It’s time to take a look at my visit to New Zealand. Now, that I’m at its final hour. Now that I’m leaving. I’ve written nothing since arriving on the South island almost two weeks ago and in that, I have been remiss. It is just that I’ve been trying to take it all in. It is enchanting. It is absorbing. And it is distracting.    
   
The lovely city of Wellington was our final stop on the North island. It was my favourite of the New Zealand cities, though I confess that that judgement is unfair, as I had little time in any of them. Still, Wellington is very charming. It is lively, bustling, bright and scenic. We climbed to the high lookout point in the park, for it’s views over the city, the bay and the surrounding hills and countryside. There is a wonderful museum, with good cultural and historical background, (though history does not go back very far here), and a superb exhibition of the New Zealanders role in the Gallipoli campaign of the Great War, as part of the centenary commemorations. We strolled the streets, supped the beer and played an open mic session. Good times. We took the three hour ferry sailing from Wellington to Picton.

   
 We had been told that the South island has a special beauty and indeed it has. It also has rain. Yes, the weather took a decidedly moist turn just about here, but not before we had a delightful afternoon on the beach at Motueka. Full of clams and kayaks and children poking in the rock-pools and waves splashing and lots of sea sidey stuff. 

Over the next day or two, we had some pretty heavy rain. So much so, that visibility was low and access to the glaciers was closed. But once we crossed the mountain pass into the lakes area, we suddenly left all the rain behind. The skies cleared, the sun came out, the road twisted, and we came out among the lakes, to an unexpected and welcoming landscape and a pleasant drive down into Alexandra. We just got there in time too! It was the annual final of the local karaoke competition. We met some wild characters, made some new “best friends”, (almost), and even heard some great karaoke singing. Well, some karaoke singing.  Well, some karaoke.

   
  
  
To be continued………………