Those of you on van #2 can discuss your itinerary choices here.

So far, van #1 is discussing a visit to Ransom wines and a visit to SheepWorld.

I mentioned to the woman at Ransom that we might have 2 vans, let me know if you are interested and I will include you in our group tour! You can visit the LAMB van #1 post for details.

We are definately in favor of touring the Ransom winery and option #3 or 4 would be perfect. We could pass on Sheep World if someone has another idea, but will go along with the majority.

Thanks to Karen for getting things started.

Steve

Steve, we agree with your choices. Ransom winery #3 or 4. Sheep World? ok but would rather do something else although we'll go along with whatever the group decides.

If both vans agree on Ransom wines, I will put up a poll to see if we want option 3 or 4. If we do the winery first, then each van can go their separate ways after the winery. I think our van is still open to other choices besides SheepWorld as well. Maybe Kiwi Dave can chime in and give other suggestions, I believe he is from the area!

We're open to anything, too. Kiwi Dave, have you any good suggestions?? Is the geyser area too far? (probably is)

Geysers sound cool! Michele, where are they, do you know?

Near Rotorua...a bit of a drive.
Editing to add: Just read that it's about a 3 hour drive (scenic) from Auckland. T'long.

Do the van #2 people know if you want to go to Ransom Wines yet? I will wait til tomorrow before I make the group reservation, in case you are coming, too.

About the geysers: If you've been to Yellowstone you'll be underwhelmed.

Our vote is for lunch at the Ransom winery. Alan and Donna have also indicated that they are interested in lunch at the winery. After the winery, we're open to what ever the group desides even if it's just touring the local area.

Van 2 folks it's time to speak up.


Steve

I'm with Alan, Donna and Steve as Is Valerie.
Winery/Lunch with new friends, What could be better. Eat the Lamb or shear the lamb, what ever the group desides is o.k. with us.
Chuck

Actually what ever the group decides is o.k. with us.
Chuck

Love that Avatar! Chuck and Valerie!

It appears that both vans want to do Ransom wines so I will post a poll as to which lunch option you want.

Thanks, Karen!

Ed and I would really like to go to Sheep World. I have been told "you don't want to go to New Zealand without seeing the sheep". So our vote for Van Two is for Sheep World and the winery. Thanks to Ngaire for getting this trip set-up.

Linda

Van #2 folks;
After some thought maybe Sheep World, followed by the winery and lunch would be the way to go.
Please recommend some other morning destinations other than Sheep World so we may make a decision.
Chuck

I can't see what time they open on the Sheepworld website, can someone else take a look and see if I am missing it? I see the first show starts at 11am, though.

I found this on their website "Sheepworld is open 9-5pm every day except Christmas day."

Linda

Good job, Linda! I couldn't find that for the life of me!

So, Van #1 can leave at 9am, go to Sheepworld then to Ransom Winery for lunch and if there is time after we are done with lunch, we can just sightsee a bit?

And of course, Van #2 is welcome to do the same!

Perfect Karen!!!! Thanks for pulling this together - Joanna

Yes, thanks for all your work on this, Karen!
And, thanks also to Kiwi Kruzer for providing the touring information (see Van #1 thread)

For whatever it's worth, we're also interested in going to SheepWorld.

What time should I make the winery reservations for? 12:00? That will give us 2 hours at SheepWorld, is that enough?

Does anyone know how far Ransom Winery is from Sheepworld ??

10 minutes at the most.
Ransoms is as you enter Warkworth and Sheepworld is on the other side of the town.

Thanks for being a super organizer, Karen.
Although we saw sheep demonstrations at an estancia in Chile on another cruise, I'm sure we'll enjoy the NZ version. We'll go with the majority decision, sounds like a lovely area.

Plan, sheepworld then lunch sounds good to Carol and me. Seeing what we can see on our way back to the hotel through AKL would be good.

Anyone have suggestions on the time for the Ransom reservation?

NOON

Karen; Will we have enough time for a show at Sheep World, with lunch at noon.
Chuck

Chuck, I am not sure, the show starts at 11am and I am not sure how long it runs. Maybe Marcie can remember? If it is an hour long, we should be fine as Sheepworld is only a few minutes from the winery.

I was remembering it as about 1 - 1 1/2 hours but I could easily be wrong (usually am) so I emailed the Sheepworld lady to ask how long the show runs.

We both really enjoyed Sheepworld and are happy to go back again.

Looking at the timing of Sheepworld and our lunch at Ransom, I don't think that both fit into our alloted time. The van departs the hotel at 9:00 and it takes 30 minutes to get to Sheepworld, what do we do between 9:30 and the the show start time of 11:00?

That would mean that the Ransom tour will not start before 12:30 or 1:00, leaving very little time for lunch and the tour followed immediately by the van ride back to the hotel.

Are we the only ones that feel that waiting around 90 minutes for the start of a performance is not a good use of what little time we have in Auckland? What can we do for those 90 minutes that would be of better use of our time?


Steve

According to the Sheepworld website, it take approx. 45 minutes to get to Sheepworld and the dog and Sheep show is one hour. They also have a:

"NZ Farmyard
Feed snacks to our friendly animals and get to learn about them too. Meet favourites such as calves, pigs lambs, goats and donkeys plus more exotic alpacas, emus, possums, mini horses and lorikeets."

And of course they mention "shopping" having about 3 shops of handmade crafts, and other sheep articles.

Linda

IF we have time to kill we'll meander through some of the neat places David mentioned - no rigid agenda

Yes, if we have time we can do things like visit the giant Kauri trees :eek: or whatever anyone wants to do!

Now that's a good idea, Joanna, Loosey goosey Van #1! Scenery around Aukland is so lovely, I'm sure it will be fine. I remember taking a drive up through a residential area way up to the top of a hill where there was a good overlook almost 360 degrees.

Editing to saw WOW, Karen, those trees look bigger than the ones in Muir Woods!

And from what I understand, the giant trees are close to Sheepworld (I think!)

Changing this post just read the other thread and Kiwi Kruzer suggestions. So nice to have someone helping, we are all looking forward to meeting you Kiwi Kruzer. HE WILL KNOW exactly how to pronounce my name.

I have only been to Warkworth ONCE so I am not an expert on this area but changing my suggestions. There is a lot there and I think the driver will keep you well entertained and you should just head in that direction. This is a very nice area.

Personally I would say more like an hour to get there. I actually have not been to Sheep world but a similiar attraction in Rotorua called the Agradome. I will tell you I go EVERY time I go to Rotorua. I love the show.

The scenery on the way is the rolling green hills covered with sheep countryside. The Orewa beach is gorgeous with a really nice lookout. When we left from the North shore (closer than downtown) just to go to Orewa it always took about an hour. Warkworth is further north. I have not been up this way for some time, maybe they have a new motorway now. I am sure there will be picture stops along the way. My guess is that it will be closer to 10.30 when you get there.

Those really big Kauri trees I thought were further North. However, looking at the information on Warkworth I guess there are some there after all.

I do remember the BEST devonshire teas in Orewa but that place is probably long gone too. June would remember it. Melt in your mouth scones (nothing like the ones on Regent) fresh made strawberry jam and that incredible N.Z. fresh cream. All served on lovely china, with a "pot" of tea in beautiful gardens. Ken always wanted to drive to Orewa for the scenery and the beach walks. Yeah right I know it was the scones!!

If you are all set on this I will email Southern Crossings and run the logistics by them to make sure that the timing will all work.

Sounds good to me, Ngaire!