posted December 01, 2010 08:42 PM Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Well, back from a really fun day today seeing the Bay of Islands. We took a jet boat, the Exciter, for 90 minutes through the Hole in the Rock. As the Captain would say, it was quite roly poly...and even bumpy wumpy. The skies threatened rain, but it was comfortable. Our B&B hosts recommended as first choice for this area a tour of the 9 mile beach but once we found out that it would entail a 10 hour big bus ride we quickly decided against that. They also recommended a Maori settlement, but we looked up what the Regent tours were and decided we'd had enough of large crowds. We thoroughly enjoyed the jet boat ride. Most enjoyable was meeting Frank and Wendy on the pier in Russell and then running into Betty for hugs and kisses. Frank, Wendy, Doug and I wandered around the small town of Russell (where the ship tendered to) and had a seafood chowder lunch. Then we headed off on the ferry to Pahaia,another beach town, to walk around a bit. I bought some more possum and wool stuff for Xmas gifts and Wendy bought a thimble. We compared daughters, discussed getting together in NY during their cruise next fall and our Antarctic trip together in 2012.
Last night's dinner at a local restaurant, the Pear Tree,was delicious. I had the best rack of lamb that I have ever had.
NZ looks a lot like other places we have visited...a bit of Switzerland, a bit of New England, The art deco of South Beach and the rolling hills of Scotland. It is decidedly more British than American. What makes it ever so special are the warm, cheerful and friendly people who chat you up and make you feel at home. It is so much more than historic places (it makes the US seem young). It's a place where folks embrace the outdoors, be it cricket, rugby, a "flutter" at the raceway, extreme sports, boating, swimming or gardening. Each city seems to have a botanical garden and folks have the most beautiful gardens. There are rose gardens with the largest roses that I have ever seen. Everything seems to grow so well here because of the temperate climate in the north island.
Compared to Australia, there are no dangerous animals here and absolutely no snakes. The evil animal is the possum, who destroys their beloved environment.
I learned why food is not allowed in to NZ. Their environment is so pure that they religiously protect it. The kiwi crop is a major export and the bees are used to fertilize the kiwi crops and their bees are without disease. Therefore, no food can be brought in that could introduce any foreign bacteria. Speaking of kiwis, there are not just the green kiwis with the hairy skins we know, but much sweeter gold kiwis which are hairless. I had the gold kiwis this am for breakfast and they were wonderful. Next year, I am told that they will introduce red kiwis, which will be different from the other two varieties.
There are all sorts of fruit trees...apples, plums, citrus, avocado and berries of all types. It's certainly a country built on its outdoors.
Our hosts told us that NZ has been ahead of its time in several ways...the first country allowing gay unions, the right to give women the vote and allowing the car on the right (which would be left to us) to have the right of way.
We are having fun looking at all the great bird life. We have been introduced to the sweet little fantail bird and have been watching the lovely tui bird. I'll try to post some pics of the flora and fauna from the area.
Well, off to dinner tonight in a winery and then a 3 hour night forest walk to see if we can find the elusive kiwi.
We miss you all and look forward to seeing many of you next month.
