Back in the North Island of NZ

So after leaving Christchurch, I headed a little further north to Kaikoura, the main reason for visiting this little place is to either go on a trip for Whale Watching or swim with the dolphins. i really wanted to do the whale watching and get the photo of the big tail out of the water. Unfortunately all trips were cancelled due to high winds and it just wasnt safe to go out into the ocean....bummer! So I literally walked around this small place and went onto the internet....nothing else to do!

Next day was a trans coastal ride on the train to Picton, this was a lovely scenic ride and we spotted seals sunning themselves on the rocks!

Then onto a ferry for 3 hours to get to Wellington, the capital city! We travelled through Marlborough Sounds and you can actually see both the North & South Island at one point..cool!

Onto Wellington and Im afraid I didnt do anything cultural, just hit the pubs as I arrived about 6pm and was leaving early the next day. Its a windy city thats all I can tell ya!

After the capital it was Napier where I spent the night in Jail! No honestly, it was a jail right up to the 1990's and now its a backpackers! Really quite eerie and people reckon they have seen ghosts as recent as this year! Saw the hanging yard, mess house and slept on an original bed like an inmate!

Then next morning we drove through Lake Taupo which was beautiful, its the biggest lake in NZ and then had the afternoon in Roturua, met up with Simon & Laura (pommes) who I got to know on Fraser Island so that was cool!

Last stop was Mount Manguini, a really pretty place where a lot of Kiwis come for their summer holidays, we arrived just before sunset so again didnt see much of it!

Now back for a few days with Tracey and its soo good to see her, she has moved house since I was last here as she is staying here for good...dont blame her at all!
The weather is cold and rainy but it feels nice to be back! Went into my old work place and it was great to see everyone again, they were upset I couldnt work for a while, but nah too much like hard work! ha ha!

Last night went to the Minus 5 Ice bar with my friend Kendyl (old work colleague from the cafe). They give you these big daft coats to wear and 2 pairs of gloves! Everything is literally ice, the bar, the glasses you drink out of and there was ice sculptures everywhere
We had a Jagermeister shot down this ice sculpture of a stiletto! Funny photo eh!

So again I set off alone...boo hoo...off to sunnier climates of Fiji and then the cook islands, will report as soon as I can..................Home in six weeks........................