NZ TO OZ - beautiful beaches to camp karaoke!
Tue, 10 Jun 2003
Dear Everyone,
Yes, it's us again with another travel update, although have been very lazy
on the sightseeing front since Mum went home. Rather, we have been more
like holiday makers, pootling about in our motor home. Well first I just
have to tell you about those three flat tyres and my mothers near nervous
breakdown at the end of her 'relaxing' visit to New Zealand.....
On the last day we drove to the Blue Lake which is as it's name suggests and
very beautiful surrounded by forest on 3 sides and edged with small white
sand beaches. Here we strolled right around the shore, detoured to the
Green Lake (this ones green - Steve) and then had lunch. What a lovely
place to end her holiday - now just for the drive to Auckland in time to get
her plane......
We'd left a little later than planned as the walk was a little longer than
planned. All was going well until just outside Hamilton when there was this
very loud metal scraping noise which scared all three of us to death.
Pulled over as soon as - one flat tyre said Steve. Mild panic ensued, but
we had a spare. Enter Kiwi Superhero, a mountaineer who was in the carpark
following a 17 km hike from somewhere. Thankfully, this guy knew how to
change the tyre - Steve wasn't entirely sure. Great! Not! He soon pointed
out to Steve we had a SECOND flat tyre. Whilst helping to change the first
in order to drive to a garage, he spotted the THIRD, yes THIRD, flat tyre.
We were going nowhere. Now panic ensued. We all remembered it was Sunday
and the garages would be shut!
Steve nearly burst in temper (very much like your average day back at
Westwards - don't panic, dont panic - Steve) , Mum looked very shaken and
with equally shaking hands started smoking, as did Steve. I borrowed the
guys mobile phone - no garages. EVENTUALLY, following a completely useless
conversation with the van company who couldn't find a garage, I did - with
the help of our mountaineering superhero. Yes, the guy could come. (I
really think you should rephrase that. I know he helped but I didn;t think
any of that business went on - Steve)
At 4.30 ish enter Luke, handsome, friendly second superhero, who on hearing
that Mother was supposed to be at the airport for 5.45 (at least 2 hrs away)
changed 3 tyres, held a conversation and managed to look very rugged and
sexy all at the same time (I think this is getting a bit out of hand now -
Steve). He also lent me the phone to ring the airport and did us a cash in
hand deal (thank God) to save us a small fortune.
Next we had to detour to a petrol station to pick up Mums suitcase - the van
hire office was shut (yes, we took a wrong turning but only lost several
minutes, not that this helped). By the time we did get Mum to the airport
(some fast driving from Steve) she was a wreck and still had to pack her
suitcase. Unfortunately, after it was packed and we were off to check in I
realised I never had my camera. Yes, she'd packed it - so we unpacked the
suitcase, found it (neatly wrapped in a scarf) and then packed it again!!
Mum just made the last check in time of 8.10 by half an hour! And so ended
Mums relaxing holiday!
(Back at home my luck with vehicles is well known. It is now world renowned
- Steve)
Since then, Steve and I have spent about two and a half weeks touring the
North Island, taking in the beautiful beaches. Steve went skinny dipping in
the sea one day, but as it's winter here (read June in Devon) I declined -
too used to warmer waters now!
We travelled right up to the very North tip of New Zealand and then back
East. Whilst on a night out in Whittianga we met up with a Lancashire
couple who three and a half months ago jacked it all in to come and live
just North of Auckland. Needless to say we got chatting and had a right
laugh with them. We actually stayed our last night in New Zealand at their
house in MIlford, next to the Marina and two minutes from the beach (a bit
different to Lancashire, this was a seriously posh area). We did the very
British thing and went out for curry and got pissed. Howerd sounds EXACTLY
like Jonny Vegas though, and the more drinks we had, the more he acted like
him too!! Me and Jen hit it right off as well as Steve and Howerd so I
reckon we have a holiday home in NZ now!
The next day we got our plane to Oz. Not quite as straightforward as it was
delayed for hours as our plane had 'mechanical problems' (or as the bloke
told me 'its broke' - Steve) and was not fit to fly. They got us on another
flight but of course it was too late for Steve by then. Even after the
pre-requisite Valium, he was in a wee state. The fact that we hit ALOT of
turbulance, and even the aircrew had to stop serving dinner and remain
strapped in their seats, did not help. He sweated and blaspemed (Oh God,
Jesus Christ, oh my God) (It was all I could do not to stand up and shout
we're gonna hit the floor like a f**king dart! - Steve) most of the way.
Such was his suffering that a kindly (male) air steward gave him an extra
beer to 'help calm him down' (He was rather attractive actually, and if he's
gonna give me free beer, hell I'm game - Steve). He didn't know about the
valium, but even after 2 beers and 10mg Steve still insisted we were doomed.
However we were not and arrived Sydney, Austrailia very much alive. We are
staying in a great hostel in the centre. We are sharing it, however, with a
load of 18 year old British kids on their gap year. We had hoped the
stereotype was just a stereotype, but alas no! (Monika you were correcto!).
There are even organised events and nights out for the school children
which we have avoided, although during the pool tournament in the hostel I
had recurring flashbacks to sixth form. Aaarrgggghhhhh! Steve is drinking
lots of beer and trying very hard not to get annoyed (or in a fight - Steve)
with all the male posturing that's going on - there are lots of nubile,
young girls here!
So, we have been to the Opera House, over the Harbour Bridge, to Circular
Quay, to Bondi Beach. Steve swam here to, in his pants this time, but
despite quite a number of bikini's it was DEFINITELY too cold here. The
Opera House and Bridge are very impressive as is Sydney. We love it! It is
vibrant, interesting and has something for everyone. Surprisingly for a
city there are loads of wild birds here, (bloody right these Ozzie are game
- Steve) and lots of parks. Loads of people roller blade here - it's the
norm - and jog too, though not as many as in NZ, where everyone does,
including Mums and Dads pushing pushchairs (I'm not kidding either!).
We are right on the edge of China Town and there are loads of restaurants
and take aways. Very interesting these as it's like a trip to an aquarium.
In the windows are tanks stuffed full of every fish you could imagine, not
just lobsters, and crabs. You pick the one you want to eat!?!?!?!? From
the street, (I absoluely can't eat in one of those) you see the staff
hooking them out ready to be cooked. It's terrible! There are also loads
of Karaoke bars, including, get this, street karaoke. The Chinese, Japenese
etc. are WILD about it and just have a go, with everyone watching, right on
the pavement.
Talking of karaoke, we had the weirdest and the best night out ever. I will
tell you about it another time, but just to wet your appetite....
Imagine karoake hosted by two drag queens, with the vocab of your
average docker, assisted by a lesbian on the decks, in a STAIGHT Irish pub,
with a regulars crowd straight out of the Adams Family and a visiting Bucks
(stag) party. Hhmmmmm, you really had to be there, but I'll try and
describe it next time, but you'll never laugh as much as we did!
So, we're off for some food and a few drinks tonight. Hope you're all well
and still reading this!
Lots of love,
Jo and Steve xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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