Cirque Du Soleil Dralion

Stunning!  A must see and if you don’t get the chance this year then next time it is in town I highly recommend it.

Celebrating it’s 25th year anniversary this years theme is “the dream continues”.  When East meets West.

We had the Tapis Rouge VIP package which included preferred seating, reserved parking, pre show and intermission drinks, hors d’oeuvres and dessert, a show souvenir goodie bag, and your own utilities which meant no queues.

This package was a must due to the continuous downpour of rain that Auckland put on for the weekend.

The performers were spectacular, very athletic.  The clowns were funny. The costumes bright and well designed.

We had a two bedroom apartment at Stadium Waldorf Apartments Hotel from off  lastminute.

A fantastic weekend away in the middle of a wet and cold winter.

Wicked Weekend in Melbourne

It was a fabulous long weekend in Melbourne; just what the doctor ordered.

After what felt like a bad start with queues in the airport, delays on take off and a long flight the weekend completely spun around and it was go go go all the way.

We had a lovely dinner at Spaghetti Tree the first night; a traditional old Italian restaurant on Bourke Street in the CBD.

As we were staying at the Hilton on the Park I had a couple of runs in the nearby Fitzroy Gardens a few mornings which provided a nice change from my usual hilly route at home.  I did have to sprint around the paths a few times though to get my heart rate up.

The Melbourne Zoo is a must see attraction if you haven’t been before.  The highlights for me were the Butterfly House, the Frog’s, the Wombat sleeping on its back with its paws up in the air, the baby Orang-utans and the Tree Monkeys.  There were many more delights but these stood out to me as being a little different.  You need a good four hours to walk the whole complex.  It is a good idea to take in a picnic if you don’t mind dragging a trolley case behind you like most of the locals with children tended to do.

Then it was back to the Hilton for a quick rest before dinner and a show – Wicked!  The prequel to The Wizard of Oz; how the wicked witch came to be.  It was a brilliant stage show with a clever script and intricate costumes and stage sets.  I particularly liked the Emerald City and the green skin of the wicked witch.

We also ventured to the Queen Victoria Markets for brunch and a nosey around the deli and bakery stalls.

The free City Circle Tram is a must if you need to get from one side of Melbourne central to another.  There are numerous stops along the route.

One night found us sitting in the Treasury Gardens amongst other Japanese enthusiasts watching Japanese dances and martial artists perform whilst eating Japanese Cuisine.  (or in our case, delights from the market deli’s)

It was a 4:30am rise on Monday morning to head out for a hot air balloon ride over Melbourne with the original hot air balloon company in Melbourne, Balloon Sunrise.  It was magical!  The head pilot let off a helium filled balloon with a red light attached so we could watch and follow the wind directions.  For us it was to be a flight from north to south staying under 2000m to avoid a circling 747 400 that was waiting to land.

The view was stunning from far hills to the rising sun, the rowers in the river, the MCG, the dry parks, the old Victorian style homes and the water front boulevards to our landing spot in Albert Park where the F1 Grand Prix will be held.  We did a loop of the track in the van before we departed – very funny.

Apparently there is no motion sickness with ballooning; but I couldn’t tell you if there was or not as I had taken a Piahia Bomb prior to be safe.

All through the Sydney to Hobart race the sailors were all going on about Krispy Kreme Doughnuts so we had to try one – yucky!  Never again.

Chadstone shopping mall was quite a nice surprise as far as malls go with the high end fashion stores David Jones, Meyers etc all within it.  It was a pleasant experience with lovely cafes and deli’s.

Other malls you might want to check out for bargins are the DFO’s throughout Melbourne (and Australia) suburbs; great for sports gear.

Ah… another brilliant weekend.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Yes!  I have been dying to do the Tongariro Crossing walk for years but never been able to convince anyone to do it with me.

The whanau from Brisbane emailed saying that it was on the agenda for them when they visited New Zealand in February and did anyone want to come along.  I was in!

A quick four hour drive up to Howard’s Lodge at Whakapapa Village to meet the others and I was ready to go.

We had dinner at the newly painted Speights Bar – quiet place during the week, big meals, perfect for before and after a days hike.

Weather forecast was looking good the night before but when I woke up and saw the clouds and felt the rain I was a little disappointed.

This, however, did little to deter the hoards of other walkers who set off up the mountain for the day.  There were bus loads of people.

We started out at a very fast walk to get in front of a few slow pokes then as we hit the staircase our pace dropped off just a fraction.

I was horrified at how unprepared some of the walkers were, no warm clothing wearing street shoes thinking it was a friendly tarmac walk.

The view was nonexistent for majority of the morning all the way up to the saddle.

We decided to venture up Tongariro as it was only an extra 1.5 hours.  It was good to do but we could not see five metres in front of us.  The cloud was very thick and heavy.

We snapped off a few photos of us at the top with no view as a back drop and ducked back down the hill a little for shelter while we ate our lunch at 9:30am – breakfast seemed like hours ago.

As we cleared the top of the saddle again we felt the strong winds which I might add were helping blow the clouds away. Finally, we had a view of the mountain valley below us and stunning views of the three sulphur Emerald lakes in the crater.

For such a baron environment it was actually quite pretty.  Lots of colours and striking rock formations.

There was one lone rock to the side of track that had toilet written on it as when Jacqui and went for a pee behind it there was toilet paper and all sorts behind there – yucky!

We then found out later on once we had continued further up the track that everyone from both ends of the track would have seen our bare butts behind the rock.

One last scan of the scenery behind us then it was downhill to the car park where we were greeted by our pick up amongst a good hundred more other walkers waiting for their buses.

Back to the lodge for a quick shower and hot spa before the bus loads arrived back.

Another pub meal and bed after a nice long days walk.

Definitely need to get up there again soon to catch the views from atop of Mt. Tongariro and Mt. Ngauruhoe.  Maybe running as part of my training for the Coast to Coast race 2010.

Poor Knights Diving Trip

Finally I got to see what Tutukaka is like as a holiday destination and experience the diving of the Poor Knights Islands; one of New Zealand’s top dive spots.

We had hired a catamaran, Pacific Hideaway Charters, to hang out on for a few days.  Our lovely hosts Denise and Mark Barnes cooked and entertained us the whole trip.

The water temperatures hadn’t warmed up for summer yet, still sitting at 16 degrees, normally it gets up to 22 degrees.

A unique feature of diving these islands is that it is the only place in the world that has both cold and warm water sea life.  It is sub-tropical marine life.

We dived the Waikato Frigate wreck which has lots of coral and sea life growing on and amongst it.  Vis was good but it was cold as the wreck is in an exposed area compared to all the other dive sites.

Two of our crew dived the Taravana cave which is 30m under and 200m long.  There is a mermaid at the end and a whale bone but no time for dallying as you have 200m to get back out and 30m up whilst trying to avoid a deco dive and/or running out of air.

We slept the night in Rikoriko cave which is the biggest sea cave in the southern hemisphere.  Apparently rock concerts are held there, bands record music there, people get married.  Fantastic acoustics.  The next day I kayaked back in to the cave and it was even more impressive being at water level inside it.

We did a night dive in the cave.  It was weird watching all the fish sleeping amongst the rocks.

We dived lots of caves, arches and crevices and saw all number of fish from blue and pink Mao mao to scorpion fish, red snapper, parore, nudibranchs, sand sharks, short tail sting ray, eels … you name it we probably saw it.

Keen to go back to Sandy Bay for a weeks holiday, it has beautiful white sandy beaches in a nice sheltered bay, like in the tropics.

A Winter Wedding and Ski Weekend

And no it is not mine before anyone asks.

Ski fields here we come – the first lot of craving for the season, well I hoped so…

Just when you think all of the weddings have dried up as all of your friends are either married or divorced up pops another one. Congratulations to Jamie and Jo!

But prior to the big day was a few days of skiing.  We were a bit rusty on the first day but by Saturday morning we were all swishing our way down powder filled valleys – it was delicious! The wind was freezing cold on the chairlifts though so don’t forget your scarves and hats.

We caught up with Debs and Paddy that we met off the boat in their new “bach” just out of Ohakune township – a stunning new blonde Lockwood home that Paddy built himself.

We nearly didn’t make it to the wedding, firstly Nigel’s Ford couldn’t be fitted with chains so we queued for 30mins for nothing to be told that they do not fit chains to all Ford’s and Holden’s as the powerful rear wheel cars flick the chains off and RAL do not want to be liable for any damage the chains do to the cars. Last year we got told it was because the chains cannot be fitted to the larger calibers hmm… lesson to be learnt here: do not take Ford’s or Holden’s up the mountain.

Then we volunteered to be the test car to go up with no chains on while a Ute trailed behind us with punching bags attached to the front to “catch” us if we slipped. But note smaller cars are more likely to slip than bigger powerful ones.

Secondly, at noon we reluctantly skied back to the car to find some plonker had parked their Ute in the middle of the road so we had to get towed out – a shame really as we were contemplating skiing until the end of the day missing the ceremony and making it time for the reception – surely they wouldn’t have noticed we were missing?!  That powder snow was hard to leave behind.

It was a stunning day in Ohakune just the place for a Kiwi English wedding… The Matterhorn Restaurant, Upstairs Powderhorn Chateau, held the reception where we danced and drank in to the small hours with a Wellington band called The Noodles. Only to get up and be out of the house by 1000hrs heading back to Wellington.

But not with out stopping at the best bakery in town, the Dairy beside the BP station on the way in to Ohakune. It has the best chocolate eclair’s, just like mum use to make, and biggest old fashion lolly choice along the back wall behind the counter. Also you cannot go past their home made pies, lamington’s, and sallylun bun’s.

For breakfast, lunch or dinner a nice new cafe which is situated at the top of the slight hill in town, up from Margarita’s, Nice open fireplace and great food – chef came out to chat.

For accommodation we stayed in Rangataua 4kms East of Ohakune back towards Waiouru, same place we usually do, 20c Kaha Street which can be booked through Ruapehu Chalet Rentals. A modern bach with gas heating and cooking, two bedrooms, two bathrooms with a huge lounge area, beautiful views of the mountain when you wake up in the morning. It actual snowed at town level this trip and there was snow over the farm lands on the way home to Taihape.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert

Wow! What a fabulous weekend jaunting around the big smoke – felt like the country bumpkin that had come to the city for an eye opener … not quite. 

The weekend started off with cocktails in sparkling glasses at Priscilla – talk about strut the stuff – a delight on the senses. This was the best musical I have been to. Beautiful costumes – the head pieces and shoes were to die for. We walked out of there laughing covered in confetti and having been pelt with pink ping pong balls.

I went to Cats in Wellington not that long ago as well – you cannot compare.  New Zealand just doesn’t have the budget or talent pool to pull off a fantastic musical.

We shopped until we dropped all day Saturday. All these stores Wellington doesn’t have – we didn’t buy too much…

It was brilliant to see Martin, Tricia and their tribe in Omaha. Pity about the weather though as we hardly got to see the beach. A quick walk come run in the rain was interrupted by lightening that caused a power outage. It was a hilarious night with bubbles and delicious food.

After a very bumpy flight it is back home for a rest after a full on but very satisfying weekend.

MTB weekend Rotorua

Back from a long weekend of mountain biking in Rotovegas (Rotorua) Redwood Forest MTB park.  I am not as sore as I thought I would be but a few of the boys seem to be wary or with ‘light’ injuries – scratches from offs!

It was fabulous weather, everywhere else was having snow and rain while we sweated in sunshine.  We couldn’t have asked for better conditions.  The traction was great under foot.

We rode the new tracks Billy T and Split Endz which were fun.  The boys caught the shuttle in the afternoon but I didn’t, I enjoy the uphill grinds.  There were some great downhill sections but also some scary pieces where you sucked it in and closed your eyes waiting for the tumble through the bushes – nah it never happened - I got off and walked down those bits

Something can be said for professional sports people, no matter what they put their hand to they can normally pull it off – Aaron Slight was a rocket up and down the hills and Hendi still had it in him.  The other pro-elite riders were guns as well, then there was ‘us’ the Sunday riders

Hendi and Southward flew in by chopper for the days riding - wanker comes to mind but only with jealousy – landing in the car park.

A few of us headed to Kerosene Creek for a hot swim after the days riding.  A great spot that I will only disclose to those that ask, otherwise everyone will be there.  It is busier these days as it has turned up in the Lonely Planet Guide book. 

We stayed at the Redwood Holiday Park which was a bit of a flea pit but very close to the park and had a bakery/cafe and bike shop across the road.

Easter Camper Van Weekend

It was with much excitement when I headed to the Top 10 Holiday Park to pick up our camper van for the weekend. Even more hilarity and rush, rush, rush when I found out we could have it the night before – Yippee!

Threw gear in the back and was ready to go by 2130hrs, off to the Coromandel…

There was a goal in mind, sleep at the cannon like gorge half way up SH1, but could the gorge be reached before sleep was required? No, around 2330hrs my bed was beckoning. After a 30mins detour to find a Reserve to park up in for the night sleep was eventually found on the side of what was thought was a very quiet back road.

Little was it known that the local farmers would be up early and passing down this quiet road with their dogs barking before the sun was up

Change of plans… too far to drive for such a short time frame.

An extremely picturesque trip over the Gentle Annie’s to pass through Napier on the way to Waipatiki Beach. I recommend going over this gravel road as it is stunning country side with very dramatic hills. A brief stop for a snack at SpringVale swing-bridge and a few pictures was fun. Further along lunch was had at a DOC camping site in the Kaweka Forest Park by a stunning river and bush setting. I would camp there another time or tramp the hills and stay in the DOC huts.

We decided to stay in the Camp site at Waipatiki Beach, $15 pp, as you were prohibited from camping by the beach. It was worth it to have a hot shower and connect to mains power and get rid of rubbish. (Would stay there again – a nice surf beach and shore dive at high tide)

I was surprised in how much rubbish we had each day while tripping around and it definitely showed how much water we use in everyday activities, as the tank held 85L and we went through a tank a day.

A nice day at the beach with mum swimming most of the day and then off to Kairakau Beach where there was a free camper van area near the end of the beach, opposite end to the Camping Park, with fantastic views. Went to sleep with a full moon shining over the ocean and woke to the sound of crashing waves in the high tide and a beautiful sunrise.

We spent the whole day walking the beach or paddling for me and swimming for the crazy ones; the water was freezing! We sat on a picnic table for a couple of hours watching the numerous fishing boats sprint the gauntlet of crashing waves on their way back into the beach where they were plucked out of the sea to safety by tractors. It was the end of an annual Gallagher’s fishing tournament. This was entertaining with nearly two capsizes, a face plant into the water while getting out of a boat and a motor scrapping on the rocks as the driver had forgotten to lift the motor up – ouch!

We stayed two nights in this camp spot as it was nice.

The next day saw us up and away in a light drizzle to Pourerere Beach, a typical batch community (there is camping here – you do need a permit which can be obtained from the Hastings Council, $35 for 14 days); Aramoana where a farm has been sub divided into stunning holiday homes and also the start of the Te Angiangi Marine Reserve. (No camping here) Then onto Blackhead beach, the south end of the marine reserve and another quaint little fishing community. A camp site at one end and a weird private community at the other end – they are looking for a sheriff.

If you plan on diving in the marine reserve you need to have a four wheel drive vehicle to take on the beach as the best diving is in between both beaches with no road access.

We called in to Porangahau beach for lunch and filled up with town supply water – yeah! Contemplated the nice Country Club golf course but decided on a leisurely walk along the beach.

We trucked along further looking for a spot for the night and did the tourist thing at the hill with the longest place name in the world, Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu (trying saying that with one breath)

Came across a long wide sandy beach at Herbertville perfect for parking the van up for the night. Further back at the community of baches they had a little golf course with sheep grazing.

Last night in the van…

Decided to take the back roads home to Wellington and ended up at dried up Waihi Falls Reserve for a mid morning snack. Some miss map and sign post reading find ourselves lost on the way out of the reserve – we had gone over the Waewaepa Ranges instead of along side of them – oops! So back on to State Highway 2 at Pahiatua and over the Rimatuka’s to Wellington.

Just in time to empty the toilet – hmm…

Wellington Rugby Seven’s 2008

Wow! Where to start – what a weekend?!

This year the grand costume theme was cave people. I was supposed to be a cave woman, but I felt more like a plonker wearing a black & white Zebra outfit with a bone stuck in my hair. The boys outfits rocked, they had squeaking rubber chickens, beards, wigs and brown rags.

The PC ban on borat outfits and fake weapons was pathetic, if parents don’t like their kids seeing it then don’t take them, if you don’t like being squirted with water then stay at home – your couch is looking mighty fine. Speaking of couches did you get a glimpse of the boys dressed up as sofa’s, they decided the night before and gutted out their lounge suite of their flat – students!

We had a great bunch of guys down from the Hawkes Bay in our section, the best Marilyn Munroe you’ve seen in a while. Hard case weekend.

So, now for the actually rugby – what rugby? How did we fair?

We kicked the Samoan booty – then paraded around the field with shirts off doing the haka – yummy! Just like Christmas. Lean, fit boys.

Manly Beach, Sydney

If only it was as exciting as the title could lead to believe – if it wasn’t for the work slotted in each day then it could have been.

Left Wellington’s 30degree plus temps for rain, warm wind and even warmer water. We did, however, manage a quick swim and a run each day.

Stayed at the Novotel on the beach front which is getting a much needed make over; it is nice to be able to see the water each morning.

If you like surfing then this is a place for you as the waves were pretty consistant and rain or shine there was a cluster of grommets out there every day, all day long.

I like the cafes and surf shops, excellent service, a nice place to visit for a weekend and if you find you are bored with Manly itself and require more hustle and bustle there is a ferry that goes directly to downtown Sydney.