What the Whakapapa?

Howdy chums

Time for a wee update on my travels. When I last spoke to you all, my loyal blog followers, I was in Gisborne. Progress has been swift since then. Here is a quick summary:

Gisborne - 2 days - lovely in summer, less exciting in winter. A fun visit nonetheless

Napier - 2 days - I love this place. Destroyed in a massive earthquake in the 1930s and entirely reconstructed in an art deco style. The place has an amazing history and a lovely atmosphere. If I was going to live in NZ longer term, this place would be pretty high up the list.

Taupo - 1 day - Nice spot. I actually didn't like it much when I first visited in the Summer. However, I take it all back. It is a wee bit touristy, bit then I am a tourist. This visit gave me one of the biggest highlights of my NZ tour - I did a skydive from 15,000ft. I know it sounds scary (and it was), but if you ever get the chance you have to do it. Amazing!

Taurangi - 1 day - This is the closest settlement of any size to the Tongariro National Park (the national park which includes lots of big scary mountains, including the 2 used for Mt Doom in the LOR films). My plan was to do the Tongariro crossing, an 8 hour trek which is recognised as the best 1 day trek in the world. This seemed like a bit too much effort, so I just drove my 20 year old Toyota up the mountain. I got some amazing photos and played in the snow...I was happy!

Wellington (via Cape Palliser) - The Cape Palliser bit was quite the diversion. I ended up driving for 9 hours that day. Was worth it though. Cape Palliser is NZ biggest seal breeding colony, and I was feeling like a seal burger. Only kidding, I didn't eat any, but I did get some nice photos of the little slippery freaks. Then it was onwards to Wellington. What an awesome city! Wish I had spent a bit more time here during my trip, but it was good to finally have a proper visit. For anyone visiting these shores, don't bother with Auckland. It's okay, but Wellington is where it's at.

So, I have now arrived in Nelson, my first stop in the South Island. I only have 4 weeks left! The ferry crossing took 5 hours yesterday due to adverse weather (usually takes about 3). However, the South Island is definately worth it.

Take care out there chaps

Txx

Move along..

This will probably be my last update for a while as I'm currently packing up my backpack and preparing to hit the road one last time. I'm leaving Auckland, the city I have called home for the last 8 months, for the last time tomorrow morning. I finally got up the skytower, opting to spend my final night dining in NZ's only rotating restaurant. All very civilised.

From tomorrow, I shall once again be free to explore the random themed towns of NZ (although a repeat visit of 'switch on to Huntly' is unlikely' as I embark on a 6 week road trip. First stop is Opotiki, then on to the East Cape, Gisborne, Napier, Wellington, Picton, Nelson, Farewell Spit, Hammner Springs Christchurch.....and so on. Look out for the last exciting installment of my NZ adventures in about 6 weeks.

Chow for now

Txx