Our Big Day

Sunday arrived, our 40th Anniversary.  After breakfast, we drove out to one of the things on our “must do” list, the Redwoods Treewalk.  Driving into the carpark, we noticed walkways in the trees above criss crossing overhead.  Tickets purchased, we were given a briefing about allowable numbers on the walkways and platforms, and don't touch the trees as it can harm the bark, we were on our way up the spiral walkway.

The start of the walk

We weren't sure how we would both manage up in the tree tops, but it was very easy walking indeed.  The platforms had seating if needed, but I was unaware that the walkways were in fact swing bridges!   All very sturdy, and no problem really.  With 28 bridges and 27 platforms we slowly made our way around the redwoods, stopping to read the information boards at the platforms.  There were plenty of people down on the forest floor on  the walking tracks, and the forest is free entry for recreational users.

The bridges, and looking down onto the undergrowth

The walkway is suspended from the trees using a specially designed sling, which carefully wraps around the trunks without causing any harm.  The slings can be easily adjusted to allow for the growing trees.  Another feature of the forest is the Nightlights Walk and we spotted several of the lanterns on our walk which are illuminated in the evenings. The redwoods and other exotic species were planted in 1901 as an experiment to see if they would be suitable as a timber crop, to save our native forests from being milled.  But the trees grew too fast here in NZ conditions and the timber was too soft for commercial use.  A friendly couple took our photo standing in front of the tallest tree on the walk, 246ft high, and 7ft in girth.

High up in the tree tops

For all you Royal lovers out there, we came cross an info board telling of the visit of Harry and Megan to this attraction in October 2018.  By all accounts, Harry was most impressed. 

Royal visit 2018

The walk was very enjoyable and I’m pleased we finally achieved it.  Back to the van for a rest, then it as time to get into our glad rags and head out to for a ride on the Skyline Gondola, which started operations in 1985.  The ride was silent as we glided upwards, with great views of Rotorua spread out below. 

Up we go

Our Anniversary Dinner was at the Stratosfare Restaurant at the top of the gondola, and what a great place it was.  There was a queue of people ahead of us, and we were soon welcomed into the restaurant and taken to our window table, by a very attentive staff member.  With a glass of bubbly to hand, we then checked out the extensive buffet. The restaurant was quite full, and had a lively atmosphere as people chatted at their tables, gazed out the large windows, or selected their food from the buffet.

Fine dining indeed

The food was wonderful, we must say.  With plenty of overseas visitors to cater for there were many Asian dishes on offer, as well.  I tried a selection of Asian cuisine as my starter,  very tasty indeed to try something new to me and quite different.

There were plenty of choices for the main course, and as expected, a wonderful selection  of desserts too, including my favourite, crème caramel.

Many delicious dessert choices

Just as we had finished a cup of coffee each, and nibbled on some cheese and crackers, our waitress appeared carrying a tray which she presented to us.  On the tray were some extra dessert goodies, Happy Anniversary written in chocolate, and a card signed by the staff.  Guess we had mentioned our special occasion, and we were overwhelmed with the thoughtfulness of the management for doing this for us.

Such a lovely thought

After such a wonderful meal, we hopped on one of the gondola cars for our downward journey, and drove 5kms or so back to camp.  It had indeed been a wonderful evening.

Not so for poor Gemma, she  was quite agitated with the noise of  fireworks outside.  Our anniversary date is 5th November, Guy Fawkes night, the time for lighting bonfires and letting off noisy crackers.  She settled down once we returned, thank goodness.  There have been calls to ban fireworks altogether here, because of injuries and fires, and the noise upset animals, with farm animals frightened and often running into fences and injuring  themselves.