Land of the Long White Cloud, Day Three

Started out in Napier, in Hawkes Bay this morning.  Had a delicious dinner at the "Thirsty Whale.". I was able to try Green Lipped Mussels, which are aqua-farmed on the north coast of South Island. They are big, meaty and delicious.  We decided to drive on the east coast of the mountain range to get to Wellington, since we will be driving on the west side on our way back.  Little did I know that this would include a treacherous winding mountain road towards the south end of North Island prior to arriving Wellington.  It is called "Rimutaka Hill" but a hill, it is not.  Windy and winding with lots of inclines, I was completely focused as I drove our camper van across this challenging road, pulling over as often as I could to allow others to pass.  I was very happy to reach our downtown "camper site," in Wellington that afternoon, rewarding myself with a beer.

Drove close to the mountain named Mt T+56 letters!

 


Meat Pies, great road food!

 

A Pacific Sunrise.  New Zealand is the first country to see the sun everyday.

 

Green Lipped Mussels, a NZ specialty!  Big, meaty and delicious!

 

Didn't need a "post it note" on the dash, as I thought I might!

 

Tanner "framed between the uprights!"

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