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Singapore and New Zealand
  • John Ward
  • Lynn Ward
  • John Ward
  • Lynn Ward

Singapore and New Zealand

A 35-day adventure by John & Lynn Read more
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  • Trip start
    January 30, 2025
  • Singapore and New Zealand
    Took a boat trip to Rangitoto island. Good view of Auckland
    Is this the biggest super yacht in the world?3

    Rangitoto Island

    February 5, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    We climbed to the summit of Rangitoto today. It was very hot, so we were sweaty and sticky by the time we had climbed it, but there was a breeze which helped to cool us down. We walked through the lava caves, which were pitch black and I managed to bang my head on the lava rock roof, which as you can imagine was very painful and I have a nice big cut on my head to match the rest. But we both enjoyed the day. Tomorrow we leave Auckland and start our road trip.😃Read more

  • Singapore and New Zealand
    Thames town. Public holiday today so everywhere was closed
    111Lounge in our suite at Bayview b & bCoromandel town1Refreshing beer after a day's driving

    Journey to Whitianga

    Feb 6–8, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Today we left Auckland and travelled to our first destination on the road trip, Whitianga. We followed the coast road to Coromandel passing through Thames. Staying here for two nights at the Bayview bed & breakfast with fantastic views.
    Been down to the town for a beer and a meal as recommended by our hosts.    Read more

  • Singapore and New Zealand
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    11Captain cook landed at Whitianga bay only last week11.00sies11End of another great day

    Around Whitianga

    February 7, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Been exploring around Whitianga today. Some of the beaches, coves and waterfalls.

  • Singapore and New Zealand
    2Breakfast this morning. So beautiful.
    Just coming out of the glowworm caves

    Willow view cottage, otorohanga

    Feb 8–9, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Travelled from. Whitianga to Otorohanga today via Hamilton. Stopped off on way for coffee in a small town that was hosting the Highland games. Seemed strange seeing people in kilts.
    Been to the glowworm caves tonight. Lynn thought it was great. I thought they had just hung loafs of christmas lights up and charged a fortune to see them . The stalactites were good though.Read more

  • Singapore and New Zealand
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    1This was the boardwalk to the natural bridge which is a rock arch over the river.2

    Sunday 9th Feb 2025

    Feb 9–10, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Today we travelled to Rotarua for an overnight stay, but before getting there we visited Marukopa falls and the natural bridge.Rotarua is famous for its sulphur hot water springs and geysers.
    It seemed a long drive and neither of us have come to terms with the change in time difference, getting tired late morning and afternoon. Plenty of stops and coffee on the way. This hotel tonight is crap, a dated business hotel I think. Today was the hottest day getting up to 30c.Read more

  • Singapore and New Zealand
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    Rotarua to Ohakune

    Feb 10–12, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Staying two nights in Ohakune in the Tongariro national park. Stopped off at Huka falls and the town of Taupo for coffee. It rained heavily coming over the mountain passes.

  • Singapore and New Zealand
    111This is the cicadas which makes a screeching noise whenever you go into woodland.111

    Walking near Ohakune Tuesday

    February 11, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    Still got a cold and chesty cough, keeping us both awake at night. Still not adjusted to the time difference yet. Been walking in the lush woods not far from the local town and up to a waterfalls. We have a hot tub for our own private use, and been making the most of it when we got back at tea time before walking to the town for a meal. Also there is a chocolate éclair shop that locals travel quite a distance to buy which we had at end of walks.Read more

  • Singapore and New Zealand
    This is the cicadas. Can you see it clicking its wings?

    Ohakune to Napier

    Feb 12–14, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Wednesday we travelled to Napier on the east coast. It was destroyed in 1931 by an earthquake measuring 7.8 on the richter scale. The town was rebuilt between 1931 and 1933 in the style of art deco and is the best example in the world. It didn't disappoint. There was a 1931 festival starting when we were there with visitors coming from all over new zealand, dressing up in costume and a grand display of 1930s cars.

    On the way over we travelled on a quiet mountain pass road with some stunning views. 123km and it seemed to take forever with no villages and no coffee stop ☹️.    Read more

  • Singapore and New Zealand
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    Napier

    February 13, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Today we hired a couple of bikes and followed pre planned tracks out of Napier and into the countryside. It took three hours to do the circuit around a nature reserve and along the coast.
    We got back into town and admired all the ladies and gentlemen suitable attired in period dress and the ever increasing number of vintage cars arriving.Read more

  • Singapore and New Zealand

    Wellington

    Feb 14–15, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    We travelled to Wellington today around 400km from Napier beautiful route and hot. Took us most of the day. Staying at the Movenpick hotel where on this floor they have guest laundry!!!
    Dropped car off and ordered taxi to take us to the ferry to the south island at 7.00am, so early start. We dropped the hire car back at Budget and pick up another one in Picton when we get off the ferry. Hslf way through trip. All going well so far 🤞
    Here are some pictures of Wellington.    Read more

  • Singapore and New Zealand

    Wellington to Nelson via ferry

    Feb 15–16, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    6.30am breakfast for Ferry. Amazing crossing stunning views. Picked hire car up. Journey to Nelson through vineyards had incredible scenery all around. We were told weather would be cooler but not today it was a scorcher. Few hrs in pool late pm after looking around the town.
    .    Read more

  • Singapore and New Zealand
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    Pelorus Bridge

    February 16, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Arrived at Pelorus bridge had coffee before tramping(hiking) .Then stopped at the river,beautiful and amazing. Then got bitten by sand flies!! Stopped at Havelock for brief snack to inc cream cake !! Before next walk.Read more

  • Singapore and New Zealand
    Fantail bird1

    Mount Takorika track/ Blenheim

    Feb 16–19, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 16 °C

    Hiking was steep, difficult and hot even through trees to look out point 2000 ft up. It took a while to cool down. The route down was even harder as there was a link track to water falls, but not one we should have taken. We felt like monkeys swinging from tree roots. But worth view and fantail bird that followed us some of way. Different hotel tonight D'urville hotel in Blenheim. Then after meal visited local store couldn't choose which apples so many and incredible selection of wines.Read more

  • Singapore and New Zealand
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    Kaikoura

    February 17, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 20 °C

    We stopped at a great cafe first thing called The Store, recommended by a few people, great views, and coffee. Then followed the Pacific highway along the coast where we saw large pods of dolphins along route, seals and their young, jumping fish (Kahawai), and the little pied cormorant but not whales. It felt magical and quite moving to feel and see what we did. Also one of largest lobster we've ever seen.Read more

  • Singapore and New Zealand
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    Christchurch

    Feb 17–19, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 20 °C

    Staying at the Hackthorne gardens luxury accommodation for two nights. This must be the most luxurious hotel we have stayed in so far. It only has 5 rooms, but the public areas are lovely, very peaceful. The weather has turned miserable with low cloud,wind, and rain.Read more

  • Singapore and New Zealand
    Hard to believe it's a flat wall. Pays homage to buildings lost in earthquake1One of the original 1851 cottages

    Christchurch and Lyttleton

    February 18, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Woke up this morning to a thick blanket of cloud and drizzle. No breakfast served in the hotel, so had to go 100m to a cafe for breakfast, bizarre.
    Decided to go into Christchurch city centre and spent a couple of hours looking round shops. I got my hair cut under the supervision of Lynn. Then the sun came out and decided to go to Littleton around 20 min drive. This is where Major Lyttleton landed in the 19th century. Now most people take the gondola to the summit, we decided to walk. It was tough, and we were both very sweaty when we got to the top. Few funny looks from the other tourists. The views were amazing, though, and well worth it.Read more

  • Singapore and New Zealand
    1This is the Kea parrot and lives in the mountains around Arthur's passThe long and not so windy road

    Hokitika via Arthurs pass

    Feb 19–20, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Drove from the east coast to the west coast over Arthur's pass, very dramatic scenery. Weather started off sunny and then heavy cloud and rain, which continued for the rest of the day. Hokitika is where we stay over for one night. Went to Hokita gorge where the suspension bridge is. Normally, the water is glacial blue, but after rain it goes milky.Read more

  • Singapore and New Zealand
    1We thought this was a Kiwi but it's a Weka flightless birdThe gaol in Ross built in 18651I think she is still there!Lancashire lad came all this way to find his fortune.Special constable Ward here1

    Hokitika to Franz Josef

    Feb 20–22, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Today it rained in the morning. We went into Hokitika for breakfast as it wasn't provided at our cottage stay. Then decided to set off for our next overnight stay in Franz Josef and hopefully find some interesting places to stop on the way. It brightened up mid-morning for our coffee stop. We stopped at Ross, an old gold mining town, had a look round the historic buildings and the church and did a walk around the mining area and mining route. The mines were still visible. Mining started in the 1860's and continued until 1910. Amazing journey here with lots of stops and beautiful lakes and other things of interest.
    Staying at the Franz Josef Oasis for 2 nights.    Read more

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