Wellington, New Zealand

Trip #5: Taupo to Wellington

On my Wild Women Expeditions trip in Hawaii I met a great woman, who made me laugh so much, Carole. Well Carole hooked me up with her friend who lives in Wellington - so I was very fortunate to stay in a home for 2 days while visiting this fantastic city.

Wellington is NZ capital with a small population of 164,000! It's a great city with eclectic shops and people. It really reminded me of Queen St. west in Toronto - with less people. My travel goal was to get to Wellington in time to catch the local rugby club play! That I did! The Wellington Hurricanes (commonly called the "canes" played the Southern Kings from South Africa, and won).

The next morning was rainy and yucky so I didn't wander far from the house but rather got the local feel as we took the dogs out for a walk in the "bush". It made me miss my Darby girl but it was a really great walk. I must make Wellington more of a priority next time I travel to Mew Zealand so I can take the cable car and go to the museum and wander the interesting streets.

Later in the day I took the inter islander ferry across the Cook Straight to Picton in the South Island. The boat was something else with a bar, restaurant, shop, nursery, movie theatre, jungle gym... Fantastic views all around!

Taupo, New Zealand

Trip #4: National Park Village to Taupo

Taupo is actually North of National Park Village (the wrong way), but I couldn't bear to stay in the village / at the crossing another night with nothing to do. Basically as soon as I arrived I changed by bus schedule to go back to Taupo. Some people stayed in Taupo and hiked the crossing but it means getting up much earlier as the drive is an hour plus, and the shuttle costs $50-60!

Taupo is known for trout fishing and it has little stainless steel fish attached to the sidewalks by sewer drains to remind people of what goes down the drain affects the lake. Lake Taupo is the largest lake in the Southern Hemisphere. It's a beautiful shore line in town. There is a walkway along the waters edge and then the road, all buildings start across the street. On a clear day you can see Tongariro park and the mountains across the street.

Just north of downtown there is Huka Falls. This is definitely the most impressive water fall I've seen so far. And the water was a beautiful aqua! We took lots of pictures. Then we drove down to spa park which is further up the same river. Here a hot water spring feeds a small river that flows into the main river. It's like being at a spa where you change pools from HOT to COLD. I couldn't even get fully into the hot water - much hotter than I keep my hot tub at home. Then I could move a couple meters out and the water felt like a cold may swim in a Canadian lake!

Tongariro Alpine Crossing / National Park Village

Trip #3 Rotorua to National Park Village

Hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing was one of the few things I had decided to do while in New Zealand before leaving home. It is coined one of the best one-day-treks in the country. I bet it has got even more popular since "The Lord of the Rings" came out on screen because Mnt. Ngauruhoe in the park is featured as Mnt. Doom in the movie!

Deciding where to stay to access the hike was the hard part. I heard of people staying in Taupo, Turangi and National Park Village. I decided on the village since it was the closest and I found a lodge that offered a free shuttle service to the hike itself. http://www.thecrossingbackpackers.co.nz

This looks like a nice place and it offers a great deal but it is totally isolated. It is 6km outside of the village. In the village the 4 square / gas station is the only place to get groceries. The hostel itself is pretty bare bones. It is the first place I've stayed in so far that doesn't provide linens. It made me feel like I was back at camp (good thing I have fond memories of camp). The owners are totally down to earth and very friendly. But I do think they should invest more in the actual property instead of their website and fancy flyers.

Let's shift to the next morning!

6:45am the shuttle picks "us" up! There are 5 of us from the hostel doing the trek today. Me and 4 men that all work together as nurses in the hospital in Hamilton. Our drive lasts about 25min and the driver gives us a little chat about return times and expectations before we head out. Since each of us were planning on making it to one of the two summits the driver said he would be back at 5pm to pick us up.

Hike begins at 7:20am. Since there was a volcanic eruption in November of 2012 the path and distance of the trek has been changed. The trek used to be an actual crossing (19.4km not including summits). Now there are two choices. Hike in to the emerald lakes and back out the same way (20km not including summits) or hike the new crossing (24.5km - not enough time in one day to do either summit). The second choice is only presented by some of the shuttle / tour companies (not ours).
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/mount-tongariro-no-longer-spewing-ash-5230221

I walked into the emerald lakes and then up Mnt. Tongariro. I did not attempt Mnt. Ngauruhoe since my flyer described it as "very challenging" and taking 2-3hours. I wasn't in the mood for that type of challenge. We were blessed with an amazingly clear morning where we could see both peaks. The sun was shining so the emerald lakes were beautiful. It started to cloud over in the afternoon and half of Mnt. Nhauruhoe was covered. It was a long day and I was glad that I had packed 2 sandwiches and lots of snacks!

Rotorua, New Zealand

Trip#2: Pahia - Rotorua
This trip was pretty much an entire day on the bus. I had pre-booked my hostel room for 3 nights at "crank backpackers". Crank is a converted mall and does not have the same feel at all the parrot - but what the building lacks in character, the staff make up in kindness. The hostel organizes little events each night - really as an opportunity for guests to meet one another. I was able to participate in a pool tournament and a movie night. No cost for either AND they happen during happy hour so you can get local NZ beer for $3 which is really cheap in NZ!!
While enjoying my first happy hour beverage on the night I checked in, I asked the clerk about the local attractions. I told him I was interested in going to see the thermal pools but I didn't know if it was worthwhile because it is outside of town and the return shuttle costs $30. Well he hooked me up with 2 Dutch guys staying at the hostel that were going to go the next morning by car! Sweet! Both me and a French girl were able to go along with the Dutch guys so the four of us spent the day together. We spent 4 hours or more in "Wai-O-Tapu thermal wonderland". We first had to watch Lady Knox Geyser erupt (which was encouraged by park staff because it is a scheduled viewing), then we walked through various volcanic pools, bubbling mud and waters.
The next day I rented a mountain bike from the hostel and biked to "The Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest". It's a fantastic park about 20min bike ride from the downtown that has over 90km of single track bike paths as well as horseback riding trails and several walking trails. It was really nice to be on a mountain bike again and to experience the true outdoors in New Zealand!

Bay of Islands, New Zealand

After 3 days in Auckland I was ready to leave. Many visitors come to New Zealand and Auckland is as far north as they get. Not this traveler! I decided to buy a bus pass it gives me 19 trips as short or as long as I want.

Trip #1: Auckland - Pahia
The journey north was long but beautiful. If traveling by car I'm sure there is one or two nice spots to stop/stay along the way. Pahia is lined with beaches that look out into the Bay of Islands. It is where everyone gets a boat tour or rents a kayak to get up and personal to all the islands. But the view from town, relaxing on the beach was good enough for me. Pahia reminds me of Gananoque - where people come to take boat tours of the thousand islands. As soon as I checked in to "the pickled parrot" I knew I wanted to stay longer than 2 nights.
This is/was the best hostel yet! A really nice homey feel, a great patio and living space. Super nice staff and not on the main strip downtown. Free internet and bikes was also a total bonus.
I took a one day tour with "awesome NZ" up to Cape Reinga. This included a stop to see 80year old Kauri trees, a drive along 90mile beach (actually ON the beach), sandboarding on sand dunes, a walk out to the lighthouse at Cape Reinga (the most accessible northern part of the country) and a stop to see how recovered Kauri wood is being made into furniture (recovered from being buried in swamps).

Auckland, NZ

Auckland, like any other big city is just that, a big city. BUT despite being the largest city in NZ the people in shops and restaurants are extremely friendly. I've already noticed the Kiwi Charm everyone hears about. Another bonus is that there are a few opportunities to escape the hustle and bustle of the central business district that are fairly easy to access.
1) take a half hour bus ride south of the city and enjoy the walk up One Tree Jill. A volcanic cone that has a memorial to the Maori people.
2) Mt. Eden (Maungawhau) is Auckland's highest cone (196m) with a grass covered crater (50m deep). The view from here is pretty great.
3) take a 25min ferry ride to Rangitoto the largest and youngest volcanic cone. It takes about an hour to walk to the top but that includes lots of stops along the way. There are nice information boards along the way on geology and plants.

Volcano National Park

Volcano National Park on the South side of Hawaii (the big island) is a MUST see and a must return spot for me.  

I stayed in the town of Hilo for one night - had breakfast and drove the short 1 hour into the Park.  First of all, all the national park staff I have met here in Hawaii have been fantastic!  They are so proud of their parks, of the National Park system and they are so happy to share their knowledge with visitors.  Kudos 

This is the most active crater at the moment.  I think they said it has been active for 40 years, but don't quote me on that!  Down the street from this crater there are steam vents that you can walk right up to, they give you just a little hint of the power and heat that must come out of this crater.  

This is a view of the same crater at night.  I was hoping to see a little more of a fireworks show (lava being thrust out of the crater) but it was still something pretty amazing to see.

Most of the landscape on the big island is covered in volcanic rock.  It's a black volcanic desert.  The Big Island is the "youngest" of all the Hawaiian islands, it hasn't had enough time to grow the diversity of plant life that can be seen on the older islands.  This is also the reason the highest peaks are found here, there hasn't been enough time for the elements to erode them away.  This picture is taken at the bottom of one of the craters.  On the hike down you can see the vegetation get less and less.  This part of the island is mostly covered in ferns.  

Not that I really wanted to see flowing lava...  Ok, lets be honest I DID!  I walked and walked and walked in the desert heat, thinking that at the end of this road that is what I would see.  I was hoping to see black cooled lava with red hot lava poking through, flowing into the ocean...  Well - what I did see is shown above, where the last lava flow took out the highway.  So this is actually where the road ends.  

I spent a total of 11 hours in Volcano National Park and I could definitely go back.  :)

Aloha

Off to Kauai.  The oldest of the Hawaiian islands.

Hawaii - "the big island"

Hawaii is the name of the biggest island in Hawaii and therefore is simply referred to as "the big island". It has two airports, one in Kona and on the other side of the island in Hilo. The big island is known as the host island for Ironman Hawaii (Kona), the highest peak in the state, Mona Koa, and of course Volcano National Park.

I flew in and out of Kona and rented a car so I could drive around the entire island! My first stop once I picked up my little Chevy rental car was the Kona brewery! Here I met a local guy that have me two avocados that he had just picked off his tree AND I met three guys that work at the brewery who gave me some tips of what I should see while I was on this island.  All the beers are named after Hawaiian locations / people or surf words :)
Longboard island lager being the most popular, other beers brewed on location include Coconut brown, Wailua Wheat, Duke's blonde, Pipeline Porter, and Castaway IPA...  No I haven't tried all of them...  But I did get a tour and got the opportunity to sample a few.

The Manago hotel - this is a spot worth staying if you are ever on the big island. The staff are extremely friendly, the food in the hotel restaurant is local, inexpensive and tasty (closed on Mondays). They have a variety of rooms with some themed rooms that have balconies and an ocean view to single rooms with shared bath on the road side ($35, my pick).

In my short stay I was able to visit a local coffee farm, three national parks, and several beaches. I saw sea turtles and whales. I drove through what felt like five different countries, the wind from the ocean and the two highest peaks change the climate and the flora SIGNIFICANTLY. I swear I could see the line that separated the East side from the West side and it started drizzling rain as soon as I drove across it!




The pic above was the most beautiful sight that just popped up out of nowhere at the end of the road on the North Shore - The Pololu Valley Overlook.  This photo doesn't capture how beautiful it was...  That is the thing.  My goal on this trip is to take amazing pictures - but we all know the images I will save in my mind will be 10x more beautiful.

Aloha
Off to Volcano National Park next

Road trip around Oahu

I really wanted to see the North Shore - where "pipeline" forms. If you take the bus from Waikiki it takes about 2.5 hours to get to the North Shore but you don't get to stop where you want - so I decided to rent a car and drive there. Based on Internet advice I walked about 8 blocks from the hostel and rented a SMART car. It was a cute little blue thing! :)
Driving through Honolulu was slow and I was very happy that the car came with a GPS!
It was really an amazing to be able to drive around the island and to experience the drastic changes in the landscape and the flora that grows on it. If you have ever watched the TV series "Lost"... That is exactly what the hills in Oahu look like. Absolutely breath taking.
I stopped at the Dole pineapple plantation before getting to the North Shore. I learned the best way to cut a pineapple and how to grow your own. I also saw about 40 different products made to smell like pineapple. Despite my little addiction to gift shops I didn't buy anything.
Next stop, North Shore - first beach was in Haleiwa where there was a teen surf competition going on. I watched three heats, two of boys and one of girls, all aged 15-17, the stuff they were doing was crazy!
The next stop was Ehukai Beach Park to see Pipe, notorious for huge waves which break in shallow water just above a cavernous reef, forming large, thick curls of water... I didn't quite see that - but it was amazing!

Hawaii days 1-4

After many, many hours in airports and in planes I arrived in Waikiki, Hawaii.  Waikiki is about 30min from Honolulu and definitely caters to beach lovers and Japanese tourists!  Many menus and advertisements are written in English and Japanese.

When I first arrived I checked into the HI hostel, unpacked as much as I could seeing as there were no closets, hooks or surfaces to lay anything out.  Then I headed to the nearest restaurant "La Cucuracha" where I are some tasty tacos and beer!  Then straight to bed!

Wednesday morning I wasted little time finding myself a nice breakfast special and then got quickly acquainted with the local bus system on Oahu called "TheBus" (which I have to say I love because all their busses are painted with rainbows)!  I decided to start right away and hike diamond head which is just outside the city and gives a wonderful panoramic view of the ocean, Honolulu and mountain ranges.  Upon my decent I was going to continue to Hanauma bay but ended up waiting a lot of time trying to figure out the buses so decided to continue North on the bus up to Sea Life Park!  Spent about 45min there then jumped back on the bus back to Waikiki.

On Thursday I had to switch hostels - which I was not keen on doing (especially since I had to carry my full pack about 10 blocks) but I am so glad that things worked out the way they did.  I am now at the Seaside Hostel and the staff are SO much more helpful and the set up is much more conducive to meeting people.  I have meet people of all ages from all over the world and all have been super kind and willing to share and chat!  It has made me much more comfortable with the idea of traveling this way for the next 2 months.

So Thursday is when I went to Hanauma bay to go snorkeling.  I didn't spend as much time in the water as I thought I would but I think I saw all there was to see.

This morning I got up early and went to Pearl Harbour, on my return I walked the length of Waikiki beach to the aquarium so I could try and take pictures of the fish I saw yesterday!

So the arrival and first few full days have been good, full of sun and little adventures!  Check back soon for my report on my trip to the North Shore and my time on the Big Island!