The Last of the North Island Trip

Just realized that the last two photos in the previous post are actually of Lake Taupo, not Lake Rotorua. The perils of posting six months after the fact. And quite honestly, one of the reasons why I am so far behind on updating this blog is that it hurts a bit to look back. I miss New Zealand and all the people I know there so much, even though I am enjoying my current adventures elsewhere immensely.

Rather than drive directly to Wellington from Rotorua, I stopped off at Raetihi along the way, it having been suggested that I should check out nearby Taihape on my trip. Raetihi was actually a little farther away than anticipated, though I did pop over to Taihape for a bit of exploration. I bought a pair of earrings from a local jeweler there, as I'd lost one of the pair that I wore daily in Wellington - for some reason, losing an earring is now something that happens right before I embark on a grand adventure. It's not my favorite tradition, but if the travel gods are going to demand a sacrifice, I suppose an earring here or there is not so bad.

I really enjoyed running around the area, and both Taihape and Raetihi are cute little skiing towns somewhat similar to some of the resort towns in Colorado. Somehow, I managed to take zero pictures of either place. Ah, well.

The bed and breakfast I stayed at was absolutely fabulous and well worth the visit. It's an old converted courthouse, run by a lovely couple. He makes custom skis for the nearby mountains, she is a fabulous cook who took over running the B&B when they moved to the area. I was the only guest that night and had booked in for dinner there. Both of their sons were home as well, and it was really nice to sit around a family table again, even though I had just met them. The old judge's bench is now the kitchen.

The next morning I drove back to Wellington early to meet friends for lunch and rescue the things my flatmate had very kindly stored for me while I went on the northern leg of the trip. The weather was against me, so no pictures from that, either. 

While in Wellington I was staying with friends who regularly foster kittens for the Wellington SPCA. They were suitably adorable.

One of my Kiwi born friends had expressed an interest in trying an American Thanksgiving, so we had a grand party in which I had to convince a room full of skeptical foreigners that hand turkeys are totally a thing. We ended up having roast chicken instead of turkey, as turkey is stupidly expensive in New Zealand, but it was a wonderful meal very much in the spirit of gratitude and friendship.

I swapped out my hideously uncomfortable rental car while in Wellington, as I still had a few days on the South Island to go on my road trip. With a few tears in my eyes, it was soon time to board the ferry and continue on.