March 11th., We were at the bus pick up point early in the morning and the bus arrived a couple of minutes later. Our host and her brother made sure we got onto the right bus after saying our goodbyes. Still sleepyhead we started on our next leg of our journey. First stop was at Hamilton where we have to change bus, it was a quick stop just enough time for the loo and grab a sandwich to go. Waiting for the bus in Hamilton. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) The next brief stop was at Waitomo a place famous for its cave and glow worms. Caves ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) The ride on the bus was interesting and comfortable. I was also getting quite good at taking our own photos. Comfy Ride!!! ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) We arrived at New Plymouth round about past 1:00pm and we stopped right in front of a shopping mall. There was a 30 minutes break here for us to grab some lunch. On the menu it was roast meat burger and it was really good. Oops!!! Forgot to take photo earlier!!! ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Our ride - No need to get naked to get on. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) We pass by a beautiful little town with Mount Taranaki in the background. It is a volcano! Quaint little town. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Closer ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Mt. Taranaki - Beautiful asleep!!! ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) A change of bus in Palmerston North and next stop is our destination which is just about an hour or so away. When we arrived our host was waiting for us at the bus stop where the bus dropped us. My wife first corresponded with her as a pen-pal when she was 10 and she came to visit us some 30 plus years ago. It was really good to see her again…really glad we made the trip. Her place is just round the corner, about 3 to 4 minutes drive. We had a wonderful welcome by her children. Warm ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Our host had a good laugh when we told them that we came from Auckland via New Plymouth because that is a real long way. The long way!!! ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) If the bus had taken the normal route, we would had made the journey in less than 8hours via Rotorua and Taupo. The normal way. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Anyway we were happy that we get to tour the whole of the west coast of North Island. Our host had booked us into a very comfortable and beautiful bed and breakfast place which is just down the road so that our stay would be very comfortable. The bed & breakfast place. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) The hall way. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) The bedroom … very comfortable. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Living area. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Fire place. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Nice. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) March 12th , Every morning we will have a chat with the owner of the B&B over breakfast and it was always interesting. She is a very capable and wonderful person. Sharing a joke!!! ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) After breakfast we walked to our host house which is just a couple of minutes down the road. It was nice walking the cool summer like weather and it was supposed to be autumn. Cold!!! ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Our host’s house. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Our very first time seeing lemons on a lemon tree, it is the neighbor’s tree. Lemons!!! ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Our first destination of visit today was Norsewood. This is where the Scandinavian migrants settled in New Zealand according to history. We were excited because there was a small cheese making factory operated by a family and was open to visitors. They still practised the traditional way. Getting informations. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) With the host’s son and 3 trolls!!! ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) No, not Larry, Curly & Moe ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) A Game? ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) A typical early settler’s home. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) "Our hubbies would love these tools!" ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) A bacon slicer ... I want!!! ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) My friend the blacksmith. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Can you make me a bacon slicer? ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) A replica church of the early days. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) My wife’s long lost friend!!! ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) We were disappointed that the cheese factory was no longer in operation because they were not able to keep up with the health regulations requirement with modernisation, what a shame. Later that day we went for a jungle walk for a look see and met a group of soldiers on training taking a break. New Zealand soldiers taking a break. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) With the boss soldier. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Almost dried up river bed. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) The jungle walk. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Nice!!! ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Tea time… ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) After tea we went to the town with our host to have a look see while she did her errands and marketing. Along the main street. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) The varieties in the supermart even though in a small town is just wow! The fruits were great!!! To the supermart. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Our host’s son took us for a walk around the neighbourhood in the late afternoon and the first stop was at the high school where he is attending. The neighbourhood High School. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) The school office. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) There were lots of these flowers all over New Zealand which is a weed and mainly are blue in colour. Googling it I found the name and it is Agapanthus, African Lily or Lily Of The Nile. Blue is common. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) White … a bit rare. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Upon returning to our host’s house we discovered that their neighbor also planted raspberry. Shhh …. I pluck one … yum!!! ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) More weed flowers. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) My dinner, home cook … yum!!! ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) March 13th Today is the day we make a trip down to Wellington for a night on our own. Our host made all the arrangements for us, yes we were really spoilt. We had to go to Palmerston North to catch the Intercity bus. While in Palmerston we met up with our host eldest daughter who is working there. Giant fans along the way. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) With host’s eldest. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) The ride to Wellington was about 2 hours and was uneventful. The pastures were all brown due to the draught that they were experiencing. Upon arrival, we made our way to the hotel by bus and were surprised most of the buses were powered by electricity. In Wellington. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Bus? … Tram? … Yes, Bus. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) The Bay where we stayed. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) After checking in we headed straight to Te Papa Museum which is nearby within walking distance. Te Papa Museum ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) We were greeted by the trolls from The Hobbit towering over everyone. Larry, Moe , Curly? ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Sea life ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) The Colossal Squid was also on display but it was almost impossible to take a photo of it because of the way it is being preserved and displayed. Skeleton of a pygmy blue whale. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Taking a break along Bush City. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Man made cave in Bush City. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) “Come again, ya!” ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) After that it was free roaming in the city, had dinner and a long walk along the sea front along Oriental Parade. Taking a break along Cuba Street. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Dinner – A Vietnamese pancake. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Waitangi Park with Mt. Victoria in background. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Boat house along Oriental Bay ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Oriental Bay ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) It was a nice walk but the sun did not perform a sunset at all, daylight just disolved into night. When we got back to the hotel and the room was hot, yes it was hot and the windows could not be opened. It felt like we were already back home which we did not missed the heat at all. Suspected that the heater was on so look for a switch to turn it off but there was none. Took the phone, made a complaint and they denied that that the central heater was on because they did not have central heating. Anyway the person on the other end offered us a fan to cool down. When the guy came with the fan, the fan was real tiny, it looks like a joke. We ask him to check the ventilation vents which he concluded that it was strange. I check it again and I guess they turn it off when we made the complaint. Anyway ……… A joke of a fan!!! ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Wellington water front by night. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) March 14th Wellington water front by day. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) After breakfast, we check out and we told the girl that the room was very hot. She apologized that someone could have turned on the central heating. Since we were never ever going to stay there again, we just let it be. Since it was a beautiful morning, we decided to walk and explore our way to the railway station to catch our bus back to Dannervirke. We decided to walk along the water front and we had no plans to visit any particular place, just take it as it comes! Retired ship propellers. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Port Nicholson. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Port Nicholson’s story. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Need a push mate? ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Hmmm…Reflection on an Ancient Past. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Reflection on an Ancient Past explained. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Taking a break with the birds. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) This is where we learned the mystery of cream honey. Before we thought that Manuka Honey in its natural form is creamy. The Honey Girl. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Willis Street with Old Bank in background. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Old Bank I’m Woman!!! I did this!!! ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Lunch time. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Roast Beef … no sauce ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Kiwi Cappuccino ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Pie ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Join us? ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) This whole building is made of wood. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Parliament is in my hands!!! ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) The Bee Hive Welcome to Parliament. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) The Railway Station. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) We were a little early in reaching the railway cum bus station and just had to wait awhile before the bus arrived. It was a smooth ride back to Palmerston North and our host’s husband with their second daughter will be picking us up, he works there and she goes to school there. Palmerston North is about 40+km from Dannevirke. We took a different route back to Dannevirke to visit one of the Wind Farms. Wind Farm from a distant. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Getting closer. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Just right underneath it! ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) One for the album. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Enjoying the breeze ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Te Apiti Wind Farm Next Rotorua and maybe Lake Taupo.
Hi KK,..great tour,..and interesting pictures,..loved the Trolls,..oh very tasty looking meat burger,..lots of gravy or sauce there not like the Roast Beef Roll lol. Beautiful Bed and Breakfast place,..it was fun and enjoyable looking through your holiday pictures,..you can be quite a comedian. Philip
I've been waiting to see and hear more of your vacation. And was not disappointed! You seemed to have found the most intresting places and things to see (and wonderful people along the way). I really liked your "welcome" sign on the side walk. :-D
I must get my finger out and get my holiday snaps posted. You have some wonderful shots there KK - something for each and every taste. I hope you'll have many more to show us.
I really liked the look of the first bed and breakfast you visited, looks very cosy! Thanks for sharing your holiday snaps KK and Becky.
You are most welcome Carolyn, we are still raving about it to whoever came our way!!! Thanks Philip, glad you are still enjoying it. Thanks Cherylad, happy to know you are still enjoying it too!!! :-D Thanks Eileen, there are lots more!!! You're welcome Frank, yes the bed and breakfast is great place to stay ... almost like home.
