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Detailed travelogue on Australia and New Zealand
Detailed Travelogue on Australia and New Zealand
Larry2006-05-27 03:23:16
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can tell you that Australians
are far friendlier and safer drivers than Kiwis. While in Australia, the
radio and TV would keep constant tabs on the number of traffic fatalities,
and the number of deaths was surprisingly small (about 10 for the entire
country, with places like the Northern Territory -- where there is no speed
limit -- reporting not one traffic death).
Back in New Zealand, I found out the reason for all the traffic while
listening to the radio: The Bay of Islands is the traditional place kids go
to celebrate New Years. Just out of chance, I happened to be visiting the
area at the same time. It seemed like the entire under-30 population of NZ
was driving up to the Bay of Islands for New Years Eve, and it would be
quite a sight. Just a few days before, a cyclone that passed through the
area, and many people cancelled their reservations. Then, the weather
cleared, and on Dec 31st, I was driving up with the hoards of people that
decided to take their trip after all.
I can probably thank that cyclone for two things though: (1) being able
to (barely) get a room, and (2) having a look at the interior of the north
island. The bad weather a few days before had washed out a portion of the
main coastal route north, and everyone was detoured inland for a bit. While
the slow line of thousands of cars, all jammed onto a tiny country road,
might have seemed strange at first, I'm glad it happened, because the drive
inland was one of the most beautiful drives I took on my trip -- so nice in
fact, that on the return, I set aside a good part of the day to take the
inland roads home.
NORTH ISLAND
BAY OF ISLANDS
Finally, after a long day that began in Brisbane -- included
...
See photographs from:
Australia Gallery
,
New Zealand Gallery
