Hi everyoneWe have been computer less for the last few days so we are only just getting you up to date. We enjoyed the luxurious hotel in Taupo especially the warm swimming pool ,and the curious little holes in the flower beds which were steaming. At 5 p.m. the next morning the fire alarm went and as everyone trooped out into the dawn to await the arrival of the fire brigade, both of us wondered whether an even larger hole had been discovered. It seems volcanic activity was not to blame only a faulty sprinkler system.The day at Taupo allowed us to see the Huka Falls and enjoy a lovely sunny day walking the valley and sitting admiring the lake. By the next day the weather was not so good and by the time we reached Tongariro clouds were covering the mountains. Even so the sight of the chateau hotel sitting all on its own below the peak of the mountain looked totally incongruous. Inside all was luxury and twenties décor. The room was great and there was just the small leaflet, telling you what to do in case of volcanic activity. Last year the crater lake overflowed and mud flows came down the valleys at about 90 mph, so the advice get up the valley sides quick on hearing the siren.The next day no sign of volcanic activity, but heavy rain and cloud so we set off for a short walk up the valley. We arrived back totally soaked and were extremely pleased to have a warm dry hotel room to recover in. The next day determined to see the mountains without the cloud we drove the long way round up the desert road back to Taupo and were rewarded with the sight of the volcanoes, only partly obscured by cloud.We then had a long drive over the mountains to Napier down the so called thermal explorer highway, with more signs of hot springs and general shakiness. In Napier you cannot avoid the history of the massive earthquake that struck in 1931. Afterwards almost the whole town has to be rebuilt in Art deco style. It is extremely pretty with pastel shades and attractive shops as well as a spectacular beach with black sand and massive Pacific surf.One of the houses, which survived the quake was our guest house Mon Logis owned by a guy who originated in Bezier and now runs this quaint boutique hotel. He spent a lot of time talking about the general shakiness of the earth round here and we were not too surprised to read after we left, that a small quake shook Gisborne and Napieron Friday evening.A long run on Friday across the lowland to Martinborough and another old and quaint hotel. No warnings of either earthquakes or volcanic actvitiy hereand no fire alarms either. We ate dinner for about three and half hours, their service was a touch slow ,amused by a group at the next table celebrating a good year's trading with an equally slow meal and a very fast consumption of drink. We assumed someone rolled them all into bed but no sign of them the next morning.Arrived in Wellington yesterday and we are now staying in Eileen's extremely luxurious flat attached to her house. The views over the harbour are stupendous and as it was lovely yesterday and today we are having trouble tearing ourselves away from the view. We will be here until next Saturday when we start the great explore of the South Island.