December 21st - Auckland to Taupo

You would think that picking up a car would be fairly straightforward...but you would be wrong! Having booked a manual, Budget wanted to Fob Us Off with an automatic - which I wasn't going to drive. Rob began to get mildly steamed up, and his opinion of Budget sank to zero. But - the guy behind the sales desk went above and beyond (the extra mile!) and finally tracked one down for us at the airport, drove us out there to collect it, and set us on the right road from the airport. And came out with the best description of good service and why you should give it on the way.
The drive down from Auckland was beautiful: endless amazing scenery. The hills are pointier and closer together, and everywhere is so green at the moment. There are enormous ferns growing as high as trees. Just for Fiona - today's new birds: Australian Magpie, Australasian Harrier, and Myna. No photographs, because I saw them all from the car, but definitely those birds - v. distinctive.
Had lunch in Hamilton, and found a second-hand bookshop there - very refreshing. The bookshop, I mean., though lunch was pretty good too.
Kauri Point, where we staying at the moment, is really nice and the owners are very friendly. Lake Taupo is a caldera, and huge - that must have been one massive eruption.

This is the old Post Office in Hamilton - built early 1900s, it's an old building!

Sunset over Lake Taupo.