Thursday, May 31, 2012

New Zealand~Auckland~Rotorua~Hahei

Last 5 days of our trip landed us in Auckland the Northern part of  New Zealand.  Auckland was forecast for the next 5 days heavy rain, so, we only spent 1 day there and decided to rent a car to see the land.  Sooo, glad we did….wait til I show you the amazing cove.  

We purchase our jade from there, did you know it was bad luck to buy jade for yourself?  So, Gabby bought some gifts for her friends and Jimmy got one for me and Gabby.  They have traditional designs:

IMG_6459

I got Gabby the Hei Matau (Fish Hook):  Signifies strength, worn for catching good luck giving protection in travel, especially over water.  And Jimmy got me the Hei Tiki:  He is good luck, a traditional carving with great spiritual value.  A guardian and reminder of family forbearers. 

IMG_5558IMG_5556IMG_5555IMG_5554IMG_5559IMG_5560IMG_5579IMG_5580

Super hilly!  This was one of the museum’s we saw.

IMG_5584IMG_5586IMG_5589IMG_5625IMG_5571IMG_5577

Of course, remember I got to go to Scrapaholics,  yeah.   Ok, say good-bye to Auckland and heading to Rotorua about 3 hrs.

IMG_5655IMG_5645IMG_5650IMG_5663

IMG_5681IMG_5679IMG_5673IMG_5666

Here are the hot glaciers in Kuirau Park in Rotorua.

DSC_0840DSC_0843DSC_0844DSC_0871

We ate at Fat Dog were they severed the traditional hamburger with an egg on top instead of cheese!

DSC_0814DSC_0826

Next we spent the last two day in Hahei where there is a magnificent cove.  Cathedral Cove is so beautiful and a climb to get to.  You have to get there before low tide in order to see the smaller cave.

  IMG_5740

The rainbows here in New Zealand are so beautiful and we saw several each day.

IMG_5742

And this is Cathedral Cove.

IMG_5776DSC_1132DSC_1142

IMG_5792

See the cave at the bottom, that is where we have to get to 35 min. walk.  This is the path we had to take to get there.

IMG_5797IMG_5800IMG_5832IMG_5781

This is on the other side another opening, the water is so crystal clear.  I walked and thought I was half way there and this is what the first marker said:

DSC_1148

Remember it is a 40 minute walk…lol I had only gone 5 minutes!  Most of you don’t know but I have had my left knee replaced twice and have sever Rheumatoid arthritis in my legs so this walk took me over an hour and a half, but I made myself do it as it was  a once in a lifetime opportunity.  Believe me I paid for it the next three days, but so, glad I did it.

DSC_1220DSC_1237DSC_1249DSC_1247

Here I’m in the cave looking out.  Now this is the other cove.

DSC_1273DSC_1269DSC_1310DSC_1291DSC_1299DSC_1309DSC_1350DSC_1334DSC_1335

DSC_1292

Well, that’s it for my journey, I hoped you liked it and thanks for hanging in there with me.  Have a great weekend.  Hugz, Z