Wellington City, New Zealand March 16th 2013

The Wellington Quickie....

Family business completed, time to get orientated with the big city. Suburban Wellington is spread among the hills, quite steep in places as the car meanders down towards the waterfront. On the main road into town with the harbour and jetties on the left, the historic railway station (more later) on the right and ahead, a plethora of glass and steel towers reflecting the afternoons bright sunshine - just like any modern city, Wellington has its fair share of skyscrapers. Its pretty quiet on the roads, surprising since its a major shopping centre, and its a Saturday.

$3 NZD per hour to park by the waterfront, that's the Saturday price, weekday parking is priced significantly higher around here. My hosts are taking me on a quick tour of the waterfront, an hour anyway since that's the ticket we got from the machine. A fresh autumnal breeze tempers the heat slightly along the picturesque city waterfront. we're walking back towards the station, with significant landmarks being pointed out. Museums a plenty, the library for free Wifi, Te Papa - an interactive museum, infact a host of things for tourists, all located around the waterfront and harbour area. Boat racing this afternoon, and later this evening, an Asian night market, could be interesting, but with the hours parking almost expired better head back. Wellington is a relatively compact city, plenty of colonial evidence still exists in the architecture of buildings, street names and the occasional memorial, all there to be explored later.

Next, Mount Victoria as my hosts try to figure out the way up to the view point, a spot they hadn't been to for a few years. Towards Oriental Bay then up some small, windy residential streets. gaining some considerable altitude, looking down on the harbour below. Still further to go, better views I am told. Rolling up to a plateau and a 360 degree view of Wellington City and the surrounds, and the Airport! A Deep blue sea with an equally deep blue sky contrasts with the bright reflections of city skyscraper, rolling hills and distant mountains - just awesome! Oh, and a good view of the cricket - England playing the Kiwi's at the Basin.

Time to head down to lower levels, some warmth and a coffee. Driving away from the city and towards the eastern suburbs, its pretty easy to find a parking spot, free and unlimited time. Its in the suburbs where reasonably priced eating and drinking can be found - sandwich and a coffee is about 4 quid and that's reasonable for New Zealand. Continuing our journey around the coast road, glancing back as the city skyline slips behind a hill. Its a jagged rocky coastline, makes good photos with the contrasting colours. Lyal Bay, the last suburb before having to turn back inland and towards the city once again. A picturesque spot but with added interest. Its right next to the airport, so of course a few souvenir photos of the national airlines planes.

Looks like we're stopping at the Asian Market. Yes, should be an entertaining hour or two as the lion and dragon costumes are pulled onto the performers. Plenty of good food, no Western gunk insight, but of course its not Asian prices!

Family Business, Wellington, March 16th 2013

Family Business…

My hosts have the day planned with some precision it seems, just as well because I really have no idea whats what around here - yes, I admit to not having done a great deal of research!. All I know is the place is hilly, prone to earthquakes and can be pricey. So, first its family business then the Wellington orientation experience.

It’s a scenic drive down to Wellington on the one and only road southbound. Highway 1, sandwiched between the hills on the left and the coastline on the right, also follows the railway line to the nations capital city. First stop, cousin Alayne who I’ve heard plenty about but we have never actually met. On Into the northern suburbs of Wellington, gaining considerable altitude it seems, nose bleed on the way perhaps, ear popping anyway. An autumnal feel about the climate here, cool enough to keep my coat on but not a cloud in the sky - clear deep blue. Here we are, just need to hang around foe a few minutes so we trot uphill towards a parade of shops, actually looks like the community centre with a small wooden church, small food shops, estate agents an a bigger supermarket, much like the British Budgens we see in small towns - no Tesco spotted, not yet anyway.

A moment on tenterhooks as I walk in, last in the line, sheepishly hiding behind uncle and auntie. Its fair to say that Alayne has a larger than life personality, outgoing and a very positive vibe., and me, well some would say the complete opposite! Coffee, biscuits and chit chat, most of the talking though is between cousin and auntie! Ashley, 8 ½ years old and definitely has the personality of her mother Alayne. She’s bright, has an artistic streak an delights in showing me some of her latest drawings. I think she likes her English cousin!

Suburban Wellington

Public Hall

Clouds Roll In!

Uncle Geoff outside Alayne's House

Grandma Ellen with Granddaughter Ashley

Second Cousin Ashley

Cousin Alayne

The Auckland Album - Enjoy the ride 2, March 2013

Enjoy the scenic views on the last leg of this 11 hour journey south to Te Horro.

Pit Stop

Palmerston North

Near Te Horro

The Auckland Album - Enjoy the ride 1, March 2013

Enjoy some stunning scenery as the bus heads on south towards Te Horro. Lookout for the smoking volcano!

On the wrong bus - bye bye

Te Horro, New Zealand, March 15th 2013

The Wrong Bus….

A small delay as there seems to be a passenger missing. Not on the Napier bus, still no sign as this bus pulls out of Taupo station. A scenic rive around the lake, a few campervans scattered around the place and plenty of holiday chalets and I suppose second homes, much like on the British North Norfolk coast. According to the driver, Lake Taupo is the only place in New Zealand where trout can be fished legally. Another 6 hours to go as the bus rolls south towards Wellington, around the lake an with mountains looming in the distance.

“your on the wrong bus”, mutters the driver to a Maori lady who should to be going to Napier. A

British couple also need to be on the Napier bus and the driver pulls over to make some phone calls. So far then, 1 missing passenger an 3 passengers on the wrong bus, with their luggage going to Napier! They all have to get off at the next town, wait 3 hours for another bus back to Taupo to connect with the next bus to Napier - a long day for some, glad I made the right bus!

Next major stop is Palmerston North, about 2 hours from Wellington. Passing through rolling hills, mountains in the distance and a couple of volcano’s here, one puffing out a little steam, nothing to worry about assures the driver. An hour of desert landscapes as the terrain plateaus, downhill from now on. Reaching Palmerston North and a handful of passengers get out, some leaving, others desperate for a ciggy.

Te Horro, a sign but that’s it, except for a roadside café - the only place I can see as the bus stops opposite, some 50 minutes late. Relieved to get off actually, and there he is, uncle Geoff, there to collect me as arranged and rive me to my lodgings for the next 3-4 weeks. “Te Horro is really just a small hamlet“, he explains as we walk into his house and aunty Ellen produces a plateful of spaghetti bolognaise - my favorite, how did they know.