This morning after a lovely run (Barb’s wounds are healed sufficiently for this) we packed up and reluctantly headed out of town towards Napier. Reluctantly as we had discovered Rotorua to be a beautiful town with lots more to explore, but we figured there just might be more to see further on.
How right we were! Our trip today took us through a wide variety of landscapes – from mountain passes (not quite as high as in BC) to beautiful valleys
and finally to the ocean. The landscape was reminiscent of BC, but you have to put the Okanagan Valley right next to the ocean.
Our first stop after just 80 Km was Lake Taupo. The view from the hilltop
overlooking the town was magnificent. We stopped at a little café across from the beach
for a coffee 
(flat white) and a muffin. Here we had a bit of discussion with Aeroplan, and we think we have that situation resolved!
After driving for 225 Km we arrived in Napier. After a stop at the local information booth we sat in the Sunken Garden (picture tomorrow) and mapped out our strategy for the next two days. We decided on a wine tour (no drinking and driving) and to check into a lovely hotel along the beach. On our second try we found the Pebble Beach Motor Hotel.
And what a find – at less than $140 per night Canadian – it is a beautiful hotel with great rooms (including a Big Soaker Tub), wonderful owner and a fabulous view. 
As the room comes with cooking facilities – we headed out to find a winery (for the essentials) and a food store. We had great fun finding the Winery. We had a little map which showed a winery on Church Street. We drove and drove but couldn’t find the intersection. Finally after backtracking, Barb decided to take a left turn – because it looked like Wine Country – and behold we were on Church Street – Joy Joy Joy!
Mission accomplished we headed back for a lovely dinner with some beautiful New Zealand Red called “Church Road Cuve – Syrah 2004, a wonderful full-bodied wine, some fresh New Zealand corn and an Avocado from the booth across the street, and of course a little lettuce, chicken and tomatoes.
Then onto the internet – not an easy feat as my system would not easily accommodate, but the owner of the hotel got his friend on the line (she called in from the South Island) and got me on line – as you can see. What a great help. Tomorrow - wine tasting - yeh!
How right we were! Our trip today took us through a wide variety of landscapes – from mountain passes (not quite as high as in BC) to beautiful valleys
and finally to the ocean. The landscape was reminiscent of BC, but you have to put the Okanagan Valley right next to the ocean.Our first stop after just 80 Km was Lake Taupo. The view from the hilltop
overlooking the town was magnificent. We stopped at a little café across from the beach
for a coffee 
(flat white) and a muffin. Here we had a bit of discussion with Aeroplan, and we think we have that situation resolved!After driving for 225 Km we arrived in Napier. After a stop at the local information booth we sat in the Sunken Garden (picture tomorrow) and mapped out our strategy for the next two days. We decided on a wine tour (no drinking and driving) and to check into a lovely hotel along the beach. On our second try we found the Pebble Beach Motor Hotel.
And what a find – at less than $140 per night Canadian – it is a beautiful hotel with great rooms (including a Big Soaker Tub), wonderful owner and a fabulous view. 
As the room comes with cooking facilities – we headed out to find a winery (for the essentials) and a food store. We had great fun finding the Winery. We had a little map which showed a winery on Church Street. We drove and drove but couldn’t find the intersection. Finally after backtracking, Barb decided to take a left turn – because it looked like Wine Country – and behold we were on Church Street – Joy Joy Joy!
Mission accomplished we headed back for a lovely dinner with some beautiful New Zealand Red called “Church Road Cuve – Syrah 2004, a wonderful full-bodied wine, some fresh New Zealand corn and an Avocado from the booth across the street, and of course a little lettuce, chicken and tomatoes.
Then onto the internet – not an easy feat as my system would not easily accommodate, but the owner of the hotel got his friend on the line (she called in from the South Island) and got me on line – as you can see. What a great help. Tomorrow - wine tasting - yeh!
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