Wellington is renowned for its blustery, cold and grey weather. I suppose I can count myself fortunate that the wind wasn't there but the rain and the coolness certainly were. But I just followed the local custom - put on a rain jacket or pop an umbrella and get on with life! I catch the local bus into the city and experience something that I will do so each time I catch a bus in Wellington. As people get off they make a point of thanking the driver, even when they are alighting from the rear door. It's a genuine gesture and one that resonates with me. The bus stopped near Parliament House and I happen to get there a few minutes before a tour is to get underway. The NZ parliament is easily identifiable by the building known as the Beehive, which houses the Executive and is actually located next to Parliament House. Probably the 3 most interesting things I learned were that NZ does not have a Constitution, it only has one House and that it uses the MMP (Mixed Member Proportional) method of voting. It's a bit complex but voters get to vote for both a local member and also a Party. It essentially means that it is very difficult for a Party to gain a majority and therefore government is usually formed by two or more parties forming a coalition. The other amzing aspect of the tour was the chance to head dwon to the basement and see the work that has been done to "earthquake proof" the building. In essence the building has been cut away from it's original concrete foundations and now sits on huge rubber and lead "shock absorbers". These can handle lateral movement of up to 30 centimetres, which means during and earthquake, whilst the ground may be moving the building might be relatively stable. Apparently it's an NZ invention and used quite frequently in earthquake prone areas. With the weather not being conducive to outdoor activities the next stop is the Te Papa National Museum. The highlight for me is an exhibition of NZ's involvement at Gallipoli. An unbelievably brilliant exhibition dominated by likelife models. They are about 3-4 times actual size and the detail, right down to body hair, is simply amazing.

The next day is the first of a number of bus trips I will take - Wellington to Tuapo, about 6 hours including stops. Needless to say the scenery out the window is pretty good and helps pass the time. My Airbnb in Taupo is very comfortable and easy walking distance into town. Taupo is located in the centre of the North Is on the shores of Lake Taupo, it's in a huge geothermal area, the longest river in NZ, the Waikato, runs through town and there are snowfields and hiking trails close by. In short, it has a lot to offer. I decide to walk to Huka Falls, which are reputedly the most photographed natural attraction in NZ ( although I'm sure I have read that about other places as well!!) The falls are not high but what makes them spectacular is that the fast flowing Waikato River is forced into a long, narrow chasm, before the river again assumes its normal width. Apparently 220,000 litres of water per second passes through here. Like many other NZ towns Taupo is also inundated with great examples of street art. You have to look for them though. They are in alleyways, carparks and the backwalls of buildings. But well worth the effort.

Bus trip No. 2 takes me from Taupo to Tauranga which is on the Bay of Plenty. I'm spending a few days here with a great guy I met a couple of years ago in Central America, and haven't seen him since. He decides a walk around, and then up Mt Maunganui will be good for our health and also give me a good view of the landscape. He's right about the 2nd part, but I'm still to be convinced on the first. Great beaches, a huge natural harbour and generally temperate weather make this a popular part of NZ. Being a Friday we have to get back to the local for "Friday Night Happy Hour". Much the same as in Australia, a lot of people sitting around talking crap, but enjoying themselves. The biggest difference to back home is that it starts around 4pm!

After a few days of relaxing and catching up with Barrie and some of his friends it was time for bus trip No. 3. 6 hours - Tauranga to Napier, on the east coast of the North Is. . The country side through here is different to what I had experienced so far. A little hard to describe why. Perhaps the hills/mountains were not quite as jagged and the forests and trees a bit less dense. My 10 day housesit in Napier will give me a chance to unpack, unwind and live "normally" for a while - albeit with the company of 2 Weimaraners. It's also supposed to be a vey scenic area, so I am looking forward to it.