Reflections on the trip
As the trip is coming to a close this may be the last blog. Today we awoke to loud thunder and tropical rain on a tin roof. Deciding that the walk to the waterfall might be ill advisable we jumped in the car and went to Kerikeri to view the oldest wooden house and oldest stone house in NZ. Well what followed was a whole hour and a half of fascinating insight into the missionary life and the relations between the Maori chiefs and the Settlers. Picture a Maori chief called Hongi Hika in London visiting King George in 1820. George gave him jewels etc and a suit of armour. The armour made all of the warring tribes believe he was a spirit as they couldn’t kill him, and the jewels he traded in Australia for muskets. Guess who was the most powerful Maori in the North!
Whilst he was in Cambridge Hongi helped put the Maori language down on paper for the first time. This of course enabled easier communication across NZ.
The wooden house was lived in until the 1970s by the same family. At one time there were 4 families and 51 children in the house? They did have electricity in an outhouse but wanting to preserve the integrity of the house they did no other alterations so the whole thing had a feeling of wooden Victorian. The Maori helped to build the house out of one huge Kauri tree. This then gave then the skills and tools to build their own houses.
The stone house was set up as a Victorian Trading post. What a mix of items. Washing powder, old toys, candles as well as many new versions of old bits eg pie birds, mugs etc. Upstairs it was set out as a History Museum about the trade and on the top floor was all the old mill equipment.
The rain continued pelting down. Even the chickens were sheltering under the benches so we whiled away a happy time in the town doing not very much but it cost a bit especially the visit to the Kauri wood carver.
We are now packed up ready to roll tomorrow morning. Kerikeri to Auckland in a twelve sweater prop engined plane, then on to Hong Kong for 2 nights before the final long haul home.
To finish the blog off we have put together some early reflections on the trip. I am sure many more will spring to mind over time. We are both sad that it has rolled to an end but happy to be going home to normality and a rest. We know we have been very lucky to experience all this.
Reflections
The camera cannot catch the vastness of the scenery or the range of colours
We have been phenomenally lucky with the weather
Swap drivers every hour in Australia as the sameness gets hypnotic
Driving in NZ needs patience on twisty mountain and coastal roads
Precipitous roads often have no barriers in NZ
Watch the inside edge of the road as no kerbs in both countries and often a big drop off the tar
The camber is often adverse particularly around tight bends
Speed limits are strictly enforced so cruise control is essential
Ordering a coffee is problematic if you just want a simple cup with cold milk. Coffee is served very strong
Radio reception is awful apart from the Christian stations!
Toppers on mattresses make for comfy sleeping
No tipping is great
Fifteen percent surcharge on public holidays not so great
Why are safes so high in the rooms? Hotels often put them on top shelf in wardrobe…great for tall folks
Internet restrictions are a pain especially when it is half an hour in the lobby….and more especially when it is half an hour per visit! Even if you are staying 3 days
Visitors centres (I sites) are essential and full of local information and advice. You can read it, but the centres know their stuff.
They need to trim bushes at viewpoints and along scenic roads..this applies to both countries
Tracks and paths are well signposted except when forestry work has taken place
Loos are available but carry anti bac in the bush areas
Check under seat rim for creatures lurking
Both Australian and Kiwi staff have been delightfully polite and helpful
TV down under is dreadful. Full of adverts. Lots of old UK programmes. No warning when programme changes ie one episode will slide into the next without pause.
Adverts are very poor quality. Often local content. Outdated style.
News does not cover international situation. Thanks to BBC for web catch up.
B and B owners in NZ like to be sociable. Expect long breakfast sessions
Access to the airport lounges has made the number of flights bearable. Having a shower and hot food available is magic
Meeting up with family and friends on a long trip is refreshing
Social problems are pretty much the same here as UK. Obesity, sitting on the dole not working, immigrant integration etc.
Be prepared to offload clothes to charity shops if you bring bits home.
Most hotels have provided an iron and board. Washing machines have generally been available. B and B the owner will often do washing if needed.
Ginger kisses are wonderful to eat. I wonder if they have them in UK?
An abiding memory will be the call of the Tui bird
Sayings from Mary
If you see what I mean
Intriguing
Are you with me
I’m sorry
Sayings from Rosemary
Time for a cuppa
Well I think that……
And we haven’t fallen out once!