Hi All,

Just a quick update and new pics for you to look at. We made the 3 hour ferry journey up from the south to north island on Saturday and are steadily making our way north. We are now the proud (?) owners of a slightly newer Nissan Sunny having returned the previous one due an unnerving "clanking" which developed underneath. So we are now go karting / driving an automatic in a beige old man's car, thankfully we don't know anyone here...

Saturday 7th-Tuesday 10th March - Wellington

2 and a half days relaxing and enjoying Wellington where we experienced a (simulated) earthquake and saw the world largest squid (dead) etc in the free Te Papa museum, climbed the very steep Mount Victoria to take in the 360 degree views around the city, rode the historic cable car up to the Botanical gardens and even made it out for a meal and drinks one night (on offer, of course).

Tuesday 10th March - Wellington to Ohakune

Drove 4 hours to Ohakune with the intention of staying there to complete the Tongariro crossing (renowned 17km one day walk) today Wednesday, only to find that the weather forecast for the rest of the week was poor / perilous. So we completed the short Viaduct walk through the rolling countryside instead and stayed for only one night instead of two, a bit of a disappointment given the views but not worth risking a mountain trek with 90 kph gale force winds and snow predicted up there...

Wednesday 11th March - Ohakune to Taupo

Today we are in Taupo, set on the largest lake (over 600kmsq). Despite the wet weather we have enjoyed our afternoon visiting the Craters of the Moon geothermal area to watch (and hear) water bubbling and steam rising from the huge craters. The sound from some of them was pretty amazing - think bubbling cauldrons and steam trains, loud even from the safe viewing areas.

Tomorrow we continue north to visit the various natural attractions in Rotorua before making our way up toward the Bay of Plenty for the next few days. Take a look at our new (up to the minute!) pics we are adding now...

Hope all is well,

Liz and Phil x