We drive into Auckland from Doubtless Bay.

It takes two cars to handle the overflow of luggage that we have brought with us (not to mention that there are six people making the journey). We take everyone out for dinner to celebrate Ruth’s birthday.

It is a beautiful day for a drive, but unfortunately – due to a stalled truck about 80 kilometres outside of Auckland – a four hour drive turns into seven. We arrive back to the Mt. Eden Motel and quickly change our clothes and head out to Ponsonby Road for dinner.

This morning is our last  in New Zealand. We have a late morning get-together with Mary Ruth Doole, a Kiwi friend we haven’t seen in 10 years, over coffee and breakfast in Mt. Eden Village. We then head for the airport for tearful goodbyes with Ruth.

New Zealand has been a wonderful warm up to our trip around the world. Thanks Ruth for having us….we had such a great time with you!

These are our completely unofficial recommendations for the North Island of New Zealand:

Buy property NOW in the Doubtless Bay area.
Have fish and chips at the Mangonui Fish Shop.
Have ice cream anywhere and all the time.
Sample as much New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc as you can.

Some books that you may find of interest that kept us company in New Zealand:
Three Junes, by Julia Glass (Thanks Eleanor McC.!)
The Art of Travel, by Alain de Botton (Thanks Tom Hockin)
The Night Listener, by Armistead Maupin (On going, thanks, Ruth)