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February 26, 2005
Urupukapuka
(Day 11) The best way to experience the Bay of Islands is probably to take one of the cruises offered by various tour operators. Visitors usually chose either a dolphin watching cruise, or a cruise to Cape Brett to see the Hole in the Rock. Due to cost considerations (dolphin cruises cost nearly twice as much), I decided to do a Hole in the Rock cruise.
Our half day cruise started at 9:00am in the morning. After a quick stop at the town of Russell to pick up a few more passengers, we started our tour. On the way to the Hole in the Rock, we passed island after island after images all with cool names such as Moturoa, Motukiekie, and Waewaetorea... with the captain providing an enroute commentary. As we got farther out into the water, my propensity for becoming seasick started to affect me. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't comfortable either. I probably should find some pills for seasickness before I step onto a boat next time.
We reached the Hole in the Rock, which is basically just that. A hole in the rock. On some days, the water is too rough, but today conditions were calm enough that the captain actually took us through the hole.
"The water dropping from the ceiling is supposed to be some sort of fountain of youth," joked the captain over the loudspeaker. "Judging from the looks of our passengers today, it would do some of you some good."
On the way back, we stopped at Urupukapuka, the largest island in the bay, for a one hour break. It's an interesting fact that the sheep population in New Zealand is actually greater than the number of people. While sheep aren't native to Urupukapuka, they've been placed there as a way to keep the grass short.
I got my first up close glimpse of some New Zealand sheep. I tried to take some pictures, but like the ducks at Whangarei Falls yesterday, they ran away whenever I approached.
I followed the trail of tourists to the top of the hill for some breathtaking views of the bay. Weather conditions were perfect. It was too bad we only had an hour on the island, or I could've spent the whole day hiking and taking pictures.
Don and I were moving through New Zealand very fast. Almost sort of like a season of The Amazing Race, the New Zealand version. Immediately after we got off the cruise, we packed our car and started driving south towards Hamilton, where we intended to spend the night. It was three hours to Auckland, where we took a short break, before finishing the remaining one hour to Hamilton.
Also staying a the Hamilton YHA was an older guy, in his 50s, from the UK. One thing I really enjoy doing at spending some time walking around the streets of every town we stop in. Phil, the guy from the UK, joined me for the stroll through Victoria St.
Maybe I'm a real loner, but I would've preferred walking around by myself. Meeting other travelers is great, but talking with them, I find myself answering the same questions over and over again. Why are you traveling? How long have you been traveling? Where have you been? Sometimes I just want to be alone with my own thoughts.
Anyways, from what I saw of Hamilton, I really liked it. Lots of small shops and trendy restaurants lined Victoria St. It seemed like they were all packed with pretty women. Unfortunately, a 54 year old retired law professor didn't exactly make the perfect wingman...
And sorry, no pictures of the women. (I had left my camera back in the car.)
Thanks to everyone for their support and comments! Knowing people are reading keeps me motivated to continue the updates!
Posted by markyiin at February 26, 2005 11:35 PM
Comments
Currently in Rotorua, where it smells like rotten eggs from all the geothermal activity.
Jack, I'll get you those pictures soon enough. promise!
Anna, I think you'll find the pictures of the Bay in this entry even better!
Scott (and the rest of guys in fsd), Glad you're enjoying the blog!
David, I wish I coulda explored those lava caves.. they're supposed to go in pretty deep!
Posted by: markyiin at February 26, 2005 11:50 PM
Yeah, I like these a lot! You need to get some panorama shots =) And actually, last season of Amazing Race, one of their stops was New Zealand, including Auckland =)
Posted by: Anna at February 27, 2005 12:27 AM
Wow, those pictures are simply amazing (especially the one from the top of the hill). I'm like you on walking around unfamiliar places by myself. I think it's because you get to spend more time taking in the sights and surroundings instead of being distracted by carrying a conversation with someone.
Cool update and awesome pics as usual =)
Posted by: OREOSpeedwagon at February 27, 2005 02:06 AM
That landscape looks awesome!
Posted by: Ankit at February 27, 2005 02:10 AM
Wow...New Zealand is really pretty. Will you get to see the village where "Lord of Ring" was shot at?
Posted by: Shawn at February 27, 2005 12:27 PM
do they eat sheep down under?
Posted by: jack at February 27, 2005 07:05 PM
ura puka what'd you call me? Very interesting that you took pictures of sheep running away from you, not as cooperative as pokemon eh? I agree with jack by the way, more pictures of attractive women you meet. Also, are you getting time to just soak in some of this or are you just running from one spot to the next?
Posted by: that guy over there at February 28, 2005 03:04 AM
Mark, I third the request for more pictures of attractive women you meet. I mean, the sheep pictures are great, but I know you can do better.
Posted by: Scott at February 28, 2005 01:09 PM
Wow, places like that are the type where you wish you wish you could stay for several days or even weeks doing absolutely nothing. Waking up, taking a stroll, writing, drawing (or taking photos) and taking life easy.
Posted by: David at February 28, 2005 07:18 PM
ALright Mark, it took a while for me to catch up but i have finally read all of this...and i have a challenge for you.
In each country that you visit, you need to find a basetkball court, it could be an olympic indoor court or just a pole with a wicker basket strapped to it, as long as it can be used to play ball...snap a picture of it...i would say you need to dunk on each one of them but i know you are getting old and cant jump anymore...:)
anyway good luck...any idea were yuo will be march 8-15th? i will be in HK and China, if you happen to be moving through there during that time...
Posted by: Bing at February 28, 2005 11:42 PM
Gosh Mark, looks like a lot of fun, maybe I should quit my job too.
Posted by: Lina at March 1, 2005 02:44 PM
i'm behind on my blog... i have several entries written and ready, but haven't gotten around to posting them. i hope to be caught up within the next 24 hours, if i can find a good internet cafe
Posted by: markyiin at March 1, 2005 10:02 PM
That hole in the rock picture looks exactly like the one I saw in Italy around the Isle of Capri. Amazing. Anyway, you answered my previous question in this entry as to why you go off on your own. I guess I can understand that. Those are the usual, typical questions to break the ice, but after a while, I'm sure it gets tiring. I wouldn't mind though, having a friend of mine go with me to at least give me that sense of feeling that I'm NOT alone. But hey, maybe it's because I'm a girl. -=oP
Posted by: GEM at March 12, 2005 04:05 AM