After the big tree we headed down the west coast towards Auckland, stopping off to walk up Mount Auckland. Not very tall but still a climb on such a hot day.
After walking through forest with no view we reached the top and were met by a clear view of the sea.
We arrived in Auckland and stayed the night with some of Kenny's uni friends Jon & Nicole. We were so grateful for the fantastic barbeque food and big 'proper' bed and a shower.
As near as we came to Auckland city centre as we headed of East to the Coromandel region to do some walking.
We set off in the stifling heat to walk up through the forest on what they called the 'Billy Goat Track'. An old track carved for the passage of donkeys to enable them to drag the timber, gum & gold down the valley.
The track was steep and narrow.
With wonderful little streams and waterfalls all running into the river below.
The steps had been pain stakingly carved out of the rock for the donkeys to safely walk.
Me in a felled tree trunk - these things were huge!
Finally at the top.
A railway on the way back down made it easier for the logs to be transported.
Back across the river at the bottom to our mozzie filled campsite - honestly the whole way through malaria land in South America with not one single bite and one day here I look like I have the pox!
We decided to head South and West (to avoid the mozzies if nothing else!). The Kiwis, trying their best to attract tourists to stop, make attractions of anything but we were so intrigued by the brown sign stating that there was a 'large L&P bottle' up ahead that we had to stop. There was in fact a large L&P bottle (the NZ locally made fizzy drink).
We had heard that there were many places to 'free camp' in NZ. Our budget had taken such a hit in South America that we decided to try to save the £10 or so a night and go Freedom Camping. The rules, as we saw them, were you can camp anywhere that does not specifically say 'no camping'. After all we are very self-contained in our van. The first place did not disappoint we had a wonderful view of the river and even flush toilets! Great value for money I think. (Near Cambridge mid S. Island)
After finding such a score place to camp we decided to stay there 2 nights so headed just up the road to Hamilton to visit their botanical gardens and have a picnic. (Hamilton was just up the road from Cambridge, which was next to Leamington. Anyone else completely disorientated and cinfused? - K)
The English garden.
The Chinese garden.
These beautiful flowers are everywhere, they seems to grow wild here, I do not know their name but I have a mother and a mother-in-law who do? (Please email).
We were told by everyone who had visited NZ that we could not missed going to see the glowworms. Waitomo caves are the most famous.
After a short drive up the limestone valley we walked over to the mouth of a small cave, where our guide showed us an eel in the water (random!)
Sporting my caving helmet.
Finally into the cave.
Lights out we were soon to be struck silent by these amazing creatures.
Only found in New Zealand (and a few in Oz) these worms, actually maggots attract their dinner (flys etc) by emitting a small light through a chemical reaction in their bellies.
It was one of the most special things i have ever seen, i could have watched them for hours.
A next door cave promised stalic mights & tights.
And that is what we got.
Eerie up lighting effect.
Another 'Freedom Camping' experience from our private camp ground that night.
Before leaving North Island we headed down to Lake Taupo.
Home of....................
No exaggeration here it was huge!
The most expensive bottle in the shop.
Black swans on the lake.
The one thing with our new camping method is no showers and often no toilets. However NZ has it all sorted for you with good public loos everywhere!!! At these ones you can go to the loo and have a shower for a mere £1.20, bargain!
It was now time to hot foot it down the country to catch our ferry to South Island but not without stopping at a few land marks. 'Mount Doom' from Lord of the Rings.
A huge wellie.
In the wellie wanging capital of NZ.
An international airport complete with airplane cafe above it.
As well as some of the most spectacular countryside on our drive.
.........................
Finally we made it to Hamilton to catch our ferry.
North Island was incredible and well worth the time we spent here, it is a very cultural place full of Mauri history.
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