The story of Ronnie & Reggie Cray(fish).

Following on from our sea trip, we were sent on our way with two crayfish and filleted sea perch. We were told the best way to dispatch our feisty companions was to put them in a bucket of fresh water for 10 minutes (oxygen deficient). Now, I have to say, we both began to question what right we had to bring these beautiful creatures to the end of their lives. Is this how they anticipated their lives would end after living happily for 10 years in the South Pacific, who were we to serve them their fate, are we Gods? After this short contemplation, I had an apparition - boil for 7 minutes & serve with garlic butter accompanied by a fine Montana Sauvignon Blanc.

By the way, Kaikoura is Maori for Crayfish derived from the longer name "Te Ahi Kaikoura Tama ki te Raki" - lit: the fire that cooked the crayfish of Tamti te Raki.

A little bit P.O.S.H.

We went seafishing today off the coast of Kaikoura - I was a bit sceptical of the whole concept as I was concerned that I would be bored just sitting at the edge of the boat, waiting for hours for a bite. Well, Mike N and I joined Gerard (Guide) and Nick (Skipper) for a 2 hour trip. We set off from Jimmy Armer's Beach and the water was relatively calm - all was good in the world.

After witnessing the collection of crayfish (a.k.a. rock lobster) out of the cages previously submerged 30 m below the ocean, I certainly was contented with our catch though it wasn't really fishing in my book.
Nick pushed the throttle down and we headed further out to sea into much rougher waters - I mouthed to Mike "Do you think it's time to ask for life jackets?". After some fundamental training e.g. how to stay in the boat & how to cast a line, success was quick to visit Mike, he caught 2 good sized sea perch, I had several bites, the words screaming from my mouth "Jeez, I've hooked a whale" seemed to amuse our hosts but eventualy I caught a sea perch (the other one got away) - it was a great experience and for once I didn't get sea sick - unfortunately Mike did so it wasn't just us who got fed that evening - lucky fish if they liked muesli!

Gale force crossing...

Of course, I'm not sure if that headline was true, but it certainly felt like it. The ferry spent the majority of the crossing at a rather unusual angle... in other words, I could see clouds off to the right, but only sea to the left? I resisted temption to go talk to the captain, but made sure I knew where the lifeboats were.

We're not the only camper on the island...

It appears that we are indeed a common breed around NZ.. everywhere you go, everywhere you park, everywhere you look... there's at least another handful of campervans. This proves the point.. us at the end of the queue for the ferry to south island. One whole deck was reserved for campers!

There she blows...

This is Lady Knox... a very famous geyser in the central north island. She was discovered when some convicts were clearing the area in the early 1900's... and used to 'erupt' when she felt like it.

Nowadays though, she's such a money earner for the geothermal tourist industry, that at 10.15am every day, she does her thang, after the host of the 'show' does an introduction and pours a carefully weighed out amount of detergent into the underground source of super heated water. Certainly interesting to see, but it felt like Mickey Mouse was about to appear next for the photo op ;-)

Somewhere on a hill in Wellington...

... this reminds me of a famous saying... but I can't quite put my finger on what it is... ???

Safety demonstration

On our orientation walk in Taupo we came across a MacDonalds with a rather cool addition in the kids play area.. an old restored twin prop plane.

Mike couldn't help fulfilling a dream.. and there followed a quick safely demonstration.. I'm not sure he had the attention of many passengers, but at least I knew where my nearest exit was... although I'm still waiting for my peanuts and can of ginger beer.

Getting into hot water..

... on the beach that is.. this is Mike standing in a pool of hot water at the appropriately named Hot Water Beach.
The process is simple. When the tide's out, you can hire a spade (we didn't, we just lurked and took someone elses hole when they'd finished with it) and dig yourself a hole on the beach, which fills with piping hot water from an underground source.

What the Rough Guide doesn't say is that this only happens in a small area of a very large beach, so what you end up with is a bunch of people digging holes all within a few feet of each other then not budging until the tide comes in. Much the same as any British beach I guess, but not windbreak in sight.

Found...

...one metal strap and sharp clasp, left on the road between Hahei and Tauranga. If it's your's please contact us to arrange collection... only slight damage occured to it when we ran over it and punctured our tyre. Many thanks. M & M

Somehow I don't think we're in Oz anymore, Toto...

...after our flight from Sydney, camper collection and 2 hour drive, it was out with the fleece, socks and PJ's... NZ is decidely chilly.

The Opera House & Falafal..

Whilst we were in Sydney we thought as well as seeing the outside of the Opera House, we should experience the inside. So, when we were in China, the very forward thinking Mike S searched for what was on and booked a couple of tickets to see Alan Cummings, the famous Scottish comedian (the only one?). We sat there with our bottle of white, plastic glasses and had a right laugh.. did anyone else know he could also sing?

After that, we couldn't really stretch to dinner in a restaurant, so we opted for a Falafal wrap and chips in Chinatown.. classey.

Honestly, it's behind you...

There we were, walking around Darling Harbour in Sydney when suddenly I noticed we weren't alone. I kept trying to tell Mike that there was something behind him, but by the time he believed me and turned around... it was too late.

Slideshow - Sydney

Slideshow - The Red Centre

Slideshow - Fremantle & Perth

Slideshow - Hamelin Bay & Margaret River

Slideshow - Albany & Walpole