We had a good seven hours of driving to get from Rotorua to Wellington through varied terrain. The countryside became more mountainous as we traveled South. Bill is doing great with driving on left side of the road. There are lots of roundabouts and very few stop lights. All the little towns look the same with a hodge podge of signs and American fast food shops. We got a kick out of the “Merge Like a Zip” signs meaning like a zipper?
Drivers are courteous and passing is easy. Wide open views. Lots of cows and sheep.
A highlight of day was a stop at Huka Falls near Lake Taupo. We took a jet boat ride which spins around and roars up just under the falls. Glad we tried it once, especially in such a beautiful place. Later we found out from Mike that we went on the wrong ride. He wanted us to go on the xxxx rapids which was more exciting.
After the ride we went up to the viewing platform above the falls where there were several hikes. This area is also part of the geothermal region so more options to see geysers, soak in hot pools and experience Maori culture. Another trip… Lake Taupo is big, like Lake Tahoe.
Some scenery along the way.
Pelorus Swing Bridge.
Our destination is Mike and Diane’s home in Wellington which is the capitol of New Zealand and the southernmost city on the North Island. We will drop off our car in the morning and have one day to explore the city.
They did an extensive renovation on a Baptist church that is a beautiful home. Mike has an amazing man-cave that was the church rec hall that pays homage to the American cowboy west.
Wed March 15
One day to see the city of Wellington. We walked a lot today. Took the cable car up to top of a mountain and walked down through the botanical gardens.
Finally found our way through the city to the quay which was busy today. Lunch at Crab Shack … steamed mussels and clams.
Visited the Te Papa Museum to see the Gallipoli War exhibit about the ANZAC horrific battles against the Turks in I. Very well done and very sad. The figures depicted below were much bigger than life-size and very realistic.
The fourth floor had an exhibit on the Maori culture. I thought the Auckland Museum did a better job on the Maori exhibit than Te Papa.
We had a few hours until we were meeting Diane at the train station. It was a perfect day to lounge in the sun and watch people. Found a bar with bean bag chairs and lounge seating.
By this time school was out and the kids were out on the water in their rowing boats and kayaks.
We had a nice evening out in area called Petone. When we first climbed out of the cab I checked Google maps to find the Italian restaurant where we had made reservations – Sopranos. You would think Google would show me the one closest to me. Instead it took me to a Sopranos in Australia!
We ended up having a bit of a progressive dinner. Drinks at Lonestar, appetizers at an Asian restaurant because the Italian restaurant had lost our reservation and said come back later. We finally got a table at Sopranos for our dinner. It was pretty good.
