DAY 4: Taupo to Napier

From NZ - DAY 4

UPDATE: NAPIER -- I left Rotorua in the morning heading south toward Taupo with the idea of hitting a few thermal related sights on the way.

My first stop was Huka Falls (pictures are in my Day 4 Album). It was a very refreshing first stop because the spray of the waterfalls was in the air on the bright and warm day. Just think about that spray hitting your face in the morning looking at some amazing sights.

The falls was not entirely impressive but the flow of the falls was unparalleled with anything I have ever seen before.

My next stop was at the nearby Volcanic Activity Center. I learned a few things about volcanoes that I did not already know include what a “lahar” is. I also learned about the local volcanoes and there most recent eruptions.

According to what I learned at the center, New Zealand is basically split down the middle by two tectonic plates that are rubbing up against each other creating a string of volcanoes in the country.

New Zealand is located in the volcanic ring of fire in the pacific if you didn't already know that.

Anyways after the short time at the small but very informative center I headed to check out a natural thermal area, Orakei Korako Cave and Thermal Park, a few miles away.

From NZ - DAY 4

Orakei Korako Cave and Thermal Park was quite nice (check the album for pictures). It was a fun walk through these different thermal areas and into a pretty cool little cave.

After that fun I hit the road for Napier. It was a rather long drive through some of the most rural areas of the country. It was nice to be out in the middle of nowhere on my own schedule.

At one point I needed to stretch my legs so I pulled off at a scenic point. It didn't seem like much from the tiny sign. When I got to it I was absolutely astounded by the magnitude and grace of the waterfall I found. It was amazing that there was very little notice of this waterfall anywhere in the literature I saw about the area and also read in my Rough Guide.

From NZ - DAY 4

It was amazing. I could have so easily missed it. It makes me wonder how many wonderful things I am missing along the way.

I arrived in Napier in the evening and took a walkabout around town after checking into a nice little hostel near the waterfront.

It is a nice quiet town, that has plenty to do. I definitely enjoyed the vibe of the community, which proclaims to have seen the first sunrise of the 21st Century.

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NAPIER -- Just settling down in a hostel in Napier tonight. I just walked around town and it seems pretty cool.

I may stay here another night but have yet to decide. There is a fair amount to do tomorrow, so we will have to see.

I will give you the details on my day later when I have better internet access and can give you some pictures. Stay tuned.

Everything is well here so far. Cheers.

I Had to Eventually, Right? Sheep Picture Day

From NZ Day 3

ROTORUA -- This picture was taken outside of Rotorua. The sheep posed perfectly for me for about five minutes. Good sheep. I got some other wide shots that I like as well, but this is a pretty decent sheep shot.

DAY 3: Tramping in the Waimangu Volcanic Valley

From NZ Day 3

ROTORUA -- Above is a picture from the Echo Crater in the Waimangu Volcanic Valley.

I took a three hour tramp through the valley today. It was long and arduous. Most of it was easy except this one section which went up and over Mount Hazard. I think it is named after a local who died in the the last eruption here in 1886, but it certainly could have meant hazardous.

It was rough and took a lot of out of me. My legs got a good workout but it should be good training for the coming weeks.

The tramp ended with a boat trip around Lake Tarawera. There are springs and geysers everywhere in the valley.

There is a really interesting story that I learned about later in the day by visiting the Rotorua Museum of Art and History.

Apparently there use to be these terrace type steps (like those in Yellowstone) that were created by the minerals in the volcanically affected waters. Anyways they created natural pools where people could bath as well as they just looked darn cool.

Well apparently there were two of these -- a pink one and a white one.

That was before 1886 when the last eruption occurred and wiped them out. There is some interested Mauri (native) legend about this eruption as a prophecy.

It is an interesting story if you look into it. It also says a lot about Mauri and the relationship with colonialists.

Not pleasant, but not as bad as what happened to Native Americans.

Anyways... so in 1886, these terraces, which had become a worldwide tourist destination were wiped away by this massive eruption that also killed 120 people.

Later on the hot waters were sold as "cures" for numerous ailments and people flocked to get "treated" at a bath house in a rebuilt Rotorua. This was the place where the Museum is now located.

The museum gave you a great in and out look at the operation. Much of the museum still had remnants of the baths.

Other parts of the museum displayed Mauri culture, which I knew nothing about. It was great to finally get an idea the real New Zealand Heritage.

There are some pictures in my Day 3 web album that you can check out from my tramp and the outside of the museum.

As a side note there were resplendent lawns in front of the museum which people were using to play crochet. I found that amusing.

After that I found myself checking into a hostel in town. I did not really plan to stay here tonight, but this is a pretty cool town.

I had some brew and food at an Irish pub that was nice while I watched the U-17 Women's World Cup Football match between the U.S. and Germany. Germany was winning when I left.

Anyways that is about it. Tomorrow I am heading south to Taupo for more adventuring.

I am ready to leave the sulfur smell behind. The entire town smells of sulfur. The only good part of this is that you do not have to worry about how bad you smell after a three hour tramp.

Cheers. Hope everybody is well in the motherland. Weather here is amazing!

Day 2: The Coromandel Peninsula

From NZ - Day 2

TAURANGA -- Today I spent most of my time getting in and out of my car. I did a lot of driving. I drove the Thames Coast Road, which is quite curvy and beautiful.

In some parts it reminded me of the Oregon Coast (thanks for making me think about that the other day Beth).

I took the picture above along that road at one spot. You may not be able to tell right off, but these were two blokes fishing. I heard it was quite good that day because of the calm waters.

The weather was great. Warm and sunny. I had to use the air conditioning in the car and got a bit of a sun burn -- mostly because I am Wisconsin winter white at this point.

Anyways the tan is coming. Right now I am mostly red on my right side (my driver's side). Driving was much easier today. The roads are good. There were also fewer people on the roads which made things more relaxing. I still go to the wrong side of the car after stopping sometimes but it is starting to sink in.

Anyways after the Thames Coast Road I found myself in the town of Coromandel, which is very touristy.

I ventured there because I was seeking the Driving Creek Railway, a small rail that goes up into the hills. It was built by an eccentric artist.

There are pictures in my Day 2 photo album. You can view them by clicking here.

After the rail trip up the hills I hit the road again and tackled the other coast of the peninsula via Tairua, Whangamata and Waihi.

I have settled for the night in Tauranga at a hostel. Its a pretty nice place so far. It is a short walk to a host of pubs, cafes, and eateries. I took advantage of them for my first brew in NZ. The fact that it was $7.50 NZ was quit shocking, but it was a ocean front posh pub and in NZ dollars.

It was a dark beer that was delicious.

After this update I am plotting my next day down under. I am thinking that I will be headed to Whakatane to catch a lift to White Island a volcanic hot spot.

On the Road to Coromandel

AUCKLAND -- I am off to the town of Coromandel as my Rough Guide tells me that there is a cool train that weaves through the hills there.

After that I am heading toward Tauranga to find a stay in a hostel there.

Making Fun of President Bush

AUCKLAND -- I am watching a morning show on Channel 3 and they are openly making fun of President George W. Bush. This is a pretty mainstream channel and program from what I can tell but still they are just chuckling about Bush not being able to sell his memoirs.

"It is probably a picture book," one anchor tells another with a laugh.

"It could be the next Harry Potter," the other says back.

This is quite amusing.

UPDATE: They're back on it. They just called him a "monkey" and are having an e-mail contest on what Bush should call his book. Wow. The anchor also shook his head and shrugged when they did a story about how Sarah Palin said she would not rule out running for President in 2012.

Jeez, even Keith Olbermann calls the president Mister.

Some of the ideas so far:

"A Man and His Crimes"
"Misunderestimated"
"The Presidency for Dummies"

Good Morning from Down Under

AUCKLAND -- Looks like another brilliant and bright sunny day in NZ. Yesterday the weather was in the 70's. I think it will be the same today.

I am currently plotting my route out of the Auckland area into the Coromandel Peninsula and possibly over into the East Cape.

DAY 1: Looking Over Auckland

From NZ - DAY 1

AUCKLAND -- This is taken from One Tree Hill in Cornwall Park. I will have more in an update later.

I need to rest for a bit.

First Interaction with a New Zealander

AUCKLAND -- Okay so admittedly I have trouble understanding a lot of Americans too, but its been rough so far.

Here is my first conversation with a guy at McDonald's this morning:

GUY: Can I help you?

ME: Can I get Hotcakes, a hash brown and a coffee?

GUY: White or black?

ME: Black.

GUY: (not sure)

ME: What?

GUY: (not sure)

At this point I just handed the guy $10 NZ. At which point I think he noticed my greenbacks in my bill fold.

GUY: Is that American money?

ME: Ya.

GUY: Can I buy some off you.

Me: Sure.

He then gave me a $5 NZ for two George Washington's. I also gave him the spare change in my pocket.

GUY: Cheers.

Touchdown

AUCKLAND -- So I made it so far. That was rough. But not as bad as I thought it could have been.

The fluids in my face, as in ears, nose, sinuses were relatively under control during the entire trip. That is very unusual. I often have some terrible and very painful issues with my ears and forehead from the pressure changes. I also usually can't hear at all when I am on a plain -- the bubble effect. Did not have that this time.

The only real issue was descending into LAX. My right ear went nuts. It hurt bad and I could not hear out of it the entire time I was on the ground in LAX -- which was problematic since my change over was difficult to find and I could barely hear the people I was asking for help.

Anyways the long flight to NZ was relatively easy compared to that. Once we got up above the clouds my ear cleared up and it has been fine ever since. I got to watch a number of movies while I was in the air. My list includes The Dark Night, Wall-E, Bull Durham, and The Hulk. I also watched several episodes of House and Gossip Girl.

I arrived in Auckland at about 5am. So I had some time to kill before I could even check into any hotel. Therefore I cruised around Auckland a little bit. And also learned how to drive on the left side of the road. Not that hard but not that easy especially after traveling 20 hours through several time zones.

Never the less I made it to a motel and plan to shower and sleep during the mid-afternoon and maybe find a pub later this evening.

Airport Number One

MADISON -- I am waiting for my flight at Dane County Regional Airport. I will be connecting in Chicago to go to L.A.

Waiting for my allergy medicine to kick in, which I think it is doing.

I tried to log on to the airports wireless network but it costs $6.99. What the frick. Screw that. So I hooked up my cell phone which has internet.

Thats it. So far so good.

Done

Okay. I think I am friggin' done.

Check back throughout the day on Sunday as I give the play-by-play on airline travel.

Still Packing...

and I cut my hair.

I am getting there.