New Zealand - Days 1 and 2

Day 1 (31 Aug 2010)
By 15.00 hours (local) on Tuesday 31 August 2010, I had successfully negotiated customs and immigration and was standing outside the Air Terminal waiting to be collected by staff from the Camper Van depot where I had booked my van for the next 3 weeks travelling around New Zealand. I was feeling a trifle jet lagged since, despite a 2 night stopover in Hong Kong I was now operating in a time zone some 11 hours ahead of the UK.
However, collection of the van was no problem and I had what I thought were fairly clear directions to the camper van site where I had booked to spend the first night on NZ soil. However, I was obviously more tired than I thought and finding the site prove to be a bit of a problem, despite stopping to confirm directions. However, I eventually turned around and headed back to where instinct told me I should be and I finally arrived at about 17.30.
Spent a short time getting suitcases unpacked and things arranged into some semblance of order within the van and then set off to get a bite to eat and a couple of beers.

The camper site staff had recommended an Irish bar/restaurant about 500 metres away, by the name of O'Ryans, See below:

After I had sampled the skewered prawns and a pint of Guinness, the landlord, a balding chap by the name of Johnny, agree to let me take a few photos and gave me some advice on where to go in NZ, most of which seemed to involve visiting a series of public houses. The photos can be seen below:

Johnny is the chap on the left, above. Apparently his parents are 'Kiwis' but he was born in India because they were teaching out there. All of his family are apparently quite religious and Johnny's father keeps telling him that he will "burn in hell". I suppose that he will have to join the queue.

Following a pint of Kilkenny's I bade Johnny "good night" and strolled back to the camper, for a much needed kip, thus ended Day 1 in New Zealand.

Day 2 (01 Sept 2010)

Rose at 07.00 and after showering and getting dressed, I went out in search of breakfast, having not yet acquired any provisions. Right next door to the Holiday Park was an establishment which offered an 'all you can eat' breakfast for the princely sum of $12.90 (about £6). Needless to say, I indulged and departed a short time later feeling quite bloated. Set me up for the day, so to speak.

The following photos are of the entrance to the Holiday Park and my Camper Van on site.

My van is the one on the left.

Anyway, once everything was stowed away safely, I set off, heading in a northerly direction with no fixed destination in mind but thinking that, unless something stopped me, I might get as far as the "Bay of Islands." The Route 1 (Northern Motorway) took me through Auckland with the bridge over the harbour being quite impressive although apparently beset with problems (See Auckland Harbour Bridge).

Having cleared Auckland and having been impressed with much of the scenery along the way (I need someone with me to take photographs as I travel along, however, I will always have the memories.) the place name of Puhoi took my fancy so I turned off for a look-see. The following photos are the result:

Pub and Hotel Sign:

View from the Memorial Park.

Could this be the smallest public library in the world???

Puhoi is just north of Waiwera in the Mahurangi Regional Park and the towns people are apparently campaigning for improved motorway access. Strange really, in the UK it would definitely be the reverse.

After this brief stop-off I continued north on Route 1 to Whangerei, where I attempted to do a bit of shopping but was unable to get what I wanted (story of my life) so, moved on. 

I had obviously been making very good progress as I suddenly found myself in Paihia where the Beachside Holiday Park is situated so booked in for 2 nights. Very reasonable rates plus FREE Internet access. Located the food mall a couple of Kms up the road so, stocked up on basic provisions and then got myself settled on the site to spend the evening, emailing, blogging and holding Skype sessions with brother David in the UK and sister Valerie, in Australia.

Finally turned in at 23.00 after what seemed to be a very full day 2. However, I still haven't got the cheap trainers, or similar that I need, having forgotten to pack some.

See you again soon.

HK Kowloon Park and beyond

Having stayed up until 01.30 on Sunday night, updating the Blog, emailing all & sundry and holding Skype sessions with daughter, grandson and brother,(not necessarily in that order) I didn't wake until 09.15 and only then because the hotel staff were vacuuming the corridor outside my room. However, after a quick shower I dressed and managed to get to breakfast before it finished. Tried to check-in on-line for my flight on Monday evening but, as with the first leg, it was no go.
Eventually left for Kowloon Park at 11.05. It is a 5 minute walk to the MTR and a 30 minute ride. Pretty good value for HK$8.50 (less than £1.00).
The Park is something of an oasis in the heart of this concrete jungle with lots of greenery, water features and wild birds. Here are a few pictures to illustrate. The first being a map to indicate where the park is located.

Followed by the Park Map itself:

This is followed by a view of one of the many fountains. This one was surrounded by dragonflies. (real ones)

Just to give you something to think about, this sculpture was entitled; "Concept of Newton".

Apart from the many and varied sculptures, the plaza below was also being used by a number of people exercising.

While this one seemed to have something to do with steel tubing.

And I am not too sure what these ducks were up to but, in the UK it would probably be banned. However, I also have some video of it.

Here is a self portrait of yours truly with Victoria Harbour behind. This is a public viewing area just outside Kowloon Park. The murkiness you see never did get any better while I was in HK.

In the same area I photographed this sculpture of dolphins when I was approached by an Indian chap wearing a turban (Sikh?) who engaged me in conversation and then proceeded to start telling my fortune by examining my forehead. However, this was terminated when, rather predictably, the request for money was made. (by him, not me). Those who know me will not be surprised to learn that he failed to extract anything from my pockets.

Having by now worked up a 'muck sweat' as they say, I headed back to the hotel, arriving there at 14.00 which just gave me time to pack, shower and cool down prior to checking out and catching the shuttle bus to the airport.

It became evident during my short stay in HK that not many other European tourists choose to travel about via the MTR. While travelling on the MTR I appeared to be, on average, a head taller than the local population and finally my beard caused considerable curiosity with one chap asking if it was real and another asking if I was a Muslim.

Once again checking in for the flight was straight forward and I was ensconced  in my seat on the 747-400 by 20.30 hours local wondering if I would be able to get stretched out as the aircraft seemed to be half empty. This proved to be the case and I was able to get some shut-eye during the 9 hour flight to Sydney.

Landed at Sydney at 08.00 local time on Tuesday 31 Aug. Proceeded through Transit without problems and was soon sat at the appropriate boarding gate where I was engaged in conversation by a NZ couple, currently living in Perth, Western Australia, who where going back home for a week. The aircraft (a Boeing 737) was boarded and pushed back on time but spent 20 minutes taxiing before take-off at 09.50.

Landed on time in Auckland after a 2.30 flight and transited Customs by 14.30 local time which gave me just enough time to arrange pick-up for the previously booked camper van and get to the local camper site. I had arrived in New Zealand and the long planned trip proper could get underway. However, that's another story which I will try to get fully up to date next time.

Hong Kong Sights

Well, as indicated lat night, I did manage to partake of a little light refreshment before retiring and felt all the better for it.
Rose at 07.30 this morning (Sunday 29th) and made it down for breakfast by 08.00. Having presented my voucher, it was a serve yourself breakfast with multiple choices of National cuisine. Naturally, I tried a bit of everything.
Following breakfast I did some writing up of notes for the blog and also to help me keep track of days and events. Then found my way into Hong Kong Island via the MTR (Metro). The following map should give you some idea of the area.

Spent some time wandering about the Piers and the IFC Mall before the heat and humidity got the better of me and drove me back to the hotel for a rest at about 3.00 PM. Just a few of the photos are shown below.

Having re-vitalised myself, I took the MTR back to Tsim Sha Tsui, on the Kowloon peninsular, in order to get a look at the lights of HK Island after dark. See photos below but they do not do it justice. I wouldn't want to pay the electric bill.

Having had a good wander about, I returned to the hotel and had a couple of beers before holding Skype conversations with brother David, daughter Samantha and grandson Matthew. All seems to be well. They assure me that they haven't wrecked the house yet.
Will try to get this published tomorrow morning before I set off to Kowloon Park. Then it will be checking out of the hotel by 6.00 PM local, in order to get to the airport for my late evening flight to Auckland via Sydney.
That's all for now see you later.