Tripping Out

Wow! I can't believe how long it's been since I posted anything on this blog. I really enjoyed my stay in Napier. I was at the Waterfront Lodge from August 14th to October 7th. I then traveled to Whangaroa and stayed at the Sunseeker Lodge from October 8th to October 22nd. I am now at Wanganui staying at Tamara Lodge. It took me 10 hours to drive from Whangaroa to Wanganui. Now, that was a long day, but amazingly beautiful country! At least when I went from Napier to Whangaroa I stopped for the night at Warkworth. It was getting late when I got there and figured I'd better find a place to sleep before it got dark as they don't light many roads here. Sheep World turned out to be quite an experience. My room for the night was an old caravan.

Complete with kitchen

and TV lounge.

I finally figured out that I could pull this out to make a bed. So, I unzipped my sleeping bag and laid it out flat and covered with the moon and stars blanket Leilani let me borrow. I'll admit it was not clean in there. Some of the windows did not shut all the way and there were definite signs of creepy crawly things. Like ants floating in the kettle. I had to work hard at controlling my mind. I repeated over and over, it's just a little dirt, ants and spiders. Nothing is going to hurt you.

When the owner was showing me around, he mentioned there were glow worms just over a bridge by the pond. So, once the sun was fully set, I set out to explore. It was cloudy and much darker than I had bargained for, as well as wet and slippery. I did make it down to the pond and over the little wooden bridge to where the glow worms were, but then there were things climbing the trees around me and moving very fast. The next thing I new, I was moving pretty fast and was back at the caravan before I knew it. I had to have a long mental talk with myself. I was majorly freaked out. Took me a while to calm down, but then I cleaned out the kettle and had a cuppa and managed to relax, a bit. I still didn't sleep very well. In the morning, I walked around and took pictures of everything and realized this is a pretty cool place.

Unique little area right next to a BBQ and bocce ball area.

These overlook the pond.

It's hard to see in the picture, but the bridge goes across the pond starting at the white rock at the lower left and then behind the trees is another open grassy area surrounded by trees where the glow worms are.

Then I drove the rest of the way to Whangaroa and Sunseeker Lodge where I was shown to this dorm room and given my choice of bed. Of course, I chose the one with a view.

And what a view!

There was a pod of about 8 dolphins that would come and go from this magnificent harbor. If I was blessed to see them come into the harbor, I would sit by the window and wait for them to go back out. This place did not have very reliable wifi or TV, but what it did have was amazing.

I'm off for now, but will try to post again soon to get caught up to where I am now.

Hot Pools

I was told there were some natural hot spring pools not too far away, but no one was sure where. I googled and found the only ones that were not a long tramp into the bush nor restricted by private property. I wasn't able to find them on my first try. I did find helpful locals and most of the signs, but getting low on time and gas figured I'd better head back. I was given a full day off the next day, so I filled up the gas tank and gave it another try. After a couple of hours, I came to a sure sign of how far from civilization I had traveled. I cam around a sharp corner and the road was completely taken over by cows.

The herd didn't even stop, just went right around my car. I guess ATV's work well in place of horses, but is he still considered a cowboy?

Then suddenly the small, twisty, turny mountain road was no longer paved.

Shortly after that, I was having to cross that which no cow may.

Then ford a stream? Really?

Sure, no problem....hehe. Staying positive. Telling myself, come on you can do it.

Well, at least this stream has a bridge.

Though it is barely big enough for my car to fit.

Good thing my car is small.

The road ended at a picnic area, but I'm sure the pools are here somewhere.

Found a trail to follow.

Yea! Not too much further, but the trail is getting tricky.

I see steam rising. I must be getting very close now.

Ahhhh, the source of the steam. And at the bottom of that waterfall......

What does that little sign say?

Alrighty then. Good to know. Don't get to relaxed. And yes it is all natural. No filters and nothing added to the water. Just straight from the waterfall through that white pipe into the pools.

 And then out the overflow valve from the pools back into the waterfall.

Oh my goodness! It feels great!

Oh yeah, don't get to relaxed. Open those eyes! Wow! Check out the view!

The sounds from the river below and the water fall beside......oh, yeah, don't get to relaxed.

I had this place all to myself. Not another soul around for the hours that I was there. Back at the trail head by the picnic area I found you could see a tiny bit of the pools. Spring has just begun here, so I bet, once those trees are in full bloom, you won't be able to see the pools at all.

It was quite a nail bitting journey, but I am so glad I made it to the end of the road and walked down that trail and didn't let the sign scare me from getting in the water. Totally worth it! I felt the waters and the land around them were sacred and healing. I left renewed and very grateful. Grateful that God gives us everything we could ever need including friends and family. Thanks again for coming along on this journey. LOVE!

Napier

Napier is a beautiful Art Deco city.

Many streets are lined with Palm Trees.

A Bit of the Irish

Scooterificness

I met some wonderful people who invited me over to their house for dinner and they have a fabulous, fluffy goodness doggie named Lilly.

They told me that a huge earthquake hit Napier back in the1930's and added lots of land mass and that is when all the Art Deco fabulousness was built.

I'll be in Napier for at least a month as I have found a backpacker place that will trade free accommodation for 5-9pm receptionist. Napier is on the east coast but only an hour or so from Taupo which is rather middle island and a beautiful Lake area. Rotorua is a place of many sulfur springs and just north of Taupo. I should be able travel to these beauties during the day. I still have plenty to post from Napier but it is beautiful outside and I am being pulled out there. It is wonderful to have this connection to all my family and friends. More to come soon. Love You All!

Inside and Out

Inside:
Te Papa Museum is amazing. I have spent a couple of hours there for a couple of days, but there is so much more to see. This place is huge.

Some of my favorite things there are

a painting of the creation of earth

This Marae is very intricate.

 

Outside:
Then I drove up to Mt.Victoria's Lookout. Teeny Tiny twisty road to lookout over all of Wellington.

 That is Te Papa with the steel arc over the column of windows.

 Panning around the harbor.

Ending with the airport. Yes, that little air strip between the harbor and the ocean. No wonder it's so rough landing here. Also, it is known as windy Wellington.

This beautiful statue was at the top of the Lookout.

The color is amazing even with all the cloud cover this day. Also, a little geography info posted.

Getting to the top of  Mt. Victoria for the Lookout was quite the test of my driving skills. I'm much more confident now. I don't even mind driving in Wellington, big city with small lanes. I'm picking Leilani up from work and taking her to a doctor visit. I think I'll go hang out at Te Papa until then.

Thanks again to you all for traveling with me!