Day 14, 28 March: Rotorua then off to Dunedin

A bit tired this morning though I slept very well. Breakfast of fruit and bread/cheese/ham/tea/juice then pack up. Play with Loci the dog a bit. Pack up, have a chat with John and hear a bit more about the house – he got it as a bit of a wreck and has been doing it up ever since. No one wanted it apparently. He’s a lovely bloke, tells us we’re lovely people, and we part with hugs and hand shakes. I’d be surprised if we find a better bnb host than him anywhere.

The Robertson House. A very nice place to stay!

He suggested we had a look at the Mauri area/Church and then the woods and lakes so off we headed to the church. Where we parked there were pockets of sulphurous steam escaping from nooks and crannies all over the place, including under buidings. Some had pipes to vent it away from the house. The church was ornate inside with Mauri wood carvings. The graves outside where concrete caskets above ground – apparently if you bury people in the ground here the pressure has a tendency to push them above ground.

Buried above ground in Rotorua

I discovered that I had forgotten to hand my key in so we popped back. John was grateful and gave me a the name of a place to get coffee/snacks as a reward. We drove round the bay a bit then to ‘La Bonne’ bakery and had nice quiche and coffee. Then into an outdoor gear place where Serena bought a wooly vest or something.

A quick drive up to the lakes – Blue Lake and another one – nice views and the strange but attractive mix of tree ferns and deciduous trees. Then back, 10 minutes in the forest, and off to the airport. We dropped the car and I tried to book a Commodore (big car) for Dunedin but they had none left so had to settle for a Camry.  Its a very small and nice airport and the lady who checked our pags also boarded us and probably loaded the bags and flew the plane too.  Multi-tasking!  Cup of tea then on to the flight which was a 60 odd seat propeller craft. Its not full so Serena moves to the seat in front to get a window seat. 1h 45 and we’re in Christchurch. Cup of coffee and snack and back on a similar 1h flight to Dunedin. Its so easy, boarding 15 mins before take off!

Even the fields are well ordered and nice!

I go to pick up car.  The nice girl has booked me a RED Camry and doesn’t charge us extra. Its nice, I like it. 20 odd km drive to the LivingSpace motel in Dunedin. Its basically high class student accom with a funky glass bathroom but has what we need. Go out for food.  Serena is after noodles and we find a number of Japanese places and hit Minami where we have a very nice meal – I have the traditional Japanese lunch/dinner in a sort of box with 5 items – yum. Then head up to the Octagon where something is going on – its international day of turning lights off and there is drumming in the square.  We are both tired and needing some downtime so buy some drink for tonight and food for breakfast.

Bed 12:30 ish.  Another  good day

Posting this in the airport.  Coming soon – when I have internet – some more photos plus:

Day 15: Off to Oamaru.  Penguins and a great homestay
Day 16: Off to Christchurch – a long and lovely drive
Day 17: Round Christchurch – a nice place

And much much more…

~ by andyrawlins on April 6, 2009.