29th February
Did blog from Hamilton but ran out of time since we got 20minutes free and it was all over before I knew it.
Hamilton is quite a pretty place compared to the one at home. Not connected at all.
Main street is called Victoria Street and we went to look at 29 but it was a car park.
The Bay of Islands was fantastic. We were on board a jet boat all day and we sailed among the Islands with all their history. The final thing we did was head right out to Cape Brett and the skipper went into a cave which he said was going to be a hole right through sometime and then to our surprise we went straight through the Hole in the Rock. Quite awesome!
Next day we took the trip to Cape Reinga which is the northernmost tip of North Island. Wendy would like it because it has a lighthouse.
From there we went to some huge sand dunes. They are at least fifty feet high. We got out and the driver produced boogy boards for those who wanted to sand board down. Your Dad went down twice. I think I have a video on my wee camera!
Through the dunes we went to Ninety Mile Beach (actually 64 miles long) and we drove south in the special coach all the way. This was after we had to get out and wait while the coach was towed out of the wet sand and our coach then towed another coach out when they got stuck. Just like Northern Ireland.
We are now in the sulphur area at Rotorua. Your Dad can't smell a thing so you know how much sense of smell he has!
On our way here yesterday, we went to the Waitomo Caves. We went underground and saw stalacmites and stalactites but the most spectacular were the glow worms. We sailed on a boat in the river in the cave and had to be so quiet otherwise the lights would go off. It was just like a very starry night. Beautiful. We then went to Agrodome where we saw the sheep, shearing, dogs and cow milking. As it says in the guide book--- a bit corny but very entertaining. When we came out it was very wet which spoiled our visit to the Wildlife Park. We did see the very shy, rare kiwis in their nocturnal home but it was not very nice walking around. Could have spent more time on a good day.
Today we went to the Te Puia Maori Arts and Crafts Institute and Thermal reserve. We saw the geysers(pronounced guisers)and the hot mud. Sat on a stone to rest and it was lovely for a wee while but was quite hot. Even the paths were hot to walk on. This afternoon we went on a "Duck" tour --- an amphibious land/sea craft built at the end of WW2 for the beach landings. We went into the Blue Lake and another one (forgotten the name for now) and a wee tour round the around the area on land.
Getting ready for our Maori Hangi Dinner and Concert now.
Will let you know how that goes later.
Glad to hear the sale went through OK. Emmotional but one less thing to worry about for MO.
Hope all well and Abi enjoyed her camp.
LOL M&D