Everyone will have heard of the earthquake in Christchurch which was a huge tragedy. We were on our way to towrds the city at the time, feeling the tremor even 20km from the city. What is more surprising is that soon after we left Wellington they too had an earthquake, quite minor but it just shows how active this region is. This is probably best illustrated by a comment made by our host in WSellington who told us she never lets the tank on her car get below 3/4 in case she has to get out in a hurry.
With just a few days left in New Zealand we are now at the very north Of the North Island in the famous Bay of Islands. After a poor spell of weather with more than a fair share of rain the sun has now started to shine again. Long may it last. As the guide book says of NZ, March is the best month to visit with almost 50% of the days being fine! Hence the place is very green. An insight into Aussie humour was when in South Island on a rainy day, an Aussie walked into a pharmacy where we were shopping, he asked the assistant, "Do you sell sunglasses? She replied "Yes." He said "Why", and left.
The scenery has been somewhat muted due to the low cloud and rain but we did have a good day (we actually spent a whole day waiting just to be able to see mountains that towered above us); to treck the Tongariro Alpine crossing. Just over 19k of alpine terraine between volcanoes and lakes. The one in the picture was Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings Film. We walked it in reverse so the picture of Sue at the 0Km post is her at the end not the begining, hence the smile.
Rotorua was interesting with a variety of geothermal phenomena to explore. geysers, bubbling mud and even a boiling river. We camped alongside it and spent much of the evening soaking in a thermal pool that had been cooled to a comfortable 38C. We both agreed that it was less dramatic than Iceland and a bit too safe. That is one of the downsides to New Zealand, its just too soft. It lacks exoticism, looks too much like home and is quite sanitised. Its nice enough but doesn't excite. That doesn't mean we are not having a good time, the great thing about travel is finding out what places are like. Everywhere can't be wonderful but you can have fun anywhere.
With just a few days left in New Zealand we are now at the very north Of the North Island in the famous Bay of Islands. After a poor spell of weather with more than a fair share of rain the sun has now started to shine again. Long may it last. As the guide book says of NZ, March is the best month to visit with almost 50% of the days being fine! Hence the place is very green. An insight into Aussie humour was when in South Island on a rainy day, an Aussie walked into a pharmacy where we were shopping, he asked the assistant, "Do you sell sunglasses? She replied "Yes." He said "Why", and left.
The scenery has been somewhat muted due to the low cloud and rain but we did have a good day (we actually spent a whole day waiting just to be able to see mountains that towered above us); to treck the Tongariro Alpine crossing. Just over 19k of alpine terraine between volcanoes and lakes. The one in the picture was Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings Film. We walked it in reverse so the picture of Sue at the 0Km post is her at the end not the begining, hence the smile.
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