Well the road trip began by leaving Auckland and heading to Rotarua where we all met up at a top ten campsite. After 2days apart Karen and I were glad to be reunited!!!

Rotarua STANK, the natural sulphur and pools make the whole place smell of rotten eggs. We visited Hells Gate which was a very active geothermal area with various types of hot pools and springs (hot being above 100 degrees c with an acidity level of in places just ph 1, so we didint venture to close as this would take your skin off).... Amazing nature. On went the swimmers and we relaxed in a hot sulphur spa bath at about 40 degrees, then into a mud pool bath for twenty minutes which was great fun, however the cold shower to regulate our temperatures soon took the smiles off the faces (apart from karen the sadist haha). We all then had the charming smell of rotten eggs coming out of our pores but it was well worth it as our skin was silky soft and we have never felt that clean. Feeling very refreshed we went out for dinner and a few drinks in the evening and danced the night away.

Next visit was Te Paua, here we were amazed by watching an exploding Geyser, that they claim sometimes gets as high as 15metres in the air! We also experienced a Maori cultural show, enjoying a welcome and the haka among other dancing and singing. Karen and I both at the very front with all the children, our tongues out drooling over the very muscular Maori warriors. WHOARRRR..

Weekend over, Karen had to get back to Hamilton for work and Pops and I had to hit the road to head East. This was an emotional goodbye and we have realised this will be the longest period of time in which we will not of seen each other for over a year! What will we do without each other as partners in crime haha.

So east brought us to Ohope then driving onto to visit Gisborne which is the most easternly city in the world and only 2degres from the date line! Very nice place. Continuing we made for Napier which impressed us greatly with its art deco culture and styles. Onward to Hastings which is another gorgeous little town with lots of flowers and hanging baskets in every street. Driving up a hill to the summit of Te Mata which is 400metres, overlooking the entire Hawkes bay region, visability was not great but still a very impressive sight. Think Lord of the Rings guys this is soooo NZ.

Weather started to get worse as the rain set in we drove on all the way to Wellington, not many striaght roads or traffic here. Arriving in Wellington the following day most of our time was spent in the Te Papa museum which is excellent, there was a Scots in NZ exhibition which left Pops feeling extremly proud to be Scottish. We spent our evening meeting up and enjoying dinner with Ewan (who we had not seen for a good ten years) and his Kiwi wife Andy. Sampling the nightlife of Wellington which seems to be buzzing with pubs and bars open until 6am, we even witnessed the drag scene haha. Next day was back to the museum as we had not managed even half, I really could spend days learning about this beautiful country and culture. We also rode on the tram to the top and walked back through the botanic gardens.

Leaving Wellington on the interislander ferry to cross the cook strait to Picton, South Island..

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