Peter and Xiaoli Tours

Christchurch rest time/sleep time

This morning I slept until 10.30am. Not like me as I am a morning person. But even now as I write this brain seems lethargic.

The great thing was I booked a motel far away from everything including some of my last tour guests who have stayed on. Monday I start the next 14 day tour. I needed this time out to let the body recover. Tours started early November with just a 5 day break mid December. And the body is saying its tired. Mentally and physically.

My tour just completed the group were great. I couldn’t have asked for better and they got on well as a group the whole 18 days. And I know already the reviews I will get as a guide are going to be great which is always rewarding.

Yesterday I bought myself a new cell phone. My 5 year old Samsung which was a hand me down from Xiaoli required regular rebooting to keep it going. I should have bought a new one earlier but I hate spending money on phones. Refused to buy top of the line but I assured the Samsung A5 I bought is well advanced on my antiquated phone I was using. Its taken me all morning to programme in wechat, Instagram, emails etc etc but I believe I have finally conquered it.

The memory on the previous phone was always full regardless of cleaning it out daily. It was frustrating. I cant believe I have waited this long to update. And Xiaoli has had 3 new ones since this one was donated to me.

The computer for whatever reason is not allowing me to load my USB sticks with photographs. Maybe like me its just tired. It meant I couldn’t give my previous tour party my photographs so today I need try figure out what the issue is. Reality its probably just me pushing wrong buttons.

A computer buff on my tour just completed has recommended I look at ‘lightroom’ software for making my movies end of tour. I had been using Picasa. So I need look at that.

And now Xiaoli has volunteered my services to book rooms for another tour guide because he is to busy on tour. I guess she feels I am not busy or maybe better able to multi task. Women, you cant live with them and you cant live without them!

Today amongst numerous other things, I have studied my agenda for the tour starting Monday. One horrific day of 520km which will be hard on me and the group. But I guess the consultant that planned the tour thinks its achievable. Just not going to be much stopping or in my case tour guide talking.

February 18 tours are complete for me for this current tour season. Finally I will get back home and put feet up for a while. And then it will be time to start our own marketing for Peter and Xiaoli Tours for the 2018/19 tour season. Maybe some new tour routes. Well, modified from the past, so not entirely new. Add some new activities and walks I have discovered this tour season. And start the search for some new overseas agents we can work with. Last year we did the push into China and I know business will come from that. Maybe for the 2018/19 season we look at pushing into the European market. Time will tell. In the to hard basket right now

The photos – a few memories from the just completed 18 day tour

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A tour guide, a driver and now a bus mechanic!

What was always going to be a very long day became a day my group are all raving about.

Departure 8am from Nelson. First stop Hope Lookout 1 hour south of Nelson. A quick 15 minute stop for photography plus for those needing a toilet to use the rather pungent long drop toilet. Apparently today not as bad as I have known it to be but full of bees. They had been warned!

Go to get in the bus and no electrics. Totally dead. Damn!

Phone the consultant who the bus belongs to and they instruct me to drive it to the nearest workshop. Yeah right! Its dead!

They have a mechanic phone me and he has a brainwave. Check the battery connections. Now that I had thought of to but the very limited tool kit has 20 suitcases packed in front of it. Bugger! Unload the 20 suitcases. Access the very limited tool kit. Climb over the drivers seat to get to where the battery is as the drivers door needs electrics. I over rode that part but open the door and we are invaded with bumble bees. So work in an oven to unscrew the bolts holding the battery cover on. Low and behold the positive wire is not on the terminal. Bugger!

Worse, it was obvious the terminal to connect it had somewhat shrunk which I found out next stop meant it had been shorting for quite a while. So I could not attach the positive lead so one of the group I asked hop in the drivers seat why I hold the lead on. We got it started so all hop in and we head for Murchison.

A drama start to the day. A mechanic in Murchison packs behind the lead so it connects with a caution warning but hopefully it will last the tour.

The stop Murchison was obviously longer than planned so by now with the breakdown we are over 1 hour behind time.

Lunch in Westport. A beautiful café/bar. Slow on service but to be fair they never expected a bus group to pull up for a late lunch.

On to Cape Foulwind. A very hot day so I warned all to put more sunblock on. All completed the walk fine why I devoured an ice cream at the other end. I had checked out the Tauranga Bay seal colony. Not that many there but I think most mums were out at sea as there were many seal pups.

On to the Pancake Rocks. All are starting to look weiry and a little burnt but all still did the walk.

Next stop not on the original agenda was Monteiths Brewery. My addition. Everybody appreciated and partook in the beer tasting.

Final arrival Hokitika 2 hours later than intended at 7.30pm but a very happy group.

For me I am exhausted. Cut my head open getting at the battery. Cut my arm on who knows what.

Tomorrow in theory an easy day. A slow start Hokitika why the group look at greenstone. Then down to the glaciers finishing tomorrow night at Fox Glacier. We all need an easy day

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In theory just 2 hours driving today

We departed the Wellington hotel 7.30am. A few grizzles about the early start from some of the group, but they had been prewarned. And as the tour progresses now in the South Island, there will be a few more early starts.

Today we all boarded the InterIsland ferry to the South Island as passengers. We left our bus in Wellington and collected another in Picton.

Superb weather once away from Wellington. A few burnt faces from being on the top deck to long, but they had been warned.

For me I spent most of the journey across in the café. Seemed a pleasant place to sit with some of the group.

Picton a 15 minute walk to collect the bus why the group collected our bags. From there on to the Queen Charlotte Sounds Drive. A number of photograph stops before we arrived Havelock for a lunch stop and a refuel of the bus. Then on to Cloudy Bay Vineyard which I added into the days agenda. I did ask the group and said a majority decision rules and it was 100% for the extended driving time. On tasting they all felt not only the atmosphere but the quality of the wines was far superior to either Church Road or Mission Estate Vineyards we had stopped at in Hawkes Bay. I agree the atmosphere was far superior but as for the wines unfortunately being the tour guide and driver, I could not partake. SAD!

On to Nelson. A quiet bus, many sleeping even with the many bends and the 2 big hills.

Tomorrow all the group are off to the Abel Tasman National Park why I enjoy a bit of a rest plus do a bit of laundry. Getting down on clean clothes left to wear.

Thursday its off to Hokitika. A long days drive for me as driver and the group as passengers

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It appears a very popular wine of ours in the UK is Cloudy Bay. So today a detour not on the agenda but appreciated by the whole group after we reached Havelock, was to head to Cloudy Bay Vineyard in Renwick (Marlborough). Added to my driving for the day but happy to accommodate my friends sitting behind me in the bus.

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Napier to Wellington. Seems to get longer each trip!

Weather is perfect. Finally my group are getting to enjoy a New Zealand summer. Long may it last!

A late start today so the group had chance to wander around Napier city. First stop on route, Norswood Woollen Wear factory shop to buy as they wish, plus the essential toilet stop and coffee break.

From there on to Mt Bruce Native Wildlife Park run by our Department of Conservation. All paid the money for the shorter 30 minute walk around the aviaries and through the nocturnal Kiwi house.

A 1 hour 20 minute stop over so they could not only enjoy the park but buy lunch in the café. And low and behold a friendly native Kaka Parrot decided to try join us to share the lunch. That I made sure did not happen but lots of photographs taken. Then 2 of the critically endangered Takahe wandered out on the lawn below us. A great experience for all.

The long drive continued with a stop a top of the Rimutaka Hill. Traffic over it was really busy today so lots of stops for me today to let the faster vehicles past.

On into Wellington and head for Mt Victoria. I always seem to find the narrowest road up but most spectacular. Such a clear day today and little wind so cameras working overtime.

Tomorrow Te Papa museum then the cable car up and walk back down through the botanic gardens. Yet to decide if I will do as in theory it is my rest day which I may just take advantage of before we head across the strait to start the South Island leg

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Rotorua to Napier

I have lost track of which day this is on tour. But must be about day 5 of 18.

In theory an easy days drive today Rotorua to Napier. But build in stops including vineyards and a 3 hour drive suddenly becomes all day.

First stop was the honey centre at Huka Falls area. A great stop point but personally I find pricing on the high side but that is part of a being in a tourist area. My group were happy and not only tasted product but made purchases. To them the price didn’t worry and I wasn’t going to say anything as they are here on holiday to enjoy themselves. If they are happy I am happy.

Next stop was Huka Falls. They must have just opened the gates at the dam up stream and there was a really good volume of water passing through. Then on in to Taupo for a 1.5 hour stop over. For me chance to refuel the bus. For them the chance to be lead by the woman shopping.

On to the Napier road and a stop at the only café on that road now open. Then on to Church Road and Mission Estate Vineyards for wine tastings before we headed for the Te Pania Scenic Hotel for the night stopover.

I admit to being a little tired but a day coming off from driving shortly in Wellington before we cross the Cook Strait to the South Island. I have been almost constantly on the road since November. I am fitter from all the walks plus lifting suitcases that I own up to. And I still have the passion for showing people our country, so that’s positive. The day doing this turns into a job I have lost the passion for, that is the day I say no more

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The weather god smiled sweetly on us today.

A late start as I gave the group good time to rest or wander. Depart the hotel 11.30am for Waiotapu Thermal Resort and the rain comes down. I assured all that I talked to the weather gods and it would hold off for the 2 hours we would be walking at Waiotapu, and it did. Amazingly all got back in the bus and once again it rained.

The group are very happy with their day at Waiotapu starting with the viewing of the worlds largest boiling mud pool through to the time spent wandering the thermal park itself. By the end they had had enough of steam and sulphur smells but very happy they had good time to do at their leisure.

Next came the Redwood Park in Rotorua. Not on their tour schedules but much delight on faces when I advised we would be stopping for an hour. Apparently Trip Advisor rates it well. Only 4 decided to do the walk through the trees with the remaining 11 deciding to keep their feet firmly planted on the ground.

Tonight its Te Puia for a Maori hangi meal and concert followed by viewing of the geyser. Lets hope the wet weather continues to stay away for the geyser viewing.

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Day 3 Hobbiton. What can I say
Lousy weather with the forecast not looking like greatly improving. Not cold, just wet and windy. What happened to our New Zealand summers?
We visited Whangamata Beach early on then made our way to Waihi to view the Martha Mine. Then my favorite place on tour (yeah right!) Hobbiton. For me I have visited many times and admit to being tired of it. But if you have not visited and a movie buff, then it should be on your agenda.
From Hobbiton on to Tirau and a late lunch stop plus refuel the bus. I have a feeling my group will not be happy if they need push it.
And on to Rotorua. A 2 night stop. I always enjoy 2 night stopovers. No need pack a case again. Today the opportunity to dry wet clothes. Tomorrow Waiotapu during the day followed by the Redwood Forest, and at night Te Puia hangi and concert. A good day tomorrow. No huge driving time which the group, not just me, will be happy about
The agenda for my next tour following this with a group from Sweden has arrived. So need spare time to digest.
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Day 2 of 18

Today in theory a short morning drive to a close by beach. A walk. Then a rest day afternoon. Somehow with my tour groups it never works out like that and all seem very happy I extend their time out.

A 9am departure for Cathedral Cove on the Coromandel Peninsular. I had warned them the walk was not an easy one. Actually emphasised that yesterday and again this morning and offered to take any that opted out of the walk to nearby Hahei Beach. But all said they would do it.

My first tour this tour season this walk taxed me and I swore under my breath I would not do it again. But there was bus parking in the car park so on with the back pack with jacket, camera etc and off I go leading the way. Once I neared where the steeper decline and steps started I waited to make sure all were still with me. And suddenly I realised my fitness levels had greatly increased since the season started just 3 months ago.

2 in particular I was worried about as I had noted yesterday their difficulties. They as I thought would be the case, were last to catch up. So I accompanied them on the most difficult part of the walk.

Cathedral Cove was as always spectacularly beautiful. Some of the group took a dip while others just rested. I talked to one of the group who I thought through a previous conversation know a little first aid to have her follow as tail end Charlie on the return walk. All made it back. A number obviously out of condition and my concerns over 2 were with good reason. But they 2 made it but obviously it did take a beating on them.

Following that walk I now know how to recommend who does which walks in the next 16 days.

They all dug for hot mineral water on Hot Water Beach while I sat back in the bus due to difficulty with parking. All loved it although commented some of the water was scalding, but they had been warned.

A 3pm return to the hotel. 3 hours later than on their schedules but all very happy. Tonight a group dinner with most again. Tomorrow Hobbiton then Rotorua

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Day one. New Tour. 18 days

An easy day today. Lots of talking as we stayed around Auckland for the first half a day. I am not a city tour guide and I openly do not enjoy cities but sometimes need give tourists the impression I know lots. And in all honesty I do have pretty good knowledge.

A drive over the harbour bridge so we can do a U turn at the Birkenhead off ramp and head back across the bridge so they can see the CBD from the North Shore side. Then on around the water front and up to Bastion Point where we join the parade of tour buses. After the photography its on to MT Eden for 360 degree shots of Auckland. An English group and the first thing they notice is Eden Park our famous fortress for our All Black rugby team.

The weather was holding at bay with rain and wind forecast. Fortunately other than some drizzle it has just threatened all day long and not really had a heavy shower on us.

Now Tairua for 2 nights. Tomorrow I will offer them the opportunity to walk to Cathedral Cove but weather forecast is not looking great. A swim at Ha Hei maybe but looking at the Pacific Ocean here at Tairua that’s not looking wise either. Hopefully a dig for the hot mineral water at Hot Water Beach maybe a go. Just wear togs of a jacket because I suspect the skies are going to open with some heavy rain.

Tairua is partially meant to be rest time to recover from the long haul from England. From Tairua its on to Hobbiton, then Rotorua. 18 days later an ending in Christchurch where I get 3 nights resting before starting a 14 day tour with a group from Sweden in reverse, finishing in Auckland. That will be the end to tours for this season. Well maybe!

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