Now in North Island and coming to the end of our trip to New Zealand.

The scenery is as outstanding as the South Island, but with more people. We're currently in Rotorua enjoying the hot springs after a torrential downpour last night! There's nothing like lazing in a hot tub with raindrops falling around. Hope to see an active geyser tomorrow before leaving for Hamilton on the way up to Auckland to catch our flight to Los Angeles.

Our last impression of the South Island was Marlborough Sounds which was fascinating and an absolute heaven for boat owners. Lots of little harbours with beautiful beaches and sheltered coves. We managed to visit the Edwin Fox (the last wooden sailing ship left in NZ).

We visited Napier on our 2nd day here in the North, a fascinating Art Deco city which was rebuilt in 1932/3 after an earthquake flattened most of the town. It has been well preserved and was quite pleasant walking around admiring the pastel colours of the facades in the sunshine. That evening we stayed at a campsite just off the beach - tiny grey pebbles nothing like the large cobbles of the South West of England.