The Home Stretch

Just 2 more days till we are back in Auckland. We fly to Vancouver on Wednesday and back to Toronto on Thursday. Our time here has flown by. We have slowed down the last week. It’s nice to linger and get off the beaten path a bit. We have traveled through some very rural areas where the tourists don’t usually venture. We have also been through some very busy areas. Both have been enjoyable.

Herding Sheep in New Zealand - Click for larger

Marlborough, NZ Vineyards - Click for larger

Church of the Good Shepherd, NZ - Click for larger

We had a chance to tour through the New Plymouth Prison which is New Zealand’s oldest prison. This Victoria (1870’s) era jail had just closed days before and still had some of the bedding from recent residents. The cells were very small, just 7 X 10 feet. It must have been a very unpleasant place for the prisoners.

New Plymouth Prison, NZ - Click for larger

New Plymouth Prison, NZ - Click for larger

New Plymouth Prison Window, NZ - Click for larger

We are at the Waitomo caves area tonight. This afternoon we did a hike through some caves.

Waitomo Caves, New Zealand - Click for larger

Tomorrow we have a guided tour booked through a larger cave system to see glowworms. We will then head a bit closer to Auckland.