After Taupo we drove to Napier for a night en-route to Wellington. Although it was a Saturday night and the bars by the waterfront were very busy, we didn't stay too long. The drive to Wellington was spectacular though! Windy, mountainous roads and death threatening drops aplenty. I was going to try and get some pictures but the parking spaces were all at bits without a view and my navigator was not up to much at that point. Since we hired the car and started our mission, Scott has the unnerving knack of falling asleep within 30 seconds of the car engine starting. I am convinced that it is nothing to do with my in car conversation at all. Then he wonders why I feel a little bit tired later on! But Arnold the Beast has been doing us proud and charges up the mountain roads like a mountain goat. A three legged one at best, ut a mountain goat none-the-less.

Wellington looked spectacular as we came out of the hills and down towards the bay and it hasn't disappointed at all. Although I like Auckland, I have to say that Wellington is rivalling Vancouver for the nicest city I have been to. We got to our hotel, checked in and then did what we do best. Nappage and beers.

I will write more about Wellington later as I am sat in a crappy internet cafe and I am mindfull about the dodgy travelling scummers that frequent these places. However, we had a walk along the harbour, to the ferry terminal and to the Parliament buildings today. The Parliament buildings are known as the Beehive and I think that is self explanatory. We were due to leave tomorrow on the ferry to the South Island but it looks like we might have to wait until the day after as they seem to be fully booked tomorrow. This presents us with a problem. Scott leaves New Zealand on Monday(?) the 12th to go to Australia. I will have to drive Arnold the Beast up over the ferry and back to Auckland for the 12th too. So I will be leaving Scotty in Christchurch I think. That only gives us a few days to "do" then South. Hmmmmmmm. Not long enough. The drive from Picton to Christchurch is 4 hours alone and it is alleged to be anoth 6 hours to Queenstown. And that is ignoring the Milford Sounds etc. Not sure how this will pan out. I can extend the lease on the car and zoom to the other places in the South alone or get the car back and miss some of the more beautiful places. I suppose I could always come back later and "re-do" the South. Standby for a decision.