Thursday - Nelson

Sadly, our time with DeEtte as our traveling companion has come to a close. She has been a real trooper, spending untold hours behind the wheel--and a few more at the kitchen counter—to make sure we had many memorable experiences on the North Island. We’ve enjoyed sharing stories with her along the way as much as we’ve enjoyed sightseeing.

Wednesday - Tiritiri Matangi

Until the 1980s, the island of Tiritiri Matangi was used primarily for farming and sheepherding, but after a few centuries of such use the land was worn out. Some conservation-minded New Zealanders (and there are many) decided to buy the entire island and turn it into a bird refuge.

Tuesday - Paihia and Bay of Islands

Cruising

When we woke up this morning and looked out the window, we could see two gigantic cruise ships at anchor far out in the bay. By the time we had eaten breakfast and walked to the wharf, cruise passengers had started to invade Paihia. The local artisans were ready for them, having set up booths of handcrafted jewelry, leather work, paintings, and other wares on the village green. DeEtte had been looking for a jade pendant for some time, but although we saw some very nice ones, she decided that none of them was "calling to her."

Monday - Auckland

A-sailing we go

How can you go wrong sailing around Auckland harbor on an America's Cup yacht?

Sunday - Rotorua and Waimangu

Sunday morning, we got up in time to attend church in the Fairy Spring Ward, which was not far from our motel in Rotorua. Other than the fact that the congregation was primarily Maori and the accents were Kiwi (which means that accent would be pronounced as ecksint), it was pretty much like attending an LDS worship service anywhere in the English-speaking world.

Saturday - Waitomo and Rotorua

Out of our comfort zone

Today's adventure took us to Waitomo, about two hours southwest of Auckland, for the Black Labyrinth Tour through Ruakuri Cave, billed as "climbing, blackwater tubing, leaping and floating." As most of you know, both Michael and Nancy have done a lot of whitewater rafting; blackwater tubing is so-called because it happens underground, in the dark.

Friday - Auckland

Hurstmere Street, Takapuna's main shopping district.

After a leisurely breakfast of toasted multigrain bread with absolutely fantastic Manuka honey, DeEtte directed Michael to a store on nearby Hurstmere Street where he could purchase a SIM card for our mobile phone that would allow us to make calls within New Zealand. And then ...