I hope you have enjoyed travelling around New Zealand with me. The last few posts were about the highlights of our trip, now it is the final week and we spent it with my daughter in Tauranga and Mount Maunganui.
Mount Maunganui NZ is situated in the city of Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand. Mt Maunganui is New Zealand’s favourite summer holiday destination with its white sandy surf beach on the ocean side, and a safe sheltered inner harbour beach. Mount Maunganui’s world recognised surf beach is a popular area for surfing, swimming, and all beach activities. Mount Maunganui is also the name of the extinct volcano which rises above the town.
Jack had a mission to fulfil with this extinct volcano.
CLIMB TO THE TOP
THE VIEW IS WELL WORTH THE EFFORT!
The mount is 232 metres high
There are several tracks to the summit and the two tracks recommended for sightseers are the Oruahine and Waikorire. The summit is 232m high – it takes about 40 minutes to get to the top.
The first time Jack climbed to the top was on his 75th birthday in 2007. The next time was two years ago on his 80th birthday. So he was determined to do it again this year for his 82nd birthday.
It is a long way up
And it is steep
Success, another walker took this photo, what a view.
I have to admit I didn’t go with him as I had a girls day out with my daughter. These photos were taken by Jack to show me what I had missed.
What goes up has to come down, watch your feet Jack
View on the way down.
What an achievement I am proud of him.
Next day we did the walk around the base. It is 3.4 kilometres and is a beautiful scenic stroll following the track beside the ocean.
The track around the base of the Mount
Tauranga is the busiest port in New Zealand and we saw many container ships, oil tankers, fishing trawlers, yachts and various dinghies even canoes and jet skies, it is a very busy stretch of ocean.
This is a Pohutakawa tree
.
Photo from Google Images
The Pohutukawa trees line the track.
They are known as New Zealand Christmas tree and when they flower in December with their stunning red blossom they are spectacular.
But we will have to come again another year in December to see them.
So this was the end of our 4 week stay in New Zealand. It has been a lovely visit seeing our family and friends and now it is time to get ready for the next adventure.
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Now it is 3 weeks later. I have enjoyed reliving the NZ trip as I sorted through the photos and shared them on my blog. It is almost like taking the journey twice.
In two days time we will be flying off to Western Australia to house sit for 2 months in Geraldton. Since we travelled around Australia in 2010 I have often dreamed of revisiting WA, it was one of my favourite places and now it is a dream come true.
So goodbye for now I will see you all again on the other side of this huge continent.
gypsy life 
What a treat to visit these lovely NZ places. The green green to beaches and the valiant red of the pohutukawha. And Jack you are an inspiration. Both of you!! Stay strong active and interested and vitality rules!! I don’t believe in getting old and refuse to discuss this. I am busy with yoga, still working some traveling, writing and keeping on keeping on. I meditate every day. Life is good! Yay :))
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Sue I like your attitude and joy for life, after all age is just how you feel. Thank you for your lovely comment. Best wishes for all your projects and dreams.
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Astounding views.. Its been a pure pleasure to catch up with your posts again Pauline… I have had a very happy half hour browsing thought your post.. Many thanks for sharing your beautiful journey with us.. Love and Blessings
Sue xoxox
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Thank you for calling by Sue it has been MY pleasure to have you comment on the posts.
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🙂 thank you.. I can honestly say I so enjoyed my visit 🙂
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🙂
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Found some where cool for you to check out when you get back home
http://www.countryparadiseparkland.com/#!coast-acoustics/cffb
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Hi Vanessa good to hear from you, I’ve checked that site out and yes it will be on our list to do when we get back home. Have you been to see them?
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ps a crazy hang glider pilot took me flying there once
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That would be a fantastic view over the harbour.
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woo hoo … way to go Jack!!!
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Not a bad achievement for any age but at 82 it is amazing (I can’t keep up with him!!!) he has a blog too you might like to look at it. http://jacksjottings.wordpress.com
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Thank you Pauline and thanks to every one that commented.
I am so happy if I can show by example and inspire people to have a go and give life their best shot.
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You are so inspirational to travel with Jack
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Other people may not agree with you but with you by my side it is so easy to be positive and full of inspiration. 🙂 _/\_
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Thanks Jack 🙂
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So impressed! I hope I’ll be able to do the same at 82!!
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I’ll pass your comment on to Jack. Just keep fit and healthy Jill you can do it…. 🙂
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Okey, dokey – I’ll keep with the gym 🙂
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That is how Jack does it. I prefer to walk
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Hi Pauline – loved looking at your photos as we were in Tauranga just last Wednesday/Thursday visiting my sister and her children. Weather was stunning and we thought Tauranga was just beautiful. Did not have time to do the walks but will go back there in December next time when the Pohutakawas are in bloom – love those gnarly trees too! Jack is looking very well and fit!
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Hi Lesley good to hear from you. That area of NZ is so beautiful, I envy you being there in December
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I would just have to have gone with him, Pauline. No two ways about it! 🙂
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Yes I usually do tag along Jo, but the chance of a day out with my daughter was irresistible.
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Congrats to Jack – and thank you for taking us through one of the most beautiful countries in the world!
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I will pass that on to Jack Leya. I lived almost 40 years in NZ and it still owns a large part of my heart.
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What a lovely spot PP, and well done to Jack for climbing up that volcano – it looked a bit steep and uneven in places, my OH would never manage it as he suffers from vertigo and steps without railings are impossible for him. I’d have liked it though. Can’t wait to see your posts on WA, I hope the weather is kind as I know it can be a bit cool and wet in winter over there. See you soon 🙂
Jude xx
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Yes it is quite steep Jude and quite a challenge as there are not many rails along the track. April and May are just about the best months for Geraldton WA, the heat of summer has gone but the cold has not set in. At least that is in a normal year, bur what year is normal now????
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That’s true – apparently we are experiencing extremely high pollution at the moment, a combination of Sahara sand (???) and gases from Europe. Never a dull day in old Blighty 😀
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That sounds bad. 😦 Has the snow gone?
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Didn’t have any snow this year, such a mild though very wet winter. Same in Europe I believe.
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Really enjoyed your travels seen some places we visited and some new . What a glorious day for Jack’s birthday climb ! Nice to have a low level walk too round the base of that Volcano Mountain near to the ocean .
So … see you over the other side as it were 🙂
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Thanks Poppy, see you soon… 🙂
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I, too, loved your trip thru’ N.Z. Pauline. One of my favourite countries without travelling too far from home!. Went on three cruises of both Islands in fifteen months recently and never got tired of the beautiful scenery. Will look forward of travelling via your blog thru’ West.Aust. Congratulate Jack on
his great climb – I would not be able to do that now unfortunately!
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Hi Joy good to hear from you, I will pass on your congratulations to Jack.
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