Goodbye North Island we have throughly enjoyed our stay. Hello South Island. Today we were up early as we had to be checked in at the ferry terminal by 7.45am. The car had to be topped up with petrol and returned to the Rental folk at the dock. It was a bit crazy there as there were no parking spaces left and no instructions as to what to do with the keys. Eventually sorted it out and boarded the Interislander Ferry. This is as big as the cross channel ferries ...

Wellington - capital city of New Zealand. Great place, it is compact and built around a large harbour where all kinds of boats are anchored. As usual we have walked our legs off. First around the town, then we took the cable car up to the topside of the towns botanical gardens. At the top we learned that there are around 400 private cable cars in the area. People building houses on high ground put in a private cable car then they can get all the building supplie...

Woke up to another beautiful day in Napier (see picture )and hit the road bound for Wellington. Still not had any confirmation from tour agents what happens when we get to the South Island. Stopped off in a small town called Masterton where we ate our picnic, confirmed our ferry crossing and visited the patchwork/quilting shop. The journey was along a large plain with a range of mountains along one side in the distance. The Tree Ferns have now disappeared, but ...

Woke up to a perfect blue sky and we were able to have breakfast outside. For the first time I was able to wear sandals and a sleeveless top. We have walked around Napier all day, I don't think we missed a street. Started off along the front where we found a flea market. I managed to get some Tupperware lids which had been lost for years for 60p. The town is famous for its Art Deco but hardly challenges that of Miami Beach. It must be a special weekend as the loc...

We left Rotorua in dark grey skies but hopeful that the weather would Improve. Drove to Taupo where we found a small market. Interesting to look at but nothing to buy. We had parked by the harbour so we left the car and walked into town where we had the best coffee this holiday. The town was very nice with very wide steeets and only single storey buildings gave it a light and airy feel. We had been told to visit the Hukka Falls so as we had missed them on the w...