22 degrees, cloudy
Packed our bags again (quite a lengthy process as we seem to have accumulated more stuff) and made our way towards Napier on the east coast. By main highway this should have taken about 3 hours but we decided to go cross country (mountain range!) for a scenic drive. About a quarter of the way across we reached the foot of the mountains and a sign that said ‘ 72km of unsealed road ahead’, but we went for it regardless and turned the three hour journey into seven!
Up through the mountains on gravelled roads (not entirely sure we are supposed to do this in our hired car), tight bends, cloud and eventually seriously heavy rain (this being a temperate rainforest area – should have known). Came across a lovely waterfall and lots of wild horses ambling about the road, but no public conveniences!
We eventually arrived at our hotel in Napier at about 5pm. Really lovely room with large balcony overlooking the bay
I unpacked my rings which I taken off at the mud baths in Rotorua only to find that my white gold ring had turned yellow. John says the sulphur in the air must have affected it.