Days 9 & 10

Leaving Rotorua we headed for Wellington calling at the Wairskei Steam Valley power station - powered by the geothermal springs and on to Lake Taupo via the Huka Falls - then across the volcanic plains via the aptly named Desert Road. The three volcanos were impressive. We arrived in Wellington to RAIN and were given a whirl wind tour of the Te Papa Museum. Today it has stopped raining and we have been brought across the Marlborough Sounds to the South Island. The water was choppy but we survived. We enjoyed a spectacular drive through vineyards and on to the East Coast which is very beautiful indeed - we stopped to see a colony of seals and marvel at the colour of the sea which was a pure turquoise with white crests. Coming across the Canterbury Plaincs we have arrived in Christchurch en route to the Southern Alps. This is a very beautiful city and very English too! We return here at the end of the tour for a longer stay when we will be able to explore a bit more. It's surprising how tiring sitting on a coach can be!More on Friday.