May 6 - It has been frustrating to get the blog posted because even when we should have wifi it's very sketchy! 2:30 am in our cabin on the ferry and the wifi is working! Mostly semis on this night time run.

Most towns in New Zealand have free standing public toilets (no need to go into a business) BUT some have EXELOO! The interior is stainless steel and white tile, you slide the door closed and a gentleman’s voice tells you to push the button to lock, then advises you that you have a maximum of 10 minutes. Then the lovely piano music begins, Moon River was the selection today.

Heavy rain as we left the ferry at 6:30 am heading to Whanganui but it had quit by the time we reached Levin about 90 minutes later. Stopped for breakfast, then continued on our way arriving in time for the Saturday market, bought veggies and had lunch. Toured the museum on the waterfront, saw paddle steamer Waimarie leave on a trip up river. One of the reasons we wanted to check out the market is because there's a nut farm near the city. Since they weren't at the market we drove to the farm, bought a bag of walnuts (only nuts available at this time). Now we're having fun cracking nuts with no nut cracker. 

Camped on the waterfront at New Plymouth, near the Wind Wand a 45 m pole with a lighted ball on top that bends with the wind. We went for a walk beautiful broad coastal pathway.

Woke to no rain and headed to Waitomo, we walked down many steps, saw stalactites and stalagmites in limestone caves. What we see is not actually the worms but the lines they put out to catch prey. We were loaded on a boat in the undergound river, above the ceiling looked like the sky with many stars.  The guide propelled us along by means of ropes suspended above. Interesting I guess and by then it was raining so might as well hide in a cave. Spending the night just south of Auckland before heading further north.

Sorry no pics





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