We decided to stay in Whitianga, in the Coromandel Peninsula, as it is the largest settlement in the area and a gateway to all the major sights like Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach. Most people that I spoke to before and during this trip, both travellers and locals alike, said that the South Island has the best scenery and that we should spend more time there than in the North Island. I'm not so sure now, whether that was so true. Perhaps if you're looking fo...

Everyone along the way has warned us: "You will smell Rotorua long before you see it", and this was certainly true. It smells like rotten eggs that have been uncovered from damp earth after a few weeks (I'm almost certain that this may be some sort of bizarre culinary delicacy in China). Nevertheless, the drive from Taupo to Rotorua is beautifully scenic. We stopped at a spot called "Craters of the Moon". It is an other-worldly experience to see gases and steam...

As you approach Taupo, you can't help but notice Mount Tauhara - a volcanic crater towering majestically over Lake Taupo - dotted with steaming geothermal hotspot vents. It is so dramatic that it is not surprising that many scenes from Lord of the Rings were filmed in and around the area. Found a "flashpacker" hostel in the centre of town and spent the evening with two interesting characters. Jack from Surrey was a real geezer - young guy on a working holiday vi...

Bex had recommended that we stop in Greytown en route to Napier. It's a lovely little historical town with stylish shops and a heritage/settlers museum. We got some bread, cheese and meat and ate al fresco at a picnic spot near the road. We also stopped at a Paua (Maori word for abalone) shop and I bought a nice pair of earrings and a hairclip. We arrived in Napier after dark and went to at least 4 hostels before settling for the warmest, quietest spot with an e...

We went to Picton via the Queen Charlotte scenic drive to get the ferry to Wellington - what a great way to say goodbye to the South Island! Lots of twists and turns via beautiful lakes and beaches. If only the weather was warmer! So, it turns out that I don't have sea legs (even though I'm a Pisces and a fish, astrologically speaking). The swells on the Tasman sea between Picton and Wellington are notoriously treacherous and even though it was a calm day, the w...