mrsjono

Wings Over Wairarapa is a biennial airshow featuring vintage aircrafts and aerobatics flying displays. This event takes place in the summer and lasts for three days. Learned of this volunteer opportunity from our journalist flatmate before Christmas last year and registered our interest for the weekend shift. We were assigned to the information tent and given ad hoc duties like directing traffic at the gates and checking VIP passes. Shift was from 8am-4.30pm with meals provided.


Although we were assured training will be provided before the actual day, it was almost non-existent. We heard people calling us "bloody Asians" when we couldn't answer their questions. Racial discrimination is something we should be used to by now as a minority in a foreign country but it was still very upsetting. On reflection, we should have been more proactive like other volunteers who tried to find out as much information as possible at the start and coming back to the tent to share it with other volunteers.


When not needed at the tent we were allowed to roam around and enjoy the show!


Visitors came prepared with camping chairs, mats and umbrellas


Behind me is the BAC 167 Strikemaster, a light attack aircraft made in the UK. Such aircrafts were once used by the Singapore Air Force some 30 years ago.


Caleb got a free flight (again!) as part of his coverage for the papers - how lucky!


There were many aerial displays throughout the day such as synchronised flights and vertical drops


Besides a colourful collection of vintage aircrafts, there were also military tanks and trucks


Free water and sunblock lotion are accessible to visitors to avoid dehydration and sunburns


Bumped into my colleague Jo and her mom while wandering around


Idea


The finale was an airfield attack by WWII aircrafts complete with bombs, explosions and with a little imagination, was my closest experience of the 1940s war. 

Last walk of the year was Cooks Cove named after Captain James Cook, an English sailor and explorer who visited the Tolaga Bay area in 1769. Passing through gentle hills where sheep graze freely reminds me of the Kennedy's Bush Track in Christchurch. Wind was so strong near the coast I had trouble keeping my eyes open and couldn't take any decent photos with hair all over my face.


Tolaga Bay Holiday Park charged me $50 when they told me on the phone there was no penalty for cancelling reservation and there was no cancellation policy on their website either. I had given more than 48 hours notice which is a reasonable amount of time for them to re-let sites. When they refused to refund, I had to call up my bank to dispute this charge and was relieved to get my money back.




First view of Cooks Cove


Approaching hole in the wall





Track begins to climb uphill and we weren't sure where it's leading to so we stopped at this point







He didn't want anything too shabby for dinner on NYE. So we had our last meal of the year at The Wharf Bar & Grill. Atas enough ma?



Managed to extend one more night at YHA by camping in their backyard. Washed up and headed up Kaiti Hill to wait for fireworks. Recced this morning to find the best spot for tonight's fireworks and learned from a local they go off at 9.30pm where the three rivers meet. As night fell we could see tiny fireworks in the distant and hear some near us. While waiting we talked about what we had done this year and our wishes for the new year. No fireworks at 9.30... gave up at 10pm and went back to sleep.



Heard 5 4 3 2 1 not too far away and figured it must be 12 mn. BOOM! Our tent lit up and we could vaguely make out firework was really near us but too tired to roll out. Once again, we slept through the new year just like last year in Auckland lol.

The next morning we went over to check out the other free campsite at Oraka Reserve which was quite busy too. View was less dramatic than Opoutama Beach. Had a look around Mahia Beach and some Maori art exhibition in town before moving on to Gisborne for lunch.


Oraka Reserve


Mahia Beach Holiday Park


Didn't know there was a walk up the Mokotahi Hill alamak


Cancelled Tolaga Bay Holiday Park and had to find somewhere to stay for two nights on 30th and 31st. Scrambled for accommodation in Gisborne; many places were full due to the annual New Year's party Rhythm & Vines. Managed to get a double room for one night at YHA. This was considered "luxurious" especially after camping for several days. There was even a small couch in the room for us to sit and charge up our devices! *danced around the room*



A 45 mins drive from Gisborne brought us to Rere Falls. I was a bit intimidated seeing throngs of youngsters walking around almost naked and surprised to find a short queue of crazy teenagers waiting at the top of the waterfall to jump off. Needless to say we were overdressed around bikini babes and half naked boys.



After watching a free Summer Olympics of kiwi diving, we went on to Rere Rockslide. There was another long queue of young people with swim boards of all shapes and sizes waiting to zoom down the natural water slide. We didn't have anything to slide on and since I couldn't swim, could only watch the fun by the side.



Group slide on inflatable air mattress


Hanging on!


"I can't brake, get out of my way!"


Whale rider's turn while others climbed back up for another go


Hanged around for 45 mins and then made our way back to our YHA "presidential suite"

A rest day after four days of exertion. Treated ourselves to the Morere hot springs ($14 pp) to soak away our fatigue and body aches. Went for a dip in all the hot pools of varying temperatures and there is a cold swimming pool as well if it's too hot. Showered at Morere before leaving as the next campsite does not have any shower facilities. It was a scenic drive to Opoutama Beach; the rugged coastline of Mahia Peninsula blew us away. We were the first to arrive and took our time to decide where to set up the tent. It was windy af; almost wanted to try and cook inside the car but was afraid car might explode. Relatively good sleep no sandflies and itching less. Overall a pleasant stay at this free campground.









Sunset at Opoutama Beach

Last year we spent Christmas in Tongariro National Park. This year we did our fourth Great Walk at Lake Waikaremoana. Only managed to book the hut and campsites 3-4 days in advance and the earliest we could start was on Christmas Day. Set off on the first day at 9.45am. It was quite a tough climb up with heavy packs.


D1 Onepoto to Panekire Hut


We have to climb up there? Gulps.


Still in good spirits - so far so good.


Slightly after an hour of ascent we came to amazing views of the peaceful lake


Merry Christmas at Panekire Bluff!


View of Lake Waikaremoana from Panekire




The German boys were skyping their family to wish them a Merry Christmas


Reached Panekire Hut at 3.15pm, took us 5.5 hours. Huts usually have gas and toilet paper but this one didn't have.


Everyone went into this lie flat position upon reaching the hut.


I thought no camping allowed at this hut?!


German boys carried a big tray of meat, a whole red capsicum, a whole onion, a full bottle of cooking oil, big pot and pan all the way up here to cook a Christmas feast!


Chose the wrong beds got toilet smell. Going to bed at 6.30pm with sore back.


Didn't sleep well due to noise. Chinese couple beside me kept fidgeting at night and went off before sunrise. Started day two at around 8am. Descent was not as steep as depicted on plan, mainly passing through the forest. We were early this time, taking 2 hours 45 mins to get to the next campsite.


Camo scarf draped by me, nice?


D2 Panekire Hut to Waiopaoa campsite


Native ferns and flowers


Stretching while taking a break

Everyone came prepared with swim wear except us. We still went into the lake in our undies anyway because we hadn't shower for a few days and needed a wash. It was quite refreshing after a dip and shit out.


Lazed around for a couple of hours listening to music, massaging each others limbs, lying down watching the clouds move and swatting flies while waiting for wet clothes to dry.


The noise continues with people talking loudly around a campfire near our tent at night. He wasn't putting up with it; popped his head out and told the group we were trying to sleep. Itchiness from sandfly bites disrupted my sleep further. We were one of the last few to leave Waiopaoa on the third day at 9.15am.


I was about to drop my pack at the Korokoro Falls sign when the China gal appeared and vaguely said we could go in further and drop our packs inside. I didn't want to heed her advice because we would be coming back to the same point anyway. He chided me for it and I was quite mad because we still came back to the sign anyway.


1 hour return side trip to Korokoro Falls


Korokoro Falls


D3 Waiopaoa campsite to Maraunui campsite


Maraunui campsite with cooking shelter


Herbal tea and cookies


Pleasantly surprised to find Maraunui campsite has access to the lake. A boat was docked there and had a chat with the couple for awhile. Nancy gave us each a cup of hot tea and avocado sandwiches. We were starving and thankful for the treat.


Put up the tent and went for a wash in the lake again. We didn't really see anyone else around and enjoyed having the lake to ourselves. Washed clothes and left them on the tent fly to dry. Played with my light stick and turned in at 8pm.


D4 Maranui campsite to Hopuruahine Landing was mainly flat but very long (17km) and not much to see on the last day.


Must have lost the Canon lens cover when he slipped and fell.



Grumpy ending to this Great Walk due to my leaky shoes on several very muddy sections towards the end which slowed me down tremendously (again). Reached water taxi point at 1.45pm just in time for the 2pm boat! I tried my best to enjoy the final 15 mins boat ride at the end. It was really amazing looking at the amount of distance we've covered these 3.5 days.


Hopuruahine Landing



Braced the cold shower at Big Bush. Feet were sore and red from scratching sandfly bites. Nongshim ramen with luncheon meat and egg were daebak after going hungry for a few consecutive days.



Poor sleep, fatigue and hungriness led to more grumpiness and eruptions. He wasn't feeling well and went into the tent earlier. I cooked my first pot of water with the gas burner and was ashamed I only started this late and guilty for being over reliant on him.


Sunset at Big Bush Holiday Park