We spent the morning looking at properties for rental. Bhavni found one she liked and called me over to see it so this was definitely a possibility. It was around 11.30am when we left home again, we drove to Drury, but there was no flying taking place as the field was soaking wet. So we concocted a plan and drove to the Hunua ranges, just a little to the east. The first place we saw was the Hunua Falls which was quite impressive – we just had to wait for a tourist bus crowd to dissipate. We had a little walk around the area – not wearing our proper shoes. After we drove to the closest of t he reservoirs in the ranges and admiring the views found a table and had a very late lunch.
Instead of going directly back we went via Clevedon where we stopped for a coffee then to the coastal road where we had some beautiful beach views and Bhavni did some shell collecting. Eventually we drove past Beachlands and Botany Downs before getting home.
View over Tamaki Strait
Sunday 19th
I finished booking a new flight for Bhavni and I from Queenstown to Auckland with Jeststar for our November holiday changes, then we went for a trip to Sandringham (it had been quite a while), where we bought some rice and other items as well as banana crisps which we had not eaten for a long long time. The next stop on out agenda was to Newmarket whee we bought some shoes each, and some decent rain proof jackets for our trip in November. While shopping Sue called and invited us around for coffee, so we quickly got home and went over.
It was rather pleasant – we spent a couple of hours there, talking about Fiji and surprising her with where we had already been in New Zealand over coffee and wine. When we got home we did some cooking and housework.
Friday 24th
After about 2pm (taking a late break at work) I went with Bhavni to pick up a rental van from Parnell, which we drove to Phil’s house, loading up some furniture then dropping it home. Bhavni left me at work, collecting me after 7pm and meeting the guys (well Quentin and Nathan).
Saturday 25th
Leaving by 9am we went to Phils house again for the second pickup of stuff, getting there for 9.30. They were a little unorganised – considering that they were vacating the house, but it still looked like a mess. Well Phil and I loaded up most of the stuff into the van, before he rushed out to try to sell his car. We dropped of the items back at home then after lunch dropped of the van. As we were in the region parked in Parnell and had a walk around, stopping at the chocolate cafe where we had (as the name suggests) chocolate drinks. In the evening we ordered pizza.
Sunday 26th
A little trip to Sandringham for a few more items, then a little walk in Cornwall Park (it stated to get a little chilly), before home as Bhavni had a night shift. Peters daughter came to drop Peters car back after driving it over the weekend. (Peter is the owner of the house we are in)
After getting up and loading things into the car, we drove to the airport parking and got into Auckland airport for around 11am. Checking in, Bhavni had to use her old passport as the British Passport did not contain the return Visa – luckily fiji allows all the Commonwealth countries in. Our flight was at 12.55 and was quite quick – Bhavni and I got talking to the man sitting next to us who was a Fijian Indian who had moved to New Zealand.
Arriving in Fiji, with a quick customs check – (what is risotto rice), we got our transfer to our hotel, which took around an hour to arrive at the Shangri-La (or the Fijian as it is locally known). We got a nice room with a sea view and high ceilings on the top floor, of the ocean wing. We were a little hungry so we had our beetroot risotto from yesterday, before venturing out for a walk around the hotel. We had quite a peaceful sleep that night.
Breakfast
Tuesday 7th
We woke up to a bright blue sky day, with a lovely view out to sea. After getting ready we headed for breakfast just after 9am to the main restaurant, this was really busy with a queue to get in. We got a nice table overlooking the sea, and enjoyed our breakfast, though it was quite noisy when helping ourselves to the food. After breakfast we headed to the Adults only pool and just relaxed for a while. I read and Bhavni slept.
Sun and Beach
Late afternoon we had a walk along the beach, before heading out of the resort. Crossing the bridge from the resort there was a tourist train and when investigating one of the locals offered to drop us into the local town (Cuvu) as the lot of them had finished for the day. From the town, a really small place, we walked back towards the resort, stopping by Ghekkos resort and booking a table for dinner on Friday. We got to Bilbos bar in time for the Sunset (though as always there was a bit of far off cloud). For dinner we went to the Italian restaurant, not really impressed with the main meal – pasta and gnocchi, but the profiter rolls were amazing.
Train to Sigatoka
Wednesday 8th
It was cloudy when waking up, turning into a little drizzle. We got to the main restaurant a little earlier (8.30am), so we did not have a queue, but it was still quite busy, especially as we could not sit on the deck due to the rain. We decided to take the sugar tourist train tour to Sigatoka from just outside the resort as it was a wet day. We met the local from yesterday – who got us a little discount for the tour. The train travelled slowly at 14kph, and we got a look at the local coast line and forest areas with a full commentary. The train stopped at a kindergarten where we were treated to dancing and singing from the 5 year olds in Fijian and Hindi. At Sigatoka we were taken to a tourist shop (where I booked a trip for Friday) before being allowed our own wondering time. Bhavni and I went to see a temple (Here Krishna) that was here before heading back to get our pickup to the resort, where we chilled until the evening. We went to the Asian restaurant, where they gave us a special meal with soup and a vegetable curry, though Bhavni just enjoyed the Pad-Thai more.
Thursday 9th
Today we decided to eat at the adult only breakfast restaurant – what peace. The plan was to go the the activities center to do the snorkeling in the morning. However they said to check back at 10:30am as they were not sure how the conditions were. So we sat by the adult pool and chilled for the morning, but eventually we found out there was not snorkeling. So we sat for a little longer by the pool then went for a dip in the infinity pool – freezing. We went along to the main pool for 3 as there was free diving lessons, so Bhavni had a go and loved it – so much so that we decided to book a dive for Saturday morning (we were ok to fly out). I managed to say that I had done PADI openwater before but had not dived for a few years and they were happy with that.
After getting ready, we decided to walk to Cuvu to see what the local restaurant was about – it was pretty much dark when we got to the town centre. We had some corn from a street vender before going to the restaurant where we had a passable dish of steamed vegetables. When we emerged from the restaurant it was raining so we got a taxi back (fj$3). We went to the italian resteraunt and had profiter rolls for desert.
4x4s waiting
Friday 10th
As we had booked a tour, we were in the adult restaurant by just after 7am, and at reception before 8am for the pickup. The pickup took us to Sigatoka to where we got on the main tour – which had only 9 of us – driving inland along the river. This eventually led us to the two 4×4 vehicles. The guides drove us further inland, showing us the nice scenery and the “salad bowl of fiji”, until we came to the village.
Kava drinking
For some reason I got nominated as the Chief, so had to present the kava root to the village priests. We then had to have the kava ceremony and I had 2 bowl fulls of kava. With the ceremony over we were led into the cave part of the tour. We had to walk through a low entrance way with knee high water to get in – Bhavni chose bare footed, but I had sandals. This is where the locals lived during the British Conquest in the 1800’s and we were shown the areas where items were stored and even human sacrifice took place – there was no light at all when we got deep in the cave so it was a little eerie. We fond out that the water for the kava had been collected in the morning from this cave!
Cave entrance
After emerging back in the light, we got to the village and had a lunch – sandwiches before heading back. On the return journey we had a blow out – big stick in tyre, and without a spare, the guide had to phone up for rescue – he kept appolgising even though all of us said no problem. We walked down to the river, my feet got covered in mud as we had to walk through a little quagmire and I did not want to get the backpack dirty. So we sat near the river until our rescue boat came (with a tyre for the guide to fix the 4×4). We however took the boat back, and the guide went back at full speed down the river – was brilliant. The ride to Sigatoka and the resort was uneventful after that.
Fire Dance
It was nice to have a shower and clean our selves up after that, then we chilled until 6pm where we made out way to Ghekkos for dinner. The dancing started at 7.30pm and they did quite a few island dances – finally culminating in the fire dance. We walked back to the hotel, I was amazed at the starscape – I could even just make out the Milky Way!
Me
Saturday 11th
Again we were at the adult restaurant early as we were told to be at the diving centre by around 8.30am. When we got there, we were briefed, Bhavni was to do a first dive, while I was to swim with the Dive Master and was in charge of my self (still buddy system). It was only Bhavni and I for diving, so wearing our wet suits we headed to the boat for a quick ride to the dive site – over the coral reef. I went first with the dive master leaving Bhavni to enjoy her dive. I was underwater for a while seeing a number of fishes and the colourful reef – visibility was really good. We saw and gave a little pat to a sea turtle, I did not know but this was the deepest point of our dive – 19.7m, no wonder we had to take our time going up. We were back after 37 minutes underwater, Bhavni arrived a little later having been out for 44 minutes, and having an adventure – especially getting under the water. She had a good dive eventually getting to just over 10m.
Bhavni
After getting back to the hotel we changed and went to the pool for a while – it had started clouding over. We walked along the beach all the way to the small chapel on the resort where lots of couples get married, before getting to the cafe for some chips for a treat.We then went kayaking on the sea in the late afternoon. In the evening we went to “Sacred Point” to watch the sun setting, before heading to Bilbo’s bar to have a drink – including a fresh coconut in the twilight. For dinner we went to the grill.
Sunset at Bilbos
Sunday 12th
We woke up to a beautiful day and had breakfast in the sun at the adult restaurant. Sitting by the pool we relaxed until late morning when we went back to our room then checked out, but as we had a while we then went to Bilbo’s bar to chill outside until our 2.30pm pickup. This got us to Nadi airport for around 3.30, so we had a while after checking in to meander through the shops. Our flight was as 6.15pm. and we got to Auckland after 9pm. We caught the pickup to where the car was parked – I got a little drenched as it was raining heavily. Off then to home.
After work, Bhavni picked me up and we went home as we had guests coming. Bhavni had made Tamarillo juice – lovely, so when Bhavnis colleague from work came with her fiancée, we sat and enjoyed the juice in the living room. For dinner we went to De Grand for Thai, which was really nice. Bhavni’s friend was also vegetarian, so it was easier ordering for three of us. They came back to the house and we had tea before they went back home.
Saturday 28th July
After dropping Bhavni to work – with a pit stop back at home, I went and picked up our holiday pack from the travel agents before driving to Drury. They were actually out with the gliders when I drove in, which was early compared to the previous few weeks. After talking to Marion and David, I headed out. Initially I was not really planning to fly, but I got tempted and took a launch in a G102 having a short half hour flight. Marion introduced me to an Ex CFI, who also is an instructor trainer before I flew, so when I was back in the clubhouse (having got a knife in my hands cutting pumpkins), he took me aside and talked to me about the next steps for getting me instructing. I stayed for a bit of the award ceremony – well the start of the drinking part and then left to pick up Bhavni, catching her on the boring part of the walk home. We went for a bit of a drive then at home had pasta and watched Blood Diamond on tv.
In Town
Saturday 4th August
After a morning going to town to look at a flat, I went to our neighbours house for a coffee and to have a chat about our holiday as Sue had lived there for 18 years with her husband. She and Peter gave me lots of information on the place and some ideas what to do. She also kindly lent a pair of reef shoes and a book about the history of the country.
Sunday 5th
After I picked Bhavni up from work and eating Beetroot Risotto we had a late night finalising our packing.
It was Bhavnis’ birthday but we both had work today 🙁 In the evening Bhavni when we got home there was a present waiting out side the door from Woody Manor – lots of chocolates.
14th July
We went to the gliding club in Drury, getting there for noon. The winter lecture was still taking place and we spent a while talking to Marion. We eventually pulled out some gliders and tried to fly – but the Pawnee broke down, so while we were waiting for the replacement we had lunch on a hill overlooking the place. Finally I flew as the last flight of the day – for some “spin” practise – getting cleared to carry passengers. Marion said she had put us down for the barbecue but had forgotten that we were vegetarian, so we respectfully declined and drove back to Auckland. We stopped at Silvia Park – intending to go to the cinema, but gave up when we saw the queues were like Harrow – instead we had a meal at Wagamamas before heading back home.
Thames School of Mines
15th July
We woke up earlyish and made our way to the Coromandel peninsula. We drove up to Thames and after getting some help from the I-Site there we went to the School of Mines. We payed $5 each and got a tour around the school (with another couple) by a gentleman who really was quite suited for it 🙂 He did a really nice explanation of the use of the place and the techniques that were developed there – as Thames was a gold mining town. After looking at the extensive mineral collection we then drove on to Coromandel town – which took a while as the road is quite windy. The views would have been amazing in clear weather – as it was they were just brilliant.
Looking at the train from the Eyeful Tower
At Coromendal town we went to the crazy potter railway (as recommended by David from the flying club). Its a railway on one of the steep hills – built by the potter, which he did – just because he could. It was an interesting ride – again in clear weather the views would be breathtaking. At the top there is the “Eyefull tower” which is a lookout tower where you can in clear weather see all the way back to Auckland. The train driver gave a talk about the work done here and on the way down asked Bhavni and I about moving here and generally had a talk.
We stopped at a cafe, then went on the way home – Bhavni fell asleep for most of the journey.
16th July
We went to the cinema in St Lukes to watch Spider Man in the evening.
17th – 20th July
Bhavni was on night shift and I went to work during the day.
21st July
After picking up Bhavni from her night shift and getting ready, we walked through Newmarket going to some travel agents (eventually sorting out out itinerary for our August break) We then headed to the museum which was displaying the wildlife photographers exhibit of the year. We got back around 4, and Bhavni had a Siesta for a bit as we had to meet Shelina and Grant. We met them at a restaurant right near Mt Roskil (White Swann Rd – Bhakanvala – Indian Fast food restaurant) and had Chatts and south Indian food. Amani was running around the restaurant enjoying herself. After, they came home and we had a nice propper cup of ginger tea (Grant, Bhavni and I) and cake. Shelina and Amani went for the ice cream.
Bhavni had a full week of work, I on the other hand did not.
The Airfield
16th June
With Bhavni at work, I went to the gliding club and after a morning of winter lectures by David about meteorology we went out to fly. It was quite a blustery day with easterly, but nevertheless I got into a single seater and managed to have a short flight (straight into -8kt). Thats what happens in easterlies at Drury, even with the nice sunny looking days.
Bhavni is British
18th June
We were both home as Bhavni had a day off. What comes in the post – the proof that Bhavni is now British – her passport.
Old Plane at Motat
19th June
Another day when Bhavni was not at work, so we went to the Motat. Its right near the zoo and Western Springs Park, spread over two sites. It was free entry for June. We went to the first site, which was the main site having exhibitions of older cars and trams as well as information about Sir Edmond Hillery and his explorations. We were amused by the first “ride” which was more of a childrens ride where there were a old Chinese couple who could not understand that they were not meant to sit in the children seats. Bhavni got talking to one of the restorers for the vehicles, who I think was glad for the company and talked for quite a while. Eventually we managed to extricate our selves and went to the other site which housed planes and exhibitions about famous aviation people.
Bhavnis Ambulance Plane
23rd June
In the afternoon we went for a long walk in Cornwall Park. Bhavni had a afternoon transport shift today and she had to do a pickup in a plane to Christchurch.
30th June
I picked up Bhavni from her night shift around about 10am and we went to straight to Drury. There were lectures going on, and we sat in for a while, but it was really cold, so we left early (Bhavni also was very tired). At home we just relaxed and had some guests come home – Bhavnis friends sister and her husband who had come to live here over 10 years ago. We had tea and cake (that Bhavni had made) and they recommended some shops for Indian supplies.
At the Western Springs Park
1st July
We were not sure what to do as the day was overcast, so I decided we should go to Point Chevalier, (after a detour to White Swann Rd to see where a shop was that the guests had recommended) where we had a walk on the beach at Coyle Park. The beach itself – not surprisingly – was quiet, but the playground near the car park was packed. We were feeling a little cold here near the sea, so we went a little inland to Western Springs park, parking on a hill on the side. The way to the park here was walking down through a quite nice forest path where we even saw an elephant from the zoo. The park was also quite busy (for Auckland standards), with lots of people enjoying the day with their families. We spent a quite a while in the park – circumnavigating the lake whilst having a lazy walk and enjoying the views.
2nd July
It was a cold day at home, but I got a phone call saying that I had a job
