Days 26-28 Hamilton, Wellington,Christchurch,Wanaka

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Beautiful country....a lot bigger than I thought.Took 6 hrs to drive from Christchurch to here.
Had a pint in a bar overlooking the lake. Then took an Indian take-away back to the motel room; as I always say...."when in Rome". Off to Queenstown tomorrow; bungy jumping?...probably not
And in the evening

Wanaka Lake in the afternoon

RiverWaitaki

Oops, don't know how she got in here

Hired an old Nissan Bluebird with 200,ooo km on the clock. It was very cheap....strange that.View on the way to Wanaka

Outside, showing the old main gate

View from the lobby of the hostel

Backpackers hostel. An old prison. So your room is an old cell.

Nice scenery on the journey to Christchurch. Had a nice bottle of Montana Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Subtle aromatic flavours, which seemed to whisper a sweet "hello" Pretentious, moi?

"Kiwi Rail"engine that took us to Christchurch. Did you know New Zealand railways are a narrower gauge than back home? I didn't either. Isn't that interesting

Picton railway station

Arriving at Picton

View from ferry approaching Picton. New Zealanders are some of the most friendly people on earth. Strange accent though. Anouncement on ferry "no smoking on the ship...pessingers who want to smoke should go on the outside dicks"

Leaving Wellington on the ferry to Picton on the South Island

Mt Ngauruhoe. Last erupted 1926
Both these scenes used in Lord of the Rings

Multi-peaked Mt Ruapehu, active volcano near the lake

Hamilton to Wellington. Left Tauranga and got bus to Hamilton; unfortunately the bus arrived late and the train left early, so missed the train. So got the bus.This is a view of Lake Taupo on the way