Fly Fishing...a whole new adventure

We left Auckland on Monday morning and set off for the lake town of Rotorua in central NZ on the North Island.  When I say the hills are green and lush, it is no understatement.  The 2 hour drive south was a wonderment on green rolling volcanic hills and beautiful lakes.

We arrived in Rotorua and quickly made our way to the hot springs.  Although it is a beautiful town, it is definitely a tourist destination with many shops, tours and the like.  We decided to take the road less travelled and headed out to the Falls around Rotorua's other three lakes...and we were not disappointed...it was breath taking beautiful with high cliffs running down to the green clear lakes.

On Tuesday we headed further South to Turangi around the Tongorino river for some fly fishing...and what an adventure it was.  We stayed at a fabulous fishing lodge called the Creel--right on the river---and Roy began the slow painful tasks of teaching me how to fly-fish.  Once we finally got the fly hook OUT of my leg (yes, it was painful) we finally started to make some progress.  By nights end (around 9pm here), I was actually casting in rhythm and finding some peace in the process.

Tucked on the South side of Lake Taupo...Turangi is a sleepy, but wonderful town.  Next stop Napier on the Coast!

Auckland...the City that stole my heart

We arrived in Auckland on Saturday evening/Sunday morning...and it was a trip.  We left Brisbane hoping to arrive in Auckland by 11pm, but when the captain informed us that the lights at Auckland airport had gone out...we knew it was going to be a long evening, and it was.  after circling for 2 hours, we finally landed at Hamilton airport 80klm south of Auckland and waited until several buses arrived to bus us to Auckland...where we arrived at 3am!

All that behind us, we set out to see Auckland on Sunday...and see we did.  While Sydney was beautiful...Brisbane stunning...it was Auckland that stole my heart.  The stunning confluence of old world charm and shear beauty of its surroundings has made it my favorite City thus far.

While Brisbane was dominated by a Mediterranean influence, Auckland reminded me more os San Diego or a much larger Newport RI.  The City was built upon the a breathe taking bay with views from where ever you walked.  Auckland, itself was built on several volcano's which are apparent as you walk the city and view out to the numerous islands that dot the landscape.

You'll be immediately taken by the green hues of the water, the cleanliness of the city and the tropic setting of the City.  The topping, though, was walking into the Christmas parade which attracts thousands of people to Auckland every year...it may not be snowing here, but they take their Christmas serious!

Next stop the lake town of Rotorua!

Brisbane...if only we had longer...

We arrived in Brisbane, pronounced (Briz-Ben) on Friday evening after another long, and yes terrifying, drive from Gladstone...and we were not disappointed.  The city was larger than expected and is built along the river and while there are parts that would remind you of the Charles--all comparisons should stop there.  Brisbane is both eclectic and very cosmopolitan in a Mediterranean chis style all its own.  Its downtown is vibrant with hundreds of world class restaurants, beautifully designed buildings and...as always it is wonderfully designed around open park spaces that are rivaled by no other Country I know...minus the French.

Ahh, Finally Heron Photos

Located 40 miles off the coast of Gladstone is a tiny Island that we came to know as paradise.  Just on the tip of the great barrier reef, it is part of the Capricornia Cay Islands...words simply do not do it justice and it is one of the locations everyone should visit one day...

We Have Found Paradise...

Its been a few days since our last post...and for good reason.  We left Surfers Paradise on Sunday for what was a short three hour drive to the quaint port town on Gladstone where we were to depart for Heron Island.

after two hours the 8 lane super highway we were on quickly changed to two lanes, and began winding through the mountains.  After 4 hours the rains came and made the remaining 1.5 hours a terrifiying ride of mountain roads and torrential rains.  When we arrived in Gladstone, there was little light and we took the first room we could find.  The next morning, we left for the boat, with sunshine and great expectation.  Gladstone was more beautiful in the sun and the 100 foot catamarane waiting to take us to Heron was a welcome site. 

The boar ride to Heron was rough and Roy and I were the only passengers not to get sick on the way...arriving though we realized why we had gone to such great lengths to get here...it is paradise.  There are no phones, only minimal internet access--2.00 for 15 minutes, and no TV's.  what there is in abundance is the most beatiful white soft sand beaches I have ever seen, amazing wildlife and flowers, along with nesting 200lb turtles.  It is truly amazing.

For two days we have eaten, slept on the beach and walked this beautiful sanctuary.  We are unable to upload photos until we leave as we have to use the Islands computers...have I mentioned the rooms are lovely, but it is almost like we are at summer camp with a tent on the beach...its exactly what we wanted!

Tomorrow we dive, more sun, then Friday back to Brisbane and then on to New Zealand.  Hope you have a fabulous Thanksggiving and we'll upoad photos when we can!

Australia-The GOLD COAST

Day three of our adventure started with a beautiful sunny day in Sydney and the promise of sunshine further up the coast to a place called Surfers Paradise.

We took a taxi to the airport, where, while shopping the the fabulous Quantas Terminal, I heard the call for Brisbane passenger Gener Uulm.  Knowing this was an unusual name, I quickly departed the store to run smack into my colleague from DC who look in shock while running for his gate yelling "Summers, what on earth are you doing in Australia!"

We landed in Brisbane to more cloudy weather and rain, rented a car and started for the coast.  In Australia they drive on the right and opposite the US so find it easy to believe that I nearly gave Roy several heart attacks in the 60 klm ride to Surfers Paradise.

We arrived to Surfers Paradise, which can only be described as the cross section of Fort Lauderdale meets Dubai!   The most beautiful beaches in the world stacked three deep with glamorous hotels, casinos and shopping.  Or as Roy described, "Vegas meets the beach."  After sitting for an hour we decided to chase the sun and head south along the beach.  after about 10 miles we reached a more low key surfing village called Burliegh Head North...alas we have finally found Australia! 

Even despite the rain, the beauty of the gold coast is unmistakable, the beaches glorious and the waves continuous.  Day 4 has more time in Surfers Paradise, the further North to Gladstone where we catch the launch for Heron Island and the great barrier reef..Stay tuned,

Sydney Day2

The rain impeded much of our progress on day 2 in Sydney, but even with the rain--this town is still a vibrant and beautiful city. We started out adventure at the Sydney Space Tower which is the city's equivalent to the Toronto Space Needle.  The photos below were taken from the tower and are an indication at the wonderful parks that dot the landscape of this city.

Sydney is comprised of several bay's--Rose Bay, Watson's bay, Cockle Bay, Double Bay, etc...This afternoon we went out exploring both Bondi Beach, a world famous beach in Australia for surfing and along Dover into Rose Bay, Watson and Double Bay.  The similarities to Boston are striking, although Boston is much smaller than Sydney.  Like most major cities built along the water, Sydney has refurbished its old industrial wharf's in the inner citywhich now house the aquarium, the museum of maritime history, the IMAX theatre and much more.  The night life is both dynamic and exciting with thousands of restaurants and even a red light district.

Speaking of nightlife, we journeyed out Friday night for a stroll along the water--dinner at City Extra a casual restaurant along the Circular Quay that ended with a stroll to the opera house and back through the botanical gardens. We ended the night back on the bay watching the lights of this electric city dazzle and wish we had at least another week to explore....tomorrow we head to Brisbane and then on to Heron Island...stay tuned.

Sydney day 1...Everything you've ever dreamed of...and more

Sydney was everything I had once dreamed it would be...and more.  We landed at 8:00AM thursday the 18th and immediately set to the task of investigating the city.  It started with checking into the hotel, the view from our room seen above in the photo.

The sun was shining, 75 degrees with a warm breeze off the harbor made walking around the city a shear delight.  First stop was a section of town called "The Rocks", it is a short walk from the hotel and is considered the original section of Sydney.  If anyone has ever visited Montreal or Quebec, the Rock would remind you of the old town's in bofth of those Citie's.  Beautuful old English architecture and fabulous eateries made the morning a delight of pastries and history.



Next stop came the warf where in Sydney water taxies operate much like the subway system in America taking passengers every ten minutes to different spots around the City.  We walked out the "Circular Quay" where the famous Sydney Opera House is located and then finally around the Botanical Gardens and back to the hotel.  There is so much history, beauty and open space in this City it is hard to explain.  On the one hand it reminds me of a larger Boston--but with more of the City built along a wider expanse of Harbor.  And for those who know Boston...Bondi Beach is no Carson beach!  More photos below, and still more to follow as we are just starting day 2 in Sydney where rain has impeded our morning adventures, but the promise of sun should bring an active afternoon!...stay Tuned!

Day 1

Here's hoping that the fender bender on the way out of Muir Woods will not be a indication of the trip to come...Day 1 started with a beatiful breakfast and a drive over the Golden Gate to Sausilito.  After some touring along the coast, Mill Valley and Tiburon, we headed inland to Mt. Tam where we saw the most amazing views of the city and sourrounding bays. 

Next stop Muir woods and a peaceful walk through the redwoods that ended with a thud..literally a thud into the Hyundai trying just a tad "too" hard to get our parking space.  If only they could have spoken English, we could have explained the kamakazi move arounf our SUV was both unwarrented and unecessary.  Alas, we forgot about the "incident" over a mexican lunch on the water in Tiburon regalling with stories of our past and amazed by the sure beaty that is San Francisco Bay.

Before heading back to the hotel we stopped off for a cup of Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista in San Francisco (Roy partook of the Jamison, I kept it to straight coffee), then a race up to Coits Tower for a sunset to remember.  So now we sit at the airport awaiting flight 896 bound for Sydney and more adventures to come.   Stay Tuned!

Cali--Beautiful Cali