2^nd January, 2015

Our last day in NZ.  The weather is very ordinary today too.   We had a good sleep in and thought it was a good idea to catch up on writing the blog and doing some photos whilst others slept.

Today we are catching up with Tracey Bennett & her man Stan.  I haven't seen Tracey in a couple of years, and prior to that it was a good 5 years.  Funny how we live in Australia, but have to come to NZ to catch up.  They are both “home” to see family & friends for Christmas.  I am looking forward to seeing them!   Steve will love Tracey, and it will be great to meet Stan for the first time.

We are headed to Riverhead, which is North West of Auckland.  Approx 35kms out of the city.  Graeme has very generously given us the car for the afternoon!  Thanks Graeme!  I am looking forward to seeing a bit more of the North Island as I feel I've been here a week and haven't seen much – not compared to our whirlwind tour of the South Island!  But its been so good to stop and relax – it has been a good introduction to our Cook Islands leg.

We went to a restaurant called  Halleuka in Riverhead.  It is a boutique brewery with a distillery on site.  Food was great and so was the company!  So great to meet Stan in person after all this time, and in true Tracey & Vicki style, we picked up from where we left off! 

Tracey and Stan recommended we try a Jelly Tip ice-cream – a real NZ tradition.  So on the way home, Steve found a “dairy” (corner store for the rest of us) and we bought some to bring home to Graeme & Geri.   So we ate ice-creams...and coffee and biscuits.  Now the cheese is out and soon it will be dinner!  God I love this place!  Lol

We are getting excited now.  My suitcase is now re-packed with the tripod carefully put away and clothes refolded.  We just have to get up and shower and be on our way!

What do we think of Auckland?  Nah, we wouldn't want to live here (although Puhoi is just up the road.....)  Auckland is just another big city.  Prettier than most, being surrounded by waterways and very scenic countryside, but Wanaka is still our favourite….  same with Mount Cook.   We'll be back New Zealand.  This was just a taste for me, and I am hooked (on the dairy!) lol   The locals are “sweet as bro”!