Here we are in Gisborne, staying at “Uncle Jim’s” place! http://www.captaincook.co.nz/
At least they gave us a $5 discount and upgraded us to a suite with a spa bath so I suppose the Cook name must count for something!
We set off from Auckland on our first unsupervised adventure in New Zealand. We pretty much tossed a coin to decide whether to head North or South (it actually didn’t matter too much as we will do both plus other trips anyway). We decided to head South and East to explore The Bay of Plenty and to drive the Pacific Highway and what a trip it has been so far.
We cruised through central Bay of Plenty first having had an easy ride down the Southern Highway (motorways as they should be, light traffic and everything flowing smoothly). The big American style road trains can be a tad scary though, they really shift and don’t seem to worry too much which side they overtake you on! We had a couple of places earmarked to look at but both agreed that we were not too keen on the ‘dairy flats’ so did not bother to call.
From there we crossed over the Kaimai range of mountains and down into Tauranga stopping on the way at McClaren Falls (absolutely beautiful and definitely on our list for a return visit, camping for a few days we think) for homemade scones and coffee. It is worth visiting just for the plum & port chutney. End of a perfect first day, we chanced on a clean and friendly family run Motel, finished our sandwiches and settled down, tired but happy.
Awoke next morning to a crisp but lovely morning, we drove along Papamoa beach, touristy but in a nice way, it is early in the holiday season so not too many people about, stopped at a small cafe for coffee and breakfast (pancakes, maple syrup and cream, Carol is not allowed cream, Damn I had to eat it all!!) Apparently the population is about 20% English emigrants and popular for retirement, loads of building going on and nice houses, we could be tempted. Set off to mount Maunganui and walked the circumference (left the climb to the top for another visit), walked off the pancakes amid spectacular and ever changing scenery.
From there we set off along the coast road towards Opotiki the start of the Pacific Highway stopping on the way at Te Puke which is the heart of the Kiwi Fruit growing and packing area, the visitor centre is well worth visiting, we sampled Kiwi Fruit liqueur and came away with a bottle of Kiwi Fruit wine (amongst other things of course).
By now time was moving on and as we drove along the coast road our ecstatic gasps at the scenery as we rounded each corner, and there are a lot of corners! Was beginning to be tempered by the fact that night was fast approaching and although we had driven through a number of Maori settlements we had seen no sign of any accommodation. Our luck held though and we rounded one more hairpin bend to find Te Kaha and an hotel perched right on the edge of the sea. We expected some pretty horrendous charges but, on enquiry, they were very reasonable and when we asked for a view we were given probably the best view there was. We had barely unpacked before the room’s phone rang, it was the manager of the hotel restaurant enquiring if we would like to come down for dinner, what the heck, in for a penny in for a pound and off we went. The food was excellent and the service unsurpassed. We went to bed tired and happy
At least they gave us a $5 discount and upgraded us to a suite with a spa bath so I suppose the Cook name must count for something!
We set off from Auckland on our first unsupervised adventure in New Zealand. We pretty much tossed a coin to decide whether to head North or South (it actually didn’t matter too much as we will do both plus other trips anyway). We decided to head South and East to explore The Bay of Plenty and to drive the Pacific Highway and what a trip it has been so far.
We cruised through central Bay of Plenty first having had an easy ride down the Southern Highway (motorways as they should be, light traffic and everything flowing smoothly). The big American style road trains can be a tad scary though, they really shift and don’t seem to worry too much which side they overtake you on! We had a couple of places earmarked to look at but both agreed that we were not too keen on the ‘dairy flats’ so did not bother to call.
From there we crossed over the Kaimai range of mountains and down into Tauranga stopping on the way at McClaren Falls (absolutely beautiful and definitely on our list for a return visit, camping for a few days we think) for homemade scones and coffee. It is worth visiting just for the plum & port chutney. End of a perfect first day, we chanced on a clean and friendly family run Motel, finished our sandwiches and settled down, tired but happy.
Awoke next morning to a crisp but lovely morning, we drove along Papamoa beach, touristy but in a nice way, it is early in the holiday season so not too many people about, stopped at a small cafe for coffee and breakfast (pancakes, maple syrup and cream, Carol is not allowed cream, Damn I had to eat it all!!) Apparently the population is about 20% English emigrants and popular for retirement, loads of building going on and nice houses, we could be tempted. Set off to mount Maunganui and walked the circumference (left the climb to the top for another visit), walked off the pancakes amid spectacular and ever changing scenery.
From there we set off along the coast road towards Opotiki the start of the Pacific Highway stopping on the way at Te Puke which is the heart of the Kiwi Fruit growing and packing area, the visitor centre is well worth visiting, we sampled Kiwi Fruit liqueur and came away with a bottle of Kiwi Fruit wine (amongst other things of course).
By now time was moving on and as we drove along the coast road our ecstatic gasps at the scenery as we rounded each corner, and there are a lot of corners! Was beginning to be tempered by the fact that night was fast approaching and although we had driven through a number of Maori settlements we had seen no sign of any accommodation. Our luck held though and we rounded one more hairpin bend to find Te Kaha and an hotel perched right on the edge of the sea. We expected some pretty horrendous charges but, on enquiry, they were very reasonable and when we asked for a view we were given probably the best view there was. We had barely unpacked before the room’s phone rang, it was the manager of the hotel restaurant enquiring if we would like to come down for dinner, what the heck, in for a penny in for a pound and off we went. The food was excellent and the service unsurpassed. We went to bed tired and happy
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