New Zealand is about the size of the UK, (but has a population of just 4 million people) and of course has more things to see than you can sensibly do in a couple of weeks, so I took lots of advice when planning the route and itinerary. Today was one of those days that people warned me would be a very long drive, as we were heading off to Rotorua – that’s from the very top of the north island to the centre, a fair way south. It was a ?km drive, but it was an easy drive, with our one-hour-on-one-hour-off pattern. It’s mostly single carriageway, and in places, quite wind-y roads. That is until you are on the outskirts of Auckland where this is a two-way motorway, not quite the M1, but a nice stretch of road, nevertheless.
I was the ‘on’ driver at this point and all too late, realised that I’d gone past a police car, whist I was doing 120km an hour. Now I know that’s only 72 miles an hour and this was motorway, but I knew from Tripadvisor that if you get caught speeding here, you get a ticket, an on the spot fine, $200, I think.
In my rear mirror, I saw him pull out and you know, you have that moment while you’re waiting for him to catch you up, when you hope he’s going to chase someone else, a real criminal. No such luck. He pulled me over. Fortunately, in Australia, I’d asked Dan if you got stopped by police there, do you get out of the car (as in the UK, but not in the US as they think you’re going to pull a gun) and was told, no, stay in the car, so I did.
PC: You just went past me at 122km an hour
MB Yes, this is motorway, isn’t that the speed limit?
PC When and where did you get this car
MB Avis in Auckland, on Sunday
PC And you don’t know the speed limit here is 100km an hour and clearly marked
MB No, sorry we went straight to the Bay of Islands where it’s little wiggly roads and very clear, slow, speed limits.This is the first dual carriageway we’ve been on and I’m sure my Rough Guide says the limit here on motorways is 120km.
PC Show me
MB (reaches to floor at front of Sid’s seat, says out loud D for driving as going through the Rough Guide index, knowing it says no such thing) – Oh I can’t find it. Maybe that was in Australia, we’ve just come from there.
PC I’ve just issued a ticket a German at 127km (two hearts sink). Let me see your license
MB So you think this may be a general mistake people make from the Rough Guide
PC No. Oh I’m so tempted to book you (book was out throughout conversation)
MB Please don’t. This was a genuine mistake
PC Why don’t you have a photo license
MB Oh we don’t have to have those (sinking in seat as he sees four previous convictions and now knows he’s dealing with a serial offender)
PC What are these fixed penalties for?
MB Oh they’re all spent (hoping he wouldn’t notice the one dated 2006)
PC Oh I’m so tempted to book you, but I’m going to let you go
MB Thank you, I promise I’ll never speed again in NZ. Thank you so much.
MB to SP as she drives off: Don’t start. Don’t say a word. it could have been you!
SP Yeh, I know (with smug smile on face)
Anyway Rotorua (reached some 8 hours after leaving Ahipara NOT the 9.5 hours we were warned) stinks. But it’s meant to. It is the smell of sulphur (like bad eggs).It’s volcanic with live geysers, hot mineral pools and spas. It’s also the centre of Maori culture and so we’re off to explore tomorrow. We’re staying in a cabin at our first Top 10 campsite
and the cabin is large with two bedrooms nice living room/kitchen and bathroom, all for around £30 a night. Bit 70s-ish furniture but great value in a beautiful spot opposite the Blue Lake just outside town, very picturesque setting, up in the hills. There are 16 lakes in this town, including Lake Rotorua.
No comments:
Post a Comment