My first NZ roadtrip
Discussion
I hope everyone had a good weekend! We decided to drive up to Rotorua at the last minute, and had a great time! :thumbup:
I won't bore you with the details, suffice to say there was lots of bubbling mud, hot steam, yada yada. ;)
The thing that really struck me though, was how easy it all was. Back in the UK, driving any distance on a public holiday weekend is pretty hellish. We may have 6 lane motorways, but they generally turn into big car parks at times like this.
I covered just over 1000kms there and back, and there wasn't a single hold-up, jam, slowdown, noththing. I cruised at a steady 110(ish) the whole time, apart from the 50/70 bits through towns, and even [i]they[/i] weren't busy! The roads were practically empty (by UK standards) until I got back to Kapiti.
Also, I only saw 2 scameras the whole way. Instead, there were plenty of traf-pol cruising about keeping an eye on things; I lost count after about 20. Again, unheard of in the UK! One cop car (cruising about 95) noticed we were bit 'hesitant' about overtaking him, so kindly pulled over to let us past - top bloke!
I love this country! :D
I won't bore you with the details, suffice to say there was lots of bubbling mud, hot steam, yada yada. ;)
The thing that really struck me though, was how easy it all was. Back in the UK, driving any distance on a public holiday weekend is pretty hellish. We may have 6 lane motorways, but they generally turn into big car parks at times like this.
I covered just over 1000kms there and back, and there wasn't a single hold-up, jam, slowdown, noththing. I cruised at a steady 110(ish) the whole time, apart from the 50/70 bits through towns, and even [i]they[/i] weren't busy! The roads were practically empty (by UK standards) until I got back to Kapiti.
Also, I only saw 2 scameras the whole way. Instead, there were plenty of traf-pol cruising about keeping an eye on things; I lost count after about 20. Again, unheard of in the UK! One cop car (cruising about 95) noticed we were bit 'hesitant' about overtaking him, so kindly pulled over to let us past - top bloke!
I love this country! :D
I just kept my eyes open for cameras, I guess I could have missed a couple if they had been really well hidden, like inside a fake sheep or something 
As for the boiling mud, we just went and looked at it, along with geysers, etc. I didn't fancy actually getting into the stuff! The place we stayed had a nice thermal spa though
As for the boiling mud, we just went and looked at it, along with geysers, etc. I didn't fancy actually getting into the stuff! The place we stayed had a nice thermal spa though
Good for you!! Its a great spot there. We have some poms moved in behind us. We have been looking after them and showing them a few nice spots around Auckland. Their comments so far "its bloody paradise" . They have a huge swimming pool thats not heated, their kids are in it already!!!
I guess its warm compared to where they come from eh!
I guess its warm compared to where they come from eh! I don't know about that - it was chucking it down when I spoke to me old-dear at the weekend whilst I was nursing some sun burn from spending two days mowing and weed-eating (we'd run out of food!).
What's wrong with being in the pool this time of year? Luxury! When I were a lad we had to break t'ice before we could swim 20 mile' to school.
What's wrong with being in the pool this time of year? Luxury! When I were a lad we had to break t'ice before we could swim 20 mile' to school.
What did you think of the smell ?
I worked in Roto-Vegas for 4 years and spent a lot of time testing equipment on the Sulphur Flats. A very other-worldly place.
The particular olfactory nerves that smell Hydrogen Sulphide are now completely dead. Anyone for a rotten egg sniffing competition ?
I worked in Roto-Vegas for 4 years and spent a lot of time testing equipment on the Sulphur Flats. A very other-worldly place.
The particular olfactory nerves that smell Hydrogen Sulphide are now completely dead. Anyone for a rotten egg sniffing competition ?
jamieheasman said:
I heard that 'Rotorua' is actually Maori for "what's that ing smell!'.
Or . . . Lake (Roto) Two (Rua). As it was the second lake that the chief (I think it was Tamatekapua) of the Te Arawa canoe (which landed in Whakatane) came across on their march inland. The first being Rotoiti or 'Little Lake'.
Of course I believe that Jamie's definition is probably the one most people are familiar with
Kiwi XTR2 said:
What did you think of the smell ?
The place we stayed was right by the lake (about 30 metres away), so it was pretty intense. Despite having a balcony with a great view, we never used it, the smell was just too much!
Once we got maybe 200 metres away from the lake, we didn't even notice a smell, so I guess it's all relative.
wedgepilot said:
. . .Once we got maybe 200 metres away from the lake, we didn't even notice a smell, so I guess it's all relative.
Well there are two things that could be happening there :
1) The Hydrogen Sulphide went away (or you moved away from it); OR
2) The Hydrogen Sulphide got stronger and temporarily stunned your olfactory nerves. This happens at just a little bit below a fatal level of gas.
That's how most people who get killed by it get caught - "Oh! The gas has gone away . . ."
Also explains all the dead sparrows on the footpath next to the Natonal Bank money-machine.
Seeing as you're back home it must have been Scenario 1
roger A said:
Careful Kylie, you'll have Jamie and George starting their "oh to be in England" stuff again (rib, dig)
OI! :P
I know what side of me bread is buttered... I'd be back home in blighty if that wasn't the case.... Elises are cheaper there too dontchaknow?
NZ is a wonderful country to be a PistonHead in... if you can get past the crappy LTSA, the (sometimes) shoddy state of some of our roads and the overzealous (at times) law enforcement.... the roads and the population density and the climate make it a near-perfect country for owning a PHesque car.
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