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

Singapore and New Zealand

Et 35-dagers eventyr av John & Lynn Les mer
  • Reisens start
    30. januar 2025
  • Gardens by the bay

    31. januar 2025, Singapore ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C
  • Rangitoto Island

    5. februar 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.😃Les mer

  • 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.
    Les mer

  • Around Whitianga

    7. februar 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.Les mer

  • 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.Les mer

  • Rotarua to Ohakune

    10.–12. feb. 2025, 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.

  • Walking near Ohakune Tuesday

    11. februar 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.Les mer

  • 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 ☹️.
    Les mer

  • Napier

    13. februar 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.Les mer

  • 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.
    Les mer

  • 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.
    .
    Les mer

  • Pelorus Bridge

    16. februar 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.Les mer

  • 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.Les mer

  • Kaikoura

    17. februar 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.Les mer

  • 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.Les mer

  • Christchurch and Lyttleton

    18. februar 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.Les mer

  • 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.Les mer

  • 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.
    Les mer