New Zealand North Island 6 (Matamata)

29 March 2009, we left Rotorua early in the morning heading towards Matamata for a farm stay. On the way we stopped at Skyline Skyride in Fairy Springs Road in Rotorua We rode the gondolas to the top of the mountain overlooking Rotorua City and paid NZ$26 for each person.

From the top, we could see the distant geysers on the foot of the sky. It was a bright sunny day. Since Chom and Indra were so absorbed in shopping in the souvenir shop, I went walking alone, taking photos and exploring the sights.









I met a 60 year old man who encouraged me to go for a lug ride. Lug ride is where you got onto a kind of scooter and manouver it downhill on the track to the foot of the mountain, then take a chairlift up the mountaing again. I was debating whether to get a lug ride but the chairlift up the mountain intimidated me. I still remember falling down the chairlift in Queenstown, NZ South Island in 2002. So the fear was still with me. Now I do regret for not trying and overcoming that fear. Fear can inhibit you from doing what you want to do.







The intimidating chairlifts.













Overlooking the lug route down the mountain.











Auntie and niece in Skyline gondola going up the mountain.








The drive to Matamata was not as interesting passing through flat land all the way. In Matamata town we enquired at the Tourist Information Centre about a trip to Hobbotton. It costs NZ$58 each for that trip and we decided against it. Hobbotton is where they filmed Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. The remnants of the original Hobbotton Village is still there. Since none of us is a fan of Lord of the Ring stories, we didn't miss a thing. Honestly, I didn't have the faintest idea what the story is all about and was never interested to watch.

Looking for Sue and Gordon Mckenzie Farmstay was quite a hassle. There was no signage or direction indicating the farm. We found ourselves lost but lucky we met nice and helpful people there. Finally we arrived at the farm during lunch on time. We wanted to make sure that we weren't late for lunch. Unfortunately there was a misunderstanding with the agent who arranged our stay. We weren't supposed to have lunch there. Had we known we could visit other places first and arrive later, get sandwiches or salad at a cheaper price in town. But since we were there, we were too polite to decline. But Sue, the host was a bubbly red-head and a friendly lady. We shared some amusing conversation and really had a fun getting-to-know-you session. Sue and Gordon have been hosting visitors in their farm for almost 8 years and have met many people from different countries. They have hosted Malaysians but this was the first time she hosted 3 talkative fun-loving travel-the-world lady senior citizens!!

Sue and Gordon have 2 children, Bradley and Lisa (16 & 15). They have quite a vast property including a farm in the south island. I like their farm - quiet and peaceful with clean unpolluted air.



Sue and Gordon McKenzie's farm house in Matamata.















Th.e barn











At dawn. The poles are lights for the tennis court.,











It was a fun farm stay. At 4pm we fed the farm sheep. It was thrilling even though I have fed sheep in Wales before but this time we could hug them, pat and play with them. They rushed for their food eating from our hands and we screamed and laughed like little kids. Their wool was hard and thick. I tried to ride on one but failed because he fled and my shirt was smeared with sheep saliva. I love the little lamb (remember, Mary has a little lamb) It was exciting!! I just wish the farm has more to offer like milking the cows, sheering the sheep, organis vegetables, fruits etc. We met Gordon that night when he returned from his work.




The thrill of feeding the sheep.












Chom and I playing with sheep.













Hei, Look at my perfect profile!!








We left the McKenzies the next morning. Sue and Gordon strongly recommended that we went to Gloworms Cave. I have seen these gloworms in Hokitika in NZ South Island but they said this gloworm cave is the biggest. So we decided to detour our route and visited the gloworm cave.

On the way, we stopped at Otorohanga Kiwi House. It was a good decision. There were other birds to see but in small scale but the attraction is the kiwi bird. Here we were able to see the birds more clearly as the show place was not so dark. Then only we realised that kiwi bird is polka-dotted and always busy pecking for food. This is the only specie that we saw.











In serious conversation with a bird at Otorohanga Kiwi House.






We left Otorohanga for Gloworm Cave but we were a little bit late and therefore have to wait for the next group tour. Visitors are not allowed to go alone. The cave is huge with a hall that can accomodate about 200 or more people. They have special private shows there too. The echo is good for opera singing, I guess.

We boarded a boat to cruise the river where the gloworms are. I was really in awe looking at the bright shining little stars on the roof of the cave - millions of gloworms stuck at the roof making it glittering. They are magnificent!!!! Hokotika cave was not as magnificent as this. In pitch dark, the park ranger manouvered the boat by holding on to a rope, turning the boat a few times for us to enjoy the fascinating sight. Only that particular stretch of cave roof the gloworms are found in abundance. Unfortunately photo-taking and videoing are prohibited.







This is the exit of the cave after the gloworms tour.









Happy, we left Gloworms Cave to proceed back to Auckland and passed quint Otorohanga town. The rows of shops were lined with hanging baskets of colourful impatients flowers.










The drive to Auckland was uneventful to me. Again I sat at the back and promptly fell asleep. We checked in Oakwood Manor again for the night. That night we were busy packing our bags and hoping it would not exceed the 20kg limit imposed by MAS. It was fun shopping but packing was always a problem. I still abide by my philosophy - minimize belonging and so didn't do much shopping except for some souvenirs. Since things were double in price compared to our RM, I think I spent buying souvenirs which I could do without. But tht was what travelling is all about.

30 March 2009, we left Oakwood Manor to the airport early and returned the rented car. At the airport we did more shopping. To our frustration we found things in the airport were cheaper than in regular shops in towns. I was so pleased that I found Bilberry and Eyebright supplements there and bought 2 packets which could last me 2 months. By the time I decided to buy another 3 boxes they were gone. I couldn't find this supplements in Malaysia and it is more expensive. Thank God, just recently I found Billberry and Eyebright supplemets in PD but at RM 74 per box it's definitely more costly. But it doesn't matter, I need these for my eyes.

Arrived KLIA safely and Chom's sons took me home. It was a really enjoyable holiday and I really like beautiful, clean NZ. I might go there again, to travel the part I have not covered, insyaallah. Thank you Chom and Indra for your company.