The busrides are really scenic as you would think. Rolling green hills, grape vineyards, grazing sheep and cows, and striking shorelines. The people are friendly and we are picking up on the kiwi accent. "Good on ya mate." "Buggar off."
After three days up north we returned to Auckland and took the opportunity to sail again. This time we sailed on the NZ40 a 1995 America's Cup Yacht in the Viaduct Harbor. That was really fun because they let you "grind" which is what the sailors do to raise and lower the sails. We set a Genniker (sp? Joel) and brought the lass up to 12 knots with 5 knot wind!
Now we are on our way through the North Island which so far has included surf school in Raglan on a beach famous for having the longest left-handed break in the world. We each got up a few times, but it was far from glamorous. The hostel that night was run by a S. Cal transplant and was tucked into the mountains including a ropes course and a zipline which we rode in the dark! We did an underground blackwater rafting trip in the Waitomo caves and saw brilliant glow worms hanging from the cave ceiling. We were dressed head to toe in rubber suits with cave spelunking helmets with lights, hilarious. We visited the hot water beach at Hahei last night in the rain and today are making our way to Rotorua via Mt. Mauganui. The area is known for its thermal activity. Should be fun.
Looking forward to a 3-day overnight kayak/camping trip next week in Abel Tasman Nat'l park as we begin our trip on the S. Island.
Everyone greets each other with a bold, "Bula!" The people were friendly and welcoming. We found our way to a local beach by city bus and got lots of stares from the school kids. Saweni beach was not the beach on the brochures for fiji, but we could stare at the horizon, watch the lapping warm water, and sit under a palm tree so it worked.
We visited a rainforest eco-preserve and did a 2 hour trek to a 100-ft waterfall with another travelling couple from England. The tour company that drove us up the rocky, rustic mountain road was run by an Indian couple and the village that served as the base for the trek was populated by 400 native Fijian people. Our trek guide, Elie, was the son of the village chief and hiked barefoot.
Our last day was spent taking a tour boat out to this touristy spot called Beachcomber Island. It is a party spot where guests "groove on the sandy dancefloor" per the brochure. But, we just wanted to get out on the water, experience the islands a bit, and try out some snorkeling. The island was surrounded by coral reef and we did actually see some funky fish!
On our final night we visited the mountain-tour people's home which was a bizarre night of tasty indian food, kava (a mouth-numbing drink) and broken English. Their home was made of corrugated metal and glass windows that operate like venetian blinds, very primitive, but they had internet access. Bill even helped the hostess diagnose a computer problem, imagine.
Made it to Aukland today and are planning an extensive tour of both the north and south islands to include some camping, hiking, and kayaking.
We marched for peace and learned about the various neighborhoods of SF. Stayed in "Noe" with Shelley and Davey in a classic SF pad.
Yesterday we had our first rail experience of the trip: Amtrak, coastal starlite ride to LA, slice of Americana.
Tomorrow, Fiji.