Taupo to Wellington and crossing the Cook Strait

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   Today was a fairly serious bus ride from Taupo all the way down to Wellington, the departure city from the north island to the south one.  Dave, or "Cuddles," our Magic Bus driver, kept us entertained with games and riddles.  I won the first game and he bought me a terrific fresh fruit smoothie at one of our stops.  (We also bought a bag of the most delicious freshly picked plums.  mmmmmm)  Can you name 10 parts of the body that are only three letters...leg, XXX, XXX, etc.????   I could, faster than everyone else there today anyway.

     The trip took us through gorgeous rolling hills, up across plateaus of what they call desert, and into mountain valleys (saw areas where Lord of the Rings was filmed, including the Mountain of Doom) before dropping back to sea level.  We may return to do the Tongariro Crossing on our way back up if we have time after our travels on the South Island. 

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     We arrived in Wellington, the capital of NZ, in time to do some city touring including a visit to the local museum, Te Papa.  It is a terrific museum with a lot about the Maori culture and the recent strife here with them wanting to reclaim their lands etc.  (sound familiar?).  We had a wonderful meal out and walked along the wharf watching the fishing boats, tankers, ferries, and yachts.  Wellington is called the "windy city" and I have to say that it is indeed every bit as windy as Chicago! 

     Our hostel this time was a poorer choice -- we were recommended to Downtown Backpackers because it is right across the street from the ferry...great for an early morning easy departure.  However it is an OLD hotel of the vagrant vintage...with BUNKBEDS!  I thought I was back at camp with Denny bouncing and poking me!  The bathroom had more chipped tiles than whole ones and the tub was one of those old DEEP ones -- oh well, only one night!  And it was quiet and had good mattresses.

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     In both New Zealand and Australia the restrooms are referred to and labelled as TOILETS.  We have been teased several times for asking for bathrooms or restrooms -- the Auzzies and Kiwis evidently think that we Americans are quite funny in not wanting to really SAY what we mean to use and do.  Of course they also have brothels and massage clubs and 24 hour escorts!  No wonder all the visiting sailors and soldiers loved to come into port! 

     The next morning we packed up and set off on the ferry to cross the Cook Strait to Picton on the South Island.  It was a huge ferry and a lovely tip across (everything here is either "lovely" or "brilliant" as in "beautiful" and "awesome").  We chatted with a young woman from the area (South Island) who was just returning from a year in the UK.  She gave us lots of tips on where to go, how to go, etc.  We are SO VERY excited to finally be here where we have wanted to be -- amongst all the tracks!

     A new Magic Bus driver, Karl, picked us up at the ferry station in Picton and off we went to Nelson.  We drove through the beautiful wine country, Marlborough (eat your heart out BJ!) to Nelson, an absolutely stunning port, a beautiful city.  It is the gateway to the Abul Tasman area.  We will stay here for two nights preparing to leave day after tomorrow on our first track.  :)  We're READY!  More on all that soon!  Love to all!