Kel: So the next day we decided to climb up Mount Manganui (just behind the van site) before we took off. It was an absolutely scorching day and it took about an hour for us to make it to the top of the hill (avec hangovers). On the way we met a superhuman from Aberdeen who must have been in his 70s/80s and had lived most of his life in NZ. He told us he should never have moved and that once you're there you're stuck... you can't carry on travelling round the wor...

Kel: The next day we visited Te Puia which is a maori village (theme park). It was pretty commercial but quite informative. We wandered round a remodel of a traditional maori village, understood their culture a bit more, and watched a traditional welcome into the maori home, hakka dance etc... even a love song. I particularly enjoyed seeing the polynesian influence on dance and music and realising that it's not all about aggression. However it was much more fun w...

Kel: Our aim was to drive north as far as possible. We had a lovely drive through the tongariro national park (where Mt Doom/Mordor is in Lord of the Rings). We went to the tourist information place to learn all about a 1 day hike crossing Tongariro but M wasn't convinced. A massive hike and our knees (well mine) were still dodgy. I was full of we can do it enthusiasm, but the reluctant consensus was a no. We carried on north, stopped for a left over lunch at Lak...

Kel: 5am is a hard start for anyone but at about minus 20 in the van it was near impossible (ok slight exageration). We piled on as many layers as we could including thermals, hats, gloves etc and took off. I reckon we've got too used to the sun. Anyway early start on the ferry crossing over and we just couldn't warm up. However thankfully Wellington on the other side was lovely and sunny and we were lucky enough to catch up with Paul, our milford track friend, a...

MATT: Wine country and the sun is shining...even though it is pretty cold. We drive from Kaikoura to Blenheim along more rugged coastline and stop only to visit a big seal colony right off the highway. They are so close that their stink climbs up your nose immediately, and as the rain starts to batter down on us while we are there - it is a short stop. On our way into Blenheim we stop at Montana wines (one of the wines we had for our wedding) and hope to join a ...