It is the end of April already and although there is much to look forawd to, I do feel as if 2023 is racing past. Possibly becauseI have spent a lot of time in the last few months readng and watching netflix. This is as a result of the body slowing down. Not sure if the nana naps I want to have often are a result of the mini stroke in December or the covid I had at the same time but the result is a much less energetic Liz than I prefer. Nevertheless i am still keeping well otherwise so i should be very grateful. could be a lot worse than simple tiredness.
Been a hectic month this April. On April 3 I drove up to Auckland and stayed two nights at Herne Bay ( thank you Gil and Dot who were in Hawaii) I visited MArgaret in Wattle Downs, and Karen D came in for dinner. My long awaited visitors from Colorado,Karen and Tom, arrived in Auckland where I met them at the airport and we had a brief tiki tour on the way into he centre of the city including a visit to one tree hill and Mt Eden and then a drive along the Tamaki drive. I took them back to Gil and Dot's for lunch as they could not check in to their accommodation until after 3pm. We did a quick trip over the Harbour Bridge just to say we had done it. weather a bit overcast which is a pity. After lunch i wanted to take them out to West coast beaches but roads are still closed so I aimed for the Arataki Visitor centre which would have birds and might give them an idea of our native bush. But, the Scenic drive was temporarily closed for the day! Oops, plan C. Drove out to Cornwallis and we had a little walk around and Karen had fun identifying the birds. She even found what was later identified as a kingfisher sitting on the mudflats with the sea gulls.
The next day we went to Waiheke and and did the Hop on Hop off bus. Weather not being co operative and we ended up leaving on the 3pm ferry as it started to rain and that was clearly going to spoil the views and dampen spirits. Still a worthwhile day though.
ON the 7th April I picked them up and weheaded south. Via Seabird coast and called in at Miranda Sea Bird centre at Kaiaua on the Firth of Thames.
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| Kaiaua - sea bird coast Karen and Tom from Colorado |
Then on through Paeroa and Karangahake Gorge. I didnt realise how many areas had damage inflicted by Cyclone Gabrielle - even the usual walk at the Gorge was part blocked. Stayed the night at Waihi after looking at the Open mine pit for the martha's Gold mine. Lovely dinner at Turkish? restaurant in waihi "Down Thyme".
Next day headed through Katikati - the mural town and stopped off at Te Puna Quarry - beautifully developed gardens all done by volunteers. Track wasnt flat - my legs are not liking slippery bush tracks with steps... Then through Tauranga to Mt maunganui. and thence to Rotorua. But saw sign for Okere Falls so we diverted and oh what fun. Found that Okere Falls are on the Kaituna River where they do rafting trips. and we saw 5 kayaks and 5 rafts come down the 7m falls - the highest commercially rafted falls in the southern hemisphere. Great fun!
On to Rotorua to the Jet Park Motel. dinner at "Amazing Thai " very pleasant. hotel/motel was expensive but well equipped and opposite the Countdown so we could top up supplies. Still damp. Next day was amphibious duck tour and went on Blue and green lakes karen spotting birds! very humourous driver and value for money.
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| One of the amphibious "Ducks" ex WWII used for touring Rotorua |
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| Discussing bird names at Green Lake |
we did have a little walk around Ohinemutu but church service was on (Easter Sunday) so couldnt go into St Faiths. After a quick snack we went up to whakarewarewa to the te Puia centre for their geyserland tour. Very efficient tour, kiwis, mud pool and geyser then into the craft centre. Tobe honest felt let down - couldnt go round the actual village - a separate enterprise now apparently. The next day we took off for Taupo but I went via Waimangu and we took ourselves on a self guided tour and that was very interesting and my visitors enjoyed it ( First time I have paid to tour Waimangu - used to come in the back way via kayaks)
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| Frying Pan flat, Waimangu Thermal valley |
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| Inferno crater,Waimangu Thermal Valley |
- Karen was able to stop and wait for bird sightings and take our time. They now have a bus to bring you back up the hill! I wasnt looking forward to walking back up. Then Huka Falls ... crowded and the sun was coming out - by coincidence two kayakers chose that time to canoe down - the water level was low but it was still awesome to watch.
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| Karen and Tom at Huka Falls |
Afternoon was a cruise to the maori cliff carving on Lake Taupo - overcast but still value for money as we got really close and lots of photo opportunities.
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The boat we were meant to go on - mechanical failure,so we went on a modern launch instead.
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| Othr rock carvings, same site. |
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rock carving on cliff at Lake Taupo
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Portofino italian restaurant for dinner. Nice motel Acacia Lake View - close to town - significant road changes in Taupo.
Set off in rain the next morning around the lake- quick call in at Tongariro river Red Hut Pool and down the Desert Road, cloud lifted a bit so could see where the mountain was, but not see the three volcanoes... ;pity. Had a quick cuppa out the back of the Waiouru Army museum and posed in front of the gumboot at Taihape. Admired land formations of Rangitikei river and called in at Wool Factory where I made a purchase. Then on to the farm to see Jonathan and Amy. Home in plenty of time for me to make dinner.
Next day we went to Pukaha National wildlife centre ( Mt Bruce) - wonderful collection and conservation of native birds and native eels. Got to see some of the birds we would be unlikely to see in the wild eg kokako, takahe and saddleback as well as close up to Kereru ( wood pigeon) also beautiful ferns on the walk through their patch of bush.. A very well maintained centre.
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| Kokako |
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| Kaka |
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| Kereru - wood pigeon |
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| Takahe |
Amazingly after we got home we realised Karen didnt have a good picture of a tui and none currently in back garden so I sent them off for a walk by th river while I cooked dinner.. and yes! a tui obligingly performed for them and they got a good photo or two.
A very early the start the next morning and I drove them to wellington to catch the ferry which was running, thank goodness, after a few months of on again off again performance by our aging ferries and they had an apparently very calm crossing. Blessed were they!
