Auckland
Wed 11th Mar
I didn’t sleep very well. Although my alarm was set for 06:00 I slowly got ready from 05:00.; am glad I gave myself a bit more time. At 06:30 I was downstairs. I declined a taxi for 20Fjd and went to the top of the road and into a minibus to the airport for 1.50Fjd. !!!
Am getting better at operating the self check in machines. I still had to go to the cpunter for my boarding pass. I had to search my emails to find the flight booking that gave my flight number from Akl to KL on 04 April.
Through security with no problem. I sat with a big tea until time to board. We left about 09:45. Nice meal…scrambled egg, chicken sausage, fish. 2 hrs and 45 minute flight. A 5 – 10 minute walk in the terminal. The luggage was already starting its rounds on the carousel.
Straight through immigration and then customs with my rucksack. Very lucky that I knew roughly where I was going. I saw SkyDrive ahead; I started to jog; he started to pull away; he saw me and stopped; I said I was a senior citizen paid my 13.50Nzd instead of 20Nzd.
So, 14:15 (NZ is 1 hour ahead of Fiji), I was on my way. Half an hour later we were there. I walked straight to Choice; the advance booking had worked. I paid for another day at 60Nzd…or 27Gbp…and happy that they gave me 10E again on the top floor.
It was slightly drizzly and quite chilly, so I wore my jacket and went looking for a phone repair shop. I stuck with the first one I went into as the young lady was very helpful. New screen, yes, but it wouldn’t be immediate. The charging point was probably on the way out. Not sure what condition the internal parts might be in , if water damage.
There was lots of chat. Other customers came in. In the end I decided to buy a new phone; it’s a Samsung Galaxy A07. I paid 229Nzd…or 102Gbp. She switched charger cable for me and she put a screen protector on it.
After leaving the shop I wondered if she forgot to charge me for the screen protector….in all the confusion. Anyway, I have a new phone and now just have to figure out how it works !!!
It was after 16:30 and I went over to Fiddlers. Although I had 2 beers, I was reminded that I’m not enamoured with the gassy/carbonated NZ largers. Had a nice chat with a Scottish family.
I popped into Woolworths and bought mince, noodles, chilli sauce and wine. I went back to Choice to cook my dinner. I actually didn’t enjoy the mince; I could have done with much less but cooked with vegetables.
Oh well. I washed off the grease and went down to reception to drink a half bottle of red wine. Not many people around…you can tell it’s low season. From there it was up to my room.
A very good travel day.
Thurs 12th Mar
A chill day. Easier use of shower and toilet on the 10th floor. After a Sierra chai I spent a long time in my room to see if I could figure out the new phone. I also booked my 9am bus to Napier via Taupo. The cost was 79.50Nzd, or about 36Gbp.After 11:00 I went walkabout and had another another chai.
At around 2pm I went to the Shakespeare pub and drank 2 tasty Porters. I went to the supermarket and bought chicken breast and crisps. I went back to Choice and had an early dinner..chicken, noodles and chilli sauce…much better than the mince.
Then I popped up to Father Ted’s, and for a change had a pint of beer and a vodka with ginger ale…both at 6Nzd happy hour rates. Back to Choice which is only 2 minutes away. I sat in the reception area for a bit then went up to my room. I did my packing to be ready for the journey the next day.
Napier
Fri 13th Mar
As I got up a bit earlier than planned I had a relaxing start to the day. I had a chai at Sierra. I got to the bus hub after 08:30. We left just after 09:00.
A comfortable trip on the double decker. 5 hours to Taupo followed by an hours lunch stop. I saw Lake Taupo for the first time…much bigger than I expected. So, we transferred to the Napier bus for the 2 hour trip; there was a 20 minute delay due to roadworks.
By stopping outside Woolworths in Napier I new exactly where I was and able to walk to the waterfront and find Arthouse Backpackers. I rang the bell and Arthur appeared from next door. I gave him 70Nzd for 2 nights and he showed me to dorm room no. 3 and a bottom bunk that I had insisted on.
That was at about 18:00. I went up to the Pavilion bar on Marine Parade and celebrated arriving safely with a jug. I then went over to the Rose and had 2 pints of Kilkennys while watching some rugby. I didn’t realise there was a match in Napier with 2 top teams. Had I known I would’ve considered getting a ticket and going for the experience.
Back to Arthouse and to my bottom bunk and hoping for a good nights sleep.
Sat 14th Mar
I heard 2 guys come in at 2am but they were very quiet and I soon went back to sleep. I’m not sure how well I slept…not great, but sufficient…and I woke up at 08:00.
The shower was fine, although no towel was provided. I dressed quietly and saw Ross outside for a good chat. I sat in the lounge and had a long conversation with Arthur. I got some coffee from Ross. Then I went walkabout and had a chai latte at my regular place. I also had a long chat with UK Phil.
From there to the supermarket where I bought some sort of thinly sliced steak, some salad and a packet of 3 shaving razors. Back to Arthouse. I chatted with Ross then cooked a lunch/dinner…it was about 2pm. In the free food section were delicious steak sauce packets, corn, and mayonnaise. I added some of my chilli sauce, and had a really tasty meal.
I had a fun chat with the French guy in my room. I went walkabout with a view to having my inability to set up my new phone investigated. 1st place no luck. But the 2nd repair shop was a success. The guy was patient and knowledgeable as we navigated the password and something else minefield, and we seemed to resolve the issue. I went onto the internet and gave them a glowing review.
It was about 4:30pm and went over to Pavilion for a jug. From there to the Rose for the last time. The weather is fairly miserable in Napier so I’m not sad to leave in that respect. But otherwise sorry to go as I really like Napier. In the morning I had booked the 09:30 bus to Wellington for Sun 15th.
Wellington
Sun 15th Mar
I woke up about an hour earlier than planned; it made for a very relaxed start to the day. I was very quiet putting my things together and leaving the room. I said goodbye to Ross and Arthur.
It was a beautifully sunny day; typical, the day I was leaving. I crossed Marine Parade and looked at the ocean. I went to my favourite place for a chai; it had only just opened at 08:30. From there it was to the bus stop outside Woolworths for the 09:30 InterCity.
It was 3 hours to Palmerston North where we had an hours break. It was a doubledecker and I was in a front seat on the top deck. Great view the whole way of the undulating/hilly/farmland scenery. I came this way in January, but this was much better.
At Palmy I asked a fellow passenger if he was African. Yes. Where from ? Rwanda. He understood Swahili better than he spoke it, but it was good for me to talk about Kigali, Kibuye, Gisenyi and Musanze with him. And I showed off my “hello” and “goodbye ” in Kinyarwanda.!!
It was nearly 2.5 hours to Wellington, arriving just before 4pm. The last stretch along the coast and approach to the bays was fantastic. I knew exactly where I was and walked to Hotel Waterloo and checked into a single with shared bathroom, for 69Nzd or 30Gbp. Another dorm didn’t appeal.
I went across to Bluebridge ferries and booked the 13:30 to Picton for the next day. The 110 fare was reduced to 103Nzd..or 47Gbp by virtue I am a senior citizen. I had made a comment in Wellington reception about free food in their kitchen…a guy heard me and said there was a paper bag with free food at one of the counters. I gratefully accepted it and thanked him.
There was a meat pie which I ate outside the ferry terminal. I then walked to the Featherstones bar and drank 3 stouts. It had been a good day, everything worked according to plan. Of course 70s & 80s & 90s hits are always being played, but I was pleased to hear Driver’s Seat by Sniff n The Tears…one of my favourite songs ever.
I went around the block a bit to get back to Waterloo. No frills, but the room is very comfortable. When you consider that for an extra 25Gbp at Quest I had cooking facilities, a good TV , private bathroom and bigger/smarter room. A lot extra…it is and it isn’t ??!!! As long as I treat myself every now and again.