking.
Alex has given me a crash course on the 7's the 14's, international games and then the Black Caps etc - with a severe warning to check with him first before opening my mouth !! Apparantly getting the time/number of players mixed up is not good and trying to remember which sport I'm on are very important points - details, details and me on my holidays !!
That's all for now - will try and update again tomorrow with the hiring of a car to go rambling around.
Love to all
Ursula & Alex
Monday did the circular bus tour to orientate ourselves, the cable car for the fab views, the Carter Observatory (to hear them snipe about the Auckland one) and the Botantical Gardens which were outstanding - the rose garden was unbelievable. (Pete Hulme eat your heart out !) Eventually grabbed some lunch by the waterfront and sometime later dinner in Logan Browns - this is a definite must do for Wellington - it is definitely in my Top 3 restaurants of all time - it was superb !! By the way we did not fall on this completely by mistake - I hd in fact made contact with a girl from my Irish home town who had emigrated there and she had kindly provided some suggestions of what to do etc.
Tuesday we did (a fraction of) Te Papa Museum - Wellington is the capital and the museum is NZ showcase for doing a museum properly. Free entry and four floors - all of which deserved a whole day each ! We limited ourselved to the foundation of NZ (Land & people (how immigration happened etc)) and a tad of Mauri history. In the evening we met up with Niamh (Irish school friend) and her husband. Niamh had assured us of a nice new place that had just opened only 15 mins from the bar we met in (obviously timed when she was out running her dog - but hey I needed a walk I'm sure !). Niamh and I had not seen each other for about 20 years so obvioiusly husbands were fairly superfulous (sp ??) as we tried to catch up in a mere few hours !
On Wednesday we took the ferry to Eastbourne, came back to Welly and did the Parliament Tour - a one hour (free) guided tour of the buildings and how it all operates. Most interesting was the demoncracy NZ have - it is the only place in the world where ANYBODY may request a hearing on any subject and are guaranteed to be heard. Less than 24 last year - so not largely taken up by the population, however one hearing consisted of a gospel choir who sung their petition ! (And all 25 members or so were accomodated). On the way back we stopped for a coffee and Alex met a girl from Arran (his favourite Scottish Island) - how small a world is it !!
We also discovered on Monday that the entire 16 teams playing in the Rugby 7's were staying in the hotel across from us (the one we used for the lifts). All in the bar at various stages drinking their energy replenishment drinks ! All very young and very fit looking.
Alex has given me a crash course on the 7's the 14's, international games and then the Black Caps etc - with a severe warning to check with him first before opening my mouth !! Apparantly getting the time/number of players mixed up is not good and trying to remember which sport I'm on are very important points - details, details and me on my holidays !!
That's all for now - will try and update again tomorrow with the hiring of a car to go rambling around.
Love to all
Ursula & Alex
Auckland - without the photos
Auckland - first few days
Wed 24th we arrived in Acukland airport at 04.45 !!!! Yes really - winds were with us or something. Note Air NZ premium economy is exactly the same as 1st class apart from the fullt flat beds - and with Gary to look after us it was a very pleasurable flight ! Nice touch in the airport - free tea & coffee offered from a kiosk - you kinda expect to have to tip for it (especially after coming from the U.S.) but no apparantly NZ city council of Auckland pay for it. (now there's something useful for whatever their equivalent of the council tax is !!)
Evenetually got to hotel about 7am where we were given early check in - in our club room ! What a difference - quick sleep and out to explore the city. Wandered down to Victoria Wharf - loads of bars and restaurants and you could peacefully watch the world go by. (No sign of Becks himself - obviously too busy doing PR in the US). Took Loop bus to reaquaint us with the city - then another quick nap !Rediscovered the Shakespeare microbrewery (Alex wouldn't let us stay there - figured 30 quid a night would be rough - see it's not just me !! - either I've trained him too well or he's become used to the easy life !)) but of course once we saw it we remembered it from last time and they brew their own beer and it's a lovely little place. Went to Soul for late night supper and to the first glass of white wine I actually found to like in NZ - a Pinot Gris !!
Thursday we took the ferry to Waiheke Island and a personalised small tour around the island - tiny island - no running water or sewage - when you buy a property first thing you have to do is provide your own sewage and water. NZ richest man lives there (a mere $30M for his property or thereabouts). I think there were 9 vinyards there and typically rich Aucklanders buy a second holiday home there ! In the evening we went to a Cirque Du Soleil production (Varakai) and it was brilliant - but hten we are fans ! Finished the evening off in O'Carrolls - an Irish pub with live music in Vulcan Lane - trendy little street.
On Friday we though a little culture may be in order and headed for the Auckland Museum. Wow !! It was brilliant - ground floor was dedicated to exploration (the discovery of South Pacific Islands/meaning of Maouri culture etc - I can bore you with all kinds of facts here !), 1st floor to land/geography (volcanoes etc.) and 2nd floor to war. I could not believe how fascinating it all was and there was a lot of 'simplifying' it for the common brain. In the war section for example, they had incredibly detailed information on each war NZ was involved in - with the kind of details you would expect to go to the National Archives (I think !??) in the UK for.
Went to Parnell Village for a late lunch - lovely place - obviously didn't have enough time 'cos our Museum visit overran completely from schedule. (By the way - museum is actually free - they ask for a suggested $5 donation !) The went to Ponsonby for dinner - didn't choose well here although in general restaurants are all very up market and hip !
Have to tell you about the sign I say on the way from the airport - on a big black billboard in white writing it says ' You said you wanted a sign' and it was signed 'God' !!
Today is Saturday and we messed around this morning trying to get computers/Blog pictures updated and next hotel confirmations printed. Then we went off to Victoria wharf again for lunch (Alex tells me it's not so bad being married to somebody whose humour can be vastly improved almost instantly with a mere glass of wine !!)
We are going to the StarDome tonight - Auckland Observatory - to look at the comet and see whichever show is on.
Well that's it for now - off by train tomorrow mrning at 06.30 am to Wellington - it's a 12 hout journey so if I've forgotten anything I'll bore you with it in the next update.
Hope everybody well and behaving themselves !!
Love Ursula & Alex
P.s. Please forgive all typos and spelling mistakes - they are completely all my fault !
Wed 24th we arrived in Acukland airport at 04.45 !!!! Yes really - winds were with us or something. Note Air NZ premium economy is exactly the same as 1st class apart from the fullt flat beds - and with Gary to look after us it was a very pleasurable flight ! Nice touch in the airport - free tea & coffee offered from a kiosk - you kinda expect to have to tip for it (especially after coming from the U.S.) but no apparantly NZ city council of Auckland pay for it. (now there's something useful for whatever their equivalent of the council tax is !!)
Evenetually got to hotel about 7am where we were given early check in - in our club room ! What a difference - quick sleep and out to explore the city. Wandered down to Victoria Wharf - loads of bars and restaurants and you could peacefully watch the world go by. (No sign of Becks himself - obviously too busy doing PR in the US). Took Loop bus to reaquaint us with the city - then another quick nap !Rediscovered the Shakespeare microbrewery (Alex wouldn't let us stay there - figured 30 quid a night would be rough - see it's not just me !! - either I've trained him too well or he's become used to the easy life !)) but of course once we saw it we remembered it from last time and they brew their own beer and it's a lovely little place. Went to Soul for late night supper and to the first glass of white wine I actually found to like in NZ - a Pinot Gris !!
Thursday we took the ferry to Waiheke Island and a personalised small tour around the island - tiny island - no running water or sewage - when you buy a property first thing you have to do is provide your own sewage and water. NZ richest man lives there (a mere $30M for his property or thereabouts). I think there were 9 vinyards there and typically rich Aucklanders buy a second holiday home there ! In the evening we went to a Cirque Du Soleil production (Varakai) and it was brilliant - but hten we are fans ! Finished the evening off in O'Carrolls - an Irish pub with live music in Vulcan Lane - trendy little street.
On Friday we though a little culture may be in order and headed for the Auckland Museum. Wow !! It was brilliant - ground floor was dedicated to exploration (the discovery of South Pacific Islands/meaning of Maouri culture etc - I can bore you with all kinds of facts here !), 1st floor to land/geography (volcanoes etc.) and 2nd floor to war. I could not believe how fascinating it all was and there was a lot of 'simplifying' it for the common brain. In the war section for example, they had incredibly detailed information on each war NZ was involved in - with the kind of details you would expect to go to the National Archives (I think !??) in the UK for.
Went to Parnell Village for a late lunch - lovely place - obviously didn't have enough time 'cos our Museum visit overran completely from schedule. (By the way - museum is actually free - they ask for a suggested $5 donation !) The went to Ponsonby for dinner - didn't choose well here although in general restaurants are all very up market and hip !
Have to tell you about the sign I say on the way from the airport - on a big black billboard in white writing it says ' You said you wanted a sign' and it was signed 'God' !!
Today is Saturday and we messed around this morning trying to get computers/Blog pictures updated and next hotel confirmations printed. Then we went off to Victoria wharf again for lunch (Alex tells me it's not so bad being married to somebody whose humour can be vastly improved almost instantly with a mere glass of wine !!)
We are going to the StarDome tonight - Auckland Observatory - to look at the comet and see whichever show is on.
Well that's it for now - off by train tomorrow mrning at 06.30 am to Wellington - it's a 12 hout journey so if I've forgotten anything I'll bore you with it in the next update.
Hope everybody well and behaving themselves !!
Love Ursula & Alex
P.s. Please forgive all typos and spelling mistakes - they are completely all my fault !
Friday, 2 February 2007
The Auckland Days + photos
Owing to my fabulously technical nature I have just discovered that all of the photos I managed to upload and the update from Auckland - I managed to post to a new blogsite. Since I haven't yet worked out how to move blogs from one site to another I am resorting to giving you the alternative web address to view Auckland and Photos. It is
http://uconnolly-thefirstleg-sanfrancisco.blogspot.com
Sorry for the inconvenience. Hopefully I will get to update the blog from Wellington and the drive up the North Island over the next few days
Hope everybody well
Ursula & Alex
http://uconnolly-thefirstleg-sanfrancisco.blogspot.com
Sorry for the inconvenience. Hopefully I will get to update the blog from Wellington and the drive up the North Island over the next few days
Hope everybody well
Ursula & Alex
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