Flew in First Class to Auckland (used all my frequent flyer miles). Auckland is a nice city with nice harbors but just another city and one day was just fine. Sailing the America's yacht was a lot of fun and not a bad idea to start off the trip. Hotel was just fine for the night. For some
reasons they didn't know how to put the bathroom door in the right way. It was a brand new hotel and near the piers.
Got the car from National the next morning and took off up to the Bay of Islands. The car was nice and clean. The drive was pleasant and scenic.
Arrived at the Scenic Circle Bay of Islands Hotel and thought the place was
nice with a good size pool. It was quiet in the town at that time. The weather was nice. Got pulled over by the police on some unsealed back roads
for not being in the correct lane. Told the officers that "Since there were no markings I thought it was a one way road". They gave me directions and told me to let them go first, nice guys huh? Took a "90 Mile Beach Tour" with
another group, forgot the name of the company. It was a smaller group which I preferred. It was a lot of fun, surfing the sand dunes, riding the beach and seeing the light tower with the two oceans meeting. Met a person on the tour that I would meet a few times later in other places.
Started the next day to the Coromandel's. I drove along the west coast of the Coromandel's and was that scary. Besides being on the left side, the edge was right over the bay, cars coming the other way and 15K hair pin turns! Wow, that was an experience. When I got to the Aotearoa Lodge & Tours they thought I needed a drink. The Lodge is very nice and the people very friendly. Met some local Moire people and had drinks in their home that night. The Inn keeper was worried when I got home late that night, thought that was funny. The next day, it was cloudy, took a Zodiac boat ride around Mercury Bay on a sight seeing tour. Than I went to the Hot Beach, pretty cool how people sit in a pool of hot water on the beach. The town was a bit quiet, the storm before the Christmas break.
Drove the next morning to Waitomo and stayed at the Waitomo Caves Hotel. I wouldn't really say that was a great hotel. The place was scary and the bathroom a bit moldy. Didn't feel comfortable there. Anyhow, I jetted out
the next morning quickly and went to the Caves. I had a great time there! Glad I waited for my cast to come off because we were rappelling down caves, fast gliding, squeezing through holes and climbing water falls. It was great!
Showered at the site and jumped in my car to Rotorua. It was raining the two days I was there. The hotel is nice and clean just the smell of sulphur can be overpowering. I went to the Hangi Dinner and was chosen the village leader :) Nice dinner but kind of too touristy for me. Oh, got stopped by a cop at night for not wearing a seat belt this time. The next day I was going to go parachuting but it was rainy so I went to the Spa for hot spring pools
and a massage. Gooooood massage. Met up with a person I met at the Bay of Islands and we had dinner.
Went to the airport dropped off my car and jumped on an earlier flight to Nelson. The agent said I had time to park my car and get on the flight within 30 minutes! I was stunned. Nice flight over to Nelson via Wellington.
Arrived at Cambria House and it was a very, very nice B&B. Better than the hotels, the breakfasts were amazing and the host fantastic. The house is very clean and very comfortable.
Got picked up the next morning by a coach to Able Tasman. The tour usually has up to 8 people and 4 Kayaks with one guide. My trip only had me and another woman from Canada! It was just us and the guide. We fought the Tasman Seas and had a great time Kayaking and Camping out by the beach. This city boy learned how to pitch a tent and camp out. The guide prepared the best
dinners, breakfasts and lunch for us. We even had wine!!! It was a great time and a great experience.
Three days later I showed up at the door of the Cambria House and was that place a sight for sore eyes. The hosts were very nice to me and took care of my room so it would be ready when I got back. That night, my fellow Kayaker called me to go see a movie in Nelson, her treat! Saw Mystic River.
Budget delivered the car to the B&B and I was shocked!! They said they don't do that to often. I was kidding about a sports car but when I went to load my car, it was a Mitsubishi Diamante! Sports car with spoilers and all. Scared a big sports on small NZ roads. Took off on my long ride to Fox Glacier and it was a long ride. I stopped by Punakaiki and took some pictures and enjoyed the ride down the coast. The beaches were amazing with the powerful waves. Arrived at the Te Weheka Inn and it was a very nice place. Met an American at the PC and we later met in another place for dinner. Did laundry and camped
in.
Got up and we had a beautiful day for the Glaciers. We hiked up the side of the mountain and than onto the blue ice. It was interesting and fun. Too bad
the Glaciers seem to be deteriorating. After a dozen pictures, jumped into
the car and went towards Wanaka, the wrong way. Had to double back 40 minutes back up the mountain :( Wanaka is really nice. The Edgewater Resort Hotel was another winner. Just on the lake it was very peaceful, nice quit town with some excitement. Rested up for the next day.
Got up and drove over the Crown Range and it was a nice drive. Went slow to take it all in. Arrived in Queenstown and the Mercure Grand St. Moritz is another nice hotel. The room was very nice, just that the place was on top of a hill. Guess it was an omen of what was coming. Went to the briefing on the Routeburn walk and realized I needed hiking clothes! Ran out to a sale going on at Khatmandu and bought stuff. Met my two new friends in Queenstown for dinner and a night out.
Got up early and went to the coach to the start of the Routeburn walk. I was not all that thrilled about carrying a ruck sack and climbing up mountains. After the first day I was tired. They took care of us nicely with nice dinners and accommodations, showers! The next day it rained and we still hiked. I started to have fun in the rain and when I got to the top of the mountain actually felt great with the wind, sleet and terror as you walked along cliffs. I had a great time and the city kid finally learned to hike. The guides were great and they even kept my pace.
After the third day came back to the St. Moritz and rested up. Did some Jet Boating the next day but not as exciting as the walk. Guess I did the boat cuz I was there. Didn't get a chance to parachute nor bungee jump but thought
twice about the bungee jump.
Caught my flight out to Melbourne and had a great time visiting my friends and spending Christmas with them.
Thank you for helping me out with the trip and tan!
Ken Chin – DEC 2003
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