Just a travelin' along....

Trip Start Sep 01, 2008
1
3
20
Trip End Sep 23, 2008


Loading Map
Map your own trip!
Map Options
Show trip route
Hide lines
shadow
Where I stayed
Baycrest Lodge
(Taupo hotels)

Flag of New Zealand  , North Island,
Saturday, September 6, 2008

Today was a day of travel...we left Russell at 7:30 this morning and arrived in Taupo about 5:30pm...so a long day in the car.  Our original plan was to go to Rotorua and spend several days exploring the geysers and volcanoes but, and I hope this doesn't offend anyone who has been there and found it lovely, we drove into town and felt like we had arrived at Niagra Falls...very touristy and tacky!  So we moved on to Taupo and tomorrow we will get to Hawke's Bay...and the wineries!!!
Since the day was an "excitement" bust (after yesterday's parachuting) I will tell you some interesting things we have learned about New Zealand.  First off, never did I realize that the biggest challenge I would have here was finding a DIET PEPSI!!!  Coke rules here on the North Island.  I can only hope for better when we get to the South Island.

When you go to any little spot along the road for breakfast or lunch...the doors are always open...no matter the temperature outside.  We were huddled in our jackets and scarves this morning while we ate our scrambled eggs!!! 

The coffee is interesting...if you want a cup of black coffee...you ask for a short black or if a larger cup is wanted...a long black.  It is mostly expresso.  If you want it with cream or milk, you ask for a flat white...I have no idea where that comes from!  Tonight as we checked into our room, we were handed a container of milk for our coffee in the morning.  Our friend Tree told us this would happened...but this was the first.  I have become very good at a French Press that we find in our rooms.  So a fresh cup is always close at hand.

We have adjusted well to the time change...we were tired the first couple of days, then got a great night's sleep and we feel right in the swing of things.
Speaking of "swing of things"...Paul has been checking out the bungee spots.  Seems you can bungee over a river and a boat comes and picks you up once you finish bouncing around!  They will adjust the bungee so that you can touch the water, your head goes in the water or you just get close to the water!!!  Oh my!   We will keep you posted on the decision there.

People here are very friendly and I have adjusted to the accent very well, although they tell us we are the ones with the accent.  Paul and I have come to enjoy white wine once again.  We are having a great time.  Hopefully tomorrow will bring a bit more to write about. 
 
Print this entry

Comments

bonneys
bonneys on Sep 6, 2008 at 08:44AM

Lovin' the blog...
...now that I'm getting the hang of it! I had forgotten about the tacky part of Rotorua; I only remember the educational parts of it, learning about the Maori culture and visiting the Maori arts centre where there is a great effort to preserve and develop the artistic aspect of their culture. The smell of sulphur (rotten eggs) permeates the area, but the boiling mud pools were fascinating to me as a young gal nearly (gulp!) 40 years ago.

lindaklee
lindaklee on Sep 7, 2008 at 05:59PM

Enjoying Blog
Sure am enjoying reading blogs. Actually I should say once I GET TO them!! I have a hard time with clicking about sometimes. Love the picture of Paul in the arms and on lap of divemate!! Can't wait to hear about Bungeeeeeeeeek!

Add Comment