Monday, December 18, 2006
More Pictures of my trip.
I have maxed out my flickr account posting pictures of my NZ trip. I will thin out some of my pictures and may be set up another account as you can only have 200 Photo's with the free account and I have over 500 pics I want to share. Here Is the link anyway, Its in date order so its my trip upto kaikoura with the whale spotting.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stubbz/sets/72157594392865476/
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Bungy Video !
Check out my Bungy video below under the title Bungy. Or click on the image of me to the right to take you to the section.
I will be adding a few more blog entries with pictures I have taken on my New Zealand trip.
Phil
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Dubai
Missed my connection :( Emirates put me on a later flight which still gets in to vin UK on sat but later at night. So i have a free meal a free phone call and some time to kill, sounds like jail ! Pic. Anybody remember ring pulls ?
Transit problems
So get to Auckland nice and early, the plane was delayed for an hour due to a technical problem. Got into Melbourne ok re-boarded and then was asked to get off again, then followed a 2 hour delay. It was possible i would miss my connection in Dubai. Same Pic waiting in NZ.
On the way home :(
Im at the airport waiting for my flight. I am told its cold and dark early now back in the UK, also when i talk to people about flying back to the UK they say 'thats a bad flight or thats a nasty flight' so we will see on Monday or is it Tuesday when I am back at work, how I am feeling. Next stop is Melbourne, from there it will be Dubai.
Friday, November 24, 2006
Skytower
Of course I did !630ft (192m) cable attached base jump. Sweet !
Auckland
I traveled down from Bay of islands today to Auckland, the only real motorway in New Zealand cuts through Auckland. Its a real pain to navigate on and getting of the motorway, first its a bit of a free for all, and very little land dissiplin, people under taking and even people on the hard shoulder parked up and having a chat! Thats my scot over with. Aucklands a large city with many shop sushi bars and pubs clubs cafes and theater. The main street is Queens St. One building i went to is the Skytower at 328 meters is the tallest tower in the southern hemisphere, ambising views from the top with access to 360 degrees views of the landscape. Some mad people jump of it too ! The worlds highest tower based jump. Pic of me with harbour bridge in back ground.
Cape Reinga and 90 mile beach
Yesterday i took a trip up the east coast to the cape. Its the top of New Zealand and is where the Tasmin and Pacific seas meet. You can actualy see the waves mixing with the currents of the Pacific causing surf in the middle of the sea just of the coastline. On the way back we traveled down the west coast on the 90 mike beach which is actualy 64 miles and is classed as a public highway. There are some very large sand dunes at the top of 90 mile beach, so i could not resist doing some dune surfing. The boards are like body boards but have a hard shiny base. Its just like sledging on sand. Pic of me at the Cape.
Chillin out in the Bay of Islands
Yesterday i did not do alot (as was the plan). I am staying just round the corner from Paihia in the bay of islands. I mainly just stayed on the beach. I did in to Waitangi where the Treaty house is located where the document was signed that ceded New Zealand's sovereignty to Britain in return for protection. Next to the house is 'The Meeting House' a Maori expression of unity in relation the the shining of the treaty of Waitangi. Also on site is the biggest maori war canoe or waka which is large enough for over 120 warriors. When it is launched every year it is powered by 80 warriors. Photo of of next to one of the ornatly carved pillars inside the Meeting House. (Me on the right).
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Rally New Zealand (out of sync) 19/11/06
Got up at 6:15 and headed for the first stage of the day. Found a good hair pin bend so some good sideways action. 4 local lads had parked on the corner last night, so they have a long day ahead as the road is closed till 16:30. Go Petter !
This entry is out of sync due to a technical hitch ! :)
Hobbit'sis Shire
When to the movie set for Lord of the Rings, (Hobbiton). First off this was a real location that is situated on a sheep farm owned by the Alexander family near Matamata or 2 matas as known by some kiwi's. The area was found vai ariel scouts in 1998 and this is when the creation of Hobbiton started. What they did was create the hobbit holes, mill and pub. In effect mocking up the excisting land scape. Pic of me looking out of the doorway of bag end (the Baggins's).
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Raglan and Mystery Creek
Raglan is on the west coast and is Internationally calcimed to have one of the best left hand surf breaks in the world. I am just on a site round the corner from the breaks so i hope to get some smurfin in. Mystery Creek is an event center about the size of the 3 county's show ground, its the location of service and the super special stage of the Propecia Rally New Zealand. I had a look round the service area and watched the prepair Petter Solberg's scoob and also Valentino Rossie's Scoob, 'the doctor' as hes known is doing very good and times are improving, better than Rally GB last year when he crashed out in the 1st stages. I will be spending the next few days chasing different stages so expect some rally pics next. Photo of the left hand break.
Rotorua
Some places have a vibe, some a sound, but this place has a smell and its sulphur. Its not that bad but worse in the thermal areas, of which there are many. Rotorua is a large town with a big lake at the end of the main strip, also a large redwood forest planted as a tribute to the many dead due to the world wars. I booked a float plane trip for later in the day but 2 hours before im due to fly it rains, this seemed to cause to problems for visibility 1 the rain, 2 is when it stopped the heat from the volcanic areas causes loads of steam from the rain that just feel. Looked impressive but rubbish for visibillity. Went to one of the best thermal parks and here is a photo from one.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Napier and Taupo
As i was parked next to the road i got up about 7:30/8:00 went for a walk round town and got a starbucks. Waited for the i site to open so i could get my tour map of the citys buildings. 'the worlds best examples of Art Deco buildings in the world. There are about 100 or so examples, some very ornate some not so. The season for all the buildings is there was an earth quake that leveled most of the town then just after i fire started and ravaged what was left. This was in 1931 and by 1933 they had been replaced with modern buildings.Taupo is a big town with a massive lake. The largest in NZ. Watched a float plane come in to land which is quite a sight. They have bungy skydive and jet boating and in the winter the largest ski area in NZ. No pics of Napier on my phone just this one of the plane.
North bound over the cook straight
Yesterday I got the ferry over to the north island. The winds where up and i expected a rough crossing however no problem. It was very gusty from wellington especialy over the hills i even say another camper on its side. I found out from the radio that in Hanmer Springs they had trees up routed and one man killed by a falling tree, the worst winds in 25 years according to locals. I got to Napier at about 22:00, but could not find a camp site so I parked up along the road by the beach on the outskirts of the town centre.
Nice post round
I am at Picton today, its the port at the top of the south island where you catch the inter islander ferry to wellington in the north island. Its also the location of the Malborough sounds. I was booked on the mail boat which delivers and picks up the mail and any small packages to the people who live on the sounds and islands in the area as there are no roads so the only access is via boat or sea plane. The mail run also delivers growserys and course work for the children. We saw some hector dolphins swimming passed the mail boat but they did not hang around for a photo. Pic is of one of the residence her daughter and their dog. The postie always gives the dogs a treat when he drops of the mail.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Tramps View
Today I took a drive to Marahau and dropped off the camper then set out on foot for a Tramp or long walk/hike into Abel Tasman National Park. Following the coast line There are many cove's and bays, which are not accesseble by road, the only way is tramp or boat. You can take tours in kayaks or you can catch a water taxi 2 any of the bays. Pic of me on the beach havin a sun bathe. The land you can see is Able Island.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Pancake Rock, Blow holes / Karamea
Continuing up the west coast there are some interesting rock formations at Punakaiki. They're limestone rocks in layers and the sea and weather erode 2 form caverns and blow holes where the sea and air is forced skyward. The road from Franz is a twisty coast road but the plants are more tropical due to the high rain fall and moisture off the sea. The road 2 Karamea was even more twisty it left the coast and up in 2 the hills, hair pin bend after another, i did feel sorry for my poor old camper but she kept going strong. Turns out the best thing about Karamea is the roads there. What made it worth it was, I crossed the road to the local shop (baring in mind there is only 1 shop a cafe (which was tiny) a garage which is closed, and has a old V8 engine on a pallet out side the door, and an information office)) when a small boy from across the street says 'O its a man!' guess they dont get much tourists up this far.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Had a Franztastick time / climb.
Got into franz township at about 16.00, had a quick look round the town (didnt ) take long, checked out the heli hickes but due 2 pesky clouds there where no flights and the weather for the following day was not looking good. So i booked myself up on the 3/4 day hike up the glacier. Got up @ 6.30 again and got myself 2 the center 4 7.15 they give you all the gear, gortex trousers and jacket glacier boots and spikes or talons s theyre called. The hike was very good the guide Richard went a nice pace, as we climbed the glacier Rich had 2 cut steps in the ice with his ice axe. Most where already done and he just re did them. Got loads of pics so U will have 2 wait 2 c them. Heading up the coast 2morrow 2 c some pancake rocks ?
Monday, November 06, 2006
Off 2 C Franz
Traveling from Queenstown via Wanaka. Got some free wifi 2 check my email and download another edition of dl.tv at last in wanaka, i felt guilty so i did not download diggNation, had 2 war drive half the township 2 find it mind U. I stopped otes night at the north of lake wanaka at motor camp. Unluckly 4 me locals where setting of fire works untill 23.30, then at 6.00 the chopper across the road took off and then returned an hour l8r. Left 4 Franz in the morning. I went off the track a little when hitting the west coast, can you guess where i went ? Look at the pic for a clue. Answers on a ssa email. There jeffing sand flys are a real pain !
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Just a silly one.
Beans Means Heinz. Well not in New Zealand.
Beans Means Watties !?
Beans Means Watties !?
Bungy !!
Went to Kawarau bridge 2 do my bungy, what a rush ! Jumping out off a bridge over a crystal blue river. It went 3,2,1 'Bungy' then i was soaring like an eagle, well 4 a split second b4 plummetting to the river. I went 4 a hand touch of the river and thats exactly what I got. Here is a photo there are more at www.ajhackett.com then click on kawarau bridge, then enter photo code AJHK611035177499, change the last 3 digits to see the other photos i.e. 500 and 501. I am not sure when they will be up as they may not work as fast as my blog site !
Video below.
Friday, November 03, 2006
Shotover jet boat
Yesterday I went on the shotover jet boat, it was very fast and bumpy, and wet and awesome fun. They can go at speeds of 80kph and at that rate eat through a gallon of fuel every 5 mins, its driven by 2 V6 (W12 ?) supercharged engines at around 500bhp. Not a very good photo but better 1s to follow. Also booked a flight to and from Milford sound in a small plane but got cancelled due 2 cloude in milford, so booked a coach boat cruise 4 2morrow.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Queenstown
I got into Queens town yesterday, found a camp site 5min walk from town. I am up looking at the views of the town and lake wakatipu from Bob's peak. Having a go on the luge next (like bob sleigh on a concrete track ). Pic of me and the view.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Dunedin
If your ever in town I can recommend going 2 take a look at the settlers museum, it gives you a good over view of Dunedins conception though 2 current day. There i was thinking 26 hours was long enough 2 get here, it took the settlers and i quote 'about 3 months' ! Pic is of me with Dunedin behind by Otago harbour.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Wagons Roll !
Got in2 Christchurch at about 14.00 my time. Going 2 put some Ks behind me and park up at Timaru.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Made it 2 Oz
I have an hour of the plane in sydney whilst they change crew ready for the final leg 2 NZ.
Dubai
Well made it to Dubia. The air port is very big. With 43 gates there are people rushing around every where. Had a bit of a shock when i went 2 the loo or should i say hole in the floor ! Are Well when in rome.
