Monster

Here's the van with Linda, Donna and Gerry!

Got the Van

Got the van. Nobody told us it was a public holiday! Fortunately, the traffic was good. We did manage to get an automatic (thank goodness) which we need to swap in Christchurch but that's okay. Still be auto. I have enough think about with being on the left and roundabouts! The thing is much bigger than we imagined. 24' long. But it is nice at night and we are fully contained. Nice NZ couple beside us last night - also just retired. Rented out their house for a year and are now nomads. Beautiful Lake Taupo (largest fresh water lake in the southern hemisphere) and lots of lovely stars last night. Of course, I couldn't identify a singe constellation!

Oh, somebody pinched my camera while we were getting the van. Nice. Bought a new one in Hamilton on our journey.

Waiheke Island

Took a ferry out to this island and did a wine tour. Very similar to Salt Spring. The hippies who came here in the 60s are being crowded out. Property prices outlandish but it is beautiful. Gorgeous hills (being reforested), vineyards, olive groves and beaches. Finally got my toes in the ocean!

Auckland

Did a bus tour (got on/off as we pleased) and saw a bit. City has a Vancouver feel. Young, harbour, old building at the foot of the main street, lots of hills. But , cities don't do much for me so we found other things to do.

New friend

My dance partner was a nice young fellow. He was pleased when I took pictures and he asked if I would take more with his friends. At the end, he found me and passed me a scrap of paper with his name and address and asked if I could send him some photos. I will. Enough for all of them. The village is traditional (lots of evening kava drinking with the boys) and has gone from a pop. of 500 to 200 over the past few years as the young people are leaving for the city. Unemployment in Fiji is over 20%.

Rapids

Yes, we got wet. On the way down we took on a lot of water - even the driver was surprised! I took out my pocket knife and cut the tops off our water bottles and made bailers! None aboard.

Trip to a Village

We took a bus over the hills and along the coral coast to a small village (it was market day) and took motorized canoes up through rapids to a Fijian village. We were entertained, fed, drank kava, danced and made friends.