We were really sorry to leave the castle and Dunedin and hope to return one day to see the seals, whales and other delights of the Otago peninsula. As it was we spent so long exploring the Castle gardens, we only just had time to follow the winding precipitous road to the Headland and see the Royal albatrosses. We were too early for the hatching and were not lucky enough to see the teenage parties when the youngsters return from time to time. We were impressed by the stolid Mums and Dads sitting on the cliff top, waiting for their partners to return to take over the next shift of egg sitting.The next day we travelled on to Christchurch, a rather long and not very exciting trip, until we tried to find the hotel in central Christchurch. I wish someone had told us there were two hotels with the same name!! The next day was spent in last minute shopping and exploring this very English town with punts and a river called the Avon. That was why we had dinner at an Indo Chinese restaurant. The next morning with time to spare before our evening flight to Auckland we explored the Banks Peninsula. A trip up the Gondola inspired Peter to return to do the Christchurch to Akaroa cycle ride some time, exploring all the inlets and crater rims round the old volcano. Leaving New Zealand was sad after beginning to feel at home amongst the friendly people everywhere and the magnificent scenery. The Cook islands, otherwise known as the South Seas Paradise, awaited us. It proved to be the longest Tuesday ever, nearly 48 hours as we crossed the date line on the way and then at 2 in the morning had a hitch with the hotel. No one had our name on their list and the hotelier had all her rooms full. After an hour or two they managed to find us a room in a neighbouring hotel and promised a move to the original booked chalet the next morning. We were too tired to care by then and spent most of the day recovering. However not a bad place to recover, flowers scattered everywhere , a blue lagoon and pounding white surf on the reef with the deep navy Pacific beyond. We really did very little during our stay beyond going to a Polynesian evening and visiting the market this morning. We managed to sit by the beach and admire the view in the evening until late Thursday when we encountered the remains of a Pacific cyclone - torrential rain and strong winds. We are hoping to leave on time this evening, although yesterday a number of our fellow guests were delayed. Even Paradise has airport delays obviously.This will probably be our last blog so best wishes to everyone. Thanks for reading it and be warned there are lots more pictures we haven't put on!