On 14 Mar 2004 01:53:05 -0800, (Hallvard
Tangeraas) wrote:

Hi Hallvard,

The North Island is one of my specialties, as I lived there for a
numberof years some time ago, and was back there for a conference and
a trip down memory lane early in 2003.
2 weeks is probably plenty of time to see everything on your list for
the North Island.

I've had a few suggestions here, but I'm still pretty confused, so
I've been reading a bit and have come up with the following which I
probably have to pick and choose between:

- Rotorua (Maori culture, geysirs, mud pools to soak in, sheep
sheering)

To see the best thermal attractions, go to the Maori Arts and Crafts
Institute adjacent to the Whakawerawera thermal reserve. The park was
split into two in a recent argument over management, and the best oart
of the park is on the arts and crafts side. This is on the road ont he
way to Taupo.
Also in Rotorua, make sure to get out to the Buried Village. This is a
maori village that was buried by ash when the Mt. Tarawera erupted.
Worth visiting.
When I was last passing through Rotorua (a little over a year ago) I
really enjoyed having a Polynesian massage at Hell's Gate thermal
reserve. I didn't do the full mud bath thing, but would definitely go
back there to do so. They have buses running from the centre of town.

- Taupo (thermal pools to soak in, beautiful lake)

Comparatively cheap skydiving, if you're interested, and trout fishing
tours on the lake. Give the Wai o tapu thermal reserve a miss if
you're going on to Rotorua. The thermal pools on the road to Napier
are nice. You must go to see Huka Falls.

- Waitomo (glow-worms, limestone caves)

The tour where you float through the underwater river in a rubber tire
tube is reall really fun.

- Coromandel (natural spa baths)

Definitely worth a visit. Try to get to Hot Water Beach, as you can
scape the sand and find flowing hit water.

- Tongarino national park (smoking volcano: Mt. Ruapehu, volcanic
landscape)

Accessible as a day trip from Taupo. Worth doing also.

- Napier (art deco type city)

Definitely, if you're into architecture. I highly recommend that you
visit the Tourist centre for a walking tour brochure. It makes the
experience much more interesting. I can remember having dinner in a
nice little Tapas bar there that while not traditional, was pleasant
and not too expensive. There are also some nice wineries in the area.

- Palmerston north (not touristy, relaxing university town)

I'd pass on this.

- Tauranga (Kiwifruit growing)

Nice enough, but just a town. I'd suggest that you either go to Mt.
Maunganui (an outlying suburb of Tauranga) insead for very nice
beaches, or just to the north of Tauranga to Kati Kati, which is a
small farming town surrounded by Fruit orchards.

If you're interested in seeing a live volcano or diving, I would add
Whakatane to your list, with a half-day trip out to see White Island.
It's not cheap, but it's a very interesting trip.

Also in Wellington, you must see Te Papa (the national museum). I can
make restaurant recommendations if you'd like them.

So far as the route, I would suggest Wellington - Napier - Taupo -
possibly Waitomo here - Rotorua - (optional Whakatane) - Tauranga
or surrounds - Coromandel - Auckland.

1) My final destination will be Auckland where I plan to spend a few
days to wind down before I move on to Japan, so is it easy to get from
Coromandel to Auckland, or is this a long detour? Natural spa baths
sounds nice and relaxing.

It's a little over an hour by car from Coromandel to Auckland. Perhaps
a couple of hours by bus. Quick and easy, especially if you're coming
from the Bay of Plenty, as Coromandel is only a slight detour.

2) As I haven't been to any of these places before, are there places
mention here which are repeats of the same things I'll see other
places? I'd rather not waste time seeing the same thing twice in this
limited time if I can go to some other place and see something new.
I have for example seen glow-worms (in the Fox glacier township), so
I'm not really bothered seeing it again in Waitomo, even though
they're in caves, but then again I hear that Waitomo is worth stopping
by because of the unique caves...

Waitomo is definitely worth going to, because of the limestone caves.
Otherwise, most of the areas you are going to are quite distinct from
each other. The only duplication you would have is the thermal areas
in both Taupo and Rotorua, but there are other attractions in Taupo.

3) I don't intend to spend lots of money on tours etc. (remember,
Japan is next, so I really need to save up!). I'm more into just
hanging out, soaking up the atmosphere of a place, taking small walks
on my own etc. than joining some expensive organized thing. Can I for
example visit some of those caves in Waitomo myself without having to
pay a lot for joining a tour?

I'll take what I said about White Island back then! So far as I know,
you must be on a tour to go into the Waitomo Caves. If people are
allowed in there on their own, they do too much damage.

4) What exactly is "Art deco"? Napier is supposed to be an art deco
styled city, but I don't really know what this is and if it's so good
that it's worth stopping by.

I love Napier, it's such a nice place.

Think classic 1920s/30s architecture. Or think about the pictures
you've seen of the beachfront of Miami. The area was levelled by an
earthquake at that time and many of the buildings were rebuilt in the
popular architecture of the time. It's worth visiting if you're into
looking at architecture and enjoying wine, otherwise give it a miss.

Geodyne