Moments of Happiness on North Island, New Zealand

This trip took place eighteen months ago. It was February, I was just three months into my five month RTW trip and I was in the company of one of my best friends. It's a trip that I can remember better than most; I can quickly and easily conjure up the memories, the smells, the sights, that strangely wonderful feeling of being so very far from home.

In short, I spent twelve days touring both the South and North Island of New Zealand with Betty. We drove off the ferry to Martinborough, a small town in the middle of a lush wine region. Our next stop was Napier. Then followed Taupo, Rotorua and finally Auckland. These photos take me back to a string of places that all wildly exceeded my expectations. I've blogged about some of the things I did on the North Island, like learning the story behind the beautiful art deco architecture of Napier, finding out how the first tour guides of New Zealand were strong, charismatic Maori women and watching the moon rise.

I also reviewed the campsites of New Zealand (on both North and South Islands).