McKenzie Trail at Waipu Cave

Waipu Cave

Sam's Observances

There are both similarities and differences between NZ and Canada the basic difference is New Zealand’s adherence to all things British. Though we are both Commonwealth countries they have stuck with words like boot, bonnet, petrol and tyre for cars and jumper (sweater) mate, good on you and krykie just to name a few.

Just as we are attracted to life in  America they are always comparing themselves to the country across the ditch ( Australia ) They compete against them in sport,business,entertainment etc. and are very proud of how their small country stacks up.

There was a National Election here on Saturday and the same party that was in power was returned with the same % of the vote they had before the Election. Voter turnout was the lowest ever ( sounds familiar). If you close your eyes and forgot the accent while watching the telly (good British word ) you would swear you were listening  to the PC ,Liberals and NDP's at home. Same issues, same arguments, same no answers for their basic problems.

I had a shop keeper ask me where I was from and he said that Canadians are just like New Zealanderss (Kiwis) except we have our natives “ under control “ and they don’t ( very interesting perception buy wrong )

Driving on the left side of the road was a very easy adjustment but in the first few days I kept going to the left side of the car to get in and drive a right hand steering vehicle. It doesn’t work very well! All the road signs for speed limits,construction,bumps etc. are much better signed than in Canada and give you plenty of time react.

It is no wonder the New Zealanders are good drivers the roads here are very twisty and you are either going up or down hill constantly. The condition of the roads are excellent (no frost to contend with) and they are very well maintained.

This county is old car crazy and you see many very well restored older cars, hot rods, American muscle cars and British Classics like the 1973 Jenson Interceptor III I saw yesterday in perfect original condition.

We have been a little out of touch where we are staying as they have no internet so we have to drive 15K to the closest Internet Café to get online. The next apartment we are staying at on Dec. 3 has Wi-Fi available and we will catch up with everyone.

Waipu Caves

Wednesday, November 23^rd, Langs Beach

Located a few kilometers up the coast and inland is the Waipu (why-poo) Caves. After yet another picturesque drive, we parked the car and walked a short distance to the cave. Unlike the commercial caves at Waitomo, this one is ‘enter on your own and make your way to where the glow worms hang from the stalactites’. Recent rains had made the way in quite muddy, and without a flashlight you could easily trip in an unseen hole, so we didn’t go much beyond the entrance.

We decided to walk the nearby McKenzie Trail that wound upwards through the woods. The path had several rock formations, wild foxglove and stunning views of the valley. The forest was alive with wild bird songs and wind in the tree tops. Several parts of the trail were very steep but end was worth the climb as the summit gave us a breathtaking view of several valleys and the ocean in the distance. My instant reaction was to sing out, “The hills are alive…WOW”! Less than a minute later, the woman that had passed us on her run up the hill, appeared around the corner smiling broadly, obviously within earshot of my spontaneous outburst. We decided not to walk the last kilometer to the end as the view wouldn’t be any better, so we made our way back down.

In what is basically a one street town, the Pizza Barn in Waipu is a very busy restaurant especially in the evening. They serve a variety of unusual pizzas, burgers and mains and the creative interior with recycled corrugated metal on the walls, various antiques, western décor and good music, it was a happening place.

Tuesday, Nov 22^nd, Langs Beach

Today’s adventure was to set out to find Bream Trail that follows the summit of Mangawhai (man-o-why) Cliffs. We parked the car, like the sign said, at the bottom of the gravel road that we set out to climb. It’s difficult to gauge how far we went as we were steadily climbing 45 degrees to the top. The view became more magnificent with every step and we ran into a small herd of cows grazing in one of the paddocks at the top of the summit. We came to a fence and decided not to enter as it was closed and appeared to be private property. We went back down a bit and took another trail which led to the top of the hill that gave us unobstructed views of the ocean below and the islands that we look upon from our beach house. We made our long way down the road to where our car was parked and bumped into a man working in that area. We asked about the Bream Trail and he said that had we gone through the closed gate, we would have come upon it. The understanding in New Zealand is to go through gates but to leave them as you found them. The only time you wouldn’t, we suspect, is when there are cameras and codes to punch in at what appears to be an open gate.

Hugh & Raewyn’s Home: Fairlane in Karaka

We arrived in New Zealand on November 15^th, having left Toronto on November 13^th with an eight hour layover in Vancouver. Hugh Ross met us at the airport at 6 a.m. and took us to his home in Karaka. He and his wife, Raewyn were dairy farmers with about 200 acres and several years ago sold off all but 45 acres of their farm to Wesley College and some smaller acreages to “Lifestylers” – city folks who want a place in the country that isn’t on a beach.

On November 19^th, after attending the Pukekohe Farmer’s Market, we drove about an hour distance north of Auckland to Rae’s sister’s beach house located at Lang’s Beach. The house is situated high on the hill with a magnificent view of the beach and some islands a few kilometers out in the ocean. The road down to the beach is steep, so by the time we walk down and along the shore, we’ve had a good morning of exercise.

The nearby towns of Waipu and Mangawhai are quite small but we’ve been able to find all that we need in provisions for home cooked meals. There are some ‘Take Aways’ that cook roasts and veges, a delicious home cooked meal without the work!

Neaby is a wildlife reserve with lots of nesting birds for Magi to photograph. There are also some roped off areas on our beach for a few birds who have decided to nest there. Yesterday we saw a family with two chicks.

The land around Lang's Beach is very hilly so there are numerous dairy, beef and sheep farmers. We’ve also seen some beautiful thoroughbred horses in the pastures.

Countdown

Preparing to go away for five months has had it's unique challenges. We have a list of things we will purchase immediately upon our arrival in New Zealand. Hair blower, shampoo, laundry detergent...yes we will be doing laundry as we will be 'living' there and not staying at your typical 'all inclusive resort'.
We leave soon so lots of details to complete.