Although far and few between, we stopped at a few scenic overlooks in the rain. |
No wifi: This is a “biggie” for us, a prerequisite that determines whether we’ll select a vacation home or not. When the owner explained via email on several occasions there would be a good signal working when we arrived, we were surprised when we couldn’t get online to notify our family of our safe arrival.
They’d ordered a new satellite dish for this house during the holiday season and service has yet to be installed. They offered us their house and service until its installed in the next 10 days.
As we drove away from Auckland, NZ, we spotted this airport with older style planes. |
This morning I prepared part of this post offline uploading it when we returned in the afternoon after a trip to town to purchase a New Zealand hot spot along with a very pricey data plan. Once the house has working wifi, we’ll use our device for extra large downloads and the house wifi for general daily use.
Auckland is a major port in NZ. |
Sandflies produce wildly itching welts often lasting for five or six days which are particularly annoying at night. Last night, the itching kept me awake most of the night. Today, we purchased more repellent. Tom hasn't received one bite when the sandflies were having more fun feasting on me (as always).
By 10:30 am we were on our way toward Hamilton, NZ which wasn't quite the halfway point to New Plymouth. |
That’s it, folks, all the negatives. The rest? Astounding!
We stopped for a break at a park in a small town to find this view. |
We'd heard the North Island wasn't scenic compared to the South Island but we found the countryside breathtaking with its lush green rolling hills and fields of sheep and cattle, dotting the scenery. |
We'd hoped for sunshine but as typical in the South Pacific, skies are unpredictable. |
On many occasions we were slowed down for long stretches due to narrow roads, no passing lanes and slower moving trucks. |
Happy with our older (5 years) white Nissan that says something in Japanese each time we enter, we soon were on our way for the five plus hour drive through countryside, mountains and ocean using the easy directions our property owner Trish had provided.
It wasn't easy taking photos of the countryside as we zoomed along the two lane highway, often stuck behind slower moving trucks. |
We traveled through mountains with steep winding roads not unlike those in Tuscany, Italy with occasional mirrored signs used at the particularly dangerous curves. Tom, an excellent driver, maneuvered the tricky areas with ease and from many such past experiences, I didn’t give it a thought.
This was part of a rock formation referred to as Three Sisters. |
Yesterday, a bit tired after the early morning wake up and long day, we’d decided to only shop for some basics with enough food to last for two days. By 5:30 pm, we arrived at the farm, gasping with joy when we entered the house.
Inlet at low tide. |
Upon driving up the long private tree lined driveway, I further anticipated the “cottage” would be average or slightly less. Entering the house, using the door’s access code, we gasped in total shock over the beautiful house and its myriad amenities we’d never anticipated or expected. Over the next many days, we’ll share many of these.
More unusual rock formations. |
There’s a refrigerator in a “bar” in the master suite with a special faucet that makes hot water on demand for making coffee and tea while still upstairs in the bedroom. There’s are heated towel racks in both the ensuite master bath and the guest bath! Its truly luxurious which although not expected, is actually fun and appreciated.
Zooming in as much as possible, we captured these kids checking out the rock formations at low tide. |
Once we resolve the wifi issues and further settle in we’ll wait for a sunny days outdoors (less biting flies in sunshine) to spend time with the alpacas and to begin to explore this exquisite country.
We apologize for the delay in uploaded today’s post. Photos of the house, grounds, and adorable alpacas are coming soon!
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Photo from one year ago, January 20, 2015:
The view from our veranda in Kauai never ceased to amaze us. For more photos and details, please click here. |
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