07.01.2018 - from Wellington via Napier to Taupo

Since we didn't want to take the direct route to Taupo, we left early so that we would have time for any opportunities that arise during the almost 500 km drive that takes about 6.5 hours. Wellington was still almost windless and sunny. We talked in the car about Antje celebrating New Year's Eve here with Katrin and Toddy, I think, 17 years ago. What may have changed since then?

On our way to our first destination Napier, we discovered the Pukaha Mount Bruce Wildlife Centre behind Masterton, where we spontaneously took a break. The nature park with its rainforest and bird aviaries is beautiful. Here we could observe birds, lizards, eels, and even an albino kiwi in the nocturnal house. The kiwi is the national emblem of New Zealand, but it is rare to see it in the wild as it is very shy and exclusively nocturnal. It is the smallest of all flightless birds and usually has brown, fluffy feathers. The nature park also contributes to the reproduction of almost extinct bird species. Before human settlement, New Zealand had only 2 species of bats and no land mammals. But with the arrival of the first Polynesian settlers, rats were brought to Aotearoa (the land of the long white cloud) and dogs and cats were brought by James Cook and the Europeans. However, the most dangerous predator is the possum, which was brought here from Australia in 1837 for fur farming. Due to the lack of natural predators, it has become a plague.

By some stroke of luck, we were able to have a culinary lunch break at a winery with a restaurant in Ta Awanga, near Napier, around 2 o'clock. We became curious about the Elephant Hill winery through an article in GEO-Spezial New Zealand. Actually, there were no free tables and if anything, only a cheese platter would have been possible. However, we not only had a bit of luck, but really luck:
1. the winery and restaurant look just as great as in the photos in GEO.
2. we were led to a table on the terrace right by the water in wonderful weather
3. we not only got a cheese platter, but a sensational menu, of course with wines from the winery - Birgit had a Syrah, Joachim had a Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon. It was unbelievably good.
4. we were also able to do a small wine tasting and buy some wine. Basti, you would have been overjoyed here!
The great thing is that in New Zealand, you can go to a top restaurant in shorts and hiking boots without anyone batting an eye.

We then had a coffee after a short walk on the black Pacific beach of Napier, a nice Art Deco town, for a successful conclusion.

The drive to Taupo was rather unexciting. Even in the morning, we mainly saw intensively used agricultural and forestry land. When you consider that at one time, 90% of New Zealand was covered in forests, the many pasturelands for cows and sheep, and especially the freshly cleared areas, can bring tears to your eyes. Not that it's any better in Europe, but here the experience of nature is so much more intense and still relatively untouched that it hurts.

When we arrived at our apartment in Taupo before sunset, we were once again amazed. This view of the lake in the setting sun left us speechless. So far, we have had only great accommodations (Airbnb), some of them even extremely surprisingly good. Maybe the many years of experience as a travel agent also play a part in that?

So please keep your fingers crossed that Jana can sell her car here, so she has time to accompany us to the next destinations.