Southern Hospitality, Kiwi Style!

Ted.  My best memories so far are of journey through NZ are of the friendly folks we have met.

After our day in Auckland, we took a bus to Rotorua, primarily to visit the Te Puia Maori cultural center. Two nights there and we were back on a bus to Gisborne where Tom, my friend from college has retired. We found this small town on the East Coast to be a throwback to simpler times. After three days enjoying Tom’s hospitality it was back by plane to Auckland for a Servas homestay with Sue and Bruce. 

These lovely folks took us in like longtime friends and we were touched by their kindness. This was also a chance to rendezvous with Mikaela, a Swedish Servas traveler who had stayed with us in Atlanta before settling temporarily in Auckland. The three of us took a day trip up to the Waipoua Kauri Forest in the Northland and were struck dumb by magnificent trees up to 3,000 years old. Thanks to Carolyn for the suggestion! 

Yes, we politely listen to the many folks who feel a need to comment on the political situation in our country but that quickly moves on to tips on what to see and where to go in this lovely land.  

Everyone is doing their best to insure that we will return again one day to linger longer. 

On Saturday, we flew to Queenstown on the South Island and are now settling in for a week in a little house in Te Anau in the Fjordland for a bit of hiking. 

On Sunday, we went to church and then took a stroll from town along the Kepler Track; 11 miles round trip. 

Today we rest!