New Zealand Trip

Well we are finally in our last few hours of waiting to start our trip to Auckland.  Just checked the flights and it looks like Nola and Doug are due to arrive in Vancouver in 10 minutes.  Cathy and I just had brunch at the Sylvia Hotel with Jim and Sharon Bishop to plan a bicycle trip from Saskatoon to Edmonton this summer.

Sylvia Hotel Lobby

March 1

Arrived in Auckland 5:30 am. Processed quickly through customs, retrieved luggage (passed the Beagle dog nose test for contraband fruit!). Easy to get our car from rental agency and started our trip on the other side of the road.  Found our way out of Auckland Airport and on road to Hamilton.  Surprise, surprise we found a wonderful Quilt Shop (spotted by Cathy) that we had been to on our trip in 2003.  It was a great stop for the quilters and interesting for Doug and Trent to pick raspberries and grapes to munch on.  

Next stop "The Poplars" Bed and Breakfast.  Great place, wonderful hosts and fine breakfast. They recommended a visit to Hamilton Botanical Gardens.  A great stop with beautiful gardens and flowers.

 Fish and Chips finished the evening and off to bed early. Great sleep and ready for today.

March 2

Wonderful stop at Waitomo Glow Worm Caves.  Everyone enjoyed seeing the amazing caves, glowing worms and learning something of the cultural aspects of the Waitomo area.

Driving along on the road to New Plymouth we spotted a sheep farmer deworming a flock of sheep.  I drove in and explained we were from Canada and wanted to watch them.  They were very welcoming and so we watched for awhile in the light rain.

Lots of rain on the way down south along the beautiful winding road. Found lots of lovely spots with vistas opening up to flourescent green pastures dotted with sheep.

Arrived in Hawera at our next B&B.  Getting ready for our next adventure tomorrow.