21 March 2016:-NEW ZEALAND :- Auckland (Devonport) >>Flight back to Sydney

NEW ZEALAND :-  Auckland (Devonport) >>Flight back to Sydney

16th Day: 21.03.2016 

It was around 05:20 in the morning when my IPhone woke me up in my room #104 at the Albion Hotel. I changed and rushed to get the car from the parking lot because the ticket should be going to expire at 05:30. I took the car and drove directly to AVIS Car Hire office located on the Nelson Street. There are a few people in the streets for whom the life starts early in the morning. It is also the case for me today. I parked at the side on the street just in front of the AVIS building but the office will not be opened before 07:30. At the post on the sidewalk, I read that the parking is free up to 08:00 and I was deciding to leave the car here and to go back to the hotel and to sleep. The hotel is approx. 400 meters away from AVIS. Suddenly I saw a car driving out from the parking lot of the building. The automatic doors are only operating with correct codes and I do not have the key. I rushed to enter the garage just after the guy who came out before the gate closed automatically. I was inside the garage but all AVIS locations were full. I parked the car in a corner and wanted to get out by walking. The doors are also operable with code and I couldn’t open the doors.

Luckily, a few minutes later someone entered the garage with his car and I stepped out.

I walked to the Hotel and it was 06:10 and I slept again for more than one hour. At 07:40 I went to the AVIS car rental and handed over the car officially. I prepared all my luggage and left in the storage room of the Albion Hotel. I finished my check-out and then I walked down to the Quay in order to take the ferry to Devonport.

Fullers Ferries are operating to Devonport which is a small suburb of Auckland on the north side of the bay. The ferries take people in 10 minutes to Devonport and there are nice places to walk and to see. With its picturesque Victorian villas, stylish shops and cafés is Devonport a great place to spend minimum half day. I can highly suggest a trip to Devonport !!!

I caught the ferry and stepped on Devonport after 15 minutes. There is a Hotel just adjacent to the ferry wharf at the entry of the Victoria Rd. The weather was sunny and the sky was clear. I sat there at the café “Dixie Browns” and had my breakfast. Then I started to walk on the Victoria Rd and climbed to the top of the volcanic cone -Mount Victoria- which is around 90 meters above the sea level. There is a nice view over to Auckland. I took a lot of pictures there.

Auckland City from the ferry's deck

View over Devonport, looking to Auckland City, Mount Victoria

 

I enjoyed walking through the green road where I met also a writer’s house in a calm and silent place.

Michael King Writers' Centre

 

I walked all the way down on Kerr Street and saw nice villas and gardens. When I reached to the King Edward Parade which is the coastal road, I sat on a bench and watched the sea, birds and the North Shore of Auckland. The color and the shape of the rocks at the shore of Torpedo Bay confirm that there was some time in the past eruption of the volcano. I headed to the Cheltenham Beach which took only 20 minutes by walking. There were a few people kite surfing at the beach. I took some pictures even the sun light was bad for my pictures.

Cheltenham Beach, Devonport,Auckland

Then I walked to the top of the North Head which is the second head of the volcano.

There was a kind of artillery establishment on the top. I saw military tunnels, bunkers and gun emplacements. It was interesting. There were two big canon guns each having 6” (150mm) diameter and the loading facility of them was also with special conveyors.

The military had used them in the past and the unbearable noise had caused a lot of hazards in the town and glasses had been broken etc. Then the people had decided to plant trees around the town in order to hinder the shock waves penetrating the town.

The tree are now well grown and not even one shot was done after that any more.

After finishing my tour on that part of Devonport I sat again at the café “Dixie Browns” of the Hotel. I ordered a cold beer and calamari for the lunch. It was around 13:30 when I finished my lunch and paid the bill. I took the ferry at 13:45 back to Auckland. At 14:00 o’clock we landed and then I bought some souvenirs for my friends.

Just before boarding at Auckland ferry port

I came back to the Hotel at 15:00 o’clock and made my last arrangements with my luggage and took all my stuff with me and walked down to the SkyBus (=Bus service for airport)

Station which is only 200 meter downwards on the Hobson Street.

The bus costs only 12.-NZD (or maybe 16.-) and drives in 50-60 minutes to the airport. This is the best way in my opinion to get to the airport or city. The SkyBus runs every 10 minutes.

As soon as I got at the airport I completed my check-in to the Emirates flight to Sydney.

After a comfortable flight I arrived at Sydney airport and took the ticket for the Redy2Go shuttle service which brought me to the Airport Hotel Sydney at Arncliffe. It was 21:00 something when I moved to my room on the second floor. This is my second staying at this Hotel. I stayed also just before I flew to Auckland and it was 4 days ago.

It is a good option if someone arrives at Sydney late and has a next day flight early in the morning. The shuttle service of Redy2Go costs only 8.-AUD.

I made the booking through the reception for the shuttle of Redy2Go for the next morning flight to Ayers Rock. My flight is at 09:50 and I made the booking for 08:45 shuttle. But…?

I slept and prepared for the morning flight.

20 March 2016 :- NEW ZEALAND:- Rotorua>>Auckland

NEW ZEALAND :-  Rotorua >>Auckland

15th Day: 20.03.2016 

It was around 07:30 when I woke up in my room #21 on the first floor of one of the four apart lodges of the Backyard Inn. First I went down to the hot water pool which is located only 20 meter from my lodge. In the morning, there were no many people and the pool was silent for getting relaxed. The thermal water is coming out naturally from the ground. Almost the whole land under the Rotorua is having natural thermal water.

In the past, with differing intervals two of the volcanos here around had erupted and caused a change on the surface of the land. These underground action still continues.  After half an hour I came back to my room and collected my stuff and prepared my luggage.

I put all my stuff into the car and drove away for visiting the Rotorua Museum. I knew that it opens at 09:00 o’clock and there is a Café at the entrance of the museum where I plan to take mu breakfast. The weather is cloudy and little bit wet.

Rotorua Museum, formerly Bath House, Rotorua

In 5 minutes I reached to the parking area in front of the Museum which had used formerly as Bath House. After having my breakfast, I entered the Museum. They sell a ticket and someone may use it many time on the same day. I started with the ground floor on the left wing of the building. It is a nice interior and way of exposition to have an idea about the past of Rotorua and the relations of the invaders with the native people Maori. I have the understanding that there is a rebellion against the new comers in the beginning of 1800s.

After the settlers of the land are trying to break the resistance of Maori people and establish a life here.

Compared with the natives of Australia –Aboriginals- the Maori people in New Zealand have insisted on their rights more and they are sharing now the daily life and politics together with the European origin people. Most of the town names are based on Maori language. In my opinion, there are two reasons for this equality.

1-    The experience in Australia has has accumulated good know-how to the British people and ruling authorities how to approach to the people in NZ,

2-    The Maori people are much more bound to their location and they are strong warriors and they like fighting in order to protect their territory (this is very clear even in their dances and traditional folklore).

There is no permission to take pictures within the Museum. But I took only one picture in the last hall where there was the history related to the WW1 & 2 had exposed.

As all know, NZ soldiers had been brought to Europe during 1914-1918 to fight on various frontiers in Europe as well in Gallipoli.

Pictures of the NZ Soldiers died in the WW1, Rotorua Museum

After finishing the historical sections I visited also the other parts of the building. I think it is worth to see the remaining baths, taps, furniture, facility from the old time Bath House.

This building has a very special architecture and upper levels had been constructed out of wood. The marvelous workmanship of the connections of the roof beams and columns and the ceilings and staircases is worth to see. In the lower basement beside the plumbing work and some other technical facilities there are a few sections for mud bath remained from the old times.

After the NZ government opened this Bath House in 1908, the people had started to come here from all over world in order to heal and to recover their health with the help of the competence of the nurses, physiotherapists working here.

After getting out the building I drove to the bank of the lake Rotorua. It looks romantic with birds and swans swimming in groups. This lake is the result of the eruptions of the well known volcano in the past.

At the Rotorua Lake, Rotorua

After a short walk at the bank of the lake Rotorua, I drove in my way but I stopped at the side of the big Kairau Park where there are lots of thermal points. The city has taken precautions to avoid people to run in these thermal places and there are enclosures around them. Continuously comes hot water mixed with steam out of these holes whereas there is also mud formation which is rich in minerals.

Thermal exhousts at the Kairau park, Rotorua

Thermal and hot mud exhousts in Kairau Park, Rotorua

Around 12:15, I departed for the long drive to Auckland. There is not any time limitation for me to get there. I will leave the car to AVIS next day morning. I will not hurry on the way back. I drove my car on HW #5 which is the called “Thermal Explorer HW”.

Way back from Rotorua to Auckland

The road and weather condition is good for a comfortable drive. At Tirau I sat for a quick lunch in a small restaurant. The ladies there, were serving hamburgers and similar small stuff.

Small restaurant in Tirau:- Home made melas and hamburgers.

Driving in the direction of Hamilton, I saw a fabulous lake on the left (Lake Karapiro) and I took the exit in order to use country roads. I drove through the villages, orchards, wine yards and then entered the Thermal Explorer HW somewhere just a few kms before Hamilton. Then I drove through Hamilton. This city is an industrialized one and there are a lot of shops and companies selling technical parts and equipment.  

I followed the HW and came to the point (Pokeno) where I had turned for Coromandel 3 days ago. Coming closer to Auckland the traffic was getting heavier because it is Sunday and the people were travelling back home. Heading to Auckland, in the last 15 kms there was queue on the HW and it took around one hour for the last part.

Before going to the Hotel Albion I bought fuel because I must return the rental car next day morning. Then I drove to my Albion Hotel on the Hobson Street. They gave me this time better room which is quite bigger and well-looking compared with the one I stayed 3 days ago. Parking in Auckland is a big problem. It costs huge money. Daily rates are around 18-20.- NZDollars. Only the overnight prices are around 10-12 NZD and I paid for 12 hours parking 10.-NZD on the parking lot which is adjacent to my Hotel. I need to take the car very early in the morning in order to avoid 4.-NZD/half an hour tariff.

After leaving my luggage in my room I started to walk down to the quay using the Queen Street. I looked around visited some shops on the street. It is expensive in NZ as it is the case in Australia. At the wharf of the ferries I bought a ticket for Devonport to go tomorrow.

Then I walked to the west on the Quay Street and found a nice location at the marina.

There are nice restaurants, bars and cafés having a view over the marina and Maritime Museum. I decided to sit at Oyster&Chop and sat at the tall bench type table having nice view.

At the Auckland Marina:- Quay Street, Auckland

I ordered first 6 oysters on rock and a NZ white Mahi wine from the area Marlborough then I took a fish called Habuka. The dinner has been finalized with Ice cream & sorbet. It was a fine dinner (73.-NZD)  and then I started to walk up to my Hotel.

Next day, early in the morning around 05:30 I have to take the car from the parking lot and then to get it closer to the AVIS Car Hire at the Nelson Street.

I took a beer in the Albion Bar which is the ground floor of my hotel and sat there to write my log on my laptop. Around 23:15 I moved to my room in order to sleep.

Good night to everybody from Auckland, NZ.

19 March 2016:- NEW ZEALAND :- Coromandel >> Rotorua

NEW ZEALAND :- Coromandel >> Rotorua

14th Day: 19.03.2016 

It was around 08:00 o’clock when I woke up in the Harbor View Hotel. I collected my stuff (shoes, socks) from the balcony of the room where I had put them for getting dried. My shoes and socks were now in a better condition. Anyway I have spare items, too. No worry about it.

At the check-out I asked the guy at the reception (most probably he is the owner of the facility) which road to Rotorua would be his suggestion. He advised me to use the route which I was on yesterday. It is the coastal road #25 which takes to Thames. I asked him about the shorter route which goes to the east to the ocean. He mentioned that it is a dirty road and there might be some pit holes as well. This second alternative was sounding good to me.

Then I drove to the town and sat at the café just beside the Restaurant Umu. I ordered a toast made of grain bread with cheese and tomato. I drank my cappuccino and then I drove in the direction of Rotorua. 

Map showing my route from Coromandel to Rotorua:- 2nd day if the tour

Just a few hundred meters from Coromandel there is the start of this road marked on map with “yellow”. I took this way and I start to drive in south-east direction. The road conditions is perfect; nicely paved road and goes in a fantastic nature. I have to say that this road would be my favorite if I would have my motorcycle with me. Fluent curves, perfectly asphalt paved road.

After 2 hours, around 11:00 o ‘clock I made a stop in Tairua. This is a small town at the sea side. The people are visiting this town mostly for its beaches. I bought some postcards and sent them to some of my friend. This is second "nostalgic postcard attempt" after Fremantle. I had also sent postcards from there. 

There is a cone shaped hill at the sea in Tairua. It is very close to the town. I made some pictures of it. 

Cone shaped hill behind me, Tairua

Tide in te Pasific Ocean, Tairua

Tide in the sea.

After the coffee stop at Tairua, I drove further south to Whangamata, Whiritoa, Waihi and Katikati. I stopped in Katikati for a lunch break at the restaurant where I ate a “lamb salad”. Lamb is very tasty in NZ and I liked the 6 slices of lamb medallions very much. 

After the lunch I followed the High Way #2 to Tauranga. This HW is called “Pasific Highway”. By passing Tauranga I took the route to Rotorua. This is the city where I am going to stay overnight. Approaching Rotorua my GPS said that I need to take the Thermal Explorer HW which is #5 HW. There was also some rain between Tauranga and Rotarua. Anyway, I arrived at my Hotel “The Bakyard Inn” which is located on the Tarewa Road. It was around 15:30 when I reached to the hotel.

I moved to my room 21 in a bungalow complex with 4 private entrances. The room was on the 1^st floor and was big but not well prepared. Towels were missing and I informed the lady in the reception. As soon as I arrange my luggage and my daily bag I went to the reception and we booked the authentic (=artificial) traditional Maori evening and we fixed to go to the Mitai Maori Village at 18:00.  I paid 85.-NZD. Unfortunately this is a kind of a show organized professionally by the –civilized- Maori tribe at their former village. They are no more living in the village and they only play in the show.

After booking the show and dinner, I drove with my rental car to the downtown of Rotorua.

I got out at the Rotorua Museum which was in the past a Bath house. The bath house building with its romantic past opened in 1908 and was designed along the lines of European spas at that time. Rotorua is being characterized with the natural thermal waters and mud. The building is set in the Government Gardens created in the 1890s.

Formerly Bath House; now Rotorua Museum

There are thermal water/steam exhousting from the earth, Rotorua.

Hot mud in the park area.

The museum closes daily at 18:00 o’clock and it was approx. 17:45 when I took the car and drove to the Mitai Village at the Fairy Springs Road for the show & dinner. There is a big parking lot at the village. Some people dressed in Maori type of clothing are welcoming people and checking the names on their list. There are three big tents arranged for dinner.

The wooden sculpture at the entrance of the Mitai Maori village.

A Maori guy came and introduced the village and informed about the itinerary of the evening. The audience/visitors were mostly tourists from 20 different countries.

Then we have been taken to the side banks of an artificially created didge and a Maori waka –wooden boat with paddles- comes from one end and passes among the visitors.

After this show with waka these Maori men came up to the scene in the show tent. They make a cultural performance and after the show they serve the Maori food “hangi”.

In the natural bush settings, the performance takes the people back in time when the ancient Maori customs and traditions were part of their everyday life. They sing and dance and tell some tales and legends.

After the show we have been taken to the dining area. They served the traditional food “hangi”. Hangi is a steam cooked meat, chicken and potatoes. As a side dish they also gave salads, and some other stuff.

Steam oven. Under the cover chicken, meat and potatoes is cooked.

 The program was scheduled to end up at 21:00 o ‘clock but I left around 20:30 and drove to the down town. I walked in the city and then drove to the Hotel.

I started to sleep. Good night from Rotorua. 

18 March 2016:- NEW ZEALAND :- Auckland >>Coromandel

NEW ZEALAND :- Auckland>>Coromandel

13th Day: 18.03.2016 

I woke up around 07:30 and packed all my stuff and took the luggage and show uo at the reception which is on the same floor as my room. I had got the room 107 which is just the corner room looking to the junction of the Hobson Street and Wellesley Street. On the adjacent corner there is the church. This junction is very busy even during the night.

I left the key to the lady at the reception and claimed that I could not sleep well and the conditions and the furniture incl. curtains were not in proper condition at all. I also mentioned that I am going to stay here as soon as I complete my tour and come back after a couple of days. She promised me that she will try to do her best.

I went down and with my roller bag and my daily back bag I walked down the Wellesley and then Nelson Street. After 6-7 minutes a came to the corner where I sat for breakfast.

Toasted ham+cheese+tomato sandwich and a cappuccino increased my energy level.

Just next building to the café is the AVIS Car Hire. I went there and took my car as booked one month ago on the internet. I also requested a GPS extra for which I paid daily

10.-NZD. 

Map of my route from Auckland to Coromandel : 1.Day off the trip

I drove off the city as per the dictations of the GPS. I took the highway 1 which goes in south direction. After Manukau and Pukekohe I stoped in a rest location where I drank a coffee and energized myself. A took the exit at Pokeno and took the direction to Miranda.

There are thousands of acres of meadows where there are a lot of cattle and sheep.

The landscape is consisting of green meadows and natural forest spread on easy hills and valleys.

The town names are mostly based on the language of the Maori people. In my opinion, it is very smart because the European settlement starting with the 19^th century didn’t ruined the culture and created a respectful life together with the native people.

After a while I came to the town Mangatangi. There I saw a route which goes to the left

to direction Kaiaua (this road is not shown on my map). I took this direction and have got nice view. Suddenly I took also an unpaved road on the left to the inside of Hunua Ranges National Park. The unpaved road was the so-called “Workman Track”. After 4-5 kms I turned back to the main road again.

As I reached to the T-junction of Kaiaua I turned right in the south direction. I stooped there on the left at the sea side of “Firth of Thames”. Due to the tide the water was far away from the coast. I took some pictures and enjoyed the tranquil coastal view.

At the coast at Kaiaua

Then I drove further in the south direction all along the coast. After Waitakaruru and Kopu I came to a bigger town named Thames. Before entering the town I stopped on the left at the sea side where there is a small fish chips restaurant the signs of which were very attractive and it was the right time for a lunch break.

There is a big shop on one end and someone places the order there. Fresh fishes are also sold here. You can choose whichever you like. The price differs depending on the fish.

They fried my fish and along with chips they served it wrapped in a paper. I bought also a nice cold beer and enjoyed my lunch at the wooden table looking to the gulls and bushes at the coast.

The town Thames is one of the eldest gold mining areas in the North Island of NZ. The people had rushed for gold and the town had become famous in the late of 19^th century till nineteen sixties. While driving out from the town, I saw an old gold mine on the right hand side of the main road. I haven‘t been ever in a gold mine and I stopped there to visit it. There is no production anymore and the method is obsolete and hard for today. Paying 10.-NZD someone can obtain the chance to learn about the gold mining and to get through a few hundred meters of gallery under the earth. There is also a story about the mine which was started first by three friends in the late eighteen hundreds and then after digging several hundred meters under the ground they could not find any gold and they lost their hope and money. They had sold it for a few hundred Shillings to a company in Thames. Fortunately for the company but unfortunately for the three colleagues the people had found gold after three weeks. The volunteered group of people are trying to hold the mine in good condition and they are guiding the visitors.

Old Gold Mine at Thames:- I am looking like the partner :)

Inside the gold mine

Searching for some gold 

At the entrance of the gallery

The road number 25 on the Coromandel Peninsula leads me to Coromandel. The road is all along the coast has a very nice view. There is the sea on the left hand side whereas there is the forest of Coromandel on the right hand side. The curved road is getting sometimes narrower and risky for big vehicles. Luckily I drove when there was no traffic at all. Just a few kms after Te Kauma, the road is passing over the hills and there is a lookout where someone can watch and enjoy panorama on both sides.

I drove down the road and after 4 kms I was at the sea level again. I saw a restaurant on the right which was specialized on mussels’ courses. Some people were having nice dishes but I was sad and therefore I had to by-pass this step. The Coromandel Penisula is in general popular with sea food.

After 10 minutes I arrived at Coromandel town and found the Harbour View Hotel 1 km after the town. The Hotel has a view over the sea and is only 10-15 meters above the sea level. Side by side constructed rooms were within the green walking route as well.

After I put my stuff in my room I drove to the small wharf where there were a few fishing boats. Someone may drive with car to the far end –approx 150 meters- of the wharf.

This road is available most probably for the logistics purpose.

Then I drove to the town and stopped when I saw the entrance of a walking track. This one is going in from the Wharf Str, just at the adjacent side of the Commercial Wharf. It was around 16:00 o’clock when I decided to make the trekking. Firstly, I took the Kaori block walk to the Pa Lookout Site and then I took the direction to the top of the Harbour View Road and then continued on the Harray Track in the forest. Kaori Trees are one of important facts of this fauna and New Zealand. It is really long distance from one end to the other. 

Harbour View, Coromandel

Coromandel Town from top

While trekking to the Lookout Site, Coromandel

Wharf from top, Coromandel

On the Harray Track, Coromandel

I spent almost 2 ½ hours on trekking and close to the end I have been faced also by a moderate rain. Being a well-equipped trekker I had my raincoat with me. Just before reaching the paved road I had to cross also a didge barefoot. Suddenly the sun helped me to get dried and walking down along the street I saw houses on both sides of the street. The view was nice and tranquil after the rain.

I came to the town and sat there at the café-restaurant called Umu. I enjoyed there my Campari and soda very much. I took my car and then drove to the hotel. I took shower and then I was out for dinner. The guy at the reception has suggested the Paper Tree Restaurant just at the side of the Umu. I went there. It is a big restaurant and looking friendly and joyful inside. I sat and ordered 6 pcs of fresh oysters on rock and a fished called Habuka. Habuka is a big, deep sea fish and people need some effort to take it out on the boat. The oysters were wonderful as well as the grilled fish. I had also a white wine from the Marlborough region of NZ.

Wonderful oysters from Coromandel, Paper Tree Restaurant

I went back to the hotel to sleep. It was a long day of driving approx. 250 kms from Auckland to Coromandel and a long trekking (partly in the rain).