kris downunder

After the drop off ashuttlebus brings us to the Airport where we have to catch our flight at 17h00 to Melbourne with a connecting flight to Perth where we arrive at 22h00 local time, we lost 4hours, but we're still +8 hours ahead .

At the airport Katrien and Lawrence are waiting for us to take us to Katrien's house in Trigg, where we catch up a little bit and after a cool beer we hit the sack.

Me and Luc look to each other and without one word the decision is made, we book a flight for 10h20 as we have to be at the camper at 11h00

8 minutes flight and 10 minutes walk should do it...but as the helicopter runs late we know we won't make it at time, but what the heck ...we don't want to miss this , so 10h50 finally we take off for a awesome flight with our pilot Steve, who has been in belgium and knows Manneke Pis of Brussels...

He shows us the vulcanoes, the geysers and white island, an island +/- 100km from Rotorua in the Pacific Ocean that is a vulcanoe that is active all the time and even Captain Cook when he sailed along it thought it was a big cloud.

After this amazing experience we run to the camping to our friends who had been waiting for us for more than an hour...

Time to hit the road to Coromandel, from Rotorua to Taurango , a town at the east side sitting in the Pacific Ocean, with a picnic at Pahoia Beach.

We follow the winding road 25 along the coast passing Waihi,Whangamata, known as a good place to be for wealthy retired people.

Next stop New Zealand's attraction Cathedral Cove, it take's a 40 minutes walk trough a bushtrail to get there, but it is the walk more than worthed...

stunning breathtaking views...no words

As we are running out of time we decide to take a shortcut , road 309 , a gravel road that goes all the way trough the Coromandel Forest Park for 22 km, what an amazing nature and probably the best road driven in new Zealand, absolutely fabulous!!!!!!!!!!

We got to stop in the middle of this road because of wild pigs running on the road.

When we get out of the car to take some pictures, a man comes to us and we have a little chat...he protects the life of wild pigs and has more than 100 pigs running around on his land 700ha, he shows us if we touch the belly of the pig it lays down, they actually like to play like dogs...

But what is most special to this occasion is that Rik , the chocolat manufacturer , told us the day before a story about how he ended up in the middle of nowhere with wild pigs on the road and a funny man...guess...yep, same pigs, same man.

We thanked the man with a box of Belgian truffles made by Rik and he was so happy, he said normally when there is a car that stops to look at the pigs, normally the pigs where fed , but not him...After this hilarious meeting we arrived at Coramandel and drove along the Firth of Thames with corner after corner filled with the nicest views ever...this is really one of the nicest places ever seen...I easily could live here and grow old

As it runs late and campings are closed we must camp free in Te Puru with a lovely view on Firth of Thames...What a day, I really need some sleep...

Rotorua

Lake Rotoua

Vulcanic activity Lake Rotorua

Our pilot Steve who knows MannekPis

Lunch at Pahoia Beach

Climbing out of the ocean

Geyser Rotorua

Bushwalk

Cathedral Cove

Playing with wild pigs

enjoying Rik's Belgian chocolat truffles

Coromandel Bay

Deadman's Point

First stop at Pukena Bay at the West Coast before we take Road 1 also known as the desert road that cut's the Rangipo desert .

But first lunch at Foxton Beach , Foxton is known for its windmill's build by the Dutch .

We have to drive at least 400 km to keep our schedule and we're moving well on Road 1,passing Taihape(known for its yearly contest boot throwing), Waiouru(Army Camp en training area and the army museum).

Once we hit the Rangipo desert with in the back National Tongarino Park with its peaks +2000 m and the famous Tongarino Pass which we would have loved to walk but time is not on our side as we want to reach Bay of Islands and only 4 days left before our flight next sunday to Australia, so choices had to be made...getting out the desert from a straight road to a windy road after a corner Lake Taupo shows up in all of its beaut

It is New Zealands largest lake and filled with trout.

Riding along the borders of the lake we have a coffee stop at Waitetoko where we enjoy the view and a couple of Black Swans with chicks.

Arrived at Taupo we continue our way to Rotorua and its Lake, if there is one town in New Zealand that even a blind person can find it is Rotorua

you just can smell it dued to the geothermal activity of Geyser's.

It is Maori land and a lot of activity's to do around here such as Maori village , Spatherapy, all kinds of sport activity's for young and old...

Rotorua is surrounded by blue and green lakes, they are smaller than Lake Rotorua but just as spectacular.

With its 16 lakes easily accesible it is a popular destination for travellers.

Kaitoke film set Lord of the Rings

Rik's chocolates

Mount Tangarino and Rangipo Desert

Waitetoko,Black Swans

Rangipo Desert and Tangarino Park

Relax time

Next morning we take a bus to the city center to get lost in the city.

Things to do Te Papa Museum, Botanic Garden, Cable Car and a walk at Oriental Bay to Balaena Bay and if possible a hop on bus

At 16h00 we have a appointment with 5 other Belgium people who are travelling at the same time in New Zealand, only difference, they travel from North to South, the opposite of our journey , but today we'll see each other at the entrance of Te Papa Museum...a little chat, a coffee and we all continue our way.

At 18h30 we are invited at Rik and Rita the brother of the brother in law from Martin who lives since 28 years in New Zealand and who makes and sells Belgian chocolat truffles .

We went to a Thai restaurant in Upperhut and after a delicious dinner we joined Rik and Rita at their house in Kaitoke, where we had a very nice evening all together.

Next morning Rik showed us his workshop and explained us how he works and finally we get to taste his truffles...mmmmh ...delicious

Rik took us to a National Park with a swingbridge and also a filmlocation for the movie "Lord of the Rings"

Time to say goodbye and continue our trip.