MATT & KEL:

The journey south from Rotorua has been stunningly beautiful drive, a highlight being passing through Taupo, which on the banks of the lake stands Mt Tongariro which doubled as Mount Doom and Mordor in the Lord Of The Rings....but set against the blue sky and the crystal blue water it looks much less ominous. On the way down we visited Wai'o'tapu thermal springs which were awesome. Green pools, red pools, yellow pools and massive spurts here there and everywhere (oh and very stinky)

We got to Napier later that day. It's a weird little town...completely destroyed by a volcano in the 1920's and rebuilt as an Art Deco city...but it is kind of quiet and the town centre is a bit dull (good fush and chups though)

Leaving Napier took us south to Hastings and Hawkes Bay (and Cape Kidnappers) through the vineyards of the North Island where we stopped for a few tastings...it looks like a nice lifestyle running a Kiwi vineyard...Black Barn wines was a choice stop...

Next stop Wellington.....