Penultimate Leg

Jean writes: 

We left Opua this morning with an appreciative glance down towards the bay and harbour.  

We have almost always been really lucky with our accommodation and environs throughout the trip.  For instance, here in North Island:

- two nights with friend Greg in Wellington + Botanic Garden + Weta Cave Workshop

- a night with his parents in Napier - Art Deco town

- Taupo, with the lovely lake & super sunset + Huka Falls & Craters of the Moon nearby

- Hamilton where dodgy weather didn't put us off & we enjoyed the Waikato River & gardens

- Arkles Bay - super B&B and wonderful secluded beaches

- Opua - small motel & individual attention + quiet & super scenically 

The drive southwards to Auckland was on the A1, which had lots of road works, minor and major, but it still only took a little more than four hours, even with a coffee stop, so no real problem until almost at our destination.  

Before our departure from the UK in January, we had booked up three quarters of our accommodation as we had been warned of possible problems with school holidays in January and we didn't really want to be spending too much time investigating while travelling.  The last section of NZ we booked from Australia, one at a time.  

Good job we did it all in advance as we've seen masses of "No Vacancy" signs, often throughout the town.  

One thing we've puzzled about in New Zealand has been the WOF signs outside garages, and wondered if they referred to something like an MOT.  We found out the other day - Warranty of Fitness.

 Hail Auckland

Dave writes:

Shades of Sydney for a while when Satnav Ken took us to a non-existent place on an industrial estate in Auckland.

Turns out there are two Great South Roads in the city and we had programmed in the wrong suburb.

20 minutes previously a severe hailstorm had struck as we came across the main bridge but Jean battled through.

All's well that ends well - and we are in no doubt where the airport is.

Planes flying low overhead every few minutes have confirmed we are just a few miles away.

We hand the hire car back there on Sunday as we fly out to DubaI, Marie, Craig and Harris.

Meanwhile, looking forward to meeting up downtown tonight with two old Reuters buddies here for the cricket World Cup.

As mentioned previously we have tickets tomorrow for Oz v NZ which is a huge deal over here.

Hoping hail stays away!