Impressions of New Zealand

Our first impressions of New Zealand:

Friendly people
Green countryside
Sunny skies
Great food and wine
Lots of sheep!

We spent our first couple days in the capital of NZ Wellington where Bob received final credentials to practice medicine in NZ.  Wellington has everything - great shops, museums, cafes and is the gateway to the South Island.  Lucked out with gorgeous weather too.  Then we flew in a small plane to Palmerston North where Bob is completing the second of two weeks of orientation at the PN hospital.  This past weekend we drove to Hawkes Bay and the twin cities of Napier and Hastings.  Took a white-knuckle drive through a gorge with soaring cliffs and towering forests on to the east coast to Napier overlooking the Pacific Ocean.  We had a fairy tale lunch in one of the vineyards under a canopy of grapevines.  Took in a local farmers market and bought local fruits and vegetables (some unfamiliar varieties), wines and cheeses.  Later drove through the countryside to a town with the longest name in the hemisphere and meandered through several small towns in what we describe as driving through a picture postcard.  Tomorrow we plan to tour the huge wind farm around Palmerston North and after passing through the canyon have lunch at the "Cafe at the end of the Canyon"  Pictures to follow.....