You're Not in Fiji now, Dr Ropata!!!

Bay of Plenty or Bust!!

It has been awhile since I have posted on Blogger mainly because of a small technical hitch - ie that the places we stayed at over Christmas had no connectivity and although I made extensive notes I just haven't found the time to get them, and the zillion photos, up on this blog. "What about Lockdown?" I hear you say and yes, that would have been a brilliant time to get caught up BUT I didn't. I now find myself in that position, where, we are away in the motorhome again, we have connectivity and I could just keep taking paper notes or I could get our latest trip on the blog and publish the summer adventures out of order. If you are reading this you will see which option I have selected. If the title of this blog is a little cryptic - we were supposed to be discovering my roots in Fiji these holidays but sadly COVID19 put a stop to that so it is off to the Bay of Plenty instead.

SATURDAY 4 JULY 2020 - TE AROHA

Our cunning plan had been to leave Auckland by 8:00 am to get to Te Aroha by 10:00 am so we could cycle to Paeroa and back. Unfortunately we had a wee plumbing emergency at home so Dave had to deal to a small "Fat-berg" that was blocking the kitchen sink and delayed our departure by about two hours. It was just as well that we weren't flying out to Fiji as we would have never been able to sort the sink and make it for our 9:45 am flight! How lucky was that???

We finally got away by 10:00 which meant we arrived in Te Aroha about midday, a bit late to start the rail trail. We got a brilliant park at the freedom camping area behind the Matamata / Piako Council Buildings  and decided that we should make the most of the weather and head up Mt Te Aroha. It wasn't a brilliant day to head for the summit but we thought we would at least make it to the Whakapipi lookout. So taking out some bacon pieces to make a carbonara pasta for dinner we headed off. There were plenty of signs with track information and as these were right beside the geyser we got to see that blowing its top too (a little underwhelming). It was an easy to follow track and we definitely knew we were climbing but the view from the lookout was worth the effort.

We could even see our motorhome from the lookout - so we had to get a photo of that! (Quite zoomed in of course).

On our way back to the motorhome, we noticed that the cafe we had intended to dine at on Sunday was only open Thursday to Saturday for dinner so we nipped in there and got a booking for tea. Back at the motorhome, we put the bacon back in the freezer and chilled with a beer and a cider and caught up on some reading and knitting. Getting well rugged up we headed off for our dinner booking at Ironique Cafe. We had been here for breakfast the last time we were in Te Aroha and were pretty impressed so had high hopes for our dinner. It is always nice to report that your expectations have been exceeded and our dining experience certainly allowed us to say that! We started by sharing the Thai mussels which were cooked to perfection. Then Dave went with the beef cheeks and I attempted the spare ribs. Both meals were generous with everything on the plate a gastronomic delight. We waddled home feeling like very happy little campers but the evening was not over yet. Thinking that we would have been for a 44 kms bike ride we had taken the liberty of booking a spa pool and even though the bike ride hadn't happened we thought it would be rude to cancel the booking so we got ourselves ready to head up to the Te Aroha Spa. These are pricey but well worth the indulgence. A private spa, full of crystal clear, fresh, hot soda water with levers that allow you to increase the heat, just bliss. Making sure we booked again for the next night we relaxed for an hour of warmth.

Back to the motorhome for a Baileys while we waited for the hot water bottles to perform their miracles.

SUNDAY 5 JULY 2020 - TE AROHA

Keeping an eye on the weather which was threatening to completely close in on us late Sunday afternoon we got up early-ish, had a coffee and, stopping to take the bacon pieces out of the freezer for a carbonara pasta, we headed off on the rail trail from Te Aroha to Paeroa. We were heading in to a slight head wind but the track was flat and in most places a fairly good surface for cycling. The track was well sign posted, had a couple of toilet stops along the way and so, we were feeling pretty good, when, after two hours and 22 kms in the cycle saddle found us in Paeroa. To give our butts a break we locked up the bikes and meandered through the main street of Paeroa, stopping to look in the overcrowded but, interesting second hand shops. 

Feeling a strong need for a cold beer we headed to Cafe/Bar one3one for lunch. A solid pub type meal we were both pretty happy with our choices of burger and mussel fritters and the accompanying fries were plentiful and yummy!!!

With the threatening rain getting closer there was just time for a quick, "must have" photo before we hit the rail trail home.

The sky was darkening behind us, but the wind was behind us as well so the 22 kms return trip to Te Aroha went by fairly quickly (slightly under two hours going this way). We did get a tiny sprinkle of rain but managed to make it back to The Beast relatively dry. Having had a big lunch we both decided that an antipasto type dinner was much more appropriate than carbonara pasta so the bacon went back in to the fridge and we headed to Countdown for some tasty nibbles.

We just made it back to the motorhome before the promised wind and rain started to make its presence felt and we snuggled down inside with a yummy platter and a glass of wine, hopefully waiting for a break in the weather to coincide with our spa booking for the night. Sadly that didn't happen so we donned raincoats and busted out the heavy duty ACH umbrella so we could walk to the spa.

After 4 hours of cycling the warm water of the spa was a welcome relief - even more so with the sound of the rain on the roof. 

By the time our hour was up the rain had slackened off very slightly and we began the walk back to the motorhome. Just as we reached the shops in the main street the wind and rain returned with a vengeance and we had to take shelter in one of the shop entrances to avoid the deluge. 

It was with some relief that we made it home and had a warm, dry, hot water bottled bed to climb in to so we could listen to the wind and rain play havoc outside.

MONDAY 6 JULY 2020 - TE AROHA

A leisurely start to the morning after such a wild and windy night. No damage thank goodness. Eventually went out for a walk after coffee and muffins. On the way back we noticed a quaint little cafe in one of the old houses in Te Aroha so thought we would stop for coffee. Once we went into Villa Nine we discovered that they would be opening for dinner for the first time ever, that night! Deciding that this was too good an opportunity to miss we booked in for 6:00 pm and decided the bacon pieces would be just fine in the fridge for another night! We got back to the motorhome just before the heavens opened up and the weather closed in on us. We settled down for a relaxing afternoon - Dave chose his book and I chose to write this blog! With a little more time to kill we watched the DVD, "The Good Liar" with Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen. A good story with a nice little twist. 6:00 pm finally came around so we headed off to Villa Nine. For its first night of opening for dinner we were very impressed. Beautifully cooked, generous portions, prompt service and a cat! Yes, they slightly mixed up our orders and yes they are not licensed (not even BYO) but we were very impressed and would go back again the next time we are in Te Aroha. 

With very full tummies we raced back to The Beast and grabbed what we needed to head off for our next appointment with a private spa. After soaking for an hour in comfortingly warm, soft water while imbibing in a little bit of Prosecco it was straight to bed when we got back to the motorhome.

TUESDAY 7 JULY 2020 - MIDDLE EARTH

After a VERY wild night of wind and rain we woke to a grey, bleak morning. A quick coffee and a muffin and it was time to make The Beast ship shape so we could head off to Matamata. Making good use of the Dump station in Te Aroha we hit the road. It was a fairly uneventful trip to Matamata if you disregard the slight damage to our steps which we hadn't folded away. Stopping to have a quick look at Matamata we were both surprised at how big this wee town had grown since the last time we had both visited here. As we walked up the main street we heard a fast shuffling happening behind us and pulled over slightly to let a man, shuffling at speed pass us. As he shuffled he lost his footing and went splat right in front of us. Stopping to help the man, we were rapt to see staff from the Robert Harris Coffee shop come out to offer their help. The man was from a residential care facility, was hard of hearing and was obviously a bit distressed from his tumble. A staff member from the residential care arrived before the ambulance so we were able to get on our way - but not before the man tried to give us $5 for stopping to help, which obviously we didn't take. Henry, I hope you are feeling much better today!

So having done the good samaritan thing we headed off to The Shire's Rest for our appointment with a bunch of Hobbit homes. 

What a slick little operation Hobbiton is! Heaps of parking, even for a 7 metre motorhome. Heaps of Hobbiton buses, a cafe, a souvenir shop...very professional. Luckily umbrellas were provided because it was hosing down. The Alexander family probably still can't believe their luck that the location scout spotted their property as ideal for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies - even if the Alexander brother they approached told them to bugger off until the rugby game had finished!! From the Peter Jackson welcome video to the cider in the Green Dragon we knew we were part of a tourist venture that had finely honed their operation. It was absolutely cool to see the set and hear the technical difficulties that had to be overcome to achieve the size perspectives required but was it worth $90 per adult??? It was very magical but I think not - but then I am not a HUGE Tolkien devotee and we were certainly surrounded by LOTR freaks who looked like they would have paid double that just to soak in the Hobbit atmosphere so don't let my opinion put you off.

 

The two hours at the movie set raced by and before we knew it we were back in the motorhome driving the two kilometres down the road to stay at the Pop over Property called Brocks Place. 

What a super little kiwi haven this is. A working farm, they put in facilities and an area to take motorhomes and tents as more and more people who were visiting Hobbiton just 'camped' on their property, even getting in the way of the milk tankers. There was even a hot shower and power for a blow waver - pure bliss. 

Once we set up camp Dave sorted out the not so happy motorhome steps and we indulged ourselves with a hot shower. For dinner we FINALLY had the bacon pieces with pasta in carbonara sauce and then watched a Pavlova Western (a cowboy flick shot in New Zealand). It was called Good for Nothing and was VERY aptly named. Low budget AND low entertainment value. Then off to bed.

WEDNESDAY 8 JULY 2020 - ROTORUA

Another really violent night of wind and rain. Thank goodness for hot water bottles and a super comfy, warm bed!! After a coffee it was time to say good bye to Middle Earth and head off for the Bay of Plenty. In light rain we headed to Tirau and stopped for breakfast at Alley Cats Cafe. OMG if you stop here you have to have their homemade hash browns - delicious. In slightly heavier rain we made our way to Rotorua and checked in to Rotorua TOP 10 Holiday Park. What a well maintained, friendly place to be. After topping up the water and connecting to the power we donned our togs and headed to the forty degree mineral pool which was just what the doctor ordered. Once we had dried off from our spa, Dave took the time to fix the puncture on his bike and I did a mundane load of washing. Time for a quick beer / cider and then we headed off in to Rotorua town for a bit of a walk around. We had quite a vicious southerly to contend with so it was a very fresh walk indeed! Back at The Beast Dave started preparing Nachos for dinner and we set about making the motorhome cosy for what was going to be a very chilly night. We passed the evening with a bit of telly, a bit of reading and off to bed.

THURSDAY 9 JULY 2020 - ROTORUA

After a very chilly night we spent some time checking out different heating options for the motorhome. This meant lots of walking around Rotorua so we covered quite a few kilometres and in the end decided that the electric heating we had was just fine until we could get back to Auckland. While in town we took the time to get me a decent raincoat. We had already discovered how useful this would be as we tour around. Unfortunately, you don't get sunshine all the time. Having covered a guzzilion kilometres we thought we should head straight to the 40 degree spa in the campground. Joining the couple of families that were already in the pool it was really interesting to hear how others had survived 2020, the year of COVID and their experiences around hiring campervans through the post-COVID bargains available to Kiwis. We got a phone call from Laura and found out we were going to get visitors tomorrow. We had also heard that there was a night food market in town so with great anticipation we headed in to town. We found a very buzzy, two blocks of food trucks covering most ethnic options and a wide range of dietary requirements. We settled for what Dave later described as a deconstructed hamburger only these were made with beautifully slow cooked beef, pork and lamb. Carnivore heaven. We also had a crepe for dessert - well mine was a sweet one but Dave had a savoury one. After soaking up the atmosphere, the music and with full tummies we headed back to the Beast for an early night.

FRIDAY 10 JULY 2020 - ROTORUA

This would have been, Joey, my niece's, 46th birthday if an accident hadn't cruelly taken here away from us when she was 25. I like to remember her as the sassy, loving young lady who stayed with us. Joey you were one spunky young lady!! 

Knowing we had super dooper visitors arriving we set about Vincey-proofing the Beast and sorted out checking that we had enough beer and wine etc for our visitors. So we busted out the bikes and went for a ride through Kuirau Park to check out the thermal activity. 

I remember Kuirau Park as the home of Toot 'n' Whistle the little steam train that we got to go on when I visited Nana and Grandad in Rotorua. Unfortunately Toot 'n' Whistle was derailed quite a few years ago but Kuirau Park is still alive with thermal activity. We cycled down by Rotorua Lake which is a nightmare at the moment as the lake front is being totally re-claimed so you can't even get close to the lake front. We cycled in to Countdown and stocked up on some cider and beer. Arriving back at the camp ground we decided to hit the spa pools before all the new tourists arrived and passed a very pleasant time with another kiwi couple in forty degrees of happiness. Knowing that the Astons were going to arrive in time for us to all have dinner together we snuggled down and waited for them to hit Rotorua. Right on time the Astons joined us in The Beast and we headed off to find something for dinner.

Parking in Tutanekai Street we wandered along and checked out "Eat Street" 

With a 40 minute wait we knew the boy was not going to be able to wait that long so we headed to Carls Junior and we were very surprised to find that their burgers actually look exactly like the photos!! Vincey tried my fizzy ginger beer and as it was the first time he had tried a carbonated drink, I wish I had captured a photo of his face as he tried it. By the time we got back to the motorhome Vincey was well and truly ready for bed so we we all snuggled down and headed to bed too. Our little boy did very well and lasted in his cot until 2 am then his poor mum did even better to keep him in a soporific state until 7 am when we all got up to face the day. 

SATURDAY 11 JULY 2020 - ROTORUA

Our cunning plan for today was:

• the Saturday Markets
• Paradise Valley
• a swim in the spa.

As we were all awake nice and early we headed off to the market. Unfortunately the ad that Nana heard on the radio stated the place and the time of the market but Nana didn't take in the day so we headed to the corner of Tutanakai and Hinemoa Streets but THAT market didn't happen until Sunday so we retraced our steps and found the Saturday market happening at Kuiarau Park (which of course was only metres away from the campsite). Epic fail, Nana. While Laura queued for dumplings for Vincey, I thought I would introduce him to Candy floss - second epic fail, Nana - he didn't want a bar of it!!

Luckily the dumplings were delicious but Dave was not so impressed with his seafood paella which looked yummier than it tasted. Next was a stop to introduce Vincey to play ground swings, Mum started tentatively pushing him - however once Dad came along and pushed the boundaries a bit then the smiles really made their appearances. 

With time marching on, we headed back to the motorhome. While the others sorted out the car, Nana took Vincy over to try the trampolines, before we headed off to Paradise Valley. 

What a neat little tourist experience Paradise Valley is!! We had such a cool trip through this site. The animals were responsive and little Vincey got to pat a goat and have his shoe eaten by a little horse. So, so cool.

 

OMG - the pool behind this lot had some SERIOUSLY big trout in it!!

Laura with the resident Kea

These lions have been born and bred at Paradise Springs

We were there to see the lions feed and, to be honest the lions were more interested in other things than the horse meat they were being offered. Paradise springs has trout, deer, pigs, sheep in other words, really basic wildlife but they are all so accessible and our little boy just loved them.

Just as all the crowds arrived we headed back to The Beast for some chips and dips and then we were going to head to the spas in the motor camp. Unfortunately something had gone terribly wrong with the heating of these pools and they were freezing so we decided to try the Polynesian Spas. At such short notice, there was no way we could get a private spa so we headed off to the public pools. We were really pleasantly surprised that the pools were a really good temperature and were not too crowded. It was super warming and super neat to see Vincy showing off his new pool skills that he has learned at swimming lessons. After a less than perfect nights sleep and a very busy morning Vincy was nearly asleep in the pool so we headed home. Vincey was asleep in his carseat before we left the carpark so when we got back to the motorhome Laura and Jono loaded the car and headed back to Auckland. Such a short visit but we so loved having the Astons with us!!

A Green Basil curry for dinner we settled in and watched Little Women before hitting the sack.

SUNDAY 12 JULY 2020 - ROTORUA

A leisurely start to our Sunday saw us still in bed at 9:00 am. Knowing for definite that the Farmers' Market was on today from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on the corner of Tutanekai and Himemoa Streets we headed off in search of breakfast. The night Market on Thursday got 8/10, the Saturday Market at Kurirau Park got 5/10, the Farmers' Market on Sunday got 2/10 - talk about underwhelmed. Four food trucks and half a dozen stalls selling mainly honey do not a Farmers' Market make. Dave managed to find a breakfast type burger which he enjoyed and I had a caramel macchiato from Starbucks. Stopping at Kathmandhu to buy me a merino beanie and use up the voucher I had earned we headed back to the motorhome. 

We had said that we wanted to try and bike to The Redwood Forest and Mr Google Maps said it was possible so we headed off on the bikes for the 6.7 kms ride to the forest. The ride there was pretty uneventful and on good paths. There was a bit of a hairy road crossing at the last major roundabout but when you know you are that close to your destination you make like a Nike tick and "just do it!". Heading along the Long Mile we hung a left and joined a REALLY basic, REALLY easy track called the Mokopuna Track and wound our way through the massive and plentiful redwoods. To the lady that was walking her two massive dogs not on leashes who, when I mentioned that they should be on a leash, suggested that I should take my sunglasses off then I might see better - I would like to point out to her, that even with sunglasses on I could read the signs everywhere that said - "Dogs on Leashes at all times or a $300 fine!!" At the time, though, I contented myself in suggesting something she could do that starts with 'F' and likening her to someone who is not well educated and her female dog that was not on a leash! Sometimes it is hard to control your Westie roots!

As we cycled back to the motorcamp we got a little rained on but that just made it even more pleasant when we got back and managed to get the spa to ourselves. After a restorative soak we headed off for an early shower and as the temperature was dropping snuggled down for a read and a blog catch up.

As it was our last night in Rotorua, we had decided that would we walk to Eat Street and have our last supper in town. Thinking we would beat the crowds we caught a bit of the 6:00 pm news, rugged up well and headed to Tutanekai Street. For a Sunday evening it seemed that everyone else in Rotorua had the same cunning plan as we did as it was very busy. We finally settled on a place that looked like carnivore heaven AND had some spare tables. Our meal at Wholly Smoked was not only delicious but pretty reasonable too. Then it was time for a chilly walk back to the holiday park which took us past the really well lit up tree outside the historical Pig and Whistle Pub.

When we got to the Beast we settled down to watch a documentary about The Beatle's secretary, Freda Kelly called, "Good ol' Freda". A really interesting video. Then off to bed as we had a bit of a drive to look forward to in the morning.

MONDAY 13 JULY 2020 - MIRANDA

Waking to more rain we pottered around and got ourselves ready to ship out. We had, had a great five days in Rotorua with the some spectacular weather in the middle but we had arrived in rain and were about to leave in rain. Travelling toward Miranda we had to go over the Mamaku ranges. I hate the Mamakus at the best of times with lots of scary memories of hurtling along the twisty roads with the sheer drops on Friday nights heading towards my grandparent's place in Rotorua (Dad always seemed very economical with the brakes). So, just for old times sake, it was raining and foggy as we crossed the Mamaku ranges - such luck!

With Dave's expert driving we made it over the ranges and found our way effortlessly to Miranda. We were staying at the Miranda Holiday Park and although they have a pool, usually when we stay here we still go to the Miranda Hot Springs for a soak in the pool there which is hotter. Unfortunately though, the hot springs have been closed since February for renovations. We checked out the pool in the campground but after being spoiled by a 40 degree one in Rotorua we decided to just go for a bit of a walk instead. Treating ourselves to a Whittaker's Peanut Slab Ice Cream we headed back to Beast and passed a very pleasant hour or two reading. Knowing we were heading home in the morning we treated ourselves to Whitebait fritters for dinner. Just time for one more terrible DVD - this time All is Lost - a Robert Redford movie and off to bed.

TUESDAY 14 JULY 2020 - TE ATATU SOUTH

After 10 days we were getting quite good at making the Beast ship shape and ready for the road so we were on the road again by 10:00 am. Mr Google Maps took us the fastest route back to Highway 2 which was a pretty in land road that we had not been on before. We decided that we would be happy to use this road on days like Tuesday mornings in holiday time but we felt we would end up holding other travellers up in busier commuting times. As we had to drive straight past Pokeno we stopped in at my sister's place and caught up with Vicki and Lance, both newly retired. It was great to catch up with all their exciting news. Then it was time to head back to the big smoke and home. The rain had started once again and so we ended our adventure in the same sort of weather that had plagued most of our break. The weather may not have been as sparkly and warm as we would have had in Fiji but we had still had a brilliant 10 days and ticked off all the things we had hoped to achieve. So now time to make the Beast beautiful again for he next adventure.