The Purple Penguin

Yes, we have been traveling and not able to get to an internet connection. No really, no electricity, no nothing. Honest. Well, ok, so we were having a great time and sort of neglected to check for internet places.

The concert and dinner was fun. We had a good time, enjoyed the dancing and singing and had a good dinner. The next morning we went to the geysers and crafts centre. That was good – walked all over the park looking at the mud pools, hot pools, river, and geysers. We then drove to Taupo to have a look at NZ’s largest lake. Joe got out of the car, took a few photos, and said ‘right, we’ve done this then’. I thought it was quite nice.

Then we drove to Napier which is a lovely place. The town was pretty much destroyed in 1931 by an earthquake and was then rebuilt within 18 months using all the latests designs and techniques. So it’s a beautiful Art Deco town. The first night we walked into town and ended up in a Spanish tapas place. Had an excellent meal.

Next day we spent the morning doing the Art Deco tour of the town and walking about. Then in the afternoon it was wine tasting in Hawkes Bay (can you tell this was my sort of day?) We had to introduce ourselves in the mini-bus on the wine tasting tour (8 of us and the guide) and say what wine we liked. Joe introduces himself then says ‘I don’t drink wine’. There’s always one in every tour! The guide broke the news to him that he was on a wine tasting tour and pretty much stuck. But we had a good time. Joe would listen to the information about the winery then when the wine was poured, disappear off. Of course, one of the other women from London came over to me and said ‘keep him around and you’ll get double the tasting!’ Now I know quite a bit more about 5 wineries in the Hawkes Bay area – definitely like it!

The drive to Wellington was nice – right through a gorge which was lovely. But pretty much the scenery has been very much like home with farms and lots and lots of sheep and cattle.

Wellington is lovely. We rode the cable car yesterday to the Botanical Gardens and a view over the city. Had a coffee in the cafe at the top. Today we went to the main museum which was great. Lots to do and see and quite tiring.

Tomorrow we’re off early to return the car and take the ferry over to the south island. We get another car once there and are off to Nelson. Freshwater diving the day after!