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Making travel memories
  • Helen Laing
  • Helen Laing

Making travel memories

We always promised ourselves we would do this trip when we both retired. Cannot believe the time has come, we are so excited. Read more
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  • Helen LaingMaking travel memoriesTraveler
    Chilling in shade trying to acclimatise to the heat
    Our villa accommodation, John & Irene were next doorSunsetOur route to the Cook IslandsTransferred to our hotel from the airportChilling by the poolCocktails Happy hourCrown Beach resort and SpaLovely walks along the brachHotel beach frontHotel beachfrontSunrise flying up to AuklandArrived on the Cook Islands

    Arrived in Rarotonga

    February 26, 2025 in Cook Islands ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    Early start on Thursday morning for our flight from Wellington up to Aukland. Rewarded with a stunning sunrise. Arrived in Rarotonga just after lunchtime Wednesday. Yes, we gained 23 hours crossing the international date line, proper Time travellers. Stunning location on this beautiful islandRead more

  • Helen LaingMaking travel memoriesTraveler
    A local house
    A senior Rarotonga lady resting in the shadeAvarua main streetIt can pay to look up 😉CICC The oldest and largest Christian denomination in the Cook Islands. Cook Island Christian ChurchPrimary SchoolCollegeBread fruit. Lady stopped to speak with us while taking this picture. Explaining what it was.The mountains are in the centre of the island and can be viewed from the road aroundLocals are so friendly and interested in where you come from. Lovely to chat, John's 2 grannie palsBus station to head by for some shade

    Avarua, main town in Rarotonga

    February 27, 2025 in Cook Islands ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    We took the anti-clockwise bus to Avarua today. It's a longer ride. However, we got to see more of the Island. It was also much cooler on the bus. The humidity today was a tad uncomfortable to us Scots 😀 The locals are so friendly, and love to chat with you.Read more

  • Helen LaingMaking travel memoriesTraveler

    Market day in Avarua

    March 1, 2025 in Cook Islands ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    Saturdays bus run took us once again to Avarua, popular for the local Saturday Market. What was more interesting we found by chance! At the nearby harbour, we went to check out the French Navy frigate Prairial. It provides maritime security along the coast. It was having an open day. We couldn't miss the opportunity to go on board. The helicopter pilot took us a tour around. Calum wish you'd been there xRead more

  • Helen LaingMaking travel memoriesTraveler
    Resident 🐔
    Cockerell drinking from dripping tapHad to pull the curtain over to keep rain out breakfast areaThen the sun came outLand in Cook Islands is passed from generation to generation. Common to see burials/graves in gardenRun for the hillsAnother family burial plot in the gardeHibiscus 🌺Frangipani treeTraveller's Tree or Traveller's Palm in our villla back gardenShells found on the beach, sad we couldn't bring any back. Strict bio security rules

    Even beautiful in the rain

    March 2, 2025 in Cook Islands ⋅ 🌬 27 °C

    Intended walking to the local church after breakfast. The weather had other ideas. A torrential downpour came on as we ate. It wasn't cold, so we went walking afterwards, admiring the flowers and fauna. The resident chickens and Cockerells turned up for a drink by the tap at our villaRead more

  • Helen LaingMaking travel memoriesTraveler
    Time to say goodbye to the Crown Resort and SpaOur lovely waiterBoardingBusiness lounge here was me worried about the hot airportLovely food and such amazing serviceCould get used to this!

    Goodbye Rarotonga

    March 3, 2025 in Cook Islands ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Goodbye Rarotonga 👋 we had a lovely holiday. Looked forward to our return trip with air New Zealand flying Premium Economy. John & Irene kept a lovely surprise from us that we were flying back business class. Could get used to this.... only trouble is it's Tuesday when we land 😀Read more

  • Helen LaingMaking travel memoriesTraveler
    Nga Hurunuru Rangatira - Feathers of the Chief
    Te Peeti Te Awe Awe, Chief of the Rangitone Tribe born early 1800'sIntercschool sheep shearing competitionShe can wield an axe ...STIHL SponsorsVarious activities in the parkEven tree climbing!Competitor one was eliminated due to one cut being too near her foot hold 😞Guy was excellent, they are all in their first year of competitionsThese tractors are hugeContainers for storage, all brightly decorated

    Palmerston North

    March 7, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    We had a lovely coffee stop in Palmerston North on our drive east today. We were lucky to find rural games taking place there. Local inter schools competitions were happening there, too, with senior boys competing in sheep shearing competitions and field sports. Happy spending an hour wandering around taking in the atmosphere.Read more

  • Helen LaingMaking travel memoriesTraveler
    Sculpture in Sunken Gardens
    Sunken gardensThe Gardens on Marine Parade are built on land that was raised in the 1931 devastating earthquakeThe Napier Sound Shell, built in 1935 in Art Deco Style the first of its kind in New Zealand1906 South African War Memorial, stone lion holding shieldEmersion Street. Building, Art Deco building with copper domeQuest, Our hotel on Dickens StreetSunscopeFoaming sea

    Napier

    March 7, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Arrived for our weekend away at Napier. A walk down the front, we found some lovely sunken gardens. The sea was rather rough. There was a great viewing platform. Looking forward to getting out tomorrow to explore more of this beautiful city.Read more

  • Helen LaingMaking travel memoriesTraveler
    Apple trees
    Ruahine, Kaweka and Maungaharuru rangesTe Mata ParkA tad too steep and paths very narrowGreat views though of path belowGreat views below of Haveloc North

    Hawkes Bay Drive

    March 8, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    John took us a lovely drive through the countryside around Hawkes Bay. Abundant fields of fruit trees, mainly apple and equally of grape vines in this famous wine region. We drove up to Te Mata Peak to do one of the shorter waymarked walks. However, we thought against it after setting out, as the drops were rather frightening. None of us had proper walking shoes on.Read more

  • Helen LaingMaking travel memoriesTraveler
    Our morning breakfast stopPublic Trust OfficeA Wave in Time depicting Shiela Williams, the daughter of AE Williams city architect/engineerNapier Municipal TheatreFire Station built 1923, Louis Hay design. Used until 1969. Now a popular restaurantBronze boy climbing lamppost, waving to Shiela Williams statue on the street opposite

    Art Deco in Napier 1

    March 8, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Lovely city to walk around. Lots of Art Deco styled buildings. Napier was destroyed by a massive earthquake in 1931. This resulted in a fire that ravished through the city. Napier was restored to its former glory. 4 Architects responsible for the design of the buildings. The Art Deco buildings are now protected and are a great attraction to visitorsRead more

  • Helen LaingMaking travel memoriesTraveler
    Eleanor our excellent guide
    Country Hotel, Victorian. Edwardian classic style. Built in 1909 and survived the earthquakeAustralian Provident Society, built before 1931. Society played a vital role in financing reconstrucSt John's Anglican CathedralFountain by the CathedralParkers ChambersBeautiful Music Shop still as it was when it first openedOriginal shop front. Currently an opticiansHawkes Bay Club, originally a gentleman's club

    Napier Art Decor City Walk

    March 9, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    We enjoyed an excellent tour this morning of the city. We viewed a twenty minute film, old footage of the earthquake of 1931. Both informative and moving. People's resilience in these times is amazing. The sea front rose up 3M and the promenade is now built on this areaRead more

  • Helen LaingMaking travel memoriesTraveler
    Visitors CentreJervis BayPoint Perpendicular LighthouseBottlebrush Banksia Ericifolia

    Beecroft Weapons Range, Jervis Bay

    March 14, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    We went a run out to the Dept of Defence's Beecroft Weapons Range. This covers around 4,200 hectares of the Beecroft Peninsula (the northern headland of Jervis Bay. The range is used for defence training since thec1800's. We got caught up in a queue of pre weekend campers heading out the Peninsula to one of the many camping areas open for the weekend (normally out of bounds). We headed the 10 kilometres down to Point Perpendicular Lighthouse. Dating from 1898, the lighthouse is one of the most distinctive landmarks. It was decommissioned in 1993. It's a lovely spot and a lovely lighthouse. There is a current renovation being carried out on the surrounding buildings.Read more

  • Helen LaingMaking travel memoriesTraveler
    Currarong Beach
    Currarong beachCurrarong beach lots of beautiful houses in the areaCurrarong beachRed Point Picnic areaRepoint picnic areaChinamans beach, Jervis BayChinamans beach, Jervis BayChinamans beach, Jervis BayA couple of girls found this sharks head in the Bay. They were with their Dad, it's a protected areaChinamans beach, Jervis BayChinamans beach, Jervis BayAarraine Beach , Hammerhead PointAarraine Beach , Hammerhead PointAarraine Beach , Hammerhead Point

    Beach ⛱️ bums

    March 14, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    David & Birgitte's tours took a change of tempo this afternoon to cool us down after the Defence Point. Starting at Carrarong, we watched a small group taking surfing lessons. We drove through the National Park to Red Point Picnic Area. We saw the huge tree David had told us of and continued our wee Bush trail. As the trees opened out, we were rewarded with the stunning beaches of Jervis Bay. This beach Chinamans beach, could be mistaken for the Caribbean! Jervis Bay is 9 times bigger than Sydney Harbour and is the deepest Bay in Australia with 20 km of white sand. After chilling there, we moved to Aarraine Beach , Hammerhead Point, which is the Pacific Ocean side of Jervis Bay.Read more

  • Helen LaingMaking travel memoriesTraveler
    Hampden Bridge
    View below Hampden BridgeFitzroy Falls, Morton National ParkCafe at Fitzroy Falls, Morton National ParkFitzroy Falls, Morton National ParkFitzroy Falls, Morton National ParkFitzroy Falls, Morton National ParkFitzroy Falls in Morton National ParkFitzroy Falls, Morton National ParkCambewarra Lookout point, sadly a heat haze lay belowCambewarra Lookout point, sadly a heat haze lay belowGrevillea 'Suberb' an Australian native. Sometimes called Ned KellyGerroa Sir Charles Kings Ford Smith lookoutSeven Mile Beach, another stunnerSeven mile beachSeven mile beachSeven Mile beachSeven Mile beach

    Fitzroy Falls

    March 15, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    Another lovely drive through the countryside and National Parks. Stopped at Hampden Bridge for some photos. Great betting back into the car and air-conditioning. It's extremely hot today. We carried on to Fitzroy Falls, where after a short 150M walk from the visitors centre, we arrived at the viewing platform. Enjoyed refreshments afterwards and chatted to shop staff. Everyone's a Scottish accent 😀. We then climbed up through the countryside, with some tight hare pin bends to reach Cambewarra lookout. Sadly, the views were not so clear as a heat haze lay over the countryside below. We returned, and David took as to Sir Charles Kingsford Smiths lookout at Gerroa for a view of 7 mile beach from above. We continued on down for a short walk on the beach before getting home.Read more

  • Helen LaingMaking travel memoriesTraveler

    Kiama Sunday Markets

    March 16, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    David suggested visiting the market in Storm Bay Kiama. Having visited markets in Napier and Raratonga, then we had to give an Aussie one a visit too. As it's known to be busy, we decided to get there, early doors. The market is set by the Pacific Ocean in a lovely location. Stall wise, it had the best selection of goods, both variety and quality👌. Everything was colourful, and the traders were happy to chat to a Scot 😀 It was very hot even at this early hour. We intended to walk up to the blowhole but instead jumped in the car for the air-conditioning to cool us off on thec2 minute ride up the hill.Read more

  • Helen LaingMaking travel memoriesTraveler

    Kiama a popular town

    March 16, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

    Kiama Blowhole, where the waves thrash against the rocks below, entering a sea cliff cavern sometimes compressing air, spurting water as much as 30M in the air. Kiama Lighthouse stands nearby at the top of the cliff. There is an open air sea pool close by. It was so hot this morning that we enjoyed a delicious ice cream on the High Street. This town is very popular at weekends with both tourists and locals. Lots of cafes and bars along the streetsRead more

  • Helen LaingMaking travel memoriesTraveler

    Minnamurra Rainforest

    March 16, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 33 °C

    After Kiama David and Birgitte drove us up to Minnamurra Visitors Centre at Jamberoo in the NSW National Park. We enjoyed a refreshment, and we did the rainforest loop walk. Unfortunately, one of the suspension bridges over the Minnamurra Rivulet had been destroyed in earlier floods, so it wasn't a loop walk. There were some steep inclines. However, there were excellent boardwalks throughout with seating dotted around. The area is made up of 3 types of rainforest. Subtropical, warm temparate rainforest and riparian rainforest. Staff and rangers were very friendly. We enjoyed a browse around their lovely gift shop. Again, it was good to get back into the car for the air conditioning as it was very hot today.Read more

  • Helen LaingMaking travel memoriesTraveler

    Canberra

    Mar 17–20, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    An early start from Nowra for our drive over to Canberra. We arrived midmorning for our visit to Auntie Jean and Stuart. After lunch, Stuart took us out for a drive around the city, getting our bearings.
    We stopped into Regatta Point Visitors Centre on Lake Burley Griffin with views over to the National Library. We walked around park and saw bats hanging from the trees. Flying foxes. From there, we visited the Australian Parliament with great views down to the old parliament buildings and Anzac Parade. We then went up to the Lookout on Mount Ainslie, giving 360-degree views of the city before returning to the shores of Lake Burley Griffin    Read more

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