The last few days - an update

After all my “photo journalism” it seems as though I have not done much by way of update to what or where were are going. At this point we have driven 2500 km, and have made our way to a small place called Hanmer Springs about 1.5 hrs north of Christchurch on the south island.

After the caving experience, we traveled to Rotorua, a small town in the middle of the north island. It is here that we spent an uneventful new years eve listening to some kiwi reggae concert on the beach - which I though was fantastic - followed by some fine wine. The next day we visited a Spa called Hell’s Gate. It is only at this location could you actually name a spa “Hell’s Gate” without alienating you clientele. This spa was located on some of the most active geo-thermal and volcanic activity in the region and world. Pools of acidic water boiled at in excess of 110 degrees Celsius. Sulfur seeped into our pores, and we bathed in mineral rich mud. It was an amazing experience.

The next town of Lake Taupo, was home of some great shops and café’s, and we spent a couple days on the beach, drinking lattes and detoxifying from the sulfur. Driving south to the capital of Wellington was uneventful, more small towns, more lattes and bakeries, all topped of with a night of steaks and wine with our good friends Dean and Tara who are capping off a one-year, study/backpack excursion through this country.

Jumping on the ferry the next day, we made our way to the south island and an awesome hippie town of Motueka. Some amazing beaching in the Golden Bay, the windiest road in NZ with over 400 turns in 30km, and more lattes and wine. Every morning filled with a run in the cool sun by the beach or past the closed shops and café’s

So not to bore you all with the details, but we love the scenic driving, the lattés and the wine. Life is awesome!