Kia-ora and Welcome to New Zealand,

Landed in Auckland, had a Burger King and watched a tramp licking beer off the floor after someone had smashed a glass bottle on the pavement. Nice to be back in Western society!!! However, after this bad start Aotearoa (Maori name for NZ) has been great to us. We stayed a few days with some family friends which was great fun. Kids i used to babysit are now grown up with jobs. How old does that make me i hear you ask?? Very, apparently. We then picked up our home for the next 19 days, a campervan called Chopper. Well we cruised down to Rotorua and Chopper broke. His fridge and battery were broken and so we needed to get him fixed. Fortunately there was a good place in town and next day Chopper was back to normal. Feeling a bit stressed after this little issue, we decided to spend the day in a Polynesian Spa. It had amazing views over the lake, but stank of sulphur. Swimming in very warm water that smells of effluent is odd, but interesting. That night we went to a Maori show and it was great. We had the traditional welcome, Leanne got on stage and did a dance with a ball, i did the Haka (people were scared i can tell you) and our hosts sang and danced. After a load of food we wandered down to the see two exploding geysers. Standard night out really.
Next day we were back in Chopper for the trip to Lake Taupo. What a chilled town. All they do is ski, fish, swim and hunt. Went in a hunting shop and felt very manly. Could almost feel my stubble growing. We saw a bungy jump and watched people swimming the Lake at the crack of dawn. It's very energetic here!!!
Next day we drove to Napier along some amazing moutain roads, although we were very low on petrol so we were a bit nervous. I was convinved we'd make it, Leanne thought we should turn around. We did make it, but learned a lesson about keeping the tank full. Napier, however, was full. Lionel Ritchie of all people was playing a gig at a local vineyard and mosst of the North Island had come to dance on the ceiling with him. So there was no place to stay and as Napier was very rainy and sold out, the three of us (me, leanne and Chopper) headed on to Wellington. The last 50kms or so were through the most incredible mountains ever and the road was amazing, if not a little scary.
So here we are in Wellington, a day early. Just accidentally stumbled across the Annual Gay and Lesbian festival. I think Leanne's dancing there now with a lady called Dave. It's very confusing. I better go rescue her.
Hope all is sunny and well in the UK
love to all
Matt and Leanne (and Chopper)