Wednesday 11th March
Short flight to Auckland New Zealand - only 3 hrs! Greeted at the airport by Auntie Pauline & Uncle David. Great to be back in New Zealand and especially to see the family.
Thursday 12th March
Have a nice tour around Auckland courtesy of Pauline & Dave, which included, the City centre, Harbour, Mount Eden, Mission Bay (really good fish & chips we sat and ate by the beach).
In the evening we had a family gathering at Auntie Pauline & Uncle Dave’s - my cousins Guy & Karen, Megan, Mathew, Jason, Aimee & Tara all turned up and we had a superb meal – thanks Auntie Pauline and really good to catch up with you all.
Friday 13th March
We have been kindly lent Uncle Dave’s car (very brave as it’s Friday 13th) – we also get the Sat Nav thrown in and head off to Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World. We had a great time watching and feeding the stingrays, dolphins and turtles and penguins – all really close up – it has an excellent aquarium. The Antarctic exhibition is really interesting – over all we’re really impressed. We have another nice lunch at Mission Bay before getting back to Block House Bay .
Saturday 14TH March
We are invited to an Auckland Agricultural show at Kumeu. A really interesting day out. As you would expect, we see a lot of live stock and food produce on display. My Cousin’s 8 year old boy Matthew entered the giant pumpkin competition – an absolute whopper – I’m hoping he can send a photo for the blog – and let us know how you did Mathew? Andrew enjoyed the woodcutting competition whilst I did a bit of retail therapy. The kids had a ball on the fairground.
We then decided to drive up the road to Helensville – known for it’s natural hot spa pools and geothermal complex and we took the kids for spa pool experience – very pleasant (and very hot) it was too.
Sunday 15th March
Had a day with cousins and really pleased to see my cousin Martin – we walked the kids to the local park and met an old friend of my parents (Shirl) – great to see you Shirl.
Monday 16th March
We hijack the car (& Sat Nav) and take off to the Coromandel Peninsula. A bit of a beachy paradise on the eastern shores of the North Island. A mixture of lush native rainforest, beautiful coves, crystal clear waters and white sand beaches. It’s a fabulous drive - panoramic views at every turn. Sorry my photos don’t do it justice.
We stop in Coromandel town for lunch and then head for Hot Water Beach – where you make your own spa by digging a hole in the sand two hours either side of high tide, and then just sit in it and relax as hot spring water fills it up. We saw very little traffic until we got to the beach and by coincidence we were there just before high tide – as were another 200 people! You really have to choose your spot carefully – otherwise you only get a cold water pool. We did take a shovel but ended up just dipping our toes in other peoples' pools – the kids we’re not impressed by the tide coming in and we were forced back to safer shores! We had a quick look at Cathedral cove (thanks to Simon Schofield’s recommendation). Could have easily spent a couple more days here.
Tuesday 17th March
We decide we need to see more of Auckland by boat – we are after all in the city of sails. Uncle Dave also thinks we should take a trip over the Harbour Bridge. So the plan is to drive over to Devonport, catch a ferry to Auckland – sight see – and ferry back – plus saves trying to park in central Auckland City.
We get to Auckland easy enough and book onto full cruise of the harbour at hugely discounted price, which is really very good. We also have a quick tour of the Harbour courtesy of local 3-wheeler bike, before going to the Maritime Museum. We get the ferry back to Devonport but when we arrive we can’t find the car – and actually I don’t even recognise the harbour. After a bit of detective work, it turns out we set off from Bayswater Not Devonport. By now the ferry back to Auckland has gone so we catch a bus to Belmont – and start a 40-min walk with kids back to the car. A local mum takes pity on us and very kindly invites me & kids into her home for drinks whilst Andrew fetches the car – what a hero! However, it does now mean we have a big rush to get to the restaurant for my Cousins joint wedding anniversary and birthday party. All ends well – we get there just in time and have a very interesting DIY stir fry – which basically entails selecting your own meat & veg etc and asking the chef to cook it to your liking – great fun.
Wednesday 18th March
Uncle Dave, Andrew & the kids go to the MOTAT (Museum of Transport & Technology), whilst Auntie Pauline and I go shopping. Lots of aircraft (including a Lancaster) at MOTAT together with a wide range of steam power and other gizmo's including a flight simulator.
We go and see Cousin Darren and wife Julie. Great to see you both and sorry we couldn't have spent more time with you. You’ll have to get yourselves to England. Really pleased that Jason popped in to see us too.
For a treat Pauline & Dave offer to baby-sit, whilst Andrew and I go out for the night. We book a table at the Orbit Restaurant which is at the top of the Sky Tower in centre of Auckland City. The Sky Tower dominates the Auckland city skyline and is the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere. You can actually do a jump from the tower at 630ft - tempting? Apparently you fall at 85kph in just 12 seconds. We get to see great views of Auckland from our revolving restaurant (one full turn an hour) and have a very good meal.
Thursday 19th March
Our last day in Auckland. We pick up the Motor-Home late morning. Uncle Dave kindly lends us his Sat Nav – which is great as Andrew and I haven’t had one argument all holiday (re directions that is!).
We say our goodbyes – we have been thoroughly spoilt by Auntie Pauline and Uncle Dave and we are very grateful for their very kind hospitality. Thank you both and we look forward to seeing you in June.
Monday, 23 March 2009
Sunday, 22 March 2009
Sydney
Saturday 7th March
We arrive in Sydney 9pm ish and take a Taxi to the hotel. Sydney is buzzing and our taxi driver informs us that it's Sydney's Madis Gras night. Not wanting to miss out - we dump our suitcases in the hotel and take a walk downtown Sydney. It’s certainly lively! We decide to have coffee and ice-cream (basically no one will let us in the decent bars with 2 kids) - so ice-cream it is - it's past midnight, really humid and the kids are still wired, so it seems perfectly reasonable to be out. Fun night had by all - but soon the police cars start flying around and the place descends into drunken chaos (and that's just our kids!) so we decide it's time for bed.
Sunday 8th March
Beautiful day - and we take a walk into Darling Harbour (which is celebrating 21 years anniversary) - the area was once a run down quay side which has been transformed into a stunning harbour, with shops, bars, restaurants, IMAX, Aquarium, parks, Chinese Gardens, etc (if you like that sort of thing).
After a large breakfast we ran around the park and then decided to buy a monorail pass and get better orientated. We look around the markets and shops and then decided to see the IMAX 3d underwater Ocean experience - unfortunately James and Hattie screamed the place down and I ended up having to take James out - anyway kind man in the box office gave us our money back. It started to rain about 4pm so we headed back to hotel for an afternoon nap - (mainly so that we could keep the kids civilised enough to eat at the nice Seafood restaurant we've spotted).
But we do have a minor disaster (which could have been catastrophically major) - whilst we were all enjoying an afternoon nap - Hattie decides to go on "walkabout" - we only find this out when one of the hotel guests knocks at the door with Hattie. I had locked the door and put the door chain on - so was shocked that she was out - anyway after a bit of an interrogation - she finally confessed her trick - which was to roll the computer chair to the door - get on it - un-hook the door chain - and away she goes – whilst we all slept! We had a word with the hotel management and by the time we got back from our superb seafood supper - all chairs had been removed from our room - even the two-ton easy chair that I was accustomed too! We've forgiven Hattie - for her safe return!!
Monday 9th March
Up early and we have been recommended Torronga Zoo (Schofield Family) – we need to take a small ferry ride across the harbour from Circular Quay. I am a bit uncomfortable with animals in captivity/cages etc – but I thought this was a great Zoo. Lots to see and very well set out. We made our way from Native animals, Koala. Kangaroo through the continents to lions, tigers, giraffes and zebra. Lots of sealife, lots of shows, demonstrations and talks. Brilliant. We head back to Sydney's circular quays and get a closer look at the iconic Sydney Opera house - such as amazing building - it's really well situated. We head for the Rock's for supper.
Tuesday 10th March
We enjoyed our small ferry ride across to the Zoo yesterday – so have decided to but an all day ferry ticket to do a bit of Island hopping. We manage to get to Manly – which has a great beach. Andrew is enjoying the beach volleyball! We take a second ferry to Woolwich – not a great deal there but very nice property. So we take a bus to Bondi Beach. We head to the Iceberg restaurant (recommended by a young couple with kids) – which has a great view of Bondi Beech – the restaurant looked very nice – French – but too posh for the kids – so we decided to eat at the little seafood restaurant on the beach – which was very good. A long and interesting bus ride back to our hotel ends our very enjoyable stay in Sydney.
We arrive in Sydney 9pm ish and take a Taxi to the hotel. Sydney is buzzing and our taxi driver informs us that it's Sydney's Madis Gras night. Not wanting to miss out - we dump our suitcases in the hotel and take a walk downtown Sydney. It’s certainly lively! We decide to have coffee and ice-cream (basically no one will let us in the decent bars with 2 kids) - so ice-cream it is - it's past midnight, really humid and the kids are still wired, so it seems perfectly reasonable to be out. Fun night had by all - but soon the police cars start flying around and the place descends into drunken chaos (and that's just our kids!) so we decide it's time for bed.
Sunday 8th March
Beautiful day - and we take a walk into Darling Harbour (which is celebrating 21 years anniversary) - the area was once a run down quay side which has been transformed into a stunning harbour, with shops, bars, restaurants, IMAX, Aquarium, parks, Chinese Gardens, etc (if you like that sort of thing).
After a large breakfast we ran around the park and then decided to buy a monorail pass and get better orientated. We look around the markets and shops and then decided to see the IMAX 3d underwater Ocean experience - unfortunately James and Hattie screamed the place down and I ended up having to take James out - anyway kind man in the box office gave us our money back. It started to rain about 4pm so we headed back to hotel for an afternoon nap - (mainly so that we could keep the kids civilised enough to eat at the nice Seafood restaurant we've spotted).
But we do have a minor disaster (which could have been catastrophically major) - whilst we were all enjoying an afternoon nap - Hattie decides to go on "walkabout" - we only find this out when one of the hotel guests knocks at the door with Hattie. I had locked the door and put the door chain on - so was shocked that she was out - anyway after a bit of an interrogation - she finally confessed her trick - which was to roll the computer chair to the door - get on it - un-hook the door chain - and away she goes – whilst we all slept! We had a word with the hotel management and by the time we got back from our superb seafood supper - all chairs had been removed from our room - even the two-ton easy chair that I was accustomed too! We've forgiven Hattie - for her safe return!!
Monday 9th March
Up early and we have been recommended Torronga Zoo (Schofield Family) – we need to take a small ferry ride across the harbour from Circular Quay. I am a bit uncomfortable with animals in captivity/cages etc – but I thought this was a great Zoo. Lots to see and very well set out. We made our way from Native animals, Koala. Kangaroo through the continents to lions, tigers, giraffes and zebra. Lots of sealife, lots of shows, demonstrations and talks. Brilliant. We head back to Sydney's circular quays and get a closer look at the iconic Sydney Opera house - such as amazing building - it's really well situated. We head for the Rock's for supper.
Tuesday 10th March
We enjoyed our small ferry ride across to the Zoo yesterday – so have decided to but an all day ferry ticket to do a bit of Island hopping. We manage to get to Manly – which has a great beach. Andrew is enjoying the beach volleyball! We take a second ferry to Woolwich – not a great deal there but very nice property. So we take a bus to Bondi Beach. We head to the Iceberg restaurant (recommended by a young couple with kids) – which has a great view of Bondi Beech – the restaurant looked very nice – French – but too posh for the kids – so we decided to eat at the little seafood restaurant on the beach – which was very good. A long and interesting bus ride back to our hotel ends our very enjoyable stay in Sydney.
Hong Kong
Tuesday 3rd March
At last in Hong Kong - by the time we get to the hotel (Harbour Plaza North Point) we freshen up and head outside for some Hong Kong air. We find a little park for the kids to run-around and then work up an appetite and try our luck at a little roadside cafe - we discover James has a penchant for chickens' elbows! and can do a pretty good job with some chopsticks.
Wednesday 4th March -
everyone is awake a 3am - we manage to get back to sleep. The weather looks very drizzly and there is a misty haze - We are told the mist is quite usual.
James keeps asking us if we can go on our holiday - we keep telling him this is our holiday but he's not convinced - so we decide to visit something touristy - Ocean Park.
Ocean Park sounds a bit naff but it's actually very good and well set out. High lights include a spectacular cable car ride, the Aquarium, which is amazing and seeing the Pandas. The kids also loved the dolphins and sea lion show. We cover pretty much the entire park. James & Hattie are getting quite a bit of attention from the Chinese - they are constantly being picked up and photographed - they seem to like their fair hair & skin.
After Ocean Park we quickly looked around Stanley Market - Andrew bought a helicopter! It's knocking on for 8pm - so we have dinner and go back to hotel. We all get to sleep very well but we all seem to be awake 3am again!
Thursday 5th March
Up fairly early so head for MTR (Underground) and travel to Central where we pick up Star Ferry to Kowloon. After a bit of sightseeing we decide to have lunch in a local's cafe - quite an experience! - more chickens’ elbows and other unidentifiable animal parts - the kids eat with chopsticks much to the amusement of the locals. We then head for the walled Garden - there's a kids play area - after about half an hour the heaven's open - thunder & lightening and we end up being stranded under a pagoda. 40 minutes later we head for MTR to bird/flower markets - but didn't make it as heaven's open again.
After a short nap back at the Hotel, we decide to hit the lively end of town for the night and head for Soho. We find a nice Tapas bar at the top of the famous escalators - and ate a very good meal. Kids were presented with giant prawns & chips with garlic mayo - and loved it - just hope they don't expect it when they're home - it'll be back to Findus fish fingers & mash!
The only slight disaster was that Hattie fell & rolled down some steps on the way back down from the Soho Hills - but nothing a bit of chocolate couldn't put right! Andrew decided to photograph the offending steps?
PS It wasn't as embarrassing for us as parents as letting James fall down the gap of MTR today!
Friday 6th March
Last day in Hong Kong and still lots of things to do. We have arranged to meet up with Fiona (close friend of Andrew's sister) at the exclusive Hong Kong Cricket Club at 4pm. So this is our only opportunity to get up & see the Peak. We take the MTR to Central and walk to the tram depot. We board the rope driven Tram, which takes you up a very steep incline to the top of the peak. The views are truly fabulous; Hong Kong has such an amazing skyline. At the top of the Peak there is a shopping complex, restaurants and a viewing tower. We go straight to the top for a walk around - and have snacks at a funky bar overlooking Hong Kong before setting off back on the tram to the bottom of the peak. The tram is very smooth.
We get to Hong Kong Cricket club and Fiona and daughter Georgia are at reception to greet us. The Hong Kong Cricket Club is a great facility and has quite a colonial feel about it - mainly due to the number of well heeled ex pats (and much needed for Fiona's sanity she tells us). It was great to catch up with Fiona and talk about her observations/life in Hong Kong and about her future plans. She very kindly treated to drinks and food - so thanks ever so much Fiona - really nice to see you and meet Georgia - and sorry we missed out on seeing baby Daniel who had an ear infection (hope he's much better).
WE leave HKCC after supper and decide on our last night to take the ferry to Kowloon to watch the famous light show. We are told that the best views are from the promenade at the Avenue of the Stars. The show is quite amazing the lasers glide around the harbour and various landmark buildings illuminate to music - quite a spectacle and glad we made the effort.
We meander back to MTR via the hustle bustle of the Kowloon shops and nightlife and treat ourselves to some dim sum from outdoor stand - a great end to our HK experience.
At last in Hong Kong - by the time we get to the hotel (Harbour Plaza North Point) we freshen up and head outside for some Hong Kong air. We find a little park for the kids to run-around and then work up an appetite and try our luck at a little roadside cafe - we discover James has a penchant for chickens' elbows! and can do a pretty good job with some chopsticks.
Wednesday 4th March -
everyone is awake a 3am - we manage to get back to sleep. The weather looks very drizzly and there is a misty haze - We are told the mist is quite usual.
James keeps asking us if we can go on our holiday - we keep telling him this is our holiday but he's not convinced - so we decide to visit something touristy - Ocean Park.
Ocean Park sounds a bit naff but it's actually very good and well set out. High lights include a spectacular cable car ride, the Aquarium, which is amazing and seeing the Pandas. The kids also loved the dolphins and sea lion show. We cover pretty much the entire park. James & Hattie are getting quite a bit of attention from the Chinese - they are constantly being picked up and photographed - they seem to like their fair hair & skin.
After Ocean Park we quickly looked around Stanley Market - Andrew bought a helicopter! It's knocking on for 8pm - so we have dinner and go back to hotel. We all get to sleep very well but we all seem to be awake 3am again!
Thursday 5th March
Up fairly early so head for MTR (Underground) and travel to Central where we pick up Star Ferry to Kowloon. After a bit of sightseeing we decide to have lunch in a local's cafe - quite an experience! - more chickens’ elbows and other unidentifiable animal parts - the kids eat with chopsticks much to the amusement of the locals. We then head for the walled Garden - there's a kids play area - after about half an hour the heaven's open - thunder & lightening and we end up being stranded under a pagoda. 40 minutes later we head for MTR to bird/flower markets - but didn't make it as heaven's open again.
After a short nap back at the Hotel, we decide to hit the lively end of town for the night and head for Soho. We find a nice Tapas bar at the top of the famous escalators - and ate a very good meal. Kids were presented with giant prawns & chips with garlic mayo - and loved it - just hope they don't expect it when they're home - it'll be back to Findus fish fingers & mash!
The only slight disaster was that Hattie fell & rolled down some steps on the way back down from the Soho Hills - but nothing a bit of chocolate couldn't put right! Andrew decided to photograph the offending steps?
PS It wasn't as embarrassing for us as parents as letting James fall down the gap of MTR today!
Friday 6th March
Last day in Hong Kong and still lots of things to do. We have arranged to meet up with Fiona (close friend of Andrew's sister) at the exclusive Hong Kong Cricket Club at 4pm. So this is our only opportunity to get up & see the Peak. We take the MTR to Central and walk to the tram depot. We board the rope driven Tram, which takes you up a very steep incline to the top of the peak. The views are truly fabulous; Hong Kong has such an amazing skyline. At the top of the Peak there is a shopping complex, restaurants and a viewing tower. We go straight to the top for a walk around - and have snacks at a funky bar overlooking Hong Kong before setting off back on the tram to the bottom of the peak. The tram is very smooth.
We get to Hong Kong Cricket club and Fiona and daughter Georgia are at reception to greet us. The Hong Kong Cricket Club is a great facility and has quite a colonial feel about it - mainly due to the number of well heeled ex pats (and much needed for Fiona's sanity she tells us). It was great to catch up with Fiona and talk about her observations/life in Hong Kong and about her future plans. She very kindly treated to drinks and food - so thanks ever so much Fiona - really nice to see you and meet Georgia - and sorry we missed out on seeing baby Daniel who had an ear infection (hope he's much better).
WE leave HKCC after supper and decide on our last night to take the ferry to Kowloon to watch the famous light show. We are told that the best views are from the promenade at the Avenue of the Stars. The show is quite amazing the lasers glide around the harbour and various landmark buildings illuminate to music - quite a spectacle and glad we made the effort.
We meander back to MTR via the hustle bustle of the Kowloon shops and nightlife and treat ourselves to some dim sum from outdoor stand - a great end to our HK experience.
Saturday, 28 February 2009
Pre planning
Last minute as always, here I am nearly 1am with a new "things to do list" all marked urgent - and with less than 48 hours before the round the world trip starts. Things to do include packing - I hate packing and now I have to pack for 4 of us! But I can at least now tick one thing off - set up my blog. Anyway no time to chat - must dash - more tomorrow about where we are going. Cx
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