Art and Culture

After the falls a look at some art,

glass, pottery and mosaics all took part,

lovely designs and shapes were seen

wonderful colours, red, blue and green.

On the next day off we went

to see more mud and steam vent

Orakei Korako 

was the place to go

walking through the ferns

don't touch the water! It burns!

Hissing steam and bubbling mud

the bush walk was really good.

Further on now to Rotorua

to see an active thermal geyser,

lots more mud and steam arising

a lot more people, not so surprising.

A visit to the Maori Hall

was were I was given the call

to go on stage and perform the Haka

with a Yank, two Chinese and a backpacker.

Really enjoyed the Maori show

but then we had to go.

To find another place to rest

the motel we found was one of the best.

Mud and Steam

Drove past Mount Doom and two other volcano

for a two night stay in a town called Taupo.

On the way we were visiting

the first of several thermal spring,

with lots and lots of steam and mud

we thought that this might be really good.

Away on a trip the very next morning

with the idea to see yet another hot spring!

Suddenly we heard adventure calling,

 so we went to see the water falling.

Then I can say with a great deal of pride

that we took on the Huka Falls jet boat ride,

flying along on top of the river

turned out to be a real thrill giver.

Swinging round in really tight turns

as the fast flowing river boils and churns

Windy Wellington

A two nights stay at the Atrium

in the capital of Wellington.

A drink in a harbour bar

was the most expensive so far!

Next day a ride on the funicular railway

experienced the biggest downpour of our stay.

Then a walk through the vegetable market

so very windy, nearly lost my hat.

Looked at statues round the harbour-side

then into the museum that they say with pride

is the best in New Zealand.

A little trip on a bus

was a thrill for both of us 

to the Weta studio 

we did go.

Trolls, orcs, Gandalf and Gollum

how they were made and who made 'em.

Change of Plan

As we drove along with eyes peeled

we went through the town of Sheffield,

On we travelled through hills higher and valleys lower

till we stopped in Akaroa.

A steep climb from the campsite down

to a very pretty seaside town.

We booked a trip 

on the dolphin ship,

There's loads of wildlife to see

dolphins, seals and many birds living free.

An Italian meal in a French setting,

of a British settlement, very confusing this is getting!

A walk to the lighthouse and round the museum,

with the best fish and chips, you really should see 'em.

Early start left on the summit road

had to use second gear a load!

Arrived in Christchurch and dropped off our little van

left it with the rental man. 

Up and away

the very next day 

on the rails along the coast

a train journey we loved the most

Arrived at Picton and caught the ferry

off to the north Island, home to Frodo, Sam, Pippin and Merry.

Blow Holes and Boulders

Set off early the very next day

down to a place that's called, Jack's Bay.

The aim of our goal was to see a blowhole,

fifty five metres deep the climb to see it was really quite steep!

Moving on we saw lot's of bird life,

"There's some spoonbills!" I said to the wife.

Our stop tonight is a place called Moeraki, 

very much a Tenby copy!

An evening meal in a shed on the pier

it could be crap was my only fear,

but no, it was really ace

in the shed that's called Fleur's Place.

In the morning that was a little colder

we went down to see a boulder,

such strange rocks I've never seen

makes you wonder what they could have been?

Then, Arthur's Pass was on our list

but no mountains could pierce the mist,

so with a change of plan

we turned around in our little van.