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New Zealand - Bye Aotearoa, Singapore is Calling
Our last days on Aotearoa’s North Island. From New Plymouth to Auckland. Then on for a 2-day stopover in Singapore before heading back to Swizzyland.
New Plymouth 2 Auckland
Waitomo, 21th April
The last evening in New Plymouth. We’re checking how to continue tomorrow to Waitomo. There are 2 beautiful roads on Google leading directly to the north. Just, both are closed due to inundations, mudslides, and falling rocks. Just the question when they may open again – nobody knows. On internet we just see some clearing work started. Well, we’ll see tomorrow.
(pic on the right borrowed from internet).
The next morning, the weather has improved considerably. The wind has ceased and it’s no longer raining constantly, just every 10′ it starts again.
And the blocked roads? They remain closed. So, we have no other choice than to drive back to Whanganui and on towards Waitomo. A detour of nearly 200km – and we won’t drive the Lost World Highway. A road we absolutely wanted to drive. A shame, but nothing to do.
To be realistic, we plan to arrive today in Taumarunui, some 350km on small roads.
In the afternoon, we finally arrive in Taumarunui. We head to a slightly rundown motel – more or less the only one in town, then we have a look at this place.
No idea why, but after walking a while along the main street, we think they should better call the place Trauma– nurui, not Taumarunui. Who knows why we get such ideas?
Another day, the same messy weather: grey, rainy, cold.
We’re on our way to Waitomo. Just about 100km.
Well, the only reason to go there are the famous glowworms in the numerous caves in the area. And that makes it a primary tourist hotspot.
Fortunately, all tours concentrate on 1 cave – logically the nearest 1, which is quickly visited. That’s where you find a parking lot for dozens of buses, a huge area for cars, and a bunch of well-trained security personnel channeling these 1000s of visitors, mainly from Asian countries arriving every day. And that’s exactly the place we won’t go to.
So, we’re heading to the Ruakuri Cave. Of course, you need to book a pretty expensive tour to visit. It’s a shame that they need to make their money this way – even if they often get rather mixed feedback from visitors. Whatever, 1 cave we have to visit.
We enter an artificially made cave thru a steel door, arriving at a spiral walkway leading down to the real cave. Yeah, they really try to do something for the fee you pay. Then we follow more or less the guide for about 1,5km thru the real cave. Sometimes it’s a bit of a rush, but we also have to consider here the next tour is already waiting behind you, even in Ruakuri.
Then, we finally see the glowworms. Some are a bit far on the ceiling, some with their slimy secretion to catch insects on a wall. Not really appetizing.
After 1 1/2 h we’re back to real life. We got what we’ve paid for.
The question remains if it’s worth visiting Waitomo and its caves: If you’re already there, maybe you should visit 1. Just know, even the less touristy caves in the off season have a lot of visitors.
A short drive and we’re at our sleepery: the Woodlyn Park Motel. Well, it’s not the place where you simply get a lousy room – and that’s it. Here, you choose between an original plane, an old WW2 ship, a train wagon, or a hobbit house. We have the beautiful room at the back of the ship – a living room with kitchenette, a balcony which is too cold to use, and a sleeping room in the former engine room. Great for a change.
Paeroa, 23th April
We cannot believe it – good weather. No rain, no drizzle, just a few clouds, and the sun.
So, we take our chance to visit a few scenic spots in the area, even if rarely visited by tourists:
– the Mangapohue Natural Bridge – well worth the 10′ walk,
– the Piripiri Cave – not too much to see, and
– the Marokopa Falls – huge and quite impressive, at least after all this rain.
Then on to Paeroa. About 150km thru a pretty boring landscape. On the way a stop at Te Aroha, a former gold rush town and spa resort.
The next wonder, the next morning: sunshine. Really, 2 continuous days with nice weather on the North Island, something we’ve never experienced so far.
We’re on our way to the former goldmine near the town. Yeah, in the Karangahake Gorge there were different industrial mines – the biggest gold producer of New Zealand some 100 years ago.
Today it’s a lost place with ruins of its installations, the relics of the tram, and some tunnels.
Next to the mines, you can also hike thru a 1km long former railway tunnel. We thought it might be a cool, slightly spooky thing. It’s not, you sneak along an overdeveloped graveled trail and the tunnel is lit. So, maybe not really worth the effort.
Piha, 25th April
The next day, the lousy Kiwi weather is back. Well, according to MetService, it’s just for today, then we’ll enjoy the brightest sunshine we can imagine. Of course, we’re more than happy to believe this – just, we’re on our last 3 days in New Zealand. We needed the nice weather all last week, not in the weeks to come.
Whatever, we’re on the way to Piha, the most famous weekend escape for the poor Aucklandies. Just 150km to drive thru a rather non-descript landscape, passing Auckland and over the Waitākere Range to the beach.
In Piha, we get on Airbnb – a beautiful house for a reasonable off-season rate. A bit old, but carefully restored with the best view you can imagine. So, you know where to go on your next trip to Piha.
Then to the beach. Not really for a swim, just to have a look.
Exceptionally, the weather forecast is correct. The clouds have gone, the sun is back.
We’re on the Mercer Bay Loop cum Comans Trail. A hike of about 8km high above the coast and somehow the Aucklandies’ outdoor fitness center.
A great trail with many viewpoints, thru nice forests, and passing many other hikers.
Finally, in the evening time to enjoy the magnificent view with a couple of beers.
Auckland, 26th April
We have to leave Piha. We’re driving to Auckland, less than 1h to reach. On the way, a stop for a spa for Shiny – you know this strange habit of Kiwi car rental companies that lets you properly clean the car before returning.
Near the airport, we have to bid farewell to Shiny, then head to 1 of Auckland’s lousy airport motels. Ready for our everlasting flight tomorrow – of course, Favela Class, as some people name it.
Singapore, 29th Apri
Early morning we’re in an Uber on the way to the airport, checking in, waiting a long time in the departure hall, and finally trying to find a comfortable position in one of the chicken class seats of Air New Zealand.
Yeah, we’re on our 11-hour flight to Singapore. Despite all warnings, Air New Zealand still has some fuel for its planes, they’re not late, and they have no technical issues until we land in the late afternoon in Singapore. Well, maybe you’re wondering a bit why the airline should have any technical problems – easy, the day before 2 of their planes couldn’t reach their destination due to such things.
Whatever, in Singapore we take a Grab to our sleepery in Chinatown, then we simply need a beer, followed by some Chinese gourmet specialties in a nearby hawker centre. What else could we need here.
We just have 2 days in Singapore. We don’t plan an extended visit as we’ve been to the town several times before.
Still, we have to check out what has changed since our last stay in 2007.
For that we start with the modern part of the town. The part where the Singapories were busy with land reclamation, building more spectacular buildings or extending green spaces for their stressed citizens.
So, let’s start with the Gardens by the Bay – an area reclaimed in the 90s, since then converted into a huge park with a botanic garden in an air-conditioned greenhouse, and the famous Supertree Grove with its iron-made trees.
A short drive with the metro – and we’re there. Just note for your next visit: you don’t need to buy a ticket, just keep your CC at the sensor at the entrance and exit gates for the metro – and your fare is automatically paid.
On, from the wire frames of these artificial trees to the Marina Bay Sands. For sure, a huge building, probably with a spectacular infinity pool on its rooftop platform. But is it really a beauty, integrating perfectly into the Marina Bay Area? Definitely no, it’s more a clunky block of concrete and steel. But who cares, their 1000 Singapore Dollar rooms sell perfectly well.
Then we finally reach the Marina Bay. Formerly the place where elegant hotels line the shoreline and Merlion, Singapore’s iconic landmark, constantly spits into the sea. Nowadays, more a lagoon you can walk around and admire the wonders of the town’s architecture, among them the lotus flower-shaped building of the ArtScience Museum and the tangle of steel of the Helix Bridge.
But don’t think it’s not worth sneaking around – there are spectacular views – and so many Instaspots to show your followers that you really made it to Singapore.
Finally, the Merlion. The place to have a pic with your beautiful nose in the foreground and the spitting lion in the background – ready to be posted on Insta. How great. Even if it takes some time and patience to find space to pose the way you need.
Then we’re already on our way back to our sleepery. Enough is enough, in the meantime it’s really too hot’n’humid to sneak around.
Still a few quite interesting-looking back alleys.
Late afternoon we’re back on the road. In Singapore’s famous shopping area – Orchard Road. Let’s see how it developed since our last visits.
Well, everything looks a bit old fashioned. It’s a bit like watching a James Bond movie from the 80s where formerly futuristic gadgets look pretty outdated today.
Then it’s already time for a Hawker Center to munch on all kinds of goodies.
Our last day in Singapore. Let’s see what has happened in the town’s traditional areas.
To start with Little India with its temples, narrow streets, and shops full of goodies you won’t find anywhere else.
Lively streets with small, renovated houses – even if time has been taking its toll on the buildings since the last house beautification program.
On to Arab Street, largely influenced by Malay-Indonesian culture.
Finally a stroll thru Chinatown.
Pretty touristic, somehow we have the impression that some parts are converted into a kind of Disney World, over renovated and a bit too colorful. Other streets remain a bit more authentic.
Still, it’s amazing if we compare what we’ve seen sometime in the 80s (pics below on left side) compared to now.
In the evening a last beer and some goodies – and that’s it for Singapore.
Luzern, 1st May
The next morning we have a Grab to the airport, we quickly check in – then we have some time to explore 1 of Singapore’s latest sensations: the Jewel Changi Airport. A shopping mall with a huge artificial waterfall.
Early afternoon, we’re ready for our 11h flight with Turkish Airlines to Istanbul. A delight for hardcore masochists, a nightmare for all others – as usual when Favela class.
Well, at least they show some real creativity with their meals: after a reasonably good lunch, in the evening, they serve a delicious breakfast – yeah, scrambled eggs, some bread’n’jam and coffee (wine or beer on request).
And what’s the bad thing about this airline? They arrive late in Istanbul, so that we miss the last flight to Zurich. They invite us to what they call a 4 star sleepery. Well, a 4 star sleepery for Favelistas – a rundown, hardly functioning US motel chain. So, if they propose you La Quinta – refuse it categorically. You’re warned.
The next morning at 4am we sit in the shuttle bus to the airport. You know the 1 and only connection they provide for all flights in the morning.
At the airport we wait forever until we’re finally on our way to Zurich.
There we take the train to Luzern and we’re back home.
That’s it after 5 months on the road. Time to get used again to this strange people living in Swizzyland. We’ll see if we succeed.
Dear readers,
congrats if you’ve carefully read all the posts of this trip, especially the last one. It must have been extremely boring for you – sorry for that. Still, now you know exactly what your next trip will be, what to do and what to avoid, and how you should not behave.
Well, we’re back, even if it was not that easy to find flights at a more or less reasonable price. Thanx a lot for this, Donny. We’ll send you the bill.
And sorry that we couldn’t visit some people, we planned to follow their invitation. Especially Anna in Sydney and Silvia and Memed in Jakarta. Yeah, we’d like to see them again once traveling gets a bit less booked and more affordable again. Please ask Donny when this will be.
Now we’re back to Swizzyland to enjoy summer, to recover from the trip, hopefully to see some people we’ve met somewhere between the Philipines and French Polynesia, and to plan for our next adventure.
Well, we know you have to wait a bit for our next post. But for sure you’ll read it once it’s published – sometime in future.
Cheeeers
Monika’n’Martin