Tuesday, 8th June 2010 - Mt Victoria

I started my last day in Wellington by driving up Mt Victoria. Which provides lovely views of the whole of Wellington. I'm told on clear days you can see the south island. Not a chance today. It is foggy wet and windy. After getting out and looking around I decide to head for Cape Palliser.

Sunday, 6th July 2010 - Wellington

After a lazy sunday morning enjoying coffe and my new book I set off for Wellington. It's not they far. About 2 hours drive. I can see as I set off ths the weather is in the distance does not look pleasent.


As I am about 4 km out of Wellington the heavens well and truly open. It chucks it down. The road turns into a river. I can't see a thing in front of me. But as I climb the mountain road. I creep above the storm. Phew.



So they call Wellington the Windy Wellington. Not only windy it is freezing. It is wet as well. Cold wet and windy. Only one thing for it. After checking in I head out for some more coffee and carry on my book.


Not before checking out the Narion Museum Te Papa. It is supposedly NZ best Museum. I am not so sure. I was

Not impressed. It just did not do it for me. After a walk round Wellington. I succumb to the cold and head back.

Saturday, 5th June 2010 - Wai-O-Tapu

So heading south I stop off at Wai-O-Tapu, just in time to see Lady Knox eruption at 10:15promptly.

The whole area is a 3km walking track around a natural geothermic volcanic area. It was really cool and really smelly. Once the fog had lifted it was better. It was a pretty easy walk. Once I had warmed up.

I have finally succumb to the winter. I had three pairs of socks on today. Scarf. Hat. Gloves. Jeans. Hoodie. Still was chilly. And it is going to get colder the further south I go.

So I after my trek around Wai-O-Tapu I move south. I head for taupo but there is nothing really much to do there apart from go on the massive Lake Taupo, so I carry on south. Next to get to Talihope. Well it is even worse here. It's on the map in the in the Lonely Planet book. God only knows why. There is nothing and I do mean nothing here. So I carry on and get somewhere decent, Palmerston North.

It is a pretty nice drive though so I don't mind. I get my first glimpse of the snow capped mountains. Driving past the very mountain that was made famous by LOTR.

Friday, 4th June 2010 - Kuirau Park

This is free public park I'm the center of Rotorua. It is a volcanic area. You can see steam just pouring out and up in the sky. It is really kewl. Like the whole or Rotorua it stinks of rotten eggs.

It is strange to think that all this strange stuff is natural. There are two baths or spas in the park. But when I went to have a look there was a homeless man taking a bath. LOL. Kind of put me off trying it.LOL

Friday, 4th June 2010 - Rotorua Museum

The museum is in a mock Tudor building. It was originally built as a bath house where people came to take the cure. It has since been turned into a pretty cool museum. The free film was cool and explained about the last volcanic eruption in the area.

Friday, 4th June 2010 - Sky Line

On the way to Rotoru is the Sky Line. As soon as I saw it I knew I had to stop off. I paid for ticket and took the gondola to the top of Mt Ngongataha.

After having a walk around and getting loads if pics of the scenic views I go and grab my kart and rush down the luge. I loved it when I did it in Singapore and this one was just as good. Only no one to race (and win) this time. I could of gone down it all day long. But I hate sky chairs taking you back up the mountain. Once was enough. Lol.

So I headed back in a gondola back to the car and onto Rotorua.

Friday, 4th June 2010 - Rustic Pumpkin

So after waking up after a lovely rested sleep I head out. I'm gong south. Heading for Rotorua, but with a few stop offs on the way. Having missed breakfast I decide on an early lunch. A random road side cafe catches my eye.

What a treat. I had a croissant with smoked chicken, avocado, salad and a cranberry sauce. It was amazing. I got chatting to the lady owner. Who asked to see my Lonely Planet guide. And low and behold the Rustic Pumpkin is featured.

I carried on my journey to my first stop Tauranga. Bit was less than impressed when I got there. So I carried on towards Rotorua.