New Zealand, November 21-24, 2007

Moving southeast from Taupo, we traveled through the Hawke’s Bay wine district and stopped for tastings and a lunch at the Te Awa winery—drink and food both excellent. We then crossed the mountains to arrive at Wellington, where the breeze, clouds and hills suggested a small scale San Francisco.


Lunch at Te Awa Winery


Wellington from Botanic Garden


“Beehive” building in parliamentary complex, Wellington


After two nights in the capital, we dropped off our rental car, took a ferry to the South Island, picked up another car, drove to the edge of Abel Tasman National Park, and boarded a water taxi for the park’s Awaroa Lodge, which is not accessible by road. Here we enjoyed weather so warm that we could swim in the bay as well as walk the coastal track.



Onetahuti Bay, Abel Tasman Coastal Track


Tree fern with frond replicated in Maori art


Departure by water taxi from Awaroa Bay