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North Island

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Fox Glacier

   
     

We didn't spend too much time sight-seeing in the North Island, knowing that there is a good chance we'll be back in New Zealand one day. We did enjoy visiting Wellington and Auckland, and the geothermal areas around Taupo and Rotorua. In Auckland, we enjoyed stayed with our friends Gary and Stef with their baby Abby, and visited a number of friends we'd made previously on the road.

Wellington Harbour with Te Papa in the background.
Wellington Harbour with Te Papa in the background.
Te Papa, New Zealand's National Museum, has several fascinating displays of New Zealand culture, history, wildlife, and geology.
Te Papa, New Zealand's National Museum, has several fascinating displays of New Zealand culture, history, wildlife, and geology.
The steaming vents and fumeroles of Craters of the Moon near Taupo were pretty interesting to walk around.
The steaming vents and fumeroles of Craters of the Moon near Taupo were pretty interesting to walk around.
The Lady Knox geyser at Waiotapu was a bit anti-climatic, but somewhat interesting.
The Lady Knox geyser at Waiotapu was a bit anti-climatic, but somewhat interesting.
We enjoyed watching and listening to the mud pools gurgle and burp.
We enjoyed watching and listening to the mud pools gurgle and burp.
There were several craters that were quite deep at Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland.  Much of the North Island is an active geothermal zone.
There were several craters that were quite deep at Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland. Much of the North Island is an active geothermal zone.
There were fascinating colours all around the area, due to the various minerals that were deposited around the pools and rocks.
There were fascinating colours all around the area, due to the various minerals that were deposited around the pools and rocks.
Even the mosses and lichen were colorful.
Even the mosses and lichen were colorful.
This particular geothermal pool had a peculiar shade of fluorescent yellow.
This particular geothermal pool had a peculiar shade of fluorescent yellow.
The geothermal areas were a colourful reminder of how New Zealand is one of the world's most active volcanic regions.
The geothermal areas were a colourful reminder of how New Zealand is one of the world's most active volcanic regions.
A fun stop was in Matamata, where we visited the film site for Hobbiton, used in the Lord of the Rings.  This was Frodo and Bilbo's hobbit hole, called Bag End.
A fun stop was in Matamata, where we visited the film site for Hobbiton, used in the Lord of the Rings. This was Frodo and Bilbo's hobbit hole, called Bag End.
Hobbiton is located on a private sheep farm, and while there is little that remains of the original set, we could see how Tolkein's world was brought to life here.
Hobbiton is located on a private sheep farm, and while there is little that remains of the original set, we could see how Tolkein's world was brought to life here.
In Auckland, we took an afternoon drive down to Mission Bay with our friends Gary and Steff.
In Auckland, we took an afternoon drive down to Mission Bay with our friends Gary and Steff.
One of our Auckland highlights was having a meal atop the Sky Tower, where we were treated to sweeping views of Auckland's night lights.
One of our Auckland highlights was having a meal atop the Sky Tower, where we were treated to sweeping views of Auckland's night lights.
Another highlight was presenting the Companion Flag to the students of Willow Park Primary, who put on a phenomenal performance for us.
Another highlight was presenting the Companion Flag to the students of Willow Park Primary, who put on a phenomenal performance for us.
Teacher Ms. Nicholson and Vice Principal Ms. Basset were instrumental in helping Willow Park Primary become the first school in New Zealand to adopt the Companion Flag.
Teacher Ms. Nicholson and Vice Principal Ms. Basset were instrumental in helping Willow Park Primary become the first school in New Zealand to adopt the Companion Flag.
We took the ferry from Devenport on the North Shore to the city.
We took the ferry from Devenport on the North Shore to the city.
We were treated to great views of the city from the harbour.  The weather stayed pretty decent until our last day in New Zealand.
We were treated to great views of the city from the harbour. The weather stayed pretty decent until our last day in New Zealand.
The Ferry Building, relatively close to the viaduct area, where the America's Cup was held in 2003.
The Ferry Building, relatively close to the viaduct area, where the America's Cup was held in 2003.
Typical New Zealand fare: Pineapple Lumps, Buzz chocolate, Lemon and Paeroa drink, and an interesting fruit called a feijoa.
Typical New Zealand fare: Pineapple Lumps, Buzz chocolate, Lemon and Paeroa drink, and an interesting fruit called a feijoa.

   
     
     
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