W is for Weta: New Zealand creepy crawlies

"Wētā have been around long enough to see dinosaurs come and go and to evolve into more than 70 different species, all of them endemic to New Zealand."

A weta in our bach!

Stick insect, 15 cm!

Seems to be the season to find some of the New Zealand 'specials', the notable Weta, strange and just a little prehistoric. This one had snuck into our bach here on the Coromandel and gave Shawni rather a fright.

And a brown stick insect that is huge but anorexic looking, the largest insect in New Zealand, with forever long legs, which landed up on the outside neighbour wall in Ngaio.

T is for Top Ten: New Chum Beach rated as one of the best in the world

Secretive and remote New Chum Beach

So this is what one of the best in the world looks like.

The access to the remote and secluded New Chum Beach, an hour north of Whitianga, is along a rocky promenade before cutting across a headland, the vista then opens out and it is stunning.

It could be Fiji, Bali, Thailand; turquoise water, white, fine sand, huge Pohutukawa trees provide shade along the beach edge, cliff faces drop almost into the sea, and an offshore island for interest, nesting rare New Zealand Dotterel's, gannets overhead, sea temperature quite moderate....

But the story of the day is Fred. He saved a little 6 year old girl from sure drowning, she was getting dumped by the huge incoming waves and getting dragged out at the same time. He was the only person who noticed, so dived in and lifted her out the water, one shocked mother and traumatised little girl. Our homegrown hero.

Pizza's at an idyllic beach kitchen called Luke's, started our New Year countdown, and 2016 will have many reasons for celebrations and for gratitude for life's riches and treasures.

B is for Barefoot on a beach: Cooks Beach, Coromandel Peninsula

Cooks Beach and Lonely Bay from Lookout. Coromandel Peninsula

As I walked barefoot along the firm sand of Cooks Beach, kept company by the Red-billed Gulls, I watched the New Zealander’s at play on their summer holiday here in the Coromandel Peninsula: boating, sailing, fishing, tubing, kayaking, wind-surfing, swimming, snorkeling, flying kites, making sand castles, playing beach games, skim boarding, body boarding, paddle boarding, running, or just lying on the beach sun tanning with a book.

To get to Cooks Beach we took the Ferry across the Whitianga Harbour, the trip only a few minutes long but it saves hours of driving, then we walked the 3km to Cooks Beach, past Flaxmill Bay. A fine, hot afternoon and the family had no problem braving the cold sea while I walked the length of the beach.

The views from Lookout and Shakespeare Cliff on our walk back across Mercury Bay were dramatic, the beaches and the rugged cliff faces quite beautiful.

Ah, and salted caramel ice creams at Espy Cafe, people watching….

C is for Champayne Pool: thermal wonders at Wai-O-Tapu

After Yellowstone National Park last year I was curious to see how I would experience the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland near Rotorua.

Nature is so strange and remarkable that I was completely taken in by the colours and in awe yet again. 

Champayne Pool is extraordinary, the bright orange rim around the pool in such contrast to the grey of the sinter edge. The steam wafting off the pool changes colour too, picking up the pink and yellow hues surrounding the deep, gentle bubbling water - so like champayne bubbles.

It was hot, the sulphur odours quite oppressive as we did the 3.5km trail around the park, burping mud pools, hissing fumeroles, and mostly very peculiar coloured pools - lime and avocadogreen! 

Champayne Pool from the viewpoint at Wai-O-Tapu

T is for Tramping: the Northern Walkway, Wellington

From Wiki: 'Tramping, known elsewhere as backpacking, rambling, hill walking or bushwalking, is a popular activity in New Zealand. Tramping is defined as a recreational activity involving walking over rough country.'

Today we set out tramping along the Northern Walkway. Our walk started in Johnsonville and we set out traversing the hilly crests and gorges to eventually end up at the Lady Norwood Rose Garden in the Botanic Gardens, at Picnic Cafe, where we devoured Cajun Chicken Burgers which were yummy, a distance of 12km.

Tramping the Northern Walkway

Well I certainly discovered that tramping is tough going, steep ups and steep downs, endless sets of stairs and even on the short sections in the suburbs the roads have tortuous gradients!

The route took us through the green belts that shape and define this scenic small city with its big reputation, Lonely Planet has described Wellington as the 'coolest little capital in the world'.

And it is!

The glorious views of the bay and the CBD along the walkway kept us in awe, as did the deep blue sky, the deep pink of the flowering foxgloves, and the ferns with their huge fronds and curly koru's.

View of the Beehive, the executive wing of Parliament from the Town Belt section of our walk

B is for Boxing Day Sales: Lambton Quay shopping

A treat, Peter Alexander Boxing Day sale for pyjamas for all

We shopped until all four of us were exhausted!

And I loved it too, except Craig, nothing fitted or suited him. The rest of us handled the crowds along Lambton Quay in downtown Wellington and the stores were deeply discounted, which makes the effort worth the return.

Shawni and I headed straight to Peter Alexander, a brand and store that I first experienced in Auckland when we were here in New Zealand for the RWC in 2011. It has been on my to do list ever since. I came out with bags of sleeping attire, t-shirts, tank tops, pants and even Twinkle Toes slippers.

I think I could love this Boxing day tradition, especially when Fred surprised me with a belated Christmas gift, a Kindle Paperwhite! So thoughtful and so special. Thank you again.

W is for Wellington Cable Car: a ride to the Botanic Gardens

Wellington looking so fine

The Wellington weather has been perfect, warm sunny days, clear skies, no wind and the views have been breathtaking, so we headed downtown to take the Cable Car, which links the city with Kelburn, as the Cable Car lookout has stunning views over Wellington. And it did not disappoint!

The Cable Car is charming, the ride short and very steep, the tunnel was twinkling with Xmas lights and it was a reminder of four years ago on our first visit to New Zealand.

The stroll through the Botanic Gardens, which were established in 1868, with Shawni and Craig, along the Downhill Path back to the city was a treat, Fred delighting in capturing the gorgeous blowsy blooms, roses, irises, lilies and the seasonal displays.

The summer in full bloom indeed.

Summer blooms at the Botanical Gardens

W is for Walking: a brisk climb to Mt Kaukau for expansive views

Wellington from Mt Kaukau

We started the day with a short, but steep climb to a high point in Khandallah, Mt Kaukau, for remarkable vistas across Wellington, the CBD, Wellington Harbour, and across Cook Strait to South Island which was clearly visible, we could even see a snow capped peak in the distance.

A perfect summer day, light breeze, big blue skies, good way for Shawni and Craig to start their summer holiday.

T is for Tui: a New Zealand native

The Tui, is a New Zealand endemic that has flourished and survived and thrived despite urbanisation and all the issues the other endemics have experienced here.

They have entered the consciousness of everyone in New Zealand, more than any other bird and they are a brand all of their own!

Their droll snow-white feathers on the neck are called poies and give me a thrill each time a glimpse them. The hind neck is ornamented with filamentous plumes, the tui's chortle and chuckle and then break out into amazing song. They can look black but their colour is a shining metallic green with bluish purple reflections on the shoulders.

What a treat to have them in the garden, along our morning walk, I am back in New Zealand when I hear the Tui call.

P is for Pohutukawa: the Kiwi Christmas tree

"The pohutukawa tree (Metrosideros excelsa) with its crimson flower has become an established part of the New Zealand Christmas tradition. This iconic Kiwi Christmas tree, which often features on greeting cards and in poems and songs, has become an important symbol for New Zealanders at home and abroad."

I was so looking forward to seeing these crimson flowers and what they symbolise for Christmas in New Zealand. 

And they are beautiful. 

So here I am, far from South Africa, on Christmas Eve with Shawni and Craig in their lovely Wellington home, appreciating where I am and loving the calls of the Tui birds, it is a perfect day.

C is for Christmas is Coming: a morning in Melbourne

Counting down, 21 December in Melbourne

The Melbourne city centre was alive this morning, packed, buskers, families, office workers, tourists and we loved being part of it. The weather was mild and such a pleasure not to be too hot.

The lights, decorations and activities made me realise that Christmas is around the corner, that New Zealand is calling. 

We ambled along the Yarra River, enjoyed the Lego display at Fed Square, particularly the Lego Koala hanging on for dear life at the top of the Xmas Tree, the window shopping was a treat, the Arcades dressed beautifully, we found pies and dumplings along the way, we road the 35 Tram, took the photo Lee suggested under the Flinders Street Station...

So nice to be part of it all...

We are now finished with the first part of our 3 months trip and are transitioning to New Zealand for a few months.

Wonderful Christmas build-up in Melbourne

Standing under the Flinders Station clock, just as Lee said I should.

N is for Night Lights: an evening stroll in Melbourne

I am taken with Melbourne.
My first stroll around the main spots, Fed Square, the Flinders Station clock entrance, late at night, watching the lights, the peaceful Yarra River, glimpses of the flowers, the water features, the call of the Museums and Concert Halls.

C is for Cricket: an evening at the Melbourne Cricket Ground

KFC Big Bash League at the MCG

Lee and I spent 3 days talking about the weather here in Melbourne, the fierce heat, the strong winds, and then yesterday, the rain came down and the temperature dropped 20 degrees in less than an hour.

Fred and I had popped into a local cinema to see our summer favourite, a James Bond movie. We did this to escape the midday heat, when we came out it was pouring!

Fred was not impressed as we had an evening at the MCG planned, a highlight, as this is a wish of anyone who loves cricket.

It turned out to be a perfect evening. The rain cleared, the weather cooled and it was a pleasure to be out and not a fly in sight either.

Much excitement as we approached Melbourne and saw the Yarra River and the city for the first time, the MCG, the Rod Laver Arena, such well known landmarks.

The MCG is fabulous, the music and atmosphere of the Big Bash T20, the Silver Gulls in their hundreds, mascots and cheerleaders, and we saw some entertaining cricket too. Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder - Jaques Kallis, Kevin Pietersen - the Stars only just lost too.

But the highlight was a Facebook post from Shawni in New Zealand, they had seen Fred and me on TV, did a quick freeze frame and sent it to us!

Such fun all round.