And then we were off from Queenstown back to the North island for more adventures. Here are some views from the airplane (and coincidentally closer to where I was too have between skydiving.)
Our flight back from Queenstown was diverted to Hamilton as there was debris on the runway. There is just one runway at Auckland airport so that causes quite a problem. Or plane needed refueled as well. That delayed our plans to wander around with a rental car as it took 3 hours longer to get there.
On the radio we heard that a 737 from Singapore had to be diverted to another city and that it was just as small. They usually don’t get larger planes like that.
It took a little over two hours to drive to Te Anamuto and stay at the Old School House. It is beautiful and was a school house beginning in the 1800’s. They provided historical articles about the schoolhouse. The owners are friendly and had just made bread and chocolate cookies for us. They also stocked eggs, milk, and butter in the fridge.
We stopped in the town just before to grab something to eat at a grocery store as we really did not have lunch either. We also picked up items for breakfast and snacks the next day. Before eating our dinner, we strolled down the lane and snapped some pictures at sunset.
The next morning we headed to Waitomo and the glow worm caves. As it next stop after that is in the middle of nowhere, I may not be able to post right away.
Here are the rules for being a school teacher in 1915.
I really wanted to skydive from Glenorchy (with skydive southern Alps) which is nothing but landforms and an hour and a half drive from Queenstown. Unfortunately, mountain ranges and the Sea make for wild wind currents and it is often postponed. We headed out again for the second time and halfway there they radioed to say it was cancelled.
I decided to flip my reservation to NZ Zone in Queenstown and would skydive a few hours later. It still offered fantastic views but not the Mordor/Lord of the Rings view I had wanted. I had a little time to find lunch and walk around. It took a long time as there were many bookings and it was a beautiful day.
I had to wait longer than anticipated as this skydive zone is near the airport and their flights are on hold when airplanes are flying in or out of the airport. As it is Chinese New year, there are more flights than normal. I met a wonderful woman from Finland who is an au pair in Auckland. We chatted for a few hours.
Finally it was time. I took the preschool mascot, Percy, with me. Caroline brought him along on our trip but she was not going sky diving. He is having an adventure and the preschool class is looking forward to what he had done. I was a good sport to take extra pictures of him at the skydive center.
They had some games including this large chess set to occupy families waiting for people to land.Watching the people land.He didn’t go skydiving with me but the kids won’t know that.
My tandem partner was Will. I paid for the photo and video package where Will interviews me and films while we are sky diving. As I did not bring a computer on the trip with me I will have to post these separately. I know they make an adapter for phones to use with USB and will have to try to find one of those!
I was more concerned with being on the edge of the plane waiting to jump out but once your are in position it is a split second. I was also worried about the somersaulting we would do initially but it was the easiest part. Once you are free falling the force on your face and ears is immense and a bit disorienting. Once we reached terminal velocity, he opened the parachute and we were gliding. Of course the spinning around had my stomach in knots but it was fun. The landing was easy. They are a top notch facility and the views in NZ make it stunning. One more thing off the bucket list.
Afterwards I met Caroline and we took the gondola up the mountain to the luge track. It was impossible to film the luge while running the cart, but you can see part of the luge in one of the pictures. It was incredibly fun.
On the gondola ride.
We ate at Public near the beach. It was great. Beetroot salad, grilled cauliflower with carrot mash and fried squid rings. They source locally and have local foods. I also tried alcoholic Ginger beer and a nice ale.
The next morning I had to pick up the USB with the photos and video from NZ Zone. I ran through the gardens to the store then back to the Queenstown motel apartments which was a great place to stay. I did not get to hike much for to all the cancelled skydiving attempts but will be hiking back in the North island.
At the airport to go back to Auckland I love how laid back everything is. You easily print boarding tickets and luggage tags and then drop off your bags. Mine was under the 7 kg limit so was able to carry my luggage on. You have to wait if you are too early before going to the gate. This is how they let you know.
You also walk to the tarmac and board the plane there. Yes it is a small airport but everyone is friendly, helpful, and laid back. I really like Queenstown and New Zealand!
After arriving Queenstown and renting a car we found somewhere to eat and I headed to sky dive. We missed it on the renting if this spectacular vehicle.
The panda bear on the roof is Percy, the preschool mascot. He is accompanying is on the trip for an adventure.
Queenstown is beautiful.
View from the plane.
On the way to the skydiving site the company had to cancel the flight due to a horrific accident blocking the road. There is only one road out to the area. I rescheduled for two days later and we were able to start driving to Te Anau where we would spend the night before being picked up for kayaking. It meant we could travel in the day instead of when it was getting dark. There already is a learning curve with driving on the left side of the road.
We also had time to get in a run before dinner. Te Anau is quiet and beautiful.
It was a two hour drive from TeAnau to Milford sound for kayaking. We left the rental car at the hotel and traveled with the tour company (Rosco’s is one of the best). Milford sound does not have residents just the dozens of people who work seasonally there. The kayaking was in the open Sea so much choppy water, frigid water temperature, and cool temperatures.
I took a lot of pictures and videos while kayaking but they are in my go pro and need a computer to get them uploaded which I will do when I return to China.
Yes there actually is a nude run through the tunnel to get to the sound.
On the way back we stopped to look at some of the sights. First stop was a waterfall at a place called the Chasm.
Another few stops along the way.
We drive back from TeAnau to Queenstown and checked into a motel apartments. Here we meet up with some of Caroline’s friends from when she taught in Cairo.
We traveled to the CBD, Central business district, to pick up the ferry to Waiheke Island. It is best to book a hop on hop off tour that includes a ferry ride to and from.
The view from the ferry looking at Auckland.Waiheke Island at the Port of Matiatia.
We boarded the hop on hop off bus at the ferry terminal and went to the first stop at Oneroa Village. This is the heart of the island with many cafes, art galleries, and shops.
Panoramic view of the beach at Oneroa. We did walk down to the beach and dip toes in the water.
We did some shopping in the galleries and shops. Many beautiful things to look at. This island is so beautiful and quiet. It would be fun just to stay here for awhile.
I loved this artist gallery. There are kiwis in a boat!
We took the next bus to the stonyridge winery. They also have Olive trees on the property and the setting is very picturesque.
We ordered wine with a cheese plate that included Manuka honey..
Before we went to the winery we inquired about ziplining. Usually advanced booking is required but we were lucky to get two of the last few spots available. We were picked up by a van to go to the ecozip line stop. This is something I have always wanted to do. It was pretty fun and the company owns the land over an old section of jungle. Ziplining with them helps to preserve the area from development.
The first section over the vineyard.The second section.Getting ready for the third section which was the longest and steepest. This is Carolyn with the preschool mascot she brought with her on the adventure.Others finishing the third section.
After the ziplining there is a 25 minutes walk back where they give history of the area and point out various plant species.
These trees are part of the old section of the jungle that have been undisturbed as they are part of a wet valley unusable for farming. They are 600 years old.Yes, I am a tree hugger.
Onetangi beach was our last stop. Here i waded out into the waves then walked along the beach. I also enjoyed blood orange sorbet.
After the ferry ride back, we stopped along the water to eat raw oysters before stopping at a grocery store to pick up salads to take back to the hotel.
Now to reorganize bags as we will leave some here at this hotel as we fly to Queenstown in the South island for a few days before coming back up to the North island.
I did manage to get some sleep but my body does not know where in the world I am. We are staying at the Holiday inn Auckland airport which is a 6 NZ ride on the yellow bus from the airport. It is also walking distance to the winery. The views on the walk were gorgeous. We actually ran along that beach in the race.
My 10k at the Villa Maria winery was a little slower (59:04) than my usual but not bad considering. The winery is just beautiful. It actually is located in an old volcanic crater.
Carolyn and I before the race.If course we had to do some wine tasting and but some wine. We are staying with some of Carolyn’s friends at the end of this trip and wine would be a great gift.
Afterwards we took an Uber into Auckland and visited Mission Bay. We saw ice cream and my general rule is that I get ice cream flavors that I have never had before. We chose a gelato shop and I had a cone with green apple and pineapple lumps. Pineapple lumps is a pineapple lolly candy covered in chocolate. Both were good and I found some of that candy in a convenience store to take home.
We visited the Michael Joseph Savage memorial. He was the first Prime Minister of the Labour Party and died while in office.
Views from the top of the park.
This is a Norfolk pine. It looks like a pointer but the branches look more like palms.
We then walked along Biddick’s Bay. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon and if course I dipped my toes into the water. It was cool but not too bad.
We stopped at a Good George Craft House to try some local beer and have a bite to eat. I chose battered fish and if course there was fries and fried cauliflower. Not my usual fare and left me very full despite the fact it was not heavily fried.
A good first day and tomorrow we explore Waiheke Island.
