Today we made the mammoth journey from Picton in the South Island all the way up the North Island to Taupo. As we visited the North Island on our last trip we are just catching up on the bits we missed out on last time.

In order to catch a connecting bus and not spend the night in Wellington we were catching the 6.25a.m. ferry so we were up at some unearthly hour and we started the crossing in the dark. Luckily it was getting light as we were coming out through the sound so we could see the awesome scenery which I think was on par with Milford. The dead flat calm of the waters and the low clouds made it kind of eerie as well.

As we came out to the open sea to cross the Cook Strait we headed inside to the front of the boat and the lounge area where I continued my nights sleep! Moderate sea conditions were actually big, rolling waves which meant it was touch and go for a while for Olof and his sea sickness! Typically I sleep through everything and I was only woken by Olof telling me he was heading down the back and outside but to be fair to him it was quite rough and a few waves crashed over the front of the ferry! Back on peaceful waters and heading into Wellington it was only ten o'clock and we were in the local McCafe waiting the hour before our bus departed.

Our journey wasnt over yet and we had a nice 6 hours on the coach to look forward to before finally arriving at our hostel in Taupo thirteen hours after leaving Picton!

We loved it here last time and it was the place we first experienced Burger Fuel (a NZ fast food restaurant) so our first stop in town was there and it tasted even better than we remembered it!

Olof also unleashed his inner "Abba" side with this song....

"Go left and there's a football field. Go right and they have Burger Fuel. Go up and it's time for bed. Go down and you will get wet. Lake Taupo, they have bungee jumps. Lake Taupo, they have RocknRopes. Lake Taupo, stay for one day or three. Lake Taupo, it is the place to be."