In case you all wondered where the most famous inhabitants of NZ had disappeared to - here they are ...

Baa Baa White Sheep.

We reached Napier in the east coast on Friday just in time for a wine tour. Lots of wine tasting was done and a few purchases too ...

The four of us at Mission Winery.

Napier is famous for its Art Deco Architecture. Of course we hadn't a clue what Art Deco was so we had to consult the local guide books.

Tommy and Orla reading up on Art Deco.

After a dip in the smelly but relaxing thermal pools we visited one of the thermal parks outside of Roturua. Lots of bubbling mudpools, boiling water in craters, and volcanic pools of every colour imaginable. The Lady Knox geyser is the highlight and we caught the tail end of her eruption !

The Lady Knox Geyser.

After a quick look at the map we decided to head to the east coast - what looked like the quickest way there actually turned out to be a very winding gravel road for 100km or so! We definitely got to see some of the real New Zealand that tourists normally miss. However it all turned out well when we landed at this piece of paradise ...

Lake Waikaremoana - paradise.

We found a little motor camp beside the lake with nice chalets to stay the night. We hired kayaks and went out on to the lake for a while. It was so amazingly peaceful and quiet there.

The Camp.

The problem with being in the middle of nowhere is that there were no shops! We travelled down the road to another motor camp where there was a cafe and the kind lady whipped us up a lovely dinner.

Happy Full Tourists

On Wednesday we headed to smelly Roturua. I don't think Tom and Orla believed how bad it was until we got there. The sulpher smell is created by volcanic activity underground.

One of the big things to do in Roturua is a Zorb (rolling down a hill in a big inflatable ball). We had done a dry one the last time we were here so we tried the wet one this time - "the wash cycle". Now I know how my poor teddy bears feel when they're thrown in the washing machine.

Good fun !!

Tom and Orla tried it out too ...

Tom and Orla.

To experience some Maori culture we went to a maori concert and hangi. Tom was elected chief of our bus (due to some rigging by Orla and Wally the bus driver).

First we went through a forest where different demonstrations of Maori life was given and then into the concert. It was very good. We had a traditional Maori cooked dinner - a hangi - which is cooked in the ground.

Maori dance.

A visit to an Irish pub for some Irish culture rounded off the night. The round pool table was pretty cool ...

O'Malley's round pool table.

On Saturday, we picked up Linda and Vicky and set off for the wild beaches on the west coast. We missed the exit on the motorway and ended up north of Auckland on the pretty little beaches of the east coast.

'Twas a bit of fun, though.

Beach Babes.

Then on Monday, Tommy (Catherine's brother) and Orla (his girlfriend) arrived over for a few weeks holidays.

Auckland's Sky Tower.

Off we went and did the usual Auckland touristy things including heading up the Sky Tower for a gawk.

Sky Feet.

We're now on our way around the north island seeing the sights. Yesterday, we headed out on to the Coromandel penninsula.

One of the real touristy things there is Hot Water Beach. Thermal springs run just under the beach towards the water in a couple of places and at low tide you can dig a hole in the sand and make yourself a spa. The water can be up 65C there apparently.

So, we wallowed in the hot sand for a while, went for a swim and had a picnic.

Munchin' on Hot Water Beach.

The other thing the Coromandel is famous for is the stunning scenery.

Beautiful.

At last. We got a car. 1987 Honda Civic. 750 Euro. Runs well. Good stuff.

Now all I need is a license and I'm sorted :-)

Our baby.