A chef made my tour client a very happy lady!

November 12, 2018

Anyone know where that waterfall is?

If you don’t then maybe its time you need come with Peter and Xiaoli Tours and explore a bit more of New Zealand.

Rere Falls is outside Gisborne. There is also Rere Water slide spectacular in a different way. Well worth a visit. If you are up to sliding down the water slide then make sure before the tour starts you tell me you will consider so I remember to put some of our toboggans in.

I am not a tree person unless native but Eastwood hill Aboretum if you are into trees. The largest Aboretum in the Southern Hemisphere. Over 3500 specimens up to 100 years old bought into New Zealand by ‘Cookie’ just after world war one. Spectacular and as Kiwi’s we own it but run by a trust so donations needed.

A great day for us in and around Gisborne today. A stop for lunch at ‘The Vines’ where cruel for me, I had to watch our group of 18 experience a wine tasting. At least I got to eat a beautiful lunch they provided.

Next stop was the Gisborne Museum. No secret I am not a museum person plus I have toured this museum a number of times before but even I acknowledge it is pretty good. Little treasures like the first gift from Cook to a Maori Chief that was uncovered in sand dunes. A metal coin. If in Gisborne, go visit.

Then we drove around past the log port at the base of Kaiti Hill and alongside Kaiti Beach. The local police added some entertainment at no extra cost as 5 police cars rushed past and cornered a car. Pretty dramatic for a poor Ninety Mile Beach like me.

Up Kaiti Hill. A last chance to see the brick sculptured wall and Cook statue before they are removed. I had requested my Gizzy cousin go up earlier in the day to clean the bird droppings off. He must have done it as the statue was pretty clean.

Back at the motel 30 minutes early which the group were grateful for as I think the wine sampling was taking its toll so forty winks for a few I believe.

Evening meal at USSco I believe it is called. Great service. The food was okay but 10 out of 10 for the way they catered for our Liane, a lady in our group who through cancer has had the top of the mouth removed and survives on a liquid diet. I had arranged for a main of soup put through a moule but they wen several steps further. Provided her with a liquid entrée plus a liquid desert. Exceptional is all I can say.

Every day I phone the lunch and night venues well ahead of time to discuss Liane and her requirement for a liquid meal. Most have accommodated with a soup of varying degrees. USSco went not just one step further but outstanding. For all of us at that table I don’t think we noticed much about our meals but all talk was about what the head chef did for Liane. I don’t know who you are but you made an elderly woman who has been very tested with cancer a very happy lady. Thankyou.

Tomorrow out to Wainui for a garden tour before I take the drivers seat for the first time this tour to head towards Rotorua. Time to face my demons after my accident and drive a bus load of tourists. I have put it off long enough.

www.peterandxiaoli.com

East Cape New Zealand

November 11, 2018

Whakatane to Gisborne via the East Cape

Day 2 and 3 of this 6 day tour and what spectacular scenery we have seen.

A great group of Kiwi’s all in the 75 to 90 year age bracket. Unfortunately one of the group suffered a stroke the day prior starting so could not make it but the remainder are in good spirits considering the various health issues that come along with aging.

For me Moa Trek supplied me a back up driver/baggage handler because of ongoing injury problems. Charlie is an Argentinian in New Zealand on a 3 year work visa to learn tourism. This is his first actual tour and to date I have invited him to drive each leg as I try to make my body last as the car accident injuries heal. So far the neck is more than a little sore and stiff and the left shoulder reminding me it is not totally healed, but its okay.

Yesterday we departed Whakatane with overcast weather and the odd patch of drizzle as we slowly headed for our night destination of Hicks Bay. Many stops prior including a beautiful lunch stop at Tui Lodge in Te Kaha. Great people, great gardens and great food provided. Look them up if you are ever heading around the East Cape and need a bed.

Hicks Bay Motel definitely only 3 star and frustrating the TV wouldn’t go on Prime to watch the rugby which meant resorting to the Herald’s live feed for the updates. But the motel looked after us well for dinner then breakfast this morning.

First stop today was on the edge of Hicks Bay for some group photography. 18 degrees but a chilling wind coming off the sea.

Again we stopped all the key points on route as we wound our way towards Gisborne. I had managed to arrange for Reverend Kaa and his wife to meet us at the historic Tikitiki Church to explain the history. Thanking him with koha towards maintenance of the church. A fascinating man with a fascinating story to tell.

The logs from all the storms were very obvious on the beaches as was the erosion on the hills including road washouts. You see it on television but never realise how bad it is until you see for yourself.

We had a lovely lunch at a lodge at Anaura Bay which is the video this story leads with.  My only thoughts is why is it so far away from where I live. To far to haul my boat down to go fishing and set the cray pots. Great hosts. Great venue and off the main road so very quiet.

Next big stop was Tologa Bay where I offered the group all the time they needed to walk the 660metre long Tologa Bay wharf. I was surprised that some of the less agile actually made it there and back. Apparently some fisherman sitting at the end catching Gurnard. Hmm. Why didn’t I have that opportunity I wonder? Admin for the tour meant I stayed bus bound.

A 5pm arrival in Gisborne. It never seems to change much. A beautiful little city which tomorrow we will spend the day exploring in and around

www.peterandxiaoli.com

 

Back on the road again after 6 months injury lay up!

November 9, 2018

On the road again!
After over 6 months not being able to do tours finally back on the road after being arm twisted by a consultant to do a 6 day kiwi group tour Auckland down around the East Cape and back to Auckland. The condition of doing it was they employ a baggage handler that could also act as back up driver for me, a condition set by my physio and surgeon. Original start date was set for December.
A lovely group of retired Kiwi’s, some not very agile. So a slow pace tour. My first ever kiwi tour group as I would normally not do this sort of tour.
Day one was an easy drive. Morning tea stop Waihi, lunch Mt Maunganui. Then Kiwifruit Country followed by Comvita Honey and night stop Whakatane.
Today its on around the East Cape as far as Hicks Bay. I love this part of the country so hopefully my group will to.
A request for Gisborne was to adjust our agenda for a later start so they can watch the replay of the rugby. That I am very happy to accommodate but it turns out its not hard to do as the replay starts at 5.30am.
Now off to breakfast ready for day 2. Yeah!

www.peterandxiaoli.com

My first blog in 5 months!

October 5, 2018

My first blog for about 5 months. Our serious car accident head on with tourists driving on the wrong side of the road knocked my positivity state badly. Just not in the mood to write blogs or doing anything really much as we both fought hard to get our broken bones and other injuries healed. My arm finally came out a sling 2 days ago. What a long time it has been.

Today we were booked for a 4wd tour up Ninety Mile Beach to Cape Reinga so I decided to give our driver a day off and I would do it since I have had to cancel the long haul tours I was booked for October and November.

3 lovely customers from Shanghai. One had English which always makes the job a little easier. A superb spring day as you can see by the video I took at Cape Reinga.

The beach today was a little rough which makes for a spectacular drive on the beach. Baby seals resting on the beach. And best of all today with a 1pm low tide time we were able to not only drive up the beach, but back down it.

2 days out of the arm sling so the shoulder is a bit tender now. Not allowed to lift anything for 2 months still but I was able to drive with both hands on the steering wheel. Exhausted now, but a great day out.

Next month a 6 day tour from Auckland down around East Cape to Gisborne and return to Auckland. A late request from a travel company which I agreed to do providing they hire a baggage handler/back up driver to accompany me. They must have been desperate for a guide with knowledge of East Cape as they agreed to my terms.

December booked for a 22 day tour with no backup so the physio starts Monday and I need get a ‘get fit’ program off him. 6 months of doing nothing while the injuries healed has taken its toll on fitness.

Time to make sure Xiaoli and I can finally put the worst of our injuries behind us so we can start living a relatively normal life. Unfortunately things will not be normal for sometime yet but mentally and physically we need start fighting to be normal. The accident was a tragic event which we must try to leave behind us so we start 2019 fresh.

http://www.peterandxiaoli.com

Tourist caused accidents in New Zealand

August 13, 2018

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Wednesday, surgery day! Hopefully final surgery for either of us following our April 13 head on with tourists on the wrong side of the road
Unfortunately it means I am unlikely to do any tours 2018 but I was booked out Oct to Feb. 14 to 22 day tours.
The Government is not addressing the issue of overseas drivers and how easy it is to hire a vehicle in NZ.
They say the rental industry is 80% regulated so as a group they have tightened the laws on renting vehicles in NZ. My industry sources say that is hogwash.
I invite anyone reading this to email me or message or just comment. How can we stop accidents like Xiaoli and I had happening?
I want laws to change. Tighter legislation. I am not sure that is the answer so I seek input.
Wednesday is surgery day for me. Praying Xiaoli does not need another operation. Our suffering needs be for a reason.
I look forward to input.

http://www.peterandxiaoli.com

3 of our beautiful children at play

June 24, 2018
3 of our dogs decided our bed was their playground. The 4th slep separately on a lounge chair.
Weather has been brilliant the last few days here in the very far north of New Zealand. Friday we tried the kontiki off the beach but were unsuccesful, albeit enough for our dinner.
Yesterday and today its a clean up time. Time for me to finish the odd bit of work required on our new BBQ area as Xiaoli wanted shelving for her plant.s. Plus we wanted it set up so in the busy season the dogs can live out there away from the customer areas. So all dog proofed now and Xiaoli and my sister in law tell me its beautiful. Always good to get compliments on work well done.
Bodies are healing but still facing the likelihood of another operation for both of us. For me its the shoulder which they now believe is accident damage so its off to Whangarei on Tuesday for a MRI scan to confirm the specialists diagnosis. For Xiaoli the stomach is still causing her grief.
That accident by the time we are right will have taken anywhere from 3 to 6 months before normality is back once again.
Next month we are planning a 4 day trip. 2 nights Rotorua and 2 nights up the Coromandel Peninsula. Xiaoli needs visit the Chinese consulate in Auckland to renew her passport so hoping we can tie that in. And Xiaoli has a fear of us travelling on a Friday. A fear I have told her she must overcome.
Still weekly visits from a phycologist and separately Occupational health therapist. Physio we are awaiting appointments. We both just wish this all over.
Business suffers as neither of us is capable of doing either tours for me, or the cooking and cleaning of units by Xiaoli. Fortunately we had a record summer season which has given a buffer financially.
Both our remaining vehicles are on the market which once sold means I need find 2 more vehicles to replace them. Something I dont look forward to doing, 4wd shopping

Its tour booking time

June 11, 2018

Life goes on in the paradise of the winterless north of New Zealand. I still debate that word winterless as the cold certainly seems to get to me.

The fish are still biting and the weather is perfect this week to go chase them once again. Probably Wednesday or Thursday at this stage. Not sure I will do the surf casting from the rocks as the body is still causing a few issues, so maybe I will just stick with the kontiki. To be reviewed when we go the 50km up the beach as I do love my surf casting. The thrill of hauling that catch in.

It is booking time for tours now. I had hoped I still had a couple of months of grace before I needed accept tours for the coming summer tour season. But now contracted for 2 x 14 day tours and 2 x 22 day tours starting October and finishing February. That’s enough for me with anything from 4500 to over 6000km per tour. And I have ensured this year there are gaps between each one so I do not get so tired. Last year I reached the burn out stage.

A good feeling to have my summer tours locked away this early. It means I can just concentrate in getting the healing complete. The old head is still very forgetful and I have become on the road one of those slow old men drivers we all curse. Its called head trauma from the accident but I need defeat it.

Must look at my boat also and fire up the motor. It missed making the water last season but with gaps between tours next season I should once again be able to take fishing. A lot of money just sitting doing nothing right now.

Need start marketing our holiday accommodation again. We had shut everything down but still have a stand alone house plus a 2 bedroom unit available and with family saying we have the help needed to service. Need start living a normal life and most importantly getting some revenue coming through the doors again.

If you are reading this and want a Northland tour, contact us. Or even just want to come stay beach front at Ninety Mile Beach. We can even offer restaurant style meals again. Catch a fish and we will cook it for you

http://www.peterandxiaoli.com

 

A holiday weekend with no guests

June 3, 2018

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A holiday weekend to be remembered

 

No bookings for our accommodation. That seems a bit strange but then because of our little accident we have for the time closed up shop. Hopefully in another month or so we can open the doors again and welcome guests.

An offer of 3 14 day tours for me to do this coming summer tour season. That was a bonus as I never expected bookings yet, again because we have not been touting for them. This time last year I was full time marketing the business to agents in a variety of countries. This year I do nothing again because of our little accident, and the bookings come to me. I guess its another summer on the roads around New Zealand for me.

I completed the building of a BBQ area for guests. A project started prior the accident and now all but completed. And already had very positive comments about it.

And we went fishing Saturday, and what a successful day it was. Firstly rock fishing then when the swells started breaking over the rocks we headed back down the beach a little and put the kontiki out twice for 2 good hauls. A very satisfying day. And bonus for me was watching Xiaoli cast her line and pull in a good sized Snapper. She only had the energy to do it once but it’s a very good sign her healing is going well. Her decision to try and good on her for doing it.

Been a weekend of very mixed weather from beautiful and fine to heavy thunderstorms. What a contrast.

We have decided to relist the property again now we are both more agile again. I wrote to Resort Brokers to let them know it could go back on the market as we withdrew it after the accident. It just happened the agent was in Kaitaia so that is all now done. Now time to start the hunt for a small farm somewhere.

Sunsets over Ninety Mile Beach

May 20, 2018

Sunsets over Ninety Mile Beach

As injuries heal I am bored silly but do have this magnificent view over Ninety Mile Beach. So armed with the cell phone camera each night over the past week as the sunsets I capture the event. I used to years ago if I saw a good sunset happening rush outside with my Canon and the tripod and capture many shots. The energy levels and enthusiasm of the past have evaporated for the time being so its now grab the cell phone and shoot through the lounge window.

They are spectacular some nights and I have never lived anywhere prior moving to Ninety Mile Beach that gave me such good unobstructed views of the setting sun.

I need finish a building project I started prior our accident. A large BBQ area. Enthusiasm is just not there, nor the strength to hammer nails. Its frustrating me to heck. My brother in law living with us while Xiaoli is so unwell tries to help but with the language barrier he is more hinderance than help. And because of the language barrier we have hands being waved as he disagrees with what I am doing. Very frustrating for us both but the only one that can translate is Xiaoli but 95% of the time she is in bed as the healing goes on.

I told Xiaoli when our bodies are well her and I will go away for a short holiday. She interpreted that to mean we go to Australia or Fiji maybe. I was more thinking within NZ. A remote spot we can just be alone. A quiet space. I guess that’s not going to happen.

Friday I learnt in recent days there was another head on accident with tourists on the wrong side of the road just 20 minutes from here and unfortunately 2 elderly locals died. Looking at the photos now I realise the difference for us was that we were in an SUV much more strongly built. We were lucky.

John Carter, our Mayor and ex MP phoned yesterday to check up on us and see if I had heard the news. He was able to fill me in more. Again a major tourist road where it comes to a dead end at Houhora Heads before you turn and go back to the No 1. And again no white arrows. It seems poor old Northland is sadly missing on the big white arrows compared with other areas.

I have again written to all MP’s but this time addressing it to the Associate Minister of Transport. Last time I only got 5 responses, 3 which were from members secretaries. 2 of these referred my letter to the Associate Minister of Transport. Yet this Julie Anne Genter obviously doesn’t have the time to respond. Or her secretary for that matters. I guess victims don’t count.

This week the man that hit us is in court. The Police said don’t hold our hopes high with regard to the case and they are surprised he is even still in the country.

ACC have arranged a counsellor to come see me this week as I battle the demons. The nightmares. The fear of driving. Need try to overcome all this so I can once again be a tour guide. Right now that passion has gone.

www.peterandxiaoli.com