Better than Old Zealand...

Arrived in Auckland on the afternoon of the15th after a short flight over from Melbourne. Due to a sinus cold, Chris' ears failed to pop after the descent thus leaving him partly deaf for the rest of the day. Made the customs experience a little challenging but he was allowed in to the country. We wandered the central Auckland area and enjoyed a traditional New Zealand meal of Wendy's hamburgers. The next three days were spent visiting the Auckland Museum, Art Gallery, and taking the ferry across to the north shore. From there got a great view of the city and its surrounding volcanoes.
Early Tuesday morning we boarded our tour bus and met our fellow travellers. Climbed Mt. Eden before leaving the city and heading to the Coromandel Peninsula. Did a short hike to a beach with caves and towers of rock in the blue waters, and had our first swim since last year. On to Hot Water Beach, where, no surprise, hot water seeps up through the sand, and people dug holes in the sand to sit in their own personal spa. That is, until a wave of cold ocean water rushed in and flooded their pool. Were lucky enough to spend the night in our own personal caravan in the local campground.
Traveled on to the city of Rotorua, known for its geothermal activity and accompanying strong sulfur scent. We visited a Maori village built on and around a series of geysers and mud pools. Later on we went whitewater rafting over a series of waterfalls including a 7 meter drop.
Started the next day with a soak in some hot springs before kayaking down a whitewater river through beautiful, towering rainforest canyons. Made it through most of the rapids fine, until Jodi and a rock got to know each other quite well. And to make it even better, it was raining just about the entire 8 kms down the river. Stayed in a remote farmhouse surrounded by hills and sheep.
Unfortunately, the rain kept on and we were unable to walk the Tongariro Crossing, known as NZ's best one day walk. Instead, Chris went mountain biking through the mud and Jodi did a walk to a waterfall with some new Norwegian and German friends. Spent the rest of the day in the hot tub and hanging about the lodge. Our new Irish friend has fortunately perpetuated every Irish stereotype we have ever had. It's good to meet such people.
On our way to Wellington today, then aboard the ferry to the South Island tomorrow. Here's hoping this rain finally stops.

On to Victoria..

In awaiting our January 15th flight out to New Zealand, we have spent the last week seeing the sights of Melbourne, the capital of the state of Victoria and second largest city in the country.


On our way along the coast, we spent New Years Eve in the resort town of Lakes Entrance. We saw an impressive fireworks show out over the waterfront, along with the sounds of an 80's cover band known as 'Rockin Chair'. We then hiked around Wilson's Promontory National Park for a few days, taking in its natural beauty and trying unsuccessfully to spot a wombat in the wild. However, we did see an echidna, and are pretty sure that we heard a wombat or two nosing around outside the tent one night.


The hikes included a few short dayhikes as well as a 36 km overnighter that took us to the far side of the peninsula and back. On the far side we were in awe to find pristine white sand beaches and turquiose waters with not another soul in sight.
Had a stop in Warragul to stay with some of Jodi's family from her Dad's side, who are mostly known of but still unfamiliar to her due purely to distance. From there, down to Philip Island where the big tourist draw is the Penguin Parade. At dusk, hundreds of tiny fairy penguins return from the sea, cross the beach and find their homes, and sometimes offspring, in the grassy fields. We joined the crowds in the bleachers set up for this occasion, and marvelled at their beauty and laughed as the announcer said to be on the watch for "the fat chicks."
On to Melbourne where we've been subjected to 43 degree heat in a hostel with neither air conditioning nor room fan. Other than that, it's been great with lots of walking around the city, delicious meals in very large ethnic neighbourhoods, more free art galleries and various exhibits. Hopped a tram to St. Kilda on our first night, and saw a surprisingly good Japanese funk band, 'Mountain Mocha Kilimanjaro', at a well known hotel bar, the Espy.
Onward now to New Zealand!