Wellington

Despite my bus to Picton to catch the ferry beign over an hour late and then breaking down and all the passengers having to jumpe on another coach we made the ferry by the skin of our teeths.

A nice ride across the Cook Strait and we arrived in Welly!

I've been here just short of a week and enjoyed it. It's a nice ciplace, has a city feel to it and there are loads of lovely bars and restaurants. The most upmarket place I've been to yet in NZ and I feel very scruffy wandering around in my traveller clothes but I haven't been shopping. Well, OK, I have, but I only bought a new bag and that was because mine broke so I had to!

The weather hasn't been too great (it's cold and rainy at the moment) so I have been doing a lot of indoor activities, which include spending many hours in coffee shops, eating cake and watching the world go by and reading my book!

They have a really good museum called Te Papa which is their national museum and tells you all about the history of NZ and what we Europeans destroyed when we got here (75% of their forestry) and explains the story of the Maoris. A good place, well worth a visit.

And that's about it. Yes, I am being a bit dull but I'm saving pennies for when Laura arrives!! I did have a night out the other night. Nice glass of wine which turned into several once I got chatting to some nice local men who insisted on buying me drinks. What's a girl to do?! Felt a little bit rough the next day!

But now I must continue up north. Next stop is Taupo where I will assess the idea of doing a sky dive and whether I can convince Laura to do it too. I'll let you know.

Getting the Kiwi Experience bus too. I said I wouldn't but it's $30 cheaper than the others... Wonder if I'll be oldest passenger!