Tyre=Innertube

From Wine Tasting

Redbull comes in glass bottles.

Check out time is ten so we've become accustomed to be motivated and on the road by then. We charge directly into the city. Wellington is carries a lot of similarities to San Francisco. Water front locale, it's breezy, bustling, uber trendy and not cable cars, but cable buses. We meander about town for a while and post up at the waterfront long enough to add to both of our considerable amount of mosquito bites. My legs honestly look like I'm getting over the chicken pox. Alright, had enough of that, Onward to Martinborough.

Martinborough came highly recommended to us so we were amped to get there. It's a tiny town with 50 or so wineries. Most private, but a few public along a singular stretch of road, perfect for cycling to and from. Of course we rented bike and had our own tasting Tour de Martinborough. I enjoyed the wines sampled, but after our first stop, I had run out of descriptive answers to Susanna's, "What do you think?" By the end all I could muster was, "It''s good" and "I like the red better". Hardly a connoisseur, but at least I know what I like. It was really a blast pedaling through grape fields on a beautiful sunny afternoon. Hmm... I may have just thought of my new business in Temecula! 5 p.m. was fast approaching and the tour was completed with a delicious meal at the final winery - but not before Susanna poured the rest of her last tasting into the water pitcher on the bar. Classic!

Martinborough also happens to be very close to quite a few good surf spots. Knowing this, a decision was made to head south a little while longer to cape Palliser to see what mother nature had in store for us. Breathtaking scenic views with the south island barely visible on the horizon, rolling hills tapering down to black rock beached, perfect alcoves for wrapping swell, teeth like rock formations lining the coast all magnificent, but a little less sweet because there's only a ripple in the water. Oh well, we tried.

It's sunset at this point and the nearest Top 10 is well beyond what we feel like driving so the national park reserve will accommodate us tonight. I was happy for the change up. Not a sole around and a stones throw from the water. Sheep greatly outnumbering the residents in the closest fishing village. Stars shining brighter than I'd ever seen. I loved the solitude and price. Susanna, hardly slept.

The next morning we were up extra early for our longest drive of the trip, to Lake Taupo. Easily half of the north island in a strait shot. Susanna slept most of the way. Napier (Seaside town on the east coast full of art deco) was the lunch stop. The best Mongolian BBQ I've ever eaten! By the time we pulled into the Lake Taupo Top 10, we were spent. Fortunately, it was the sweetest one we've been to. Geothermal pool and spa. Membership has it's privileges, holler!