The Big Visit is Over - Napier, New Zealand - 10/11/05
Well Gillian came, studies and left. Only joking, it was great to Have Gilly here but as shwe had been here before we didn't do a whole lot apart from talking and just filling each other in on our lives.
It was great for Gwen to meet Gillian and vica-versa. I think they both weren't sure what to expect but were much relieved after the first 5 seconds to find out each other was really lovely. I was also relieved as it is really important that they got on, after all we did have some drinking to do that week.
The highlights of the week for me were Spa Park in Taupo. This is where a hot water stream (heated by volcanic activity) flows into the Waikato river and you can get in and either burn yourself or freeze your self depending on how far you go into the warm pool or out into the river. I am sure it is just beautiful in the warm summer but The Waikato river still needs to heat up a few degrees for my likeing.
Lunch at Black Barn Winery was exceptional as well. We took a leisurely 2.5 hours for a beautiful 3 course meal. I would recommend it to anyone that is trying to impress an out of towner. Gillian didn't want to Leave Hawkes bay after that.
So our short week together drew to a close on Friday morning when Gwen and I bid a tearful goodbye to Gilly at the Airport.
We then headed off to Taupo and swam in the beautiful Waikato riverat the point where a hot water stream flows into it. This stream by the way is heated by thermal activity. Yay for living on a giant fault line.
|
