• John Ward
  • Lynn Ward
  • John Ward
  • Lynn Ward

Singapore and New Zealand

Pengembaraan 35hari oleh John & Lynn Baca lagi
  • Permulaan perjalanan
    30 Januari 2025
  • Gardens by the bay

    31 Januari 2025, Singapura ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C
  • Rangitoto Island

    5 Februari 2025, 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.😃Baca lagi

  • Journey to Whitianga

    6–8 Feb 2025, 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.
    Baca lagi

  • Around Whitianga

    7 Februari 2025, New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

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

  • Willow view cottage, otorohanga

    8–9 Feb 2025, 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.Baca lagi

  • Sunday 9th Feb 2025

    9–10 Feb 2025, 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.Baca lagi

  • Walking near Ohakune Tuesday

    11 Februari 2025, 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.Baca lagi

  • Ohakune to Napier

    12–14 Feb 2025, 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 ☹️.
    Baca lagi

  • Napier

    13 Februari 2025, 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.Baca lagi

  • Wellington

    14–15 Feb 2025, 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.
    Baca lagi

  • Wellington to Nelson via ferry

    15–16 Feb 2025, 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.
    .
    Baca lagi

  • Pelorus Bridge

    16 Februari 2025, 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.Baca lagi

  • Mount Takorika track/ Blenheim

    16–19 Feb 2025, 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.Baca lagi

  • Kaikoura

    17 Februari 2025, 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.Baca lagi

  • Christchurch

    17–19 Feb 2025, 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.Baca lagi

  • Christchurch and Lyttleton

    18 Februari 2025, 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.Baca lagi

  • Hokitika via Arthurs pass

    19–20 Feb 2025, 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.Baca lagi

  • Hokitika to Franz Josef

    20–22 Feb 2025, 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.
    Baca lagi