Just wanted to go on record as saying that the North Island of New Zealand is a great place to visit. I've been here 3 days now and am thoroughly enjoying myself. There was a great show at the War Memorial Museum in Auckland of Maori songs and dances, including haka. All of the summer flowers are in bloom here so even driving through the small towns is a treat because the yards are decked out. The urban gardens are all flowering too. People have been very helpful with directions and suggestions and making transportation and accomodation arrangements. And the cities are very welcoming cities--not too much traffic (pedestrian or motorized), not too big, not too dirty, just friendly.
Today I took a bus from Auckland to Rotorua and really enjoyed the trip. It was nice to see some of the rural areas of the North Island. We passed through "Hobbiton" too, also known as Matamata, though the town's welcome sign was for Hobbiton. From the bus window, I could definitely see the potential for the little hobbit burrows in the hilly landscape. Not too many sheep yet, but lots and lots of cows.
And Rotorua is a great little tourist town. There appear to be some real offices and apartment buildings and houses here as well, but the downtown area just feels made for visitors. Lots of trees and flowers and pedestrian walkways.
It's nice to be here in summer, too. The sun has been bright and warm and the breeze cool (a little too cool sometimes :) ) and just one light rain shower so far. I highly recommend the North Island--at least what I've seen so far. It's worth the 12-14 hour plane ride. :)
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