Matt Sullivan

One of the great things about New Zealand is the wide diversity of landscapes that are dotted about the two islands, with often dipolar environments in relatively close proximity. That's why we were able to drive from the balmy beaches of Abel Tasman to the frosty heights of Franz-Joseph glacier in about seven hours; and that was at a leisurely pace.

With oceans, dolphins, seals, stingrays and kayaks behind us, we now find overselves in rainforests, keas (indigenous parrot), ice and snow. Swimming trunks swapped for winter coats.

The start of the week finds me now in a place called Kaiteriteri: a small seaside town just south of the Abel Tasman national park. It is a tiny place that comprises a small grocery store, a backpacker's hostel and a couple of eateries; that's about it. Oh, and several small kiosks where the water taxi and kayaking companies ply their services. Kaiteriteri's reason for being is to act as a gateway -- both by road and by water -- to the park.

I have never experienced a volcanic region before, and there are many parts of New Zealand that could be described as active. There have been major eruptions here as recent as the mid-ninties, and only a few days ago there was a serious lahar which served to emphasise that mother nature still has some real kick and bite in this modern age.

A slightly mis-quoted Blackadder reference there -- from memory it runs more like: When a man soils a Wellington, he really puts his foot in it, or something like that ...

We finally hit Wellington, and are taking a few days of rest and relaxation before gettiing the ferry to the south island. The past few days have been a hectic blur of sulphur springs, active volcano ranges, deep river valleys and geysers; not to mention the scrambling up rocky gorges and down scree slopes. I'm kept fit on this excursion, no doubt about that.

Another quick update on the whirlwind wind tour of New Zealand. We now have wheels; we rented a car in Auckland and took a hopelessly meandering path along some of the east coast of the north island, ending up in Rotorua. New Zealand is the best place for meandering travel; taking the direct route from point A to point B is often the most featureless, unless you're into straight freeway. Meandering affords a wonderful view of the sights, sounds and lifestyle of this beautiful country, and frequent photo opportunity stops.