Sorry I have not posted for a few days but I have not had a very good Internet connection for a few days.
The main focus of attention is, obviously, the devastating earthquake in Christchurch. It really brings home how fragile this country is but in a way it is part of this country's appeal - these natural disasters are the events that have created the stunning scenery and the way of life.
There are may aspects to this disaster, probably one of the most poignant is that the names of the first four who died have been released this evening and amongst then was a five month old baby and a nine month old baby. But there are many other stories such as 10,000 students volunteering to help with the clearing up of people's homes. Then there was the couple who were interviewed on the news who were on their honeymoon (the term "the earth moved" springs to mind!), and finally when we got back to the family one of the first things that our seven year old granddaughter greeted us with was that she had her "earthquake box" ready - although we are not sure what is in it.
Moving on to our travels we are now back in Auckland after travelling about 2,600km but before that on Tuesday we visited Rotorua - a city in the centre of New Zealand that is best known for its geothermal activity. Now Rotorua is one of those places (in my opinion) that is about as tacky and touristy that you can get and having spent two days there I have done my visiting of the place.
It does however have some redeeming features, one of them being the Government Gardens in which the Rotorua museum which is housed in the old bath House. This was built in the early 1900's and was used as a sanatorium which used the "healing" powers of the thermal waters a mud to cure ailments - however having seen the place it looked more like a place of torture!
As I said earlier Rotorua is famous for its geothermal activity and just behind the Bath House can be seen pools of bubbling mud and steaming pools
Seeing this was even more poignant when watching the news later that day and seeing the devastation of the Christchurch earthquake.
On Wednesday we had a walk around Rotorua a found Kuirau Park which is another geothermal site that can be found in the centre of the city.
In the afternoon we went on one of those amphibious WWll Duck thingies around (and through) some of the lakes that are in the area.
Well that just about concludes the "road trip" but we still have another few days before we return home so I will try and post anything else of interest.