The Long Drive Home

We decided to drive back to Whangarei rather than try getting a flight or anything like that. Once we made the decision to drive, we had to book a spot on the ferry crossing from Picton (Sth Is) to Wellington (Nth Is) and some accommodation in Wellington.

Here's a few pics of the stunning scenery. It was such a pity that we were dashing home and not on one of those trips that would allow us to take in all the beauty properly.
But we'll be back one day.

Seals at Kaikoura














One seal having a rest in the carpark














Meeting the locals














The view while driving out of Kaikoura














Overlooking some wineries just south of Marlborough. The hills through here are so much drier than in the North Island.














This was an idyllic lunch spot in Picton while we waited for our ferry sailing. Straight ahead of us is the Marlborough Sounds and on the left is the Interislander ferry which we caught across to the North Island.














The beautiful Marlborough Sounds.














Leaving the Sounds














The North Island ahead of us














We had a bit of a tyre issue - when we got into Picton we noticed that the car was wobbling a bit so we took it into a tyre place to see if they could look at it. They were on their lunch break and told us to come back after lunch (which was when our ferry was sailing). When Ben asked if there was anyone else in town who could help us, he was told that no-one would because the whole town was on their lunch break. What the ...?!?!?!
So we left it until the next day and at a Beaurepaires store just north of Wellington the guy looked at it straight away. Apparently the tyre was separating and would soon have blown. He put two second-hand tyres on the rear and also took off the front tyres and cleaned out all the liquifaction/silt in there. Thing is, he wouldn't take a cent for it. He said that he was just glad to be able to help someone from Christchurch as he's got family there too. How about that aye. Left us all pretty speechless.

This is Mt Ruapehu in the middle of the North Island. A mostly(?) dormant volcano where I learnt to ski (not that that fact has anything to do with anything!)














Lake Taupo (volcanic crater - huge huh)














And that's all the photo's we took.

We're back 'home' now in Whangarei. Dunno yet what our plans are but for now we'll stay put and get some jobs and do normal life for a little bit.

Michelle xx