Road Trip!!
More pics..!
We met in Taurangi (just south of Lake Taupo) and headed round to Whanganui Rock. Spent 3 days rock-climbing and camping...we had great weather and a nice relaxing time. My climbing has gone seriously downhill which is kind of disappointing, but then I can't expect much having not climbed in ages! Funny thing happened at the campsite (although I wasn't quite so amused at the time) - pigs, yes, as in the animals...oink oink...managed to get into the tent while we were out climbing, and stole my camelback (it had a couple of apples in it, they must have a strong sense of smell) which we found in a mudbath about 500m away. Apart from being disgustingly muddy it was okay, but they managed to destroy my mobile phone - clever little buggers.
Whanganui Rock; view from wall; looking down
We left and went to Taupo for a day (I needed a shower and a real bed...I think I'm getting old), did the quiz at the local irish pub, played mini-golf and strolled around town. I had a run by the lake - really nice walkways follow the lake through park and beach areas.
On to Napier next (Art Deco town) which was a first for both of us. I liked it. Continuing the relaxing theme, we went to the cinema, saw Hitch (quite cheesy, but we both enjoyed it) and had a nice seafood dinner. The next day the weather wasn't quite so good but we had a re-match of mini-golf (PD was desperate for revenge but it wasn't to be...) and then continued the competitive streak at the arcades - air hockey, car racing and Area 51 - a quality hour of fun & games. Then we went shopping, so if anyone thinks PD looks a bit trendier when he gets back to ChCh just compliment him on his sudden fashion awareness. :) Napier was a nice place though...I'd definitely go back there.
On to Hastings which is a bit boring in comparison, but we had a fun night out, and PD even did some karaoke - good effort...no number of drinks would get me up on stage. Visited Cape Kidnappers the next day which was really nice - the weather was brilliant again and the views fantastic. We were a bit late to do the walkway (which supposedly takes 5hrs return and can only be done at low tide) but I started running along the beach as far as I could...reached the point about 1km before the gannet colony, and waded around to get the views - superb. Saw a few gannets and the cliffs and rock formations were magic, well worth the effort!
We drove on to Mahia Peninsula - a truly spectacular area just south of Gisborne. Totally lucked out finding a place to stay - had an upstairs chalet-type room to ourselves for $20 each - quality! Very interesting old couple running the place, with a brilliant collection of ancient trinkets, especially the spoons from all over the world! They had a crafts studio too - he did all the woodwork and she did all the weaving...it was really fascinating and very impressive.
our 'chalet'; Te Mahia Peninsula; view from Gisborne
On to Gisborne for the last day before PD had to go back to Palmerston North (staying with his cousin). Went up Te Kaiti Hill for great views over the bay and out to Young Nick's Head (the point where Captain James Cook first sighted the North Island in 1769, on Endeavor). Had a really nice dinner at the Marina - excellent seafood - and then went to Scotty's Bar for obvious reasons. Actually, it was terrible which was quite disppointing. Oh well!
Dropped PD at the bus station in the morning and headed back to Whakatane via Opotiki - slow but scenic journey. Its been a fun week!
The overview...
Just spent a week with PD, my Irish friend from Christchurch. Spent 3 days rock climbing at Whanganui Rock - beautiful spot on west side of Lake Taupo. Spent the rest of the week being tourists and having a fun, relaxing time! Went to Taupo, Napier, Hastings, Te Mahia Peninsula and Gisborne. Played mini-golf (several times), went to the cinema, arcades (and discovered we're both as competitive as each other), shopping, and out for a proper seafood dinner. Fun stuff...full write-up below!
Cape Kidnappers; Te Mahia; sunset over Gisborne
We met in Taurangi (just south of Lake Taupo) and headed round to Whanganui Rock. Spent 3 days rock-climbing and camping...we had great weather and a nice relaxing time. My climbing has gone seriously downhill which is kind of disappointing, but then I can't expect much having not climbed in ages! Funny thing happened at the campsite (although I wasn't quite so amused at the time) - pigs, yes, as in the animals...oink oink...managed to get into the tent while we were out climbing, and stole my camelback (it had a couple of apples in it, they must have a strong sense of smell) which we found in a mudbath about 500m away. Apart from being disgustingly muddy it was okay, but they managed to destroy my mobile phone - clever little buggers.
Whanganui Rock; view from wall; looking down
We left and went to Taupo for a day (I needed a shower and a real bed...I think I'm getting old), did the quiz at the local irish pub, played mini-golf and strolled around town. I had a run by the lake - really nice walkways follow the lake through park and beach areas.
On to Napier next (Art Deco town) which was a first for both of us. I liked it. Continuing the relaxing theme, we went to the cinema, saw Hitch (quite cheesy, but we both enjoyed it) and had a nice seafood dinner. The next day the weather wasn't quite so good but we had a re-match of mini-golf (PD was desperate for revenge but it wasn't to be...) and then continued the competitive streak at the arcades - air hockey, car racing and Area 51 - a quality hour of fun & games. Then we went shopping, so if anyone thinks PD looks a bit trendier when he gets back to ChCh just compliment him on his sudden fashion awareness. :) Napier was a nice place though...I'd definitely go back there.
On to Hastings which is a bit boring in comparison, but we had a fun night out, and PD even did some karaoke - good effort...no number of drinks would get me up on stage. Visited Cape Kidnappers the next day which was really nice - the weather was brilliant again and the views fantastic. We were a bit late to do the walkway (which supposedly takes 5hrs return and can only be done at low tide) but I started running along the beach as far as I could...reached the point about 1km before the gannet colony, and waded around to get the views - superb. Saw a few gannets and the cliffs and rock formations were magic, well worth the effort!
We drove on to Mahia Peninsula - a truly spectacular area just south of Gisborne. Totally lucked out finding a place to stay - had an upstairs chalet-type room to ourselves for $20 each - quality! Very interesting old couple running the place, with a brilliant collection of ancient trinkets, especially the spoons from all over the world! They had a crafts studio too - he did all the woodwork and she did all the weaving...it was really fascinating and very impressive.
our 'chalet'; Te Mahia Peninsula; view from Gisborne
On to Gisborne for the last day before PD had to go back to Palmerston North (staying with his cousin). Went up Te Kaiti Hill for great views over the bay and out to Young Nick's Head (the point where Captain James Cook first sighted the North Island in 1769, on Endeavor). Had a really nice dinner at the Marina - excellent seafood - and then went to Scotty's Bar for obvious reasons. Actually, it was terrible which was quite disppointing. Oh well!
Dropped PD at the bus station in the morning and headed back to Whakatane via Opotiki - slow but scenic journey. Its been a fun week!
The overview...
Just spent a week with PD, my Irish friend from Christchurch. Spent 3 days rock climbing at Whanganui Rock - beautiful spot on west side of Lake Taupo. Spent the rest of the week being tourists and having a fun, relaxing time! Went to Taupo, Napier, Hastings, Te Mahia Peninsula and Gisborne. Played mini-golf (several times), went to the cinema, arcades (and discovered we're both as competitive as each other), shopping, and out for a proper seafood dinner. Fun stuff...full write-up below!
Cape Kidnappers; Te Mahia; sunset over Gisborne
posted by Mhairi
1 Comments:
Both as competitive indeed..hmmm, don't think so mb! ;) Thanks for crushing me at mini golf, air hocky, that word game I've forgotten the name of, and even car racing. *fun trip* indeed :) Still.. there's always squash (for now ;)
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