America April 2009

We thought that we had had enough of intercontinental travel but then decided that Jack's baptism was important and a good excuse to visit the USA again and see the family.
Only a short visit over Easter but well worthwhile and we thoroughly enjoyed every minute. Highlights were a very impressive Baptism Service and a very proud Jonathan Henry Wroe also a visit to the Mall of America which really defies description as a shopping experience, all this apart from seeing the whole family together.

The South Island

We flew from Auckland to Christchurch. A wonderful city where we spent 3 nights and sightseeing botanical gardens, historic streets, cathedral square etc
Historic trams tour the city sightseeing
View from the deck of the Bach we rented in Nelson after travelling along thepacific coastline on the Transcoastal Train to Picton where we picked up the mpv for the journey to Nelson
On the shores of Lake Rotooti one of the Nelson LakesMarion in Nelson
Called the Split Apple Rock viewed from the steamer on our way to Anchoridge Bay for the golden sands and sunshine before being collected again 3 hours later by the steamer.
We retraced our steps after a week in Nelson to spend the last 2 nights in Christchurch before flying back to Auckland.
All in all a vacation that is the stuff dreams are made of. Only 1 week now left in this fantastic country before we return to the cold of the UK Brrrr.

Napier. - Art Deco capital

Devastated by an earthquake in 1931 it was rebuilt in the modern Art Deco style of the time.
We celebrated a warm new year on the beach and Marine Parade with hundreds of others listening to a 31/2hr concert and sing-a-long and watching the fireworks as we saw in 2009






Just some of the gardens on Marine Parade

The trees and the fountains were all lit up

Taupo

We set off on our journey in the rain (yes it does that here as well) and travelled to Taupo on the shores of New Zealand's largest lake where we stayed the night before continuing to Napier for the New Year
Typical of the scenery of the countryside through which we were travelling


In one of the main streets. It's a McDonalds cafe