Wellington, New Zealand

On our drive South we stopped for lunch at Lake Taupo - an inland lake in the center of the country. 

Amazing how few boats and lake activity on a Sunday.  Just not many people around here.

We've spent the past few days in Wellington, known as the "coolest little capital in the world".  We agree and wish we could have spent another day or two here.

One of the highlights was the Weta Cave studios tour - a workshop where props and costumes are designed and made for hundreds of movies including Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit.

Also a don't miss on the waterfront is the Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa.

Diving platform on the waterfront in Wellington. We saw one guy do an epic bellyflop. 

Yesterday, we took the Cook Strait Ferry (the Interislander) from Wellington on the North Island to Picton on the South Island. The ferry was more like a cruise ship with multiple restaurants and a movie theater. The sea was flat and smooth for the three hour crossing. The weather has been great too - sunny and 70's.   

First views of the South Island

We picked up a car in Picton and drove for two hours to Nelson where we'll stay for the next week...