Big-G-Les & Helga's Nov 2013 New Zealand Trip

Time for some fun

 

On our recent trip to New Zealand, we took our "alter egos" Big-G-Les & Helga with us for some fun.  It felt a bit weird taking photos of the Lego figures, but we got use to it and soon they took on a life on their own.  Wherever we went, they went too.

 

Anyway, this is their trip.

 

Adelaide Airport - Big-G-Les observing the Air New Zealand A320 getting ready to fly him to Auckland

 Enjoying the view at Auckland Harbour with the City Sky Tower in the background

Another view of Auckland Harbour
with the Emirates NZ America's Cup complex in background

Big-G-Les & Helga showing no fear by lying on the glass walk panels in the
observation level of the City Sky Tower
In the middle there is a red target where the bungee jumpers aim for

Time to relax at the Belgium Beer Bar at Mission Bay
Helga's all ready

Helga going in head fisrt trying to get to the last drops, while Big-G-Les secretly tries on her helmet

Big-G-Les on the hunt for the Kasteel Blond 7 beer
Not too happy that this bottle is empty

Found it, the beer!!!!!

Beer goggles on, ready to dive in!

 

Can someone stop the table from spinning!!!!

Next day both have recovered from their hangover & visited the Maritime Museum. Here they are standing in front of a replica model which is in front of the actual New Zealand 1995 America Cup winner NZL32 "Black Magic" They seem impressed!



Now in awe of standing in front of the 1995 replica cup

Boarding passes ready to go sailing on NZL41 on a wet (to the point of hail) and near windless day (unfortunately)
Both Big-G-Les & Helga felt a bit queezy before boarding so they stayed on shore

Posing in front of the penguin enclose at the wonderful Kelly Tarlton Sea Life Aquarium
Who knew Gentoo Penguins knew how to photobomb!!
 

 

They visited the Split Enz exhibit at Te Awamutu, home of the Finn brothers.
Big-G-Les getting ready with the record player arm

Big-G-Les & Helga partying on side one

 

Our accommodation, the rear of a Bristol Freighter in Waitomo
(it was fully fitted out as an apartment, nice too)

Big-G-Les making sure he observes the warning above the door to the apartment

View out of the apartment.
This is the last known photo of Big-G-Les with is goggles.

Posing in front of a hot spring in Rotorua
Good thing they don't have noses so they couldn't smell the sulphur

Helga making sure Big-G-Les doesn't step off into the hot springs in the spectacular Waimangu Volcanic Valley

Relaxing and getting ready for a mud spa at Hells Gate in Rotorua





Half way from Christchurch to Blenheim Big-G-Les & Helga
demanded to go for a stroll along the shore

Helga seems to be enjoying being back near the sea

Might just borrow this Hurricane

Got him, a Ju87

 

Enjoying some more of the wonderful New Zealand beer in  Blenheim.
Seems to be a bit of theme here with these two.... 

Helga & Big-G-Les trying to comprehend at the devastation in Christchurch of the
2011 earthquake from the hotel window

 

Big-G-Les stands by the safety fencing at the Christchurch War Memorial Bridge of Remembrance

Big-G-:Les feeling not so big in one of the fun oversized street furniture in Christchurch

 

Big-G-Les making sure the car is in Sports Mode while heading down to Ashburton

 

Back in Christchurch for one last beer (err dinner) before heading back home to Australia

Big-G-Les feeling a bit blurry having to wake up a 3:26AM so he can get to Christchurch Airport for the flight home to Australia



It seemed a bit funny taking pictures of Lego figures at the start, but after a short while it became quite fun.  You should try it sometime.





New Zealand - Nov 2013 - SailNZ- Post 2 of 10

NOTE:

This blog is divided into 10 separate sections as there are far too many photos to put on one post

 

AUCKLAND - America's Cup Experience (ExploreNZ / SailNZ)

There are 2 ex-America Cup yachts based in Auckland (as well as the headquarters of the Emirates Team NZ).  These belong to SailNZ and you can go out and "experience" what it is like to be on one of these yachts.

 



NZL41 came 2nd in the Louis Vuitton Challenge in 1995 (background)
This is the yacht that we sailed on
NZL68 (foreground) Team New Zealand used as a trial boat prior to the 2007 America's Cup Challenge

An opportunity not to be missed.  The weather forecast was pretty good, except for one day.  The day we were to go out.  Dark clouds hung around and as we were being given the "do's, don'ts & emergency" information, the heavens opened up.


The rains starts to come down during the breifing

As we headed out of the marina, solid rain came down.  This was followed, just as we exited the marina with hail.  Yep, hail, about 5-7mm in diameter.  Didn't last too long, thankfully.
Much thanks to the company for supplying us with superb wet weather coats, kept nice and dry.


Heading out through the footbridge, rain still coming down

Just out of the harbour, time for the hail!
Visability was low but our skilled guides kept us safe

Still hailing, not the water building up on the deck and another yacht just not too far away in the background

Now it was time for those who wanted to work, could start.  Hands on the grinders and go, bringing up the mainsail.  Wasn't too bad I though, till suddenly....Holy Mainsheet!!  We had to work real hard, all good though.



Time to start paying our way and raise the main sail

 

Sail up

Now we were out in the harbour area, sails rigged and ready to sail.  All we needed was wind, any wind that was consistant from one direction.

We managed about 2 1/2 minutes of actual "race" sailing.  That was quite exciting as the deck went from near horrizintal to up on the edge, and it took off with unexpected acceleration.  Then the wind died again.

All credit to the crew, their skill at trying to find the elusive wind and at the same time, talking to everyone.  I know for myself, even though the sailing didn't really happen, I had a great time.

Definitely something to go experience and something that I wouldn't mind doing again.

Time to put the camera away and get to work on the grinders!

Still looking

Some blue sky appeared to tease us

Then it disappeared

The next few photos as we headed back to Auckland, I haven't touched up with regards to how the sky or sea looks.  It's just how it was.  Black on onside of the sail and light on the other.  Didn't notice at the time, only later when looking at the photos.

Somewhere on starboard in the distance lies Auckland.

Out of the darkness a city emerges

"Land, Ho"

Bringing down the mainsail. 
The motif on the sail tells everyone the pedigree history of this yacht.

Even though it might not have looked fun with the weather, had an awesome time.  Thankyou to the crew and those who helped answer any questions I had before coming over.

This is their website, please check them out for this and other experiences

www.exploregroup.co.nz

New Zealand - Nov 2013 - Auckland - Post 1 of 10

NOTE:

This blog is divided into 10 separate sections as there are far too many photos to put on one post

We travelled to New Zealand last month, spending 12 days there.  Looked at some of the North Isle, then the Northern Section of the South Isle.  There is so much to see and experience there, that we planned our trip to see and experience an number of things as well as having time to rest and enjoy where we were (rather than trying to see everything at once).  Besides, gives us an excuse to go back!!

No matter where we went, the people were friendly and helpful. From the Fish & Chips shop in Mission Bay to the people in the shops in Christchurch Airport at 6am, when we had to check in for our flight home.  There was always a smile.

AUCKLAND

We arrived in Auckland in the North Isle of NZ in the evening.  We stayed in Auckland for a few days, very nice city.

The first day we spent wandering around, being tourists.  We went down to the harbour and eventually ended up going to Mission Bay, before heading home.

View looking back towards the main CBD from the marina
On the left is a foot bridge that is raised to allow boats to pass through

On the other side of the bridge / promenade



America Cup Racing Yachts NZL41 (on left) and NZL68 now belonging to SailNZ

NZL41 came 2nd in the Louis Vuitton Challenge in 1995
This is the yacht that we go out on another day

NZL68 (right) Team New Zealand used as a trial boat prior to the 2007 America's Cup Challenge

NZL41

Both yachts with the Emirates Team NZ America's Cup building in the background

A view over the CBD and marina from the Auckland City Sky Tower
Brilliant 360 views of the city

Heading out to Mission Bay and in front there was blue sky and in the rear view mirror all I saw was black.
I think that this shows it well

A few days later - clear sky sunset.  The Sky Tower easily stands out in the skyline

The next day we went to the Maritime Museum, where there is a quite extensive collection of maritime exhibits, from working boats to static displays.

This is a replica Haunui (built in 2009) of a double-hulled ocean voyaging canoe/waka

This is the ornate helm of the Haunui

This is Kiwi Challenge which took 41 days of rowing to win the 1997 Trans-Atlantic Challenge

 



A figure head believed to be off the HMS Orpheus
Wrecked off NZ coastline in Feb 1863

NZL32 "Black Magic" America's Cup yacht which won the Cup in 1995
(note that the sail is cut down so the display will fit inside the building)

Looking from under the stern

The always impressive Silver Fern motive on the side

The keel

The viewing around the yacht is very good

Looking head on at the bow

 

The 1995 America's Cup replica
(unfortunately the just won Louis Vuitton Cup wasn't on display)

After travelling around the North Island, we had some time to spend before our flight to Christchurch.  Near Auckland Airport there is a Butterfly & Crocodile House.  Was worth the visit.  The enclosure that housed the butterflies was nice.  I couldn't estimate how many there were, as they were continuously flying around, landing on you, landing on vegetation.

Was a mass of colours.  Was fascinated in that some beat their wings furiously, where there was one that soared only beating is wings every so often.

There were some baby crocs and 2 adults to see too.

I couldn't tell you what each butterfly is.

Around the enclosure there are platforms with "flowers" so that the butterflies could be easily seen

 

A couple of baby crocs.