Franz Josef
Wed 25th Mar.
The alarm was set for 07:30 but I got up an hour earlier than that. In the shower there was a large container of coconut bodywash, and I transferred some of it to a small container that I’ve been carrying. !!!
I went to see if there was a sunrise over the lake. The sun seems to suddenly pop up over the hills and there was a strong glare. I checked out and was at Mo’s before 09:00 to meet up with the family.
We all had lattes of some sort and chatted in the back courtyard for half an hour. Then Gabriella and Alex needed to be at a Parents meeting, while Tor and Josi were going to the Wanaka tree and to explore Wanaka.
The 3 days worked to perfection. I saw my granddaughter again…as well as Tor and Josi. What an achievement, all of us converging on NZ and meeting up. Very Special.
The 6 hours to Franz Josef was uneventful, just stunning scenery all the way. Stops at Makorora, Haast, and Bruce Bay briefly. Sunshine all the way; I’ve been lucky to have the sun shining on both dides of the mountain range; usually their weather is opposite to each other.
Arrived in Franz slightly ahead of schedule at 15:45. I was dropped off right outside Chateau. I was put in 18C this time after I said the other side was a bit noisy last time. I settled in then went to the supermarket and bought an onion, broccoli, chilli sauce and a bottle of lager.
Just down the road was the Landing where I slowly consumed a few beers. I chatted with Chris at Chateau then went to kitchen to prepare dinner. A packet of pork mince .. ..so I’ll get 2 meals out of it. Dinner was enjoyable with my lager, whilst watching Sky news.
Then I went to my room.
Thurs 26th Mar
An English couple were in the room across the corridor; I don’t understand why they had to slam their door every time they went in and out…not too seriou though. After speaking to Phil I went and cooked up some porridge…made a nice change.
I had a nice long chat with a young German traveller. It had been raining all day so I was happy to chill in the lounge area of Chateau. I booked my bus ticket from Franz to Nelson. To pass the time I went to the jacuzzi ; again, a new experience since I hadn’t been in one since Wanaka 3.5 years ago.
In order to achieve something positive in the day, I went for a 15 minute walk along the Terrace walk on the edge of town. It was an interesting area of rainforest which I enjoyed from under my umbrella. I managed not to get too wet, and warmed up with tea and a scone at Chateau.
From there to the Landing for the last time. Back to the Chateau kitchen to cook dinner. All was going well until the cooker seemed to pack up. I transferred everything to the other kitchen which had a more traditional hob.
I took my food back to the 1st kitchen to eat; unfortunately someone else was using the TV and I couldn’t watch Sky news. Oh well, I ate and washed my dishes and went to my room.
Nelson
Fri 27th Mar
Misty. Rainy. I was glad I was on my travels; there would be nothing to do in Franz. I packed. I cooked up a bowl of porridge to have with a coffee. We left at 09:22.
Nothing to report. Drizzly all the way, apart from when we crossed the Range after Murchison and approached Nelson. The stops were Hokitika, Greymouth, Punakaiki, Westport, Murchison, and finally Nelson. Arrived 5:15…bang on time.
I walked straight to the Youth Hostel and checked in; apparently I’d already paid for my 3 days. I had checked Palace online but they were full. I dumped my stuff and headed for Post Boy, arriving there at 5:35pm. All very efficient and quick.
Friday evening is one of Post Boy’s free dinners; I helped myself to 2 bowls of buttered bread with a sausage stew…very tasty. I washed that down with a jug of beer and retired to the hostel. A good day.
Sat 28th Mar
The room was comfortable, and although next to the bathroom, it wasn’t noisy like the January room. I looked for any free tea or coffee in the kitchen, but nothing. It was a cloudy start to the day.
I walked to Halifax for a chai, but they weren’t open, despite it being 09:30. I had a chai at Lambretta instead. Then, just lots of wandering around doing little chores.
A phone shop confirmed that my Skinny Sim wasn’t 3G so didn’t need upgrading…I was confused…I hope the advice I got was correct. At the pop-up supermarket I bought a green pepper for 50cents to add to my dinner. I found Halifax open and had my second chai of the day.
The cloud was thinning so I went and sat in the park for an hour. By 16:00 the sky was blue and it was sunny and hot. Earlier I’d popped into NW and bought a bottle of red and a packet of chorizo salami to snack on.
At around 16:30 I was at Post Boy chatting and having a drink with my mates. The YH Nelson is less than 10 minutes walk. I cooked a chicken breast with broccoli, green pepper, noodles and chilli sauce and ate it in the lounge area.
That was it for the day; I retired to my room.
Sun 29th Mar
A cloudy start to the day. I went to Lambrettas for a chai. A chill out day. I went back to my room briefly, and it was getting on for midday.
The weather was improving. I had another chai, but at Halifax. Then I went on quite a big walkabout. Towards the sea and beside the main road and through Neale park. I asked a fellow walker if the railway tracks were in use; apparently only a tiny distance for fun rides.
The lady mentioned Founders park so I decided to check it out. I was surprised to find a museum showcasing Nelson’s history. The railway from the 19th Century. A plane built in 1945. A brewery from 1907. A couple of old buses from 50s & 60s. A church; a windmill; fire engine…all in a smallish area. Very interesting.
I walked back into town via Milton St, passing the Sprig and Fern in case I saw Rob. I popped into NW for a bottle of red wine, which I paid for with cash. I must start using up my NZDs before I leave.
Then the usual routine…over to Post Boy for a couple of jugs. The YH kitchen was fairly quiet; I cooked my second chicken breast with green pepper and noodles. I sat in the lounge for a short time, then retired to my room. I enjoyed my stay in the youth hostel much more this time.
Mon 30th Mar
I washed…I had the bathroom to myself. I packed and checked out by 09:45. I went to Lambrettas for a chai. I took my time and reached Palace Backpackers just before 11:00.
They were almost done with my room; just some vacuuming to finish off. I was given the room called Terrace which is to the right of the entrance and opposite the reception.
I settled into my nice big room.
My walkabout took me to NW where I bought 2 lamb steaks and a tube of toothpaste. I picked up a small box so I could neatly keep my stuff in the fridge Later I went to the pop up supermarket and bought a large bag of reduced price kale.
I washed my blue patterned white shirt and sat outside with it to kick start the drying process. I had my usual chai as well.
A quiet day. I chatted with a German guy outside my room. I went over to Post Boy. In the Palace kitchen I gave a couple of big sprigs of kale to a group of fellow residents. I had an interesting chat with them over dinner.
Tues 31st Mar
I had a comfortable sleep. Palace provide a free breakfast, so I tucked into a bowl of cereal and a couple of slices of toast.
I went over to Halifax for a chai for the last time, and said goodbye to the proprietors. It was a bright, sunny day so I went across to Anzac park and lay in the sun for an hour or so.
Clouds started forming. Queen’s Gardens is in the middle of town and I hadn’t visited it yet.; I went to check it out. Very impressive…a lake, a stream, lots of massive trees, shrubs and flowers. Lovely windy paths everywhere, plus ducks and geese. A great discovery. From there I made it to Post Boy for exactly 16:00.
I had/spent my last couple of hours with my mates in the pub. I’ll miss Cooky, Jeff, Les, Steve..et all. I thanked the owner Craig for his hospitality. I went straight to Palace and prepared my simple but tasty dinner of lamb steak, kale, onion and the chilli sauce which has lasted well. I’d bought a small bottle of Bacardi earlier, and I mixed it with water to have with my meal.
That was the end of my 5 days in Nelson.
Auckland
Wed 1st April.
I didn’t have a good sleep. The usual worry about travel arrangements; about 06:00 I checked online that there was a 10:10 bus to the airport. !! At least I gave myself plenty of time to get ready.
I lingered over my breakfast of cereals and toast. I checked out at 09:30; neither Sarah or Jeff were at reception to say goodbye to…unfortunately. I had a chai at Lambrettas. I reached the bus hub just before 10:00.
After 30 mins on the bus we arrived at the airport at 10:45. I checked in the rucksack by myself, remembering to wait for the boarding pass to be printed off. We left on time at midday; I was very comfortable as noone sat beside me.
From landing in Auckland, to collecting my bag, to catching the bus, to arriving at the Skytower, was exactly an hour. So, at 14:10 I was walking over to Choice. This time I’m in 10C…so, still on the 10th floor but a nicer room. It’s more interesting, in that it’s not just square ish. There’s a large walkin cupboard, and 2 windows…so it feels spacious. There’s a door that opens out onto a balcony, but the balcony is only about 12 inches wide !!
I had a frustrating afternoon looking for the Malaysia tourism office, NZ tourist information, and the Flight Centre. I wanted to ask about the legality of taking chevda type snacks into Malaysia, where the Malaysia office was (it had moved from its Google map location), and get information on bus routes around Auckland.
I gave up and went to Fiddlers for a Happy hour pint. Then down the road to Woolworths where I bought a pack of thinly sliced pork steaks and a bottle of red. Then on to Fr Ted’s for a coctail, followed by Choice to cook dinner. I had pork, kale and red pepper with a big squeeze of chilli sauce.
A good travel day. The flight landed a bit earlier than scheduled. The bus beat any rush hour traffic. I got the best room yet at Choice. The frustration was over finding the travel related offices.
That’s okay; an early night to try and catch up on some sleep.
Thurs 2nd Apr
I had a good sleep; I really like the room. I was up a bit early, and as it was quiet, I washed my blue shirt. I went to Sierra for a chai.
I found the Auckland tourist office on the waterfront to ask where the Malaysia information office is, but there doesn’t seem to be one at all. And the Flight Centre had moved away from the centre, so I definitely wasn’t having much luck.
I went back to my room to grab my shirt ready to sit in Albert Park in the sun and let it dry. It was sunny and hot initially, but then a few clouds moved in. I went back to my room to complete my Malaysia Digital Arrival Card. It took a few attempts before the payment went through. I paid £47 for it, but another website implied it was free…I don’t know.
I went to Shakespeare pub for a porter. And then after 16:00 to Fiddler; am trying to figure out which places are open on Good Friday. I bought a couple of pork chops ahead of Friday as the supermarket is closed on Good Friday.
I popped into Fr Ted’s briefly, then back to Choice to cook the last three thin pork steaks. The noodles from the supermarket an hour earlier were covered with black mold; I took a bit of a chance eating some. I’ll throw the rest of the packet away !!
Fri 3rd Apr
I woke up a bit too early, but it gave me time to plan the day. Actually I had a totally free day. I had chai at Sierra and spoke with Phil. I popped back to Choice briefly and finished off a packet of ‘chevda’.
I decided to find the Flight Centre; a good excuse for a walk. Along Wellesley to Victoria Park. On looking at my map I found I was only half way. I walked partly up hill to Ponsonby, to find the shop closed. I should’ve known…Easter.
It was a nice day, but not too hot, and the walk was pleasant. I stopped for a chai. Back to the hostel for a shave, so one less thing to do in the morning.
I walked over to the Shakespeare pub for a couple of porters; the second one I drank on the balcony upstairs. I spoke to a couple of Swedes. They said that the name Torsten was a slightly old fashioned Swedish name. The lady said she had visited Kenya & Tanzania many years ago.
I popped into Fr Ted’s for a vodka, before going back to Choice and cooking the 2 pork chops and leftover red pepper. I nipped back to Fr Ted’s briefly, then back to my room.