Home from home

Since KP had to work for the few days before Christmas, thought I´d head up to the Bay of Islands for a bit of time out on the water. Sun, swimming, sailing, snorkelling, kayaking etc. All very relaxing and enjoyable. Big mistake. It was OK when I arrived in mid-afternoon. Caught the ferry over to Russell (NZ´s oldest white settlement and first capital) and had a look round there which was all very nice. But the next morning woke up to find low grey cloud and persistent drizzle. Very English weather. And it didn´t stop all...sodding...day. So replace sailing and snorkelling with reading and DVDs. Which didn´t really justify a 6-hour bus ride each way. I could have done that in KP´s flat! So the NZ ´summer´weather has succeeded in ruining Milford Sound, Tongariro Crossing and Bay of Islands which according to my Rough Guide are 3 of the best things about New Zealand. Great! Santiago here I come...

Paihia, New Zealand