Kia Ora

Kia Ora

Interesting facts.

NZ. or Aotearoa In Maori, means 'The Land of the long white cloud'. It is quite a young country, geologically active, with tectonic faults and volcanoes, glaciers and rivers constantly building and eroding land. It consists of many islands, the main ones being the North and South island. It used to be part of one land mass, Gondwana, and split off 80 million years ago, taking with it its unique plants and bird life. The first Eastern Polynesian settlers arrived 750 years ago, and the first Europeans to settle arrived in 1769 after discovery by James Cook.

As it is a long thin country, there are several climates and micro climates within, from sub tropical in the North and temperate (similar to UK) in the South. The total population is around 4.2 million ( UK has nearly 63 million) of which 1 million are based in Auckland. Auckalnd also known as the 'The city of sails' (due to a high proportion of boat ownership) is the biggest city, though not the capital, which is Wellinton. Auckland’s weather is warm/hot long summers with mild and wet winters. (average annual sunshine hours= 2050. Manchester=1200 hrs) and (annual average rain=1240mm. Manchester=810mm!) most rain falling as heavy tropical showers in the winter months of June-July

Saturday 5 June 2010

3 days recuperation

after being picked up at the airport, the driver took us to our new temporary gaff and hire car. we dumped the cases and zoomed off to the beautiful Coromandel for 3 days holiday before real life begins.http://www.newzealand.com/travel/destinations/regions/coromandel-home/coromandel.cfmAfter a white knuckle ride in the dark, in a strange car, and suffering from sleep deprivation, over the mountainous tracks/roads with the sat nav conking out, we just about made it to out idyllic retreat. and it was soooo worth it. the B&B was lovely. our room opening out onto a wooden deck with wonderful sea views. we were very lucky with the weather having 3 days of sunshine and temps up to 19c! not bad for the middle of winter!

we enjoyed having an early morning cuppa outside on the deck, whilst being entertained by fantails and the resident dogs, before pigging out on a lovely homemade breakfast in the summer house. we took in a lot of the tourist stuff, (cathedral cove, hot water beach, a bush trail and the 309 road) as well as sorting out bank accounts and tax numbers (yawn!).

Piccies here http://www.flickr.com/photos/50924114@N02/sets/72157624229380618/show/
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