Kupe to Cook

It was Robin’s turn to organise an outing with our Super Leisure Group of friends.  We had arranged to meet in a car park, unbeknown to us our car was parked in one area and our friends cars  were in another.  Where were they, both sides were wondering.  We needed a coffee and a catch up to start our day and then went to see the exhibition “Kupe to Cook” at Pataka Museum, Porirua.  This exhibition marks 250 years since Captain Cook arrived in New Zealand, and also tells of the earlier voyages to our country, the Maori, Polynesian and European navigators.

The story goes that Kupe discovered New Zealand in about 750 AD.  Kupe desired Kura, and murdered her husband  Hoturapa.  To escape punishment for the murder, Kupe and Kura fled from Hawaiki in a double hulled ocean-going canoe and discovered New Zealand, a land he called Aotearoa ('long-white-cloud'). He explored its coast and killed the sea monster Te Wheke-a-Muturangi, finally returning to his home to spread news of his newly discovered land.  On display was Kupe’s anchor stone.  The stone came from Eastern Polynesia and was left in Porirua over 1000 years ago by Kupe, the great oceanic explorer and navigator.

Finally, in 1350 AD a ‘great fleet’ of seven canoes – all departed from Hawaiki at the same time, bringing the people now known as Māori to New Zealand. These were advanced, warlike, agricultural tribes and they settled in various regions of New Zealand.  In Polynesian mythology, Hawaiki is the original home of the Polynesians, before dispersal across Polynesia.

The arrival of Captain Cook 250 years ago and the resulting influx of European settlers greatly changed the lives of the Maori population.  This painting by Michel Tuffery shows young Nick together with Taiato, a boy from Tahiti who sailed on Capt. James Cook's Endeavour arriving in Aotearoa, two boys from quite different backgrounds.

Young Nick and Taiato

Before the European whalers arrived, Maori did not hunt whales, but stranded whales were welcomed as gifts from the sea.  Whale meat was a rich source of protein, whale bone was fashioned into weapons, and the oil was used for polish and scent.

Gift from the sea

Two mere (clubs) made with whale bone and greenstone

There were many items of interest to see, Maori carvings, woven cloaks, greenstone items, paintings, and several films – a welcome chance to sit a while.  I’m sure we all discovered things we didn’t know before.

Lunch was at Denny’s,  an American family style restaurant  founded in Lakewood, California in 1953.  Denny’s opened its doors in New Zealand in 1988 in Manukau City Auckland. Today, there are currently 7 stores in New Zealand with the Porirua store opening in 2005.  With an extensive menu, we all took some time deciding what to order.  The staff were very attentive and helpful, delivering our meals in a timely fashion, and taking a photo of our group with a smile. 

Robin, Helen, Jenny, Calvin, Ashley and Yvonne

Cold drinks for Robin and Helen

After a long leisurely lunch we looked around the restaurant and discovered that our group was probably the last to leave after our meal – it was time to get going and head for home.  Another interesting SLG outing with our friends, a little culture, a meal out, and plenty of convivial chatter.

Rambling Home

We had seen all we wanted to see at the Motor Home, Caravan and Leisure Show held at Hamilton so we started heading for home. The sky was a brilliant  blue as we drove through the rolling farmlands of Waikato.  I rather liked the look of the rows of trees marching down the hillside.

A beautiful day for driving

As we drove into Taupo we got a fleeting glimpse of the mountains, always such a lovely sight. Also staying at the Taupo Airport NZMCA site were Bruce and Rae – Robin and Bruce worked together at City Line Buses some time ago.  They also travel with a Birman, their cat is a big Blue male, twice the size as our little girl.   It was fish and chips for our evening meal, and we both commented that it was the nicest fish we had had for a long time.  Mind you, we paid extra and ordered schnapper fillets, well worth the money, we thought.  The temperature dropped to –1C overnight, making a rather chilly morning to wake up to.

Overnighting at Taupo

I always like to stop at the Lookout at Taupo before continuing on our homewards journey.  And what a beautiful sight, looking over Lake Taupo at three snow capped mountains.

Lake Taupo and Mt Ruapehu, Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Tongariro

We stopped for lunch at the National Army Museum at Waiouru, parking behind the museum in the designated RV parking area.  And there’s Mt Ruapehu again.

This building looks rather like a castle, doesn’t it?  The tanks out the front are just asking to be climbed on by visiting kids.

National Army Museum, Waiouru

Time to get on the road again, and knew we must be getting closer to home when the Ruahine Ranges came into view, with just a sprinkling of snow on top.

Ruahine Ranges

We arrived home mid afternoon, and unloaded the van.  This was just a short one week trip to Hamilton and back, a 900km round trip.  Wonder where we will go to next?

Show Time

It’s no coincidence that our trip to the factory to get our caravan window repair meant that we would be in Hamilton in time for the Motor Home, Caravan and Leisure Show.  Oh no, Robin planned it that way.  On Tuesday we  stayed overnight outside the Leisureline factory so that we would be ready for when the factory opened bright and early.  The serviceman told us the leak affecting our back window was getting in through the eyebrow above it.  Hopefully this is now fixed and we won’t have any more problems. Collecting our van, we then went to the Glenview Club in Hamilton.  It was chocka block with vans all heading to the show, and we managed to get one of the last remaining sites for the night.  Just as well we didn't arrive any later as we saw some turned away.

Then on Thursday we headed to Mystery Creek and lined up with hundred of other vans waiting for the gates to open.  To get us off the road, we were guided into a large paddock high on a plateau overlooking the venue.  At midday the gates opened and we all rolled in. 

Here they come

We were directed to the parking areas by members of the Waikato Club, parked up, met the neighbours and settled down for the weekend. Gemma found a open locker to investigate.

What’s in here, I wonder?

The show opened on Friday and in we went.  The first thing we saw was the beautifully restored Bus Number One.  The vintage 1928 REO Speed Wagon was originally owned by the founders of NZMCA, Andy and Gladys Anderson.  Starting life as a bus, Andy purchased it and converted it into a motorhome in the 1950s.  Many years later the motorhome body was dismantled, with the chassis, motor and running gear donated to the local museum in 1992.  A group of enthusiastic Gisborne members decided that this piece of NZMCA history must be saved and worked like trojans to get the job done.  Luckily one canny member snapped up the personalised number plate when it appeared  for sale.  Crowds of visitors at the show took the opportunity to admire the newly restored motorhome.   

Restored motorhome of NZMCA founders

The huge Event Centre was chock full of bright and shiny campers and caravans.  New Zealand built, Australian, and plenty of European vans too.  Where to start looking?  We started with our favourite brand, Leisureline, and looked through their newest vans.  Then checked out Winnebago, Dethletts and whatever else took our fancy.

Looking down onto the offerings

There were plenty of other vendors selling all sorts of camping related equipment, both indoors and out.  Sheepskin seat covers seemed very popular, Weber BBQs seemed to be very popular, there were all manner of items on offer.  Lunch was calling so we went outside to check out the food stalls, finally deciding on a Hot Dog each.  Mind you, we could well have chosen a whitebait fritter, fish and chips, kebabs, or even Chinese for lunch.  We were lucky to find seats under cover in the huge tent to escape from the hot sun beating down, and ate our lunch serenaded by a golden voiced singer.

Lunch time at the show

With so much to see, I’m sure we missed some of what was on offer.  This one piqued my interest, wonder if it built for Aussie conditions to keep them safe from crocodiles while camping by the river?

Up the ladder to bed

We took a drive back up to the plateau so that we could get a photo of the vans parked up.  Mind you, this is only some of them, as they were parked on both the front and back of the Events Centre. We heard that there was in excess of 1600 vans staying for the weekend.

We are in here somewhere.

And on the other side of the building, more vans and car parking for day visitors.

We caught up with Dave and Rae, our friends from the Wairarapa Caravan Club, met up with several couples from the Leisureline Owners Club, a couple of former members from our caravan club, and Dave, one of our current members.  Then there were the campers who we passed the time of day with – a whole heap of friendly people who enjoy getting out and about in their vans or motorhomes, just like us.  It was a great weekend, and we were blessed with wonderful weather.

Time to start heading homewards

Off we go again

Home from our Aussie adventure on Thursday and here we are taking off in the caravan on Sunday.  Goodness me, it’s a hard life!  We are heading up to Hamilton to get the back window of our caravan repaired, then we will be attending the annual Motorhome, Caravan and Leisure Show.  We had to contend with rather strong winds  to begin with, we were not clear of them till we had passed Hunterville.  I hate driving in such conditions.  The car radio took my mind off the horrible wind, playing all those songs we remembered from our younger days.  We like to listen to the Oldies Music on Magic.

Driving up SH1 we drove past the impressive Makohine Viaduct,  one of many viaducts designed by engineer Peter Seton Hay (1852–1907) in the central part of the North Island Main Trunk (NIMT) railway.  We passed slowly (clickedy clack) over these viaducts on Thursday coming back from Auckland on our trip aboard the Northern Explorer train. 

Makohine Viaduct

Lunch stop was at Taihape, a good place to pull in, with plenty of room, ablutions nearby, and a coffee cart.  How about a nice hot coffee with our lunch?

 

Coffee at Taihape

Not much to see of Mt Ruapehu as we approached Waiouru.  I know it’s there somewhere, hiding under the clouds.

Mt Ruapehu playing hide and seek

Turning onto SH49 we were soon in Ohakune, where we were stopping for the night.  Oh look, there’s the Big Carrot.   This roadside tribute to Ohakune's biggest crop was erected in 1984 and quickly became one of NZ’s most hugged ‘Big Things’. Carrots were first grown in the area during the 1920s by Chinese settlers, who cleared the land by hand and explosives. Ohakune now grows two-thirds of the North Island's total crop. At 7.5 metres tall, the carrot was built for a TV commercial for ANZ Bank, and then donated to the town. The area is famed for its farms and carrot production.

Ohakune, home to the Big Carrot

Our overnight stop at the Ohakune Club was peaceful, as usual, although we were surprised by the number of vans parked up.  Perhaps they were all coming to the show at Hamilton as well?  No, they were all keen skiers, and are semi-permanents, leaving their vans here at the club, generally traveling down at weekends to indulge in their passion.  We were the only casual camper that night.  Ohakune is a small town located at the southern end of the Tongariro National Park, close to the southwestern slopes of the active  Mount Ruapehu, and has quite an alpine look and feel to it.  It  provides easy access to the nearby ski fields and ski resorts. 

Staying at the Ohakune Club

And no stop at Ohakune is complete without a visit to the much loved Chocolate Éclair Shop.  This establishment only opens during the ski season, and is the place to stop when you are in town over the winter.  The huge chocolate éclairs are legendary!

World famous in Ohakune, the Chocolate Éclair Shop

It was a lazy start the next  morning and sadly the elusive mountain was still in hiding - but I know it's there somewhere!  We didn’t get away till later than we had planned, traveling up SH4 around National Park.  Gemma settled down to snooze on my lap, she is back to her usual self putting the ordeal of her time in the cattery behind her.  It was a relatively slow trip, as we had forgotten just how windy and hilly  this road was.  But never mind, the scenery was spectacular.

Heading towards Otorohanga

Passing through the little village of Owhango we spotted a sign we hadn’t seen before. We were now at Latitude 39 degrees South.

Seen at Owhango

We eventually pulled in to NZMCA Otorohanga Park, our stop for the night.  There has been a lot of work done by the volunteers here since our last visit – the parking area has been expanded, and there is now water and rubbish facilities on site.

Otorohanga Park

Going Home in Style

We’ve said it before, being on holiday can be hard work.  Especially when the alarm clock is set at 5.30am.  Up early for a shower, arrive at breakfast at 6.00am, and no, we weren’t the first ones there.  Back down to the room to collect our bags, return the entry cards to reception and jump in a taxi at 7.0am.  We were off to Auckland Strand Station to board the Northern Explorer, for a leisurely trip home.  Why fly when you can travel by train?

Northern Explorer

The cases were taken away to the baggage car, and we went to find our seats.  The carriages are very comfy, plenty of legroom and nice big windows.  The café car had options available to keep us fed and watered, and in the afternoon came through the carriages selling world famous in New Zealand Kapiti Ice-cream.  Even though we didn’t know we wanted an ice-cream, once they were offered, of course we said yes.  There was no Wi-Fi available on the train, we were advised.   But they did have “Windows Live”, just look left or right out the windows and we could see it all.  However, Windows Live did not work in the tunnels!

Comfy carriage

The train chugged along happily until we reached Ngaruwhahia where we had a troubling incident.  People standing in the open air carriage taking photos had a barrage of rocks thrown at them by several youths, and one of the passengers received an injured hand.  An ambulance arrived in Hamilton to attend to the injury, and the matter was reported to the police.  It was all rather upsetting, as the injury could have been much worse if someone’s head had been struck.  The open air carriage has recently had it’s windows redesigned with extra bars added to dissuade selfie takers from leaning their heads through the openings.

 

Open Air Carriage

One of the highlights of the trip for train enthusiasts was traveling on the Raurimu Spiral.  But in 1898, this is a feat of civil engineering that takes the train between the 132m height difference between the Volcanic Plateau and the Wanganui River valley.  The train travels 6.8km which if traveled in a straight line, would be just 2km.

Of course, we may be biased, but we think the scenery here in New Zealand is spectacular.  From mountains, bush clad hills, and rolling farmland.

Stony outcrops and chugging over numerous viaducts looking down at the deep ravines, all quite beautiful in their own way.

Changing views out the windows

Our train journey ended at Palmerston North.  A taxi came to pick us up and take to the airport where our car was in Long Term Storage, then off we drove to home.  The holiday was over.