Rotorua to Wellington

We went out to the supermarket to buy something for dinner and get some fuel and relaxed for the evening.
After brekky  we went up to a what we thought was a lookout but was a restaurant on a peak with a great view over Rotorua. It was a beautiful clear morning and alas quite warm sitting outside with our morning tea.
After looking at all the brochures we decided to go to a living maori village during the day. We arrived at 11.30 and finally left after looking looking 4.30pm. We thoroughly enjoyed our time on the guided tour and then our hangi lunch. We also had a concert at all2pm and then spent a long time chatting to a guy who was carving jade. Back to our room for dinner. We had water constantly running through the pipes  and it had kept us awake the night before. We decided to ask about it and as a result we were given another room with our own spa pool.
Next day we went to see the museum which was housed in the old  bathhouse. It was good and the buidling was impressive. After lunch we went to the Redwood grove and went for a walk through them. Then later went for a drive around the lake and surrounds and then went back to have a spa. Should have had before bed not before dinner.as we were quite lethargic. Also did some laundry before the spa.

Today we left Rotorua and headed through Lake Taupo on our way to Napier on the coast. It was overcast in Taupo and cool so we didn't see much if it.
It was a winding drive across to Napier but  good roads. We arrived in Napier around lunchtime and had lunch at an RSA or as we would know it rsl . It was too early to check in so we went driving around. Www ent up to the bluff lookout an had a great view. We also watched a ship loading logs which was interesting. Went the wharf area and watched a fishing boat off loading their catch.
Back to the main part of Napier to look at the art demo buildings and then we checked in to our accommodation. Very nice.

Next day we went heading off to Wellington.  Jane, the gps, decided to miss Hastings and took us on a couple of minor detours but we had a great good trip with only a great short stop for morning tea.
We got to go through the pass which had a been closed for over a year. It was  7 km and apparently cuts off 1/2.hr. it was a nice part of the drive.

We finally found our motel tucked away beside the motorway. We are staying  5 km out of Wellington.
We settled in and then went for a walk around the area.
Today  is Monday 5th and we hopped on the train to go into Wellington. It was more a light rail and it had conductors!  We found the train cable car and after that went to the wharf area. Lots of joggers and school girls. Went walking along the wharf heard lots of noise coming from kids. All the girls were jumping into the water in their uniforms. Turns out they were year 12 students who had just finished school. Their  exams start next week. There was about 200 of them from one school.

We then went to Te Papa museum for a couple of hours or so. Walked back along the wharf and caught a ferry for a return trip across the bay. By this state it was getting rough and quite cool.
We caught a bus back to our accommodation. It took the train 1/2.hr to take us in and the bus in peak hour only 10mins to greet back