EAST CAPE TO WELLINGTON

Sunday afternoon we started our exciting trip around New Zealand. 6 weeks in total but it didn’t start all smoothly. We had our car checked in Whatakane before hitting the East Cape. Our starter cables needed replacing.

The East Cape is a very derelict part of New Zealand with broken cars, houses and piers and no one seems to be bothered.

















There is not much established for tourism. No walking tracks into the “holy land"and signs everywhere to point out private properties and no camping. The east cape is mainly populated by Maoris.



Napier instead was a refresher, literally, as we soaked in a hot pool under blue sky. We had time to make a stopover in Waiohine Geoge to step on the highest swing bridge in New Zealand.








As we headed into Wellington, the disaster started. Gears were slipping and short before reaching our hostel the car overheated. Pulling onto the side quickly Phil inspected the car carefully and recognised that the head gasket had blown. Unfortunately we have to say, our Mitsubishi never made to the South Island. It got sold for $61 on Trade Me. We bought ourselves a Subaru Legacy after wasting time and energy in Wellington.


Not everything was bad. Phil caught a massive Barracoutta in Wellington harbour of the pier and we saw dolphins jumping around too. We are still optimistic and for more photos of our first week please click here.