For our third exchange we first considered an offer for Hawaii (we had to look it up on a map and couldn’t believe how far from anywhere, especially the US, it was). We then accepted an offer for San Francisco. Brian was keen to show us where he had stayed during his six months working in California and we were all quite interested in visiting the area. We started to make plans and were looking at flights. Luckily, we didn’t book anything. The family we were arranging the exchange with emailed us to let us know that their circumstances had changed and that they weren’t able to travel to the UK.
While we had been organising the US exchange we had received many offers from all over the world. We had replied to them all saying thanks for the offer but we had already made arrangements for this year and hoped that they found a good exchange and had a good trip. Luckily, I had stored all the emails just out of interest to see how many offers we got and where from. We went back through the offers and decided that we fancied New Zealand and that we would like to travel for at least 4 weeks. I found the New Zealand offers and received an email from Lynley and Rick saying that they hadn’t yet found anyone to exchange with them and it would be great to stay at our house. They were going to do a tour of Europe and spend some time in England with Rick’s elderly father, who was quite ill. Rick came from the same part of London as Brian and so our house was quite convenient. They had a ‘lifestyle’ property in Katikati, near Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty. This meant that the house had quite a lot of land and that they kept chickens, cows, a pig and grew vegetables.
We only had to look after the chickens, which Ben and Beccy loved, and eat the eggs. Amazingly, Tauranga was where Andy and Kerry, who we had met at the youth hostel last year, lived. We confirmed the exchange and emailed Andy and Kerry to let them know that, surprisingly, we would be visiting them.
Lynley and Rick flew to Heathrow from Germany. We drove to the airport to meet them and recognised them straight away from their picture. I drove them to the bed and breakfast they would be staying at for a couple of days in my car. Brian, Ben and Beccy met us there in Brian’s car so that we could give my car to Lynley and Rick. I can do without the car quite easily, just tend to use it for emergencies and sometimes because it is there. We all went out for a meal in Croydon, got to know each other a little and exchanged information about our respective houses. I had made a small folder with information in it about the shops, the gadgets in the house, the pets and medical information. When we arrived in Katikati, we found that Lynley had written a book. It took us a good while to read it!
On the day we were due to leave, Lynlie and Rick arrived at our house as we finished getting ready. We said goodbye, got a lift to Heathrow and flew to Singapore for a brief stopover and then on to Auckland.
Monday 28th July 2003
Auckland airport is right next to the sea – a little scary on landing. Andy had said that he would meet at the airport but we got our dates wrong and he couldn’t make that day. Instead, we caught a bus from Manakau City in the Auckland suburbs. Manakau shopping centre didn't give us a good first impression but the bus came and we all slept well on it. Amanda met us from the bus in Katikati and took us to the house. The children only wanted to sleep and so I gave them a bath and a drink and put them to bed. We were all in bed by about 7pm and got up about 6am.
Tuesday 29th July 2003
After getting up really early we had breakfast (fresh eggs – poached) and fed the chickens and let them out. We went to meet the cow, Jenny and the calf, Cinders and then spent the morning getting to know where everything was and keeping the fire going. We saw some beautiful little birds called fantails that are about sparrow size, have fan like tails, and flit around like butterflies. Lynley had left information about local attractions and we first went to Katikati Heritage Museum. We had a nice lunch before going round the museum. The museum was run by a retired couple who have collected memorabilia. She was very informative on the origins of Katikati, a planned settlement set up 125 years ago by a group of protestants from Northern Ireland who sailed over to farm the land which had previously been bought from the Maori people. After the museum we returned home, fed the chickens (three eggs laid) and the cat and went to bed early again.
Wednesday 30th July 2003
Got up at 6am again! Both Ben and Beccy had come into our bed in the night and we were all squeezed together. We all got very little sleep. Had boiled fresh eggs with salami and bread followed by apple slices for breakfast. Fed the chickens and went out for a walk in the bush. We walked to the Sentinel Rock lookout. It took 2 hours to walk up the side of a small mountain to get to the lookout and probably one hour to get back down. Found a dead possum on the way – looked like it had just died, there were no marks on its body but its claws had been ripped out. Great view from the top of the Kaimai range. After the walk we went to Waihi beach and walked on the sand. This was the first view of the Pacific for Ben, Beccy and I. Brian had seen it before when in California. One chicken had escaped into the garden when we got back and had to be led back into its field. Only two eggs tonight. Went to bed later this evening after bathing the children. Had a phone call from Barrie, one of the neighbours, who told us about some good places to go.
Thursday 31st July 2003
Got up at 7.30am after a really good nights sleep. Had scrambled fresh eggs with sausages for breakfast and did some washing. Drove into Tauranga and went first to Mt Maunganui. The hot pools were closed until 3rd August and so we had a cup of coffee, went on the beach and then climbed the mountain. Fantastic view of the sea, the islands and the towns. At the top we were surrounded by fantails that flew really close. They were either very tame or trying to scare us off. We then went into Tauranga and looked around the shops. Called into Andy's shop on the way back but he was in Hamilton. Went to Burger King – looked like a fifties American diner – for tea. We encountered our first NZ traffic jam on the way home – nothing too bad. Quiet evening in. Brian still hadn't adjusted and fell asleep as soon as we got in.
Friday 1st August
We left early for Rotorua. Drove around the mountains and so drive was 2.5 hours to get there.
There was nothing remarkable on the way except a few deer farms. In Rotorua we first visited Rainbow Springs and went on the Skyline.
We paid $55 for a family ticket to go on the four seater cable car up to the station at the top of the mountain. At the top we went on the luge – a really long toboggan run where the toboggans run on a concrete track right down the mountain. A chair lift takes you back to the top. The luge was great fun. We bought 6 tickets between us, which allowed Brian and Ben to go on their own toboggans and Beccy and I to share. We did the scenic run first – long and slowish, then the intermediate run – much faster (Beccy wanted to go really fast and overtake Ben – on the scenic she was constantly asking me to slow down). After a third go where Ben and Brian went on the advanced and Beccy and I on the intermediate again, we left.
We then travelled around Rotorua to the Thermal Wonderland where we saw geysers, mud pools, sulphur caves, thermal pools.
The whole place was an amazing sight that smelled strongly of sulphur at all times. In the distance we could see a geothermal power station situated next to a giant geyser.
Saturday 2nd August
Decided to stay in for the day and just do things around the house. Ben and Beccy had a great time chasing the chickens (or were they chasing Ben?) Good time to catch up with all the things that make the rest of the time comfortable.
In the evening we went into Tauranga to visit Andy, Kerry, Alyssa, Celia and Alec. We had a drink at their house and then went to the fishing club for a meal. We had a really good meal and a drink and then went back to their house for a cup of coffee before driving home.
Sunday 3rd August
Went to Matamata where they filmed the set for the shire in Lord of the Rings. Went on the tour bus onto the farmland where they did the filming. Saw the party tree, the party field, Bag End and the remains of other hobbit holes. Interesting tour, quite expensive and I don't think we would have paid that much if we had been paying for accommodation as well.
On the way back we went to McLaren Falls and Park. Nice little waterfall over rocks next to hydro-electric power station. We saw many birds of prey during the day. One bird of prey had just caught something – we weren't sure what it was but Beccy thought it might have been a kiwi!
Monday 4th August
Drove up to the Coromandel Peninsular. Lots of winding mountain roads. Stopped at Whangamata and had a picnic on the beach then travelled on to the Hot Water Beach. The tide was going out and you could find hot springs in the sands (covered when the tide is in). The water in the springs is very hot but apparently people dig holes and sit in the hot water. The Pacific ocean waves came crashing onto the beach – if you were in a hole you would be pounded! Had fish and chips from a takeaway on the way back – not particularly nice.
Tuesday 5th August
Another day at home. We liked it there so much, we didn't always want to go out. It was also nice to relax rather than rushing about trying to see and do everything. Brian and Ben started to make a possum trap and Beccy set about with hammer, nails and wood to create a masterpiece of her own.
Wednesday 6th August
Brian and Ben went out fishing on Andy's boat. Ben was very seasick but braved the whole day and managed to catch a fish. Beccy and I took the car and shopped for trousers for her in Tauranga. We then went home and played some games and did things around the house. Beccy wanted to be a house elf and helped me hang out the washing and tidy up. We went back to Tauranga to pick Brian and Ben up as they came back in the boat, then went to Andy's house where Brian and Colin filleted the fish they had caught and Andy cleaned the boat. The children played basketball and then went to play on the playstation. Kerry and I then took enough fillets of fish for nine of us to the local fish and chip shop where they battered and fried it and we bought it back with nine portions of chips for $18. We spread the fish and chips out in the newspaper in the middle of the table and ate it with our fingers.
Thursday 7th August
Spent most of the day at home cleaning, tidying up and spending time with the animals. Later in the afternoon we went to Katikati Heritage Museum where Nancy told us about a good number of other places to go visit. We had a round of mini golf – their course was very good.
Friday 8th August
Went to the Karangahake Gorge at the bottom end of the Coromandel Peninsular. We were too late to catch the steam train that runs from Waihi to Waikino so we drove into the gorge and parked the car. We walked first to the Owhara Falls, which were quite pretty but not much of a walk and then moved up to Karangahake itself where we walked through the gorge and through the disused railway tunnel – about 0.7km. We took a torch and we saw quite a few glowworms in the wetter parts of the tunnel roof.
After the walk we drove back to the house and cooked a pot roast for Amanda and her family, David, Alanah, Daniel and Talia. Amanda sorted out the chalet and a couple, Colin and Louise, arrived to stay in it for the weekend.
Saturday 9th August
Drove to Ohope Beach to visit Andy and Kerry at their bach (beach house). The Ben and Alec used driftwood on the beach to build a shelter, covered with pine branches. Alyssa and Beccy played around the house. The bach was very spacious – five bedrooms in all the buildings, a decent size kitchen, shower room and toilet and large living area and verandah – all looking over the sea. Went for a walk along the peninsular and then went to the Ohope Club where we had a drink, a very nice meal, and watched the second half of the rubgy match (All Blacks against South Africa). Went back to the bach for a coffee before driving home. Arrived home at 1am to find that Amanda had moved the cows into the chicken paddock. I didn't realise as I fed the chickens in the dark and left the gate open! Luckily, neither cow made an escape bid and I was able to shut them in securely.
Sunday 10th August
Invited Colin and Louise from the chalet over for breakfast and we cooked bacon, scrambled eggs, tomatoes and toast. Most of it was cold but it tasted OK. They have both moved here from Zimbabwe and South Africa and were just having a weekend away from Auckland. Didn't do much for the rest of the day but went out exploring where they were logging at the end of Thompson's track – very muddy. Then drove over to Amanda's house and had a drink before coming home for dinner.
Monday 11th August
Drove to Waitomo Caves to see the glowworms. The caves were quite interesting and you had to get into a boat to see the glowworms (and be very quiet!) the glowworms were quite spectacular – loads of them. After the caves we went back towards Waitomo village and went into the Angora rabbit shearing shed.
They were just finishing off the shearing of a rabbit and showed us the hair. They told us that one rabbit produces enough hair for an adult size jumper! Then we went to the Kiwi House in Otorohanga. We saw our first kiwi and many other birds. The birds in the picture above also fly around Jacaranda cottage but we can't, of course, get so close.
Tuesday 12th August
Packed up and set off for Lake Taupo. Stopped to see a geothermal power station on the way. The power station took its energy from the underground heat. There was masses of steam generated. Drove on to the Prawn Park just before Taupo. Looked at the thermal pools where they grow the prawns then had a meal. We had a plate of the biggest and firmest prawns we had ever eaten and then Brian and I had a meal of prawn burgers while Ben and Beccy had fish and chips and nuggets and chips. Watched the Huka Jet go on a couple of trips and decided we didn't want to go on that one. Bought metal tuatara ornament in the gift shop and then drove to Huka Falls. These are spectacular, fast flowing falls where the force of the water is phenomenal.
Then we travelled to Tokaanu (thermal village) where there are thermal pools and hot springs in just about everyone's gardens. Stayed at the Tokaanu Lodge Motel. Had a three bedroom unit with kitchen and living area. Ben slept in the loft area – warmest place. There were two hot mineral pools, one private freshwater thermal pool and a thermal public pool. All the pools were being used so we went in the public pool until it closed at 9pm. It was great to run across the car park on a winter's night in just your swimsuit and towel and then plunge into the warm outside pool. After a long dip we ran back to shower and dry off.
Wednesday 13th August
Hired snow outfits from a shop in Tokaanu and then drove up into the mountains. We bought a Discovery Package each and this included snowboard hire, wrist guards and boots, all lift passes and a one and a half hour lesson. Ben and Beccy took to it well although Beccy spent a lot of time falling over at the beginning. Brian did fairly well and I couldn't do it at all. I had to take my snowboard off because I couldn't get up! Beccy looked like an expert by the time we finished and she was the only one who wanted to carry on after the lesson. The rest of us were too tired and achy. We went on the chair lifts up to the highest point we could and looked out down the side of Mt Ruapehu.
We drove back to Tokaanu and returned the snow outfits to the hire shop then went to get food for dinner from Turangi. Cooked a meal using the very efficient oven and then after a rest and some TV watching we went into the hot pool again. Both nights we went back to the unit, washed, dried and changed into our pyjamas and then really relaxed.
Thursday 14th August
Packed up again and set out for Wellington. Decided to first visit Napier on the East coast. Napier had lots of art deco buildings which were built in the 1930's after the town was destroyed by an earthquake. Interesting town to see. Later we stopped in Masterton where we found a bar that served food. The food was good and we watched a charity boxing match on the large screen TV. After that we travelled to Wellington. This had been a very, very long journey and we arrived in Wellington at 10.15pm having not booked anywhere to stay. The first two places we rang were full and the first one we drove to had closed its reception. Luckily the Halswell Lodge Motel was still open and they were able to give us a two-bedroom unit, although we would have to change rooms for the second night. It was really luxurious with well equipped kitchen, spa bath and two bedrooms. We all had a spa bath to enjoy the novelty.
Friday 15th August
It was raining heavily and so we headed straight for the Te Papa museum. There were very interesting displays on earthquakes, volcanoes and other natural disasters. There seem to be quite a few disasters occurring here! We found out that Mt Ruapehu, where we snowboarded, was an active volcano that has erupted as recently as 1996. Also, there had been at least four earthquakes just north of Wellington since we have been here! Also, the area we are staying in was devasted by a cyclone in 1987 causing much damage. Lastly, a great storm caused a shipping disaster in which the Wahine sank in Wellington harbour in 1968. No wonder the buildings are not built a sturdily as in Britain – too costly to rebuild! The passports display told the stories of people to emigrated here, either by choice or because they were sent here. Among the immigrants were Polish orphans sent here after the war from the Siberian death camps, Irish families escaping the famine and many English and Scottish families who were searching for a better life. After Te Papa we went to the Wellington City and Sea museum where we found out about the city itself and watched a video about the Wahine disaster.
Went on the cable car up the side of Mt Victoria and looked out at the top over the city of Wellington. Fairly good view despite the mist.
Walked around the city a little and then went to the supermarket near the motel to get some nice food to bake for dinner. Bought pies, oven chips and bread to bake. When we got back to the motel we were given our new room. There was no oven! Had to make do with an electric pan which cooked the chips nicely and the microwave which heated the pies but lost their nice crusts. No spa bath this time!
Saturday 16th August
Brian, Ben and Beccy bought me a cake and sang Happy Birthday to me. Opened card and presents and baked bread in the hotel communal kitchen for breakfast. Then we packed up and set out for Katikati. Drove first to Hunterville where we had coffee and cakes in a little cafe by the road. Then the children played in a small playground for a little while before we drove off. Then we stopped in Taupo where we had a Subway for lunch. Didn't walk along the lake as it was very cold. Next, we drove on to Rotorua where we stopped just to go to the toilet and we arrived home at 6.30pm. Cooked a dinner from what we had left in the fridge and then we watched the rugby – All Blacks against the Wallabies. Rang Dan and Mum and spoke to each for quite a while. Otherwise – you wouldn't have known it was my birthday.
Sunday 17th August
Brian went shooting at Rotorua. Ben, Beccy and I stayed at home, watched some films, played some games and fed the chickens. When I went to feed the chickens in the morning I thought I would give them some grain as well as their normal mash, as we had very little in the chook pot. When I took the lid off there was a little mouse sitting in the middle of the grain. I put the lid straight back on and fed the chickens as normal. Ben then went down and let the mouse escape. Good thing he was here! The mouse had gone in the evening when I put the chickens back in the house.
Monday 18th August
Did very little during the day. Went into Katikati to get the kilometres for the car – bought 5000km to cover the amount we had driven. Looked around the shops and went to buy some Japanese coffee cups that we had seen previously and that Brian was going to get me for my birthday. Someone else had already bought them – no birthday present again! Went on the Haiku Pathway where people had made inscriptions on large boulders placed along a path that ran along the side of the Uretawa river. Andy, Kerry, Alyssa, Celia and Alec came over for dinner. The children all played together and had a great time running around the house outside in the dark. Took the children down to feed the chickens and Ben found the mouse running around inside the hen house. Had a good evening and said goodbye to Andy who was leaving for China for a week long visit.
Tuesday 19th August
Had a phone call from Ben, Andy's dad. He invited us over for a cup of coffee. We drove to Bethlehem to visit Ben and his wife Dawn. They were lovely people and made us very welcome. We then went on to Tauranga to visit the shops, looking for school uniform. Couldn't get any so then went to Mt Maunganui to swim in the hot pools again. We had a great time although the pools were, perhaps, a little hotter this time. We all played tag and stayed in the water for one and a half hours. Came out all wrinkly. Went to see Kerry to give her the left over bottles of beer and stayed and drank one or two of them. Then said goodbye to Kerry, Alyssa, Celia and Alec before driving home for dinner.
Wednesday 20th August
Drove to Rotorua. Firstly went to Rainbow Springs where they have large trout, aviaries, a kiwi house and some reptiles. Then we went over the road to Rainbow Farm to see a show. The show was presented by a man and woman who were very entertaining. They demonstrated two sheep dogs, the Huntaway and the more traditional sheepdog and talked about the sheep and New Zealand sheep farming. Then they showed a bull, which they got a Japanese member of the audience to sit on and they milked a cow, again talking about NZ dairy farming. Lastly, they got a number of people in the audience to take a bottle of milk and they let out a small flock of lambs who eagerly went up to the people with the bottles and had their drinks of milk. Ben got to feed a lamb or two. Overall, it was an excellent show.
After the show Brian and Ben went off to get Brian's hat and had to go up in the gondola to the Skyline shop. Luckily, they were allowed to go up without paying as long as they just went in the shop. Beccy and I looked around Rainbow Farm and saw the lambs and sheepdog pups. We had also seen piglets at Rainbow Springs.
Next, we went to the Tamaki Maori Village. We had booked a tour and we met other tourists at the gate. The tour started with a traditionaly Maori ceremony where the strongest warrior comes out to greet visitors to assess whether they are friendly or hostile. We were found to be friendly and we were allowed to enter the village. There were a number of Maori huts all with real fires outside, all situated in native bush. Each hut had some Maori people doing something like making weapons or practising battle moves. After a good look around the village we were lead into the marae where we watched a concert of Maori song and dance including the haka. This concert included information on the Maori people, where they came from and where they are now. It was a good concert and we all had to sing and dance along. Ben joined in really well, but Beccy wasn't going to do anything.
After the concert we were lead into the dining hut where we were served a hangi meal – carrots, kumara, potato, mussel chowder, smoked fish, lamb and chicken – all cooked over hot stones heated by wood fires. The meal was delicious and was followed by a demonstration of hangi cooking and more entertainment – dances, songs and hakas. We were placed on a table with others. We sat with a couple from Bournemouth who had spent two weeks in Australia and two in NZ, a couple from the Gold Coast in Australia who were here on an adventure holiday and two women from Los Angeles who were here for a week long holiday. There was a marketplace where there was a variety of small shops selling traditional Maori goods alongside souvenirs. The whole evening was well organised and very informative and entertaining. The meal was lovely too.
Thursday 21st August
Travelled up to Waihi to visit the Martha Gold Mine. We weren't able to go on the guided tour as it was full but we went up to the lookout and had a good look at the open mine. It is a working mine and still produces $130,000,000 of gold a year.
Then we went to the Waihi museum to see some exhibits on gold mining in the area. Waihi is not a very prosperous looking town considering the amount of gold it produces! Went to KFC for something to eat and then drove to Waihi Beach. Had a last look at the Pacific waves crashing on the beach and tried to find a walk that takes you to a secluded beach. Started on a walk that went up the hillside but was very muddy. Ben and I had the wrong shoes on a went back down. Brian and Beccy carried on but found that the walk brought them back to the beach where we started. We spotted a sign further along the beach and found that if you went round some rocks you could get to the walk. By then it was too late to start. You could only get round the rocks at low tide and we needed to get back anyway.
Drove home and found that Cinders was in the hen house. Brian got her out and got chased by Jenny after he had let her rub her nose on his leg. Got changed and went to Amanda's for dinner. We had a lovely dinner and the children all played well together, although Ben and Beccy got a bit loud at times. We had a nice evening, talking at the table and then we said goodbye to David, Alanah, Daniel and Talia. The fire was out when we got home so our last evening was quite a cold one. At least the strong winds that had blown around last night had gone. We had experienced a short power cut and gale force winds that we were sure must have done some damage, but didn't.
On Friday 22nd August we took the bus from Katikati to Auckland. We stayed at the Auckland Youth Hostel for two nights. The hostel was in the centre of town making it quite easy for us to get to the things we wanted to do. We climbed the Sky Tower and had a meal in the restaurant. In the evening we went to the cinema to see 'The Italian Job'. There wasn't much that we wanted to do in Auckland but it was good to spend a little time looking at the city.
On Monday 24th August we flew to Singapore for a couple of days. We had decided that we might as well see Singapore while we were there rather than just pass through and we booked into the YMCA which had a comfortable room, swimming pool and somewhere for the children to play games. We travelled by cable car to Sentosa island and swam in the sea and at night we managed to negotiate the bus services and get to the zoo for the night safari - absolutely brilliant to see all the animals so active at night. There was no easy bus back and so we got a taxi and found that it was cheaper!
On Wednesday 26th August, exactly a month after we left home, we flew back to England. We found our house even more clean and tidy than when we left it. Trevor, our next door neighbour, told us how he had got on really well with Lynley and had talked many times across the fence. He could now look forward to the next set of visitors and wondered what nationality they would be!
