The drive here was quite easy thanks to the 1) relatively short distance, 2) the route suggested by the ever lovely Denny W. and 3) my husband’s careful driving.

On our first day on the road I am reminded that I much prefer traveling by car in New Zealand to Australia. Anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE Australia. The beaches are world class, the cities are spectacular and the cool beach towns like Byron Bay still call to me. But hell if you don’t feel like your in the armpit of Australia when you stop in little towns in between. I know, that was just so rude. But it’s not the people, they’re always gorgeous, it’s the food.

I live for my family and three little things that come every day called breakfast, lunch and dinner. Ask my husband. I don’t miss meals. So when we travelled in Australia it was a real nightmare when we’d arrive in, or drive through a town that did not have good food options. It don’t need to be fancy, not at all. Byron Bay Kebabs, top notch, Bojangles Pizza in Narrambool, excellent, but so many of the other places I drove through had horrible food. What’s even worse is when the food is sub-par and terribly expensive. You know things are real bad when I opt for McDonalds rather than the local eatery. Well, New Zealand, one thing that you have shown me to be the case more times than not,  is that I can count on good fare, at a reasonable cost and if it’s early in the day, someone will make me a beautiful cup of coffee.

Another aspect of many of the small towns that I have driven through is that there is an artisan culture. Whether it’s honey, cheese, wine, you name it, someone has raised it to an art form. Shops are visually pleasing as out their wares. Much nicer than many of the Australian shops filled with souvenirs made in China. Yes, New Zealand has its fair share of Chinese junk, but you can always find a beautiful piece of art anywhere you go.

Okay enough of that rant as I am feeling bad. As I said I love Australia and a few of my favorite people on this Earth are Australian. Forgive me. Also, to be fair, I have not been to Tasmania and since so many of my favorite Australians are Tasmanians, I have a feeling that things would be different there;)

Now our day’s highlights:

My daughter, the often timid child, decided to try out the water slide here at the campsite. I had been honest with her that I didn’t think she’d like it, but she tried it and LOVED it. That, was the highlight of my day.

Another funny thing was when Nuno, while stuffing his face with watermelon, declared that he wishes he was a snapper. I asked why and he responded that then he could eat anything….We learned the other day that snappers are the scavengers of the sea. I love it when there’s evidence that they’re learning while on holiday.

Lastly, kudos to my husband. He did incredibly well to 1) organize the purchase and international delivery our most fabulous caravan and 2) plan this trip. It’s been all him. And no matter how it goes, great I am sure, he’s done the work and deserves our thanks…So honey, thank you.