Auckland

We cant believe it but it's our last night in New Zealand. Yesterday was a wonderful day staying in Taranaki with friends and family; it was Lindsay's Uncle Greame and Auntie Wilma's Golden Wedding celebration. It was a really happy occasion and a fitting end to our time in NZ. We are feeling a bit sad today about leaving, knowing we wont see them all for some time.

Today we hitched a ride with Lindsay's cousin Gordon in his truck all the way back to Auckland, a surprisingly pleasant way to finish our journeys.

Pirongia then back to Taranaki

Last night we spent in a wonderful and very comfortable night at a farm homestay near Pirongia. The previous day we visited the glow worm caves at Waitomo. There are some pictures of the many stalactites and stalagmites but the glow worms are impossible to photograph!

We have now arrived back in Taranaki, with the mountain looking majestic with the winter snow yet to melt.

Russell to Huntley

After a restful week in Russell we are on the move again. Before we left Russell we were treated to a spectacular sunset overlooking the harbour,

We have now stopped overnight in Huntley, a slightly rundown coalmining town just north of Hamilton, on our way back to Taranaki.

Bay of Islands -Russell

We are now in the far north of New Zealand staying in Russell, Bay of Islands. Our villa overlooks the small harbour which is Russell and which was once New Zealands first capital. Across the bay we can see Waitangi, site of the historic treaty signed in 1840 by representatives of the British Crown and various Maori chiefs. Today Russell is a tourist haven, with many sailing boats in the harbour.

The Coromandel Peninsula

Yesterday we drove up from Rotorua to The Coromandel Peninsula, where we are staying in apartments in Coromandel Town. Today we took a drive along the beautiful west coast stopping for lunch at Hot Water Beach, where at low tide you can dig a hole in the sand and bathe in hot volcanic water bubbling up through the sand. Cathedral Cove proved a destination too far so something to save for our next trip!

Hunterville to Rotorua

Last night we stopped off at Jude and Barrys house in Hunterville, and again were royally entertained with copious food wine and some 60 year old whisky! Plus some excellant company. Today we have driven up to Rotorua through the desert highway past Mount Ruapehu and the Huka Falls.

Back to Waikanae

Yesterday we took the ferry across The Cook Straight to Wellington and have stayed the night back in Waikanae with our friends Raewyn and Bruce, where we have been royally entertained. This morning The Kapiti coast and Island are looking stunning in the sun.