Hi folks,

We have now landed at Napier after a two hour journey from Taupo. Weather, of course, is wonderful (just to rub your noses in it, especially Nick) - we had a bbq last night!

Yesterday morning, in Rotorua, we visited Rainbow Forest park, which consisted of an audio tour through gardens which consisted of birds, huge trout and a kamikaze parrot! We actually saw a kiwi in its natural habitat but as they are nocturnal, it was all in the dark!

On to Taupo, where we saw the Hangi falls, which were awesome. Our finest moments were when we decided to take a jetboat ride right up to the falls where we did lots of 360 degree turns. Such great fun. Absolutely awesome and well worth the $95. Mark & David: you would have loved it (thanks for your text). Piccies to follow when we reach Wellington tomorrow/next day. Sarah - we saw the site for the prawn fishing but decided against having a bash ourselves. We had a lovely camp site by Lake Taupo and a bbq.

Today we have travelled to Napier (1920 style retro, just beautiful but going back in time and everywhere shut down at 5pm!). Again, lovely camp site and we have a lovely view of Hawkes Bay. We plan to go to a vineyard first thing tomorrow before a long journey down to Wellington.

Jean: have spoken at length to Mrs. Cleaver and also Sherrin, and the plan at the moment is for Sherrin and possibly Simon to meet up with us at Auckland airport before we leave NZ for Raratonga. Such a shame we don't have more time as it would have been lovely to meet up with everyone. However, maybe we will have another opportunity in years to come ....

Hope all is well with everyone. Thanks for all your messages, and glad to know that Elliott had a lovely birthday. Rach - look after that baby and let me know as soon as you have had the scan.

Lots of love,

Us. xx