Best of New Zealand

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Hello everyone, welcome back,  it has been a few days (okay a week or so) since the last update,   so I thought it time I put pen to paper !!!  we had a great couple of days in Queenstown the weather improved and got a lot warmer, even managed to burn one side of my face !! Enjoyed an evening cruise on the TSS Earnslaw followed by dinner at Walter Peak, it ended with a sheep show before the return sailing to Queenstown. The following morning we were off to Mount Cook, on the way we stopped iin at Arrowtown the old gold town. It was then on to Gibbstons Winery for a tour and taste ... very nice it was too ... then it was a healthy stop .. Mrs Jones Fruit Stand, before the journey took us over the Lindas Pass to Omarama and lunch. Exciting afternoon as some of the folks went on a flight with Air Safaris over Mt. Cook and the surrounding glaciers and mountains. We spent the night under Mt. Cook at the Hermitage. The following day took us first to Tekapo, and then on to Christchurch, I was a bit apprehensive about this as I hadn't been since the devastating earthquake in February 2011, it was sad to not actually see the sights that had been  iconic to this beautiful city, the clean up still continues and will be a while before we get the city back. We still had a nice visit to the Botanic gardens and the Museum, before heading to out Hotel. It was farewell to the South Island the next day as we journeyed north to Picton and the Interislander ferry to Wellington, a nice smooth crossing and some fantastic scenery. The next day it was a short orientation tour of the city a bit misty and raining early but cleared to a very nice afternoon. The journey continued the next day to Wairakei via the Craters of the Moon, an excellent Geothermal area. The following day we ventured further into the area with a visit to Wai - o - tapu Thermal reserve, we viewed the Lady Knox Geyser, and a walk around the reserve, later we visited the Rainbow Springs, and viewed the natural flora and fauna as well as the kiwi. In the Hotel we had a Hangi a cultural show with dinner. The following morning we visited the The Thermal Village and had a guided tour, ending with a cultural performance, a few of our group took part in the Hukka, well done to them. Later in the day some of the folks took a tour with the Rotorua Duck, plunging in and out of the lakes, all equipped with a "quacker" to make it all fun. It was off to Auckland the next day, on the way we stopped at the Waitomo Caves to view the Glow-worms, sitting in a little row boat viewing the worms above.  Late afternoon arrival in Auckland at the central Crowne Plaza. After breakfast it was off on a city tour, viewing the harbour bridge, a stop in the suburb of Parnell, an excellent view from Bastion Point, was even better with a little glass of bubbly to celebrate the birthdays and anniversaries of some of the folks on the tour. Congratulations to all of them. Sunday has been a quiet day, catching up on some paperwork etc. Monday 19th we are off to the beautiful Bay of Islands, Paihia, one of my favourite destinations in the world. Here are some of the pics. enjoy.

Walter Peak, Queenstown 

Gibbston Wines 

Mrs Jones's 

Air Safari - Mt Cook 

Mt Cook 

Wellington from Mt Victoria 

Huka Falls, Taupo 

Cook Straight, from Picton to Wellington 

Thermal Village, Rotorua

Cultural Show

Auckland Sky Tower 

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