3.2.1 Bungy- the evidence, 2 of our girls are nuts!
March 19. Taihape
Taihape markets itself as ‘on the road to everywhere.’ We renamed it after the Talking Heads as it somehow feels more appropriate. We are nowhere. However, it also claims itself to be the Gumboot Throwing capital of New Zealand, an excellent attempt at fame.
Taihape markets itself as ‘on the road to everywhere.’ We renamed it after the Talking Heads as it somehow feels more appropriate. We are nowhere. However, it also claims itself to be the Gumboot Throwing capital of New Zealand, an excellent attempt at fame.
the giant Gumboot welcomes us.
We are also now within 50k of Mordor and Mount Doom of Lords of the Rings movie fame, so you can get a good idea of the scenery round here- pretty spectacular.
As we took the ferry from Picton this morning, we bade a fond farewell to the South Island. Our 2 and half weeks there have seen us experience weather of every extreme: swimming from golden beaches in Abel Tasman; floods in Hokitika; the glaciers; snow in Queenstown; and all capped off by a beautiful weekend spent with the Mances in Christchurch. It has left lasting impressions on us all.
We had not met with Chris, Ceci, Kira, Maia and Luam for several years so we were pretty excited at the prospect of meeting up. From our arrival on Friday afternoon to bidding farewell on Monday morning we had loads of fun and they showed us some parts of their beautiful city which we would never have come across from a ‘Lonely Planet.’ Whilst a visit to Fred and Myrtles ‘Paua’ shell house introduced us to Kiwi eccentricity at its finest, our forearms are all still burning from our exertions at the ‘Clip and Climb’ climbing centre last Saturday. In the Mance madhouse, Maddie, Geo and Bugs negotiated a bed for 3 nights, whilst Lu and I took over the driveway- despite the best efforts of myself, Chris and a passing tree to take the roof off Elli as we reversed in. Thank god I opted for the no-excess insurance policy!
As we took the ferry from Picton this morning, we bade a fond farewell to the South Island. Our 2 and half weeks there have seen us experience weather of every extreme: swimming from golden beaches in Abel Tasman; floods in Hokitika; the glaciers; snow in Queenstown; and all capped off by a beautiful weekend spent with the Mances in Christchurch. It has left lasting impressions on us all.
We had not met with Chris, Ceci, Kira, Maia and Luam for several years so we were pretty excited at the prospect of meeting up. From our arrival on Friday afternoon to bidding farewell on Monday morning we had loads of fun and they showed us some parts of their beautiful city which we would never have come across from a ‘Lonely Planet.’ Whilst a visit to Fred and Myrtles ‘Paua’ shell house introduced us to Kiwi eccentricity at its finest, our forearms are all still burning from our exertions at the ‘Clip and Climb’ climbing centre last Saturday. In the Mance madhouse, Maddie, Geo and Bugs negotiated a bed for 3 nights, whilst Lu and I took over the driveway- despite the best efforts of myself, Chris and a passing tree to take the roof off Elli as we reversed in. Thank god I opted for the no-excess insurance policy!
Skipping on Taylors Mistake.
By Monday Lu was ready for one of the highlights of her trip- swimming with the dusky dolphins. We ventured to Kaikoura, just North of Christchurch. When Flipper turned up, with 300 of his best mates, the 4.45am alarm call and the freezing cold water was long forgotten for what is undoubtedly a life-long memory. 
5.00 am, freezing but ready...
Heres Flipper
Unfortunately, Bugs, Mads and I elected for the lie-in option so only Geo was there to share it with her.
En route, an impromptu coffee shop stop saw us acquire a serious 9 foot high piece of modern Maori sculpture, which may beat us back to Tonbridge. We are not sure yet where it is going to live but it seemed right at the time. I guess they must have put something extra in the latte.....
En route, an impromptu coffee shop stop saw us acquire a serious 9 foot high piece of modern Maori sculpture, which may beat us back to Tonbridge. We are not sure yet where it is going to live but it seemed right at the time. I guess they must have put something extra in the latte.....
the ropeswing to Nowhere
We now head north as the Coromandel and Bay of Islands beckons
Adios, until next time
Andy and Lu
Adios, until next time
Andy and Lu
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