Luke and James have a Hippotastic time Luke and James have a Hippotastic time

17/2/12-23/2/12 Luke and James have a Hippotastic time

Well what and honour and a privilege it is to be blogging with the travelling adventures of Luke and James. We were welcomed at the airport by L&J and a ‘Sarah Hippo Hughes and Jon’ sign with pictures, like celebs. After travelling for 20 odd hours it was a slightly surreal experience but after settling into de chateau Rushby-Barnett and being fed and sleeping in a comfy bed. Some of my favourite things.

Jon and I amused ourselves for the first few days. You may have heard about the cycle ride and my pained labia (thanks Luke, that boy doesn’t know when and when not to share information). The city of Napier has a fantastic art deco style and Kiwi’s appear to be incredibly polite and cheerful – I’m totally envious.

We arrived in art Deco week where the whole town dresses up in 30’s gear – there were flyovers, posh 30’s picnics, depression themed dinners and splendid weather. I did see some heavy NZ rain though it’s nice to see rain in a new environment We also hopped down to the national aquarium and saw a Kiwi bird in captivity. It was bigger than I expected, much bigger than a hen…not as big as a badger.

We had 2 road trips which rocked. 1 down to taupo with le bo chauffeur were we saw lots of volcanic activity, mud pools (which much to my dismay I could not roll in), lakes in volcanic craters, took dips in hot spa pools (mmm), then a second with L&J for and overnight in Gisbourne, where they were intending to live when initially planning. Thank god Alice put them off, it a cool place to visit and according to Luke the surf is good, but it’s not as pretty as Napier.

Let’s not bore your pants off here….Time for a list…

Positives
Hot spas
Beautiful, beautiful scenery everywhere
Bird and cricket song
Ross’s wine tour
Kiwi’s do café’s/ food really well
Trees. Big, small, eucalyptus, tea tree, fruit. Wowsa, I love trees <3

Negatives

L&J will be marked down on trip advisor for the lack of fresh towels.
Mos-blooodly-quitos – I just can’t resist the itch.
Water slides. I will never be convinced again!


Despite my towel based concerns, I have to thank Luke and James from the bottom of my heart for inviting us to come and stay with them in the Southern hemisphere. They have been gracious and accommodating hosts and we have both had a fantastic time. Hard to think of a holiday that would surpass this really, a perfect mix of relaxed and seeing the best local sites from our ‘native’ hosts.

As I sit here on Thurs 23rd Feb surrounded by boxes, I realise that not only my short NZ adventure is coming to an end, but also Chimp and Koala’s. The UK will be glad to have you back, as will many people in it