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When we purchased our home on the
Whitianga Estuary we were fortunate to
meet an elderly resident of Whitianga, who, as
a boy, had lived on the same property. When he
was 8 years old, he helped his father build our
stone wall on the river.
He told us a lot about the Whitianga of the
early days – where the Wharf used to be
situated and about nearby properties. He
shared that Maori traders would canoe up
the river bank to his home and trade their
gum, probably coming down the river from
Gumtown, now known as Coroglen.
It was all fascinating stuff, hearing about the
river trade, the timber milling and the thriving
community on the Whitianga River. Times have
changed and transport on the river today, apart
from the local ferry between Whitianga and
Ferry Landing, is mainly for leisure.
THE RIVER CRUISES OF EUROPE
The Rivers of Europe were the ‘highways
of trade’ in Medieval times, and as a
consequence, villages were developed in
strategic riverside locations. Many are now
UNESCO world heritage sites.
Over time and huge endeavours, the
magnificent river locks were built connecting
The Rhine, The Main and The Danube. This
formed a waterway across Europe developing
both commercial and leisure cruising.
One relaxed afternoon sailing between one
of the 68 locks on the rivers, we enjoyed an
incredibly interesting talk from a local expert
on how the locks were finally planned and
constructed. We then enjoyed many hours
watching the intricacies of the long river
vessels negotiating through the locks. Equally
fascinating were the commercial ships – with
cargoes from tidy crates to massive piles of
quarried stones. And some with small homes –
children’s swings and the family car on deck –
all onboard going about their daily business.
A river cruise is one of the best ways to
experience Europe. It is a treasure trove of
quaint villages and important cities with such
differing scenery. There are the smells of
course, especially closer to populated areas
and then there is the tranquillity of the river,
far from the traffic. Beds of wild flowers, local
industry, camp grounds with families holidaying
together, fishing, swimming, and boating.
Same face. Newname. Welcome to YOU Travel Whitianga,
the new travel company that’s all about one thing. YOU isn’t
just our new name; it’s our whole philosophy of delivering
an unrivalled travel experience to our customers. And while
the faces are still the same, we’vemade changes that will take
what we do to the next level and beyond.
Previously
United Travel
07 866 4397
see us instore YOU Travel Whitianga
75 Albert Street, Whitianga
You don’t have to spend every day looking at
ancient castles and hamlets; excursions are
organised to meet most interests. There are
the walking tours around the cobbled streets
and visits to spectacular historical buildings,
breweries and famous car plants as well as
musical events, foodies trips and opportunities
to cycle and walk in the countryside. And if you
don’t feel like visiting anywhere you can stay
aboard your floating home and chill out.
There are no busy airports and train stations to
negotiate. No frustrating queues or crowded
restaurants – and you don’t need to worry about
finding a good place to eat, as every day your
on-board chefs are creating the local specialities
for you to enjoy.
Don’t worry about buying drinking water, as it
is provided every day, to take with you on your
planned excursion. And best of all at the end
of the day, you can just wander back from the
local township or be dropped off by your coach
right outside your ship’s mooring – ready for a
relaxing time on deck... or perhaps a swim in
the on-board pool – still with time to get ready
for another pleasant evening with new friends.
You might even hear an update from your
cruise director on what happened today and
what there is to look forward to...
tomorrow.
Find out more! Ring Monett Johnston
at YOU Travel in Whitianga
(previously United Travel),
07 866 4397.
TRANQUIL TRAVEL
Via the Waterways of Europe
Sailing
through
the locks
Take in the sights from the
lounge chairs on the top deck.
by Monett Johnston
on Uniworld River Cruising
16 COROMANDEL LIFE 2016 LATE AUTUMN / WINTER