The ferry across to the north island was very straight forward drove on watched harry potter film (film was not very good seemed to have no point to it) drove off. Wellington itself does not really cater for campervans so went to the Hutt Valley a short drive out. A bit of an industrail area not much to keep us long.

Checked our e-mails the next morning and Megan who we had met in Vietnam and memorably in a ditch in Cambodia (where they and there Tuk Tuk were stuck) had invited us around that night. During the day we went to Te Papa the national museum. The place was amazing loads of interactive stuff including lots of games. As an alien I barly survived landing in New Zealand but as captain of a ship of imagrants managed to transport most of them alive and well. This museum is great, definatly the best I have been to. Had little time left after the museum wandered around town a little and then made our way to Megan's. She lives on a great spot on a hill overlooking the sea. Had a fantastic roast dinner must admit do miss my roast dinners. Got to sleep in a bed in a house which was nice again. Would of liked to spend longer but already spent longer than meant to in south island so decided to leave next morning.

The drive to Tongariro national park was unremarkable except for a short stop we had en-route near a stream. A group of ducks decided to adopt Keely and followed her around the whole time we were there. It was hard not to run them over when we left. We spent the night in a small campsite ready for our day long hike on the Tongariro Crossing.

Next morning up early and into a shuttle bus to the start of the walk. The Tongariro Crossing is reputidly the best day walk in New Zealand and as such was busy. With people from all ages some in trainers and jeans some looking prepared for an atempt on Everest. We started quickly to get past the big groups including three coaches on a school trip. The weather as normal for us was misty no views. This was where lots of Mordor and Mount doom was filmed in Lord of Rings and was easily recognisable. The assent was easy until we hit the top where the winds gave us cause for pause as we were almost blown off. The descent was when the going got more tricky and Keeley fell a couple of times. Over half the walk done and no views. The emerald lakes were a true emerald colour and from there we did get a view and sun for the rest of the way down. We had made good time and ending up waiting an hour for our shuttle. Both and Me and Keeley enjoyed the walk but expected something more challenging on the best day walk in New Zealand. Back in plenty of time we went down to Tawhai Falls a beautiful small waterfall before hitting the road again to Taupo.