LADY MAAORI IN NEW ZEALANDOur epic journey started on 28th September when we flew to Auckland via Los Angeles, a very long and tiring journey. We went to our first rugby match, England v Scotland at Eden Park on 30th September, a very tense game but a great result for England! After several days travelling around the north island, visiting the Coromandel, Rotorua and Lake Taupo we headed back to Auckland for the England v France game, unfortunately the last time any of us would see England play in the tournament!
After flying (again) to the South Isle we travelled to Mount Cook via Lake Tekapo where we stopped off at the Church of the Good Shepherd for a perfect photo stop. (1) On the way to Queenstown another photo opportunity, in front of Mount Mary, (my reputation obviously preceded me) was interrupted by the local constabulary!! Nothing illegal about a bit of self-promotion I’m sure.
From Queenstown we went to Fox (2) and Franz Joseph (3) Glaciers and then on to Kiakoura where we saw whales, dolphins & seals before heading off to Kenepuru Sound in Marlborough stopping off at a vineyard for some light refreshment and a chance for me to try to visit some of my relatives (4)!
We went across on the ferry to Wellington where we visited the national museum, very informative and interesting I’m sure, and then back off to Auckland with just enough time to visit the glow worm (I know I’m meant to be a vegetarian but I just couldn’t resist a little taste- delicious) caves before Rugby World Cup final day in Auckland.
The pre-match atmosphere was amazing – from the appetizers in a Galbraith's pub (a few too many pre-match drinks! (5)) to the stadium (6). The highlight for me was seeing my Idol, Weepu, leading that famous Maori dance ‘the Haka’ which inspired my name change (see top of page). As New Zealand are renowned as a sheep loving nation of course I was cheering them on and we were so pleased that the All Blacks beat France, to get their hands on the World Cup (7). A night of wild celebration followed! My only disappointment was that after hearing that Hermie had been at some of the earlier games we didn’t see her at the game – perhaps couldn’t manage a final ticket, eh?
We left NZ the day after the final and stopped off in San Francisco on the way back where we rode on little cable cars, climbing half way to the stars................!! We also visited Fisherman's Wharf where we had a lovely meal before heading back to the airport for our return flight home.
A fantastic trip to a most beautiful country. Thanks to Ian & Dawn for letting me take the trip with them.
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