Day 1
- Arrived late in Auckland, North Island.
Day 2
- Morning, took a short ferry ride across the harbor to seaside village of Devonport, the town was one of the earliest settled areas of Auckland, walked around the village, visited some shops, had lunch.
- Afternoon, visited Maritime Museum, learnt early seafaring history from Polynesian Voyagers through to hardy whalers and outstanding yachting achievements with interactive displays, audio visual programs, and models. My legs were tried.
Day 3
- Morning, visited Auckland War Memorial Museum, saw collection of Maori treasures, the story of New Zealand’s ancient and people.
- Afternoon, drove north, crossed the Auckland Harbor Bridge to Paihia (241 km, 4.15 hr).
Day 4
- All day, took ferry from Paihia port to see some dolphins, and “Hole in the Rock”, which the boat should pass through but it was not permitted that day because of the sea condition, stopped at historic Russell, New Zealand’s first capital city with population of approx. 1,000. The town was quiet since it was not travel season. Had lunch, then took ferry to Paihia. Guide on boat shew the All-Black traditional dance which the team always does before the game starts, it was impressive. At the Paihia pier, got ticket since parking at the wrong place. T_T
Day 5- All day, drove south to Rotorua (474 km, 7.5 hr). It is a smallish city on the shores of Lake Rotorua. The surrounding areas are a geothermal wonderland, with geysers, boiling mud pools, and steaming craters - accompanied by the pervasive smell of sulphur.
Day 6
- Morning, at Rotorua, visited Rainbow Farm, saw its animals, kiwi, trout, and lamb, and including stage show of sheep dog, lamb feeding and shearing, hand-milking a cow to make cream and butter.
- Afternoon, stopped at Gondola, Restaurant and Luge to play Luge. Then, went to Polynesian Spa, we enjoyed a private room bathing with hot sulphur mineral water for 30 minutes, I was almost faint.
Day 7
- Early morning, went to Wai-O-Tapu, 30 minutes south of Rotorua, firstly saw Lady Knox geyser that fires out a plume of steaming water each morning at around 10 Am., then walked around finding the Champagne pools, a series of enormous hot pools that are a rich mixture of gold, yellow and orange. The colors are caused by mineral salts in the water. The pools occupy a crater that formed as a result of a volcanic explosion 900 years ago.
- Afternoon, went to Waitomo Glowworm Caves; it was a boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto, lighted up by thousands of tiny lights produced by the glowworms. Returned to Auckland.
Day 8
- Departed Auckland to Bangkok
See more pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/arthivon/NewZealend2003#
