Tomorrow, we climb Mt. Doom.

Seriously. We're hiking the Tongariro Crossing. Eight hours trekking across volcanoes.

More Art Deco Napier.

You asked for it.

Mara. Me. Mirrorball. Marine Parade. Napier.

(Mara says, "Gazing into the eye of Sauron. There will be no dawn for men.")

Art Deco Napier.

Backpacker Stereo.

It works. Well, well enough.

Napier.

So much to do here. I don't think either of us are ready to leave yet.

Someone tell me.

Where is Old Zealand anyway?

Tuesday...uh, yeah, more wine tastings.

This time on bikes!

We cycled around Hawkes Bay visiting more wineries, a brewery/cidery?, and a chocolate factory. Fun.

Wine Tasting. Mmmmm.

This, too.

This is real.

Near Coromandel Peninsula, NZ.

Today. Wine Tour.

Mara and I went on a wine tasting tour to four Hawkes Bay wineries. Great Chardonnay, Viognier, Reisling and Sangiovese.

"Wow. Look at that!"

You say that about every two minutes when driving in NZ. It is incredible. Hopefully, I can upload some pictures tomorrow.

We rented a car.

I'm driving since the left is easy for me now. Yesterday we left Auckland airport and drove east to the Coromondel Peninsula. Amazing. Today, before we left the woman's house where we stayed, we watched her feed the eels in the creek. Then, we drove from Coromandel Town down to Napier.

Mara has arrived!

We've been laughing a lot. She is totally free of jet lag, too. I'm impressed.

Auckland.

A ho-hum town. Spending my time planning for hiking/trekking/tramping (whatever you want to call it).

Abel Tasman National Park.

I'll be there for four days of hiking at the end of the month. It's at the top of the South Island. Milford Sound is at the bottom.

Milford Sound.

I just booked a four-day "tramp" through Fiordland National Park to the Milford Sound for December. This is supposed to be one of the most spectacular hikes in the world (and was recommended by every kiwi I met through my travels). The Department of Conservation in NZ only allows 40 people on the path each day. I can't wait to get there.

Two days to kill in Auckland.

Then Mara arrives!

New Zealand bound.

Tomorrow morning I'm flying to Auckland.

Aussie Creatures.

Kangaroos, giant lizard, emu. Also, koalas, wombats, wedge-tailed eagles and tons of smaller birds, Tasmanian devils, dingos, echidnas, etc. Bizarre creatures on this continent.

Bianca and Ben.

The Jolleys (my Adelaide hosts) in the McLaren Vale.

It had to be done.

Today.

Today, I'm flying from Melbourne to Sydney (the plane ticket was $20 cheaper than the bus ticket).