Wednesday 17 February 2010

Now reached South Island. Rotorua was interesting for the pulsating mud pools. The geyser was a bit a fake as they had to put soap flakes into it to make it erupt at 10.15 am! The colours of sulphur, bright yellow, a lake of lime green & another with an orange edge. Lake Taupo is huge like an inland sea with great waves & blowing a gale!! Fantastic B & B in Tangurini & a red rose delivered by the lady of the house for Paul to present to me, arn't I lucky!!
On to Wellington Delightful city, took a tour of the parliament building very interesting. They have abolished the Upper Chamber but it still seems to work through lots of committees. They also have proportional representation so that all the communities are fairly represented.
Fabulous Botanical Gardens full of both familiar & unusual plants - rose beds to Gum trees.
Stayed with a lovely lady, who must have been 75, yet still worked 2hrs a day playing the Grand piano in the most emminant department store Kirkcardie & Staines. She had 2 harps , a baby grand & several uprights in various rooms - a unique experience!!
Interislander ferry was lovely, sea like a mill pond fortunately. The ferry wended its way passed islands covered in fir trees and little inlets where a tiny community nestled.
Picton, just a small port, picked up new car & travelled along the coast road to Nelson. We would not have found this but had been advised by a friend to download the maps of NZ onto Tom Tom before we left so we have had fantastic routes to follow all the way around, brilliant!!
We have spent 2 days here gone on a tour of the area, enjoyed wines at a winery, eaten olives grown on the farm, & eaten apples off the trees. Saw the factory for Gensa the company that we get our apples from in Waitrose!! The fruit here is generally much larger than we get in UK so they must grade us down!!
Off to Westport next, it's a fanatastic place, the high mountains loom.
More later......

1 comment:

  1. Hi Mum and Dad,

    Sounds like you're making the most of it :)

    Looking forward to hearing more about your movements and experiences.

    Here in the UK its nice and cold so send some of that warmth if you get the chance.

    Love Ben

    ReplyDelete