scenery – Page 2 – Shardlows Highs

Tanzanian Safari Part 3 – Zanzibar

The red colobus monkey is endemic to Zanzibar

We left our camp by the Selous park, for the short drive to an airstrip just inside the Park. Our plane was early!

Here, our jeep drove right up along a small 13 seater plane, and we joined the other 8 people already on board. No passport or security checks, just clamber on board. One spare seat was the co-pilots seat, and Robert was only too pleased to take that one.

He did a very good job of keeping us safe, and we took off from the grass airstrip (making sure there were no wildlife on there first) and enjoyed the views over Tanzania and Dar es Salaam and the coast as we flew over.

Dar Es Salaam

Coast by Dar es Salaam

We then had a taxi ride to our first hotel, the Zanzibari, at Nungwi, near the northern tip of Zanzibar. The surrounding area was quite poor and untidy, so it felt a bit odd to go through the gate with security guards into the hotel and be met by beautiful grounds next to a white beach .

The Zanzibari Hotel pool

The Zanzibari Hotel beachfront

This one is on Zoopla

The Zanzibari Hotel beachfront

The dining room bar was a full sized dhow, including sails, and the grounds were full of flowers, our room was in the Bougainvillea wing.

View from the pool

The bar

fishermen

After a wander around the grounds, we had a lovely 5 course meal, accompanied by a local drum and dance band.

The next day we were scheduled to have a walking tour of the fishing village and see them making the dhows, but we saw a leaflet for a trip to Zanzibar’s Jozani Nature Reserve and a butterfly center, and the hotel were happy for us to change.

We set off in the same taxi with Robert, Ann and Amanda opted for the village trip, for a 90 minute trip down Zanzibar. One noticeable difference from the mainland is that Zanzibar has banned the use of thin plastic bags, and so there is far less litter around.

The butterfly centre was set up by a Scottish man, who arranged for farmers in Zanzibar to farm butterflies, and send the chrysalises to the centre, where they are used to hatch for the centre, or sent to Butterfly houses around the world, giving the farmers a good source of income.

We were shown various life stages of the butterflies, then visited a large mesh arena full of them flying around.

Chrysalises in the hatching cabinet

Chrysalises

lizard

Next we travelled on to the reserve, where we hoped to see some endangered monkeys.

Once we had listened to our guide explain about the reserve, we walked across the car-park, and met some Sykes monkeys climbing above us, then saw the rare red colobus monkeys.

Sykes Monkey

Baby Sykes monkey

Sykes monkey

Mangrove

Red colubus monkey

One even sat at eye level for some amazing photographs.

Red colobus monkey

the mangrove boardwalk

Red colobus monkey

The red colobus monkey is endemic to Zanzibar, and has a population of around 1000, so it was rather special to get such a good look at them in the wild.

We had a walk around the rain forest and then a short drive to the mangrove swamps, with the guide explaining about the environment and wildlife.

After the drive back to our hotel, we enjoyed a swim and relax before another delicious meal.

Our last day took us in the taxi back to Zanzibar city, and our last hotel, the Dhow Palace, in the Stone Town area. Stone town was a medieval town, and many old building remain, including a fort. We had a walking tour and also visited the food market where we bought some spices.

Market stalls in Stone Town

House of Wonders – closed for renovation

Amphi theatre

Fort

Stone town is also famous for its carved doors, though a lot are fairly modern now.

Our guide took us the the Anglican church that stands where the slave market used to be, and has a very good museum showing the history of slavery in Zanzibar.

We had a chance to explore the hotel after the tour – its a very interesting building with wonderful features.

The swimming pool is in the centre of the hotel

Stained glass

the history of the Dhow Palace Hotel

Steps down to pool

Our shower!

swimming pool taken from roof terrace at night

Sadly, this was the end of our trip, as our plane to Nairobi left at 02:00 the next morning.

I hope you have enjoyed the blogs and photos as much as we enjoyed the trip.

Tanzanian Safari part 2 – Selous

After our trip to Serengeti in my last blog, we then travelled to the Selous Park for the next part of our trip. This started with the 150km drive back to Mwanza, a flight to Dar es Salaam, minibus to Dar train station (a wreck of a place) and onto the train to Kisaki. This train actually travels twice a week all the way to Kapiri Mposhi, in Zambia, and takes 2 days.

Our trip should have been a 4 hour trip, but mechanical problems added 2 hours to the trip, so we arrived late at night, tired and hungry.

A quick drive to Sable Mountain Lodge, and dinner, and bed was all we could manage.

Due to the remote location, and the bandas are spread out, a guard with gun had to escort us to our banda.

Next morning, we woke with the dawn, and opened the curtain (no door) to the front of our banda, and WOW!

The bath was outside on a high balcony with the most incredible view

the outdoor bath

our bed

The view from the bath

After a later start we set off for a game drive in the Selous Park.

Mother and baby baboon

Baboon

Baboon school?

Entrance to Selous Game Reserve

Warthog

Mongooses? Mongeese?

Run away, run away

Red Colobus Monkey

Baboons and warthog

Muddy warthog

Elephant

Umbrella tree

We were met by a troop of baboons as we entered the park, and continued to see many animals on our drive.

And lots of birds:

Tawny eagle

Red BilledHornbill

Ground Hornbill

Flying white headed vulture

Grey Go-away Bird

Long-tailed Fiscal

Flying white headed vulture

Hoopoe

dead tree

African Fish Eagle

African Pied Wagtail

Lapwing

Sacred Ibis

African Jakana

Ibis standing on Hippos

Fish Eagle

Giant Kingfisher

Spoonbill

Flight of Glossy Ibis

We stopped for lunch by a large lake, and then took a boat trip amongst the hippos and crocodiles.

Croc

This flying fish leapt into out boat

Mother and baby Hippo

Hippo attacking a crocodile

We were warned about flying fish, and sure enough, one tried 3 times, and eventually leapt into our boat. We saw mother and baby hippos on the banks and lots of crocs.

We then had a quick look at the ‘Bush Rover’ Land Rover Tent, which another couple we met in camp were staying in here overnight. The spiral stairs lead to a bedroom with balcony.

This must be rather exciting, but noisy at night with all of the wildlife.

Fed and watered, we set off driving again, and were lucky enough to meet some kudu, which are normally very shy, plus many more animals and birds.

kudu

Kudu

Eventually, worn out from our ‘African massage’ of a drive, and nearing park closing time, we speedily drove back to camp.

The next morning, as I started getting up, I heard noises above our tent in the banda, and as I went (outside the tent, but under the roof) to the toilet, a bushbaby (galago) ran across the top of the wall!

Sadly, he didn’t stay for a photo shot.

It was another early start, setting back out for a dawn game drive before breakfast.

We saw a lot of zebra, impala and giraffe, and a tree full of black and white colobus monkeys.

black and white colobus monkeys

Giraffe

Zebra crossing

Brown snake eagle

Brown headed parrot

Bee eater

Vervet monkey

Back to camp for breakfast and a lazy morning, then after lunch we set out for a visit to a nearby Masai village, but first we walked down to the tree-house that overlooks the watering hole the camp built, but no wildlife was around. The watering hole takes the water from the camps swimming pool every 3 days, which is drawn fresh from a spring and contains no chemicals.

On route we came across 4 male elephants bathing in a mud hole they had dug right next to the road.

Elephant bath time

Time to go

Mud, mud, glorious mud

The Masai village was interesting. The chief had 3 wives, the second of which is a teacher in their school, and she has insisted he have a brick built house (with solar panel and satellite dish), but other villagers still live in mud and coconut leaf huts.

They showed us the trees they grow and explained their medicinal uses, and then laid out goods they had made for us to buy. The Masai always wear their traditional clothing and the men are allowed to carry their knives in public – we saw a lot of Masai security guards on our later travel.

Masai chief

Masai children

Fence around cattle – they say this confuses lions and keeps them out

a traditional masai hut

Masai goods

Masai baby

We called in at the train station and village where we had arrived, people were waiting for the return train, as they only run twice a week, and it was running several hours late.

On the road back to the camp, we stopped to see some hornbills, when Mbasha noticed a tree full of black and white colobus monkeys, who then leapt from the trees.

Black and White Colobus Monkey

The following morning we had a dawn walking safari, again with an armed guard. Nothing was at the watering hole, but we saw warthog, about 20 water buffalo, and other quick sightings. We also saw some bones from an elephant that was poached for its tusks a few years earlier, and footprints from civet cats, hyena and lions, all only a couple of hundred metres from our lodges.

We walked back uphill to join the river that runs below our camp.

Elephant jaw bone

Bee-eaters

Sadly this was the end of our time in Selous, as we prepared to set off for Zanzibar – keep watching for the next installment.

But not before one last bit of excitement. We were sat in the back of the jeep, and I dropped a water bottle. Mbasha started turning around to pick it up, and stopped, so Ian said he would jump down and fetch it, when Mbasha shouted NO!.

There was a black mamba on the side of the road.

A lucky escape, and we carried on to Zanzibar.

And back again

Galaxidi is as gorgeous as ever

As I never got around to finishing the second half of my last blog on our sailing trip from Nidri to Corfu, I thought the best thing to do would be make the return trip, and more.

So this blog covers a flotilla placement trip from Corfu to Epidavros.

We start by waking at 02:30 for a 06:00 flight to Corfu, this had better be worth it.

We arrive in Corfu late morning, and travel the short distance to Gouvier marina to pick up our yacht Kanoni.

After settling in, we dine in a marina cafe, and settle for an early night.

Next morning, we set off (hopefully before the other 160 Sailing Holiday yachts) for Corfu yacht club. We found some light wind in the morning to sail, then stopped on Nisida Vido, the island outside Corfu town, for me to take a swim, and collect sea glass on the beach. Refreshed, we made our way into the yacht club, with the help of the harbour master.

We stayed here last October and fell in love with the quirky place. The marina is set right below the high imposing walls of Corfu citadel, and below the music college.

The citadel is lit at night, and snatches of music can be heard drifting down to the boats.

The lead crew organised a punch party for us to get to know the flotilla members, then we wandered off to dine in Corfu town, an odd mix of regency British architecture, with twisty lane climbing the hill. While here last year we heard brass band playing in an upper storey. Research found that Corfu has 3 brass bands.

Tuesday morning is the Greek labour day holiday, and we set off southwards and over to the mainland. The wind was not existent all morning, but after lunch on the go, it picked up and we sailed most of the way to Sivota Mourtos.

Ian is sure we have stayed here before and we both recognise a hotel on the way in, but the town itself doesn’t ring many bells. However we moor on the town quay, facing a busy taverna packed with local and holidaymakers enjoying the sunny labour day.

Next day we head off back over to the island, to Gaios on Paxos. A good windy sail, with our sails well reefed.

Due to encroaching bad weather we stayed another night in Gaios, giving us a relaxing day for reading and walking, and meeting the local cats.

Friday we set off early towards Prevesa, planning a swim in Emerald bay, but large waves and jelly fish kibosh that idea, so I will have to resort to last years photos, when it was calm and sunny, it really does live up to its name.

We then motor sailed onward. This stretch is my least favourite, large swell and no scenery. Last year it was so tedious we played Eye-Spy, ‘S is for……’ should have been the title to the second blog

Eventually we arrived at Prevesa, which is off the tourist track and is popular with the locals who promenade along the front. On our previous trip this was our laundry stop, as you can see from the washing strung around the boat.

We had another lovely meal in the Mermaid taverna, if you ever travel there, we recommend you visit.

Saturday, after a thundery briefing the rain stopped and we set off out of Prevesa. A good wind allowed us to sail to the Lefkas canal.

After motoring through, we again sailed towards Sivota. We made a brief detour at Skorpios to meet Robin and David who had been sailing in the south Ionian while Robin passed her ICC. Having eventually found them, we had a short chat, then set off again, motoring down to Sivota.

Thunder and heavy rain rattled through during the night, and the next morning.

Sunday was a free sail day, but due to the bad weather many of the flotilla decided to stay put in Sivota. We looked at the weather maps and planned to go to the bays on the north of Meganissi, which looked a bit more promising.

We left the harbour in heavy rain and thunder, but after half an hour, it started to brighten up, and while it still drizzled, it was far better that in Sivota. We sailed around the foot of Meganissi, and up the east side, and finally anchored in Kapoli Bay on the north, with just a small yacht and a cruiser for company. I swam ashore and tied a long line to a tree as wind was blowing down the bay.

Eventually the cruiser left, and we spent a quiet if lumpy night, as the wind turned and we were side to to the waves with our line to shore. It alternated between sun and showers all evening.

Next morning we woke to a gorgeous sunrise, and after a swim, in undid the line and we sailed around the north of Meganissi. As we passed Nidri we saw some dolphins who came a played for a few minutes, including a youngster.

We continued down to Big Vathi to rejoin the flotilla, where, despite our longer trip, we arrived first after the lead crew. We strolled into Vathi from Dimitris quay, and had the best ice cream ever from the bakery on the front.

Next morning,Tuesday we set off by 08:30, as we were rafted in behind 3 yachts, and we had a longer trip today.

We motor sailed across the inland sea to Messalongi. going further than our Autumn trip this time.

This is another town not visited by tourists, and the approach is along a long shallow sandy canal, bordered by wooden houses, some on stilts, that gives the place a very Southern American feel.

Wednesday we strolled around the harbour at Messalongi then set sail before 10:00.

Once out of the channel, and lots of photos, we raised our sails for a while, but soon gave up. The flotilla congregated by a cardinal marker for sand banks, and one yacht had quick repairs, then we set of for Rion-Antirion bridge which we could see through the haze. The wind picked up a little, and we goose-winged with engine power towards the bridge.

This photo is taken by AllWinner’s v3-sdv

After the bridge the channel narrows, and the wind picked up and we were able to goose-wing all the way to Trezonia, reaching 8.8 knots a few points, as the wind was behind us and the waves travelling our direction and speed. Yeeha!

It was sad to find thaT Trezonia has become a yacht graveyard, with an examples of how NOT to park side to.

We wandered round the quay, comparing sailing notes with the flot, then ate on board as the wind died down.

Thursday, we set off for Galaxidi, getting good sailing under a genoa, until we turned the corner, when it died down. Galaxidi is as gorgeous as ever, a real refreshing treat after Trizonia, it even smells delightful, with rosemary and other herb bushes along the quay.

We wandered into town to dine, only to find the whole of the flotilla had chosen the same restaurant.

We were up early on Friday for a coach trip up to Delphi. We had been before, but due to renewing the paths and step, part of this ancient site was shut. This time we wandered up to the stadium.

Saturday we had an early start towards Corinth. After a short bit of wind, it died down and we motored across, but did see dolphins for a short while. Corinth has cleaned up its act and the yacht marina is now clean and tidy. In the evening it is a meeting point for the youngsters of Corinth, and also a standard walk for young and old alike. Later it became busier as a club ashore had loud music, but we still got a good nights sleep.

We were booked to traverse the Corinth canal at 9:00, so we’re up bright and early again, but we were them delayed to the 10:30 slot so I took the chance for a swim while we loitered. The canal is as marvelous as ever. We saw sparrow hawks nesting on the walls this time.

For lunch we stopped in a bay with a very steep beach, which meant the boat was only a few feet off the shore. I had a great swim, it looked almost like we were on the edge of a reef. A couple of other flotilla boats came and looked, but only one managed to anchor beside us.

After lunch we saw a boat well under sail, so set off. After an hours very good sailing, we realised we didn’t have time to continue so motored on to Angistri, a new harbour for us.

A team meal in Milos Jamaica bar, a lovely hotel with an incredible view, and live music and they even got us up dancing.

Monday we had a good sail round to Poros. A beautiful sunset over the lady as usual.

Next day was a free day so we first walked round the end island of Poros and up to the clock tower, then after lunch walked along the large island coast and I had 2 swims, and collected more sea glass.

Early start on Wednesday, to Hydra, as it is always busy. Despite a short sail and arriving 11:15, it was full, so the flot headed round to Mandraki bay, where we rafted and most had a good swim. We then walked into Hydra, for ice cream and shopping, and got water taxi back.

I tried out my GoPro while swimming, and dined onboard, sat looking at stars.

This photo is taken by AllWinner’s v3-sdv

Thursday, after a morning swim, we headed over to frog rock for another swim,

then motor sailed to the bay next to Perdika for yet another swim, but didn’t take camera, then on to Perdika, where we fought off catamarans for a space.

Next we travelled to the third Vathi of the trip, this one is a tiny pretty little harbour next to a few tavernas.

As we had arrived early, we decided to walk up to the volcano, which is a cave formed when the hills behind Vathi last erupted. It was very hot and a long way, but we made it, and the views were spectacular.

Sadly the next day was our last as we sailed on to Epidavros and returned home, but we enjoyed our 3 week adventure, visiting places new and old to us.

Lighthouses and Windmills

We sailed in the North and South Ionian this October.

Despite a few days worrying about our Monarch flight out, when they went bust, Sailing Holidays soon sorted us a new flight, and we arrived in Nidri late on Sunday and were shown to our yacht, and then enjoyed a quick drink at the bar to get into holiday mood.

On Monday morning, we had our boat briefing and set off for Sivota. winds were light so we stopped in a bay for break, and Mary-Ann and Colin, friends from previous flotillas met us for a quick chat.

That evening we enjoyed a meal with the rest of the flotilla crews.

We made the most of light winds the next morning, but as i needed my first swim we motored to One House Bay on Atoko island.

The sea was blue, and warmish, and lots of fish for me to enjoy

Light winds took us to the nights port of Kioni, a pretty village we first visited in 2006.

Destination for Wednesday was Fiskardo, the setting for ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin’.

It is a very pretty village, but maybe too popular with tourists. On the plus side, it had old Venetian lighthouse and other ruins in the hillside, and as we had to arrive early we had the chance for a walk around the hillside.

Next stop was Ay. Euphemia

The next day was a free sailing day, and despite the distance, and our yacht having a very poor engine/prop, we decided to head for Kalamos.

George, the owner of the taverna at the end of the harbour, helps everyone moor, and can always find more space. Luckily it wasn’t busy and we also had time for a stroll around town, which is so steep the locals drive golf buggies.

The next morning, as winds were light again, we headed over the hill to see the windmills, and for a swim.

This lighthouse would make a wonderful holiday let.

While there is an air of decay about the place it still charms us.

We even found a project for Jason on the end of the pier

After our stroll, we headed off for Little Vathi, but not before we were approached by ‘pirates’, OK, crew asking for our spare diesel for another yacht in our flot who had engine problems.

Little Vathi was our last harbour in the South Ionian, so the next morning we set off under sail for the Lefkas canal

This canal separates Kefkas Island from the mainland and runs between swamps.

There is a boat bridge at the top end that only opens for 10 minutes each hour, but good timing meant our 2 flotillas all safely got through and headed on to Prevesa.

This town is off the tourist trail, but is now loved by locals who promenade along the seafront in the evening. We enjoyed a pleasant meal in the Mermaid and Crepes in the Tram Cafe.

That brings us to the end of week one, and the start of our North Ionian sailing – be back soon

Stairs, Stiles and Steps

A trip closer to home, but still over the sea

A trip closer to home this time, but still over the sea – a few days with the dogs in Anglesey. We started with a winding route across the A55 along the north of Wales.

First stop was Talacre – the lighthouse on the end of the Dee Estuary, set in a large sandy beach. As this was April, not many visitors were around.

Reggie loved dashing around the sand, and Tez managed to find the muddly puddles by the lighthouse.

As this was only a pit-stop, and most of Talacre was shut (including the loos) we grabbed a quick drink and carried on our way.

Next stop was Llandudno – Kirsty and Jason had stopped there a few days earlier and suggested we call in. First we parked in a Multi-storey car-park and had to travel down 3 flight of stairs with Metal treads – Reggie did not enjoy this, and had to run down them all, dragging me behind.

We wandered down the prom, and tried to get the beasts to sit and have their photo taken, with limited success.

Next we drove through Conwy, and found out why they use Open topped buses :

I’m not sure a normal bus would fit.

Eventually we crossed the Menai Straits and reached Anglesey, and as time was getting on, we went direct to our cottage.

We were staying in a renovated Gamekeepers cottage amidst the woods on the 500 acre Carreglwyd estate.

We unloaded the car and went to investigate the cottage. It was an upside down cottage, with a steep open flight of stairs up to the lounge, and we soon found that neither Tez or Reggie were willing to climb them.

As our plan for the week was to walk to beaches and pubs, we set off up a footpath towards Church Bay, but our plan failed, after passing through a field of very new born lambs (I daren’t try to use my camera), we came to a stile made of large rocks imbedded in a stone wall, and for the third time that day found that the dogs were on vertical strike, and so were we when we saw the huge puddle the other side, so we retraced our track and started out the main drive towards a pub, but once we reached the village, and had a decent phone signal, we checked opening time, and found it was shut until Thursday, so back to the cottage for salad.

I did get a lovely shot of the view from the drive on our return, looking across to Holy island and Holyhead.

The next day, after being woken by the local pheasants, we started with a drive down to Church Bay, which was deserted, so Reggie had a good run around while Tez pootled about

We walked a short way along the coast path before finding our way blocked by several young cows, who wanted to check out the dogs, but not before, we found these wonderful kissing gates, and this private staircase down to the beach.

The breeze was cool, so we got back to the car and drove north up the Island, looking for a warm drink, as again, the beach café was shut.

A sign to a Jam Factory offering Cream teas caught our eye, and a wonderful quirky place we found. Following storms that removed most of their slate roofs, they had only just started production and opened their café, which appeared to be the farmhouse lounge, but the owners collections, and a lovely cream tea in front of the fire did the trick.

We also bought some jam to take home.

Next stop was Cemaes, which turned out to be a lovely coastal village, with quaint shops and a lovely harbour.

Do you think that chain is big enough to hold the boat?

It was getting a bit gloomy, but I couldn’t resist the pastel cottages.

We had lunch and travelled on to Moelfre, with a stream falling thought the middle of the village

Another walk on a beach and my sea-glass collection was improving

We walked round to the RNLI station and looked around the lifeboat

This is for you, Kelsey and Andy – it’s called Kiwi

Last town of the day was Beaumaris, a delightful town with castle and posh shops

And back to the cottage, with this lovely view over a walled garden

and the gate through the wall

As part of every sea-side holiday is fish and chips, Ian kindly drove back to Cemaes to buy dinner – yum.

Day 3, we started with a beach just south of the cottage, again, all to ourselves.

and then crossed over to Holy Island, and visited the South Stack lighthouse, but as the steps were steep, and the dogs on strike, we left them in the car.

and this tower is the RSPB observatory, rather grand.

Our last trek for the day was a longer walk around the south coast of Holy Island to Silver Sands Bay. The car park was accessed via a zig zag narrow road, with several right angle bends – a bit scarey, but luckily nothing came the other way.

Starting in the bay, we walked the Coastal path over the headlands.

The full path does a figure of eight around the car-park, but Tez declared she had done enough walking after the first section, and she’s an old lady, we agreed

After another busy day, we ventured to the local pub as it was now Thursday and open, and it proved well worth the wait. The Black Bull was very friendly, allowing dogs in, and the food was delicious.

We started our last day back down on Church Bay, but the tide was further in, so less room to run, but we still got Reggie out of breathe. Ian then started skimming stones, and Tez decided she’s try to catch them resulting in a wet dog in the car going home!

Again, on Kirsty’s suggestion, we travelled back via Betwy-y-Coed, and then on to Llangollen, which we realised, despite having travelled past many times, we had never stopped in. We found a park next to the river to enjoy our sandwiches, and sadly left Wales behind for now.

Mountain, coast and wildlife

I’ll pick up our travels, and fill in the gaps to Kelseys last post as we continue on our trip through New Zealand North Island.

You left us as we arrived in New Plymouth. We stayed in an apartment with a view of the sea to one side, and Mount Taranaki the other. We took a gentle stroll into town along the coast walkway.

A selfie in one of the sculptures.

New Plymouth likes reflections, seen here in the Len Lye Centre/Govett-Brewster Art Gallery

The contrast between old and new architecture was striking, but charming.

I loved the low sunlight through the clock tower

If you ever in New Plymouth, and want to eat try PaNKaWaLLa for an incredible Indian meal. We shared the buffet and couldn’t finish it, despite our best efforts

We decided to take the Surf Route the next day, with lovely clear views of the mountain we were driving around.

No mistaking Taranaki for the active volcano it is.

The road doesn’t actually follow the coast, but has lots of side roads to surf beaches. We ventured down a couple, trying to find Cape Egmont Lighthouse, but chose the wrong road and found the new lighthouse instead, still beautiful against the blue sky.

The wild coast from Opunake View point.

Carrying on down the coast, we just had to visit Bulls, after Kelsey had blogged about it.

I’ll resist the puns, but we loved this shop

Eventually we reached Wellington and met up with Andy and Kelsey again, and met my other grand-doggy Higgs.

The following day Andy and Kelsey went to work for the morning, so we walked round to Zealandia, a fully fenced urban ecosanctuary. We had already met some of the birds flying around the area, but got a chance for more up close sightings here, despite the wet weather.

Later that day we ventured off to Martinborough, and enjoyed great food and wine and company for Christmas.

This window was above our bed.

Higgs enjoyed his presents, while we enjoyed the spread at Poppies Vineyard

Kelsey’s blog has covered the visit to the Pinnacles and Cape Palliser – we were getting our step count in every day.

We returned to Wellington after a super break, and decided to visit Wellington Zoo for a morning.

A lovely zoo set on the hills over Wellington, we got to see most of the animals relaxing

As the holiday neared its end we still found time for some walks around upper Wellington, with the awesome panoramas.

And I shall leave you with views of this land, and our transport home, but New Zealand gave us a true goodbye – the earth moved for us as we felt a 5.5 earthquake while in Wellington Airport. And true to Kiwi form, no-one batted an eyelid.

Goodbye New Zealand, Kia Ora, we will be back.

Coromandel, Lakes and Forgotten World Highway

The Highway hugs the contours of the native forests like a roller coaster

If you’ve missed the adventure in New Zealand so far, visit https://flyallover.net/, thanks to Kelsey.

After we parted company with Andy and Kelsey, we picked up our rental car for the next adventures. Andy had suggested we visit the Coromandel Peninsula, so we made our way down and around the Firth of Thames, and then up the wonderful coastal road up the Coromandel, stopping here and there to enjoy the views.

Our stop for the night was a cabin at Long Bay Motor Camp, at the end of the road to the Long Bay Reserve.

Our cabin at first appeared to be a garage, but once inside, all we could say was WOW.

This is the view from the bed, bliss.

We were treated to the view of the sun sinking into the sea, and some sea-glass collecting on the beach.

Of course, we had to have wine..

The next morning, after a visit to town, we drove over the peninsula and down the East Coast road, again with superb views.

Next stop was Rotirua, for a second fix at the Luge. We arrived too late for the planned 5 runs, so made do with 3, and once again had huge fun.

Do I need to tell you the views were incredible?We spent the night at Taupo. Who can fail to be impressed by the snow-topped volcano Tongariro behind a lake with black swans.

Next adventure was the Forgotten World Highway, a twisty road through native forests, a real feel of the wild. A sign at the start of the highways tells you there is no fuel for 155km.

First stop was Nevins Lookout, up a steep hill (close the gate), but with 360 degree views forever.

While waiting for me to catch up, Ian spotted this wasp making her nest on an old fence post.

From here, the road leaves grassy hills behind and hugs the contours of the native forests like a roller coaster. We stopped at Josh Morgan’s Grave, the surveyor who created this road.

We ended the Highway at Stratford, names after Stratford-on-Avon, with its glockenspiel clock tower.

and on to New Plymouth for the night, were my next blog will pick up the story