New Zealand time with the Janes

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Sunday the rains came. We had wet weather for the 5 hour drive from Rotorua to Mahia but that was OK as we were not really sightseeing, just taking in the misty rolling hills, steep gorges, and pastoral farmland. One stop along the way for a bit of wine tasting and then we arrived at the beach home of Ron, Sue and Megan Janes. Drinking, dining and card games before retiring for the night.

Still raining the next morning. We headed into Wairoa after breakfast and the skies cleared to a beautiful blue with warmer temperatures which became hot even before the day ended.


Views from Ron & Sue's 'bach'

I found a bit of energy on New Years Eve day and headed out for a very nice 10km run along the coastal road of Mahia. Many locals were out to the beaches and out further on the water with their fishing boats. Megan headed out to ring in the New a Year with the young crowd. While we played cribbage with the guys beating the gals. We did a drive around the neighbourhood before returning to the house and champagne. Did not quite make it all the way to midnight.

New Years Day 2014 dawned gorgeous with blue skies and warm temperatures - so I continued to be a good boy and did another 10km run. During the day Ron & I tried to arrange and head out fishing or diving for crayfish but no luck - winds remained string and the visibility under water remained poor. So nice day just hanging and then 2 of the Jan's acquaintances dropped by for BBQ and drinks. Ron headed early to bed as an anticipated early morning calm meant he would head out to the fishing grounds at 5:30am. Mom and I would sleep in and be on the road by 9:00am to drive from the east coast to near the west coast.

The day dawned gorgeous once again and Ron indeed was away on his fishing trip. I continued to underestimate how long it takes to drive in NZ. It ended taking 7 hours but the drive was pretty. Unfortunately the glow worm caves were closed when we arrived due to low water levels. And timing is going to be too tight the next day for us to comfortably return the car on time and board the ship. So the caves will wait. But we did head out to view a very pretty waterfall.

Morokopa Falls

Off to Auckland and the Celebrity cruise...

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