Geo: -38.6866, 176.07Not knowing quite what the weather would be like, we chose to stick closer to home:First stop: Huka Falls.Second: Orakei Korako (cave & thermal park)Third: Aratiatia damFourth: Weirakai Thermal Walk and campgroundWe liked to say that we were in and out of the clouds all day rather than that it rained occasionally. Our Christmas gift-coats worked great for both warmth and waterproofing.The weather was getting cooler too, and by the time we arrived home from our adventures around 5, it was very wet and cold and windy. Lake Taupo had whitecaps!We had to wait a little while before immersing ourselves once again in the wonderful thermal baths just outside. Ahhhhh.Tomorrow is time to pack up again and head about 6 hours' drive south to Wellington, to visit with Mary Jo Mohlmaster's distant cousin (we ... read more

Geo: -38.6866, 176.07Actually, this day was EN ROUTE TO LAKE TAUPO. Although our lovely hosts at the B&B in Thames looked at us askance, we DID visit both the movie set for the Hobbit & Lord of the Rings movies, and the Waitomomo caves (a sort of Zig Zag route) AND we happened upon a kiwi sanctuary and visited there too. Yes, we arrived in the dark, and didn't eat our frozen Moroccan tagine microwavable meal till 9 pm, but it was worth it. Those 2 sites would have meant driving back quite a ways from lovely Lake Taupo - which is, acc to a book, the size of Singapore. Formed from huge (seen in China and beyond) eruption. This is the caldera.So, most photos are from the Hobbiton set, which was lovely. The tours were ... read more

Geo: -37.1422, 175.542Well, we left Auckland behind around 9 am, with packed lunch of lamb sausage sandwiches!Rather than driving straight here (maybe 75 mins) we drove the coastal road the long way, and stopped to photograph many views of the mountains on this peninsula, and every bird. Many attractive little parks and pull offs. We chatted with volunteers at the Miranda wildfowl sanctuary - unfortunately tide was out so the birds were scattered. We passed many beaches with signs saying you could gather 50 cockles each, each day. We were jealous of these modest houses with the million dollar views. Arrived at our B&B by about 3 and explored the lovely grounds. I keep thinking how much Robin would love to see all these exotic flowers growing in what seems to be an English garden. Palm ... read more

Geo: -36.8474, 174.766Knowing we couldn't squeeze everything in, we headed north into the city at 9 am (advised to wait till then for traffic) and had no problem finding the parking for the Ferry Building (until the 50s the tallest building in Auckland). Bought our ticket for Rangitoto Island and a "harbor tour" which was a 30 min trip onto the water and over to the closest island, which also happens to be the youngest volcanic cone at 600 years old. No food or water on the island, so we made sandwiches from supplies that came with this amazingly big suite - pb & J and just butter and jam sandwiches - plus we bought water and another sandwich. Most interesting harbor tour to see the buildings from land. The area is indeed dotted with many ... read more

Geo: 3.12433, 101.684After a final yummy breakfast at the fancy Perdana Hotel in Kota Bharu, we drove for close to 8 hours across the East-West Highway, which wound round and round many mountains. We searched for the mighty gajah but didn't see any, just the crossing sign warnings.We arrived in K.L. around 4 to the same hotel we started at - and where we had left the NZ suitcase. After a re-sort, we drove south to meet Joseph and Anita Pragasam, dear friends from Marriage Encounter, whom we met in 1999 and 2002. They suggested a North Indian restaurant. What a wonderful way to end our 2 weeks in Malaysia.It is so much easier to get around with the GPS on Jean's phone - best $40 we ever spent, buying the SIM card and month's time ... read more