Wellington!

I left Auckland this morning at the crack of dawn, (well I haven't been that close to dawn since the tongariro crossing) Actually come to think of it, it was dark when I got up, so the crack of dawn comment stands! My taxi arrived to take me down to the station... In 4 month of living in Auckland I have aquired stuff don't ask me what stuff is, bacuase I don't know, but whatever it is i have it! My pack was full, (with tent and sleep mat attached to the outside, my daypack, Carfully balenced in front, my purse that contains all the ensential stuff that I can not go anywhere without, my bag of knitting and fleece I know why am I travelling with them? I don't know, but I am. And then the other bag, that contained all the things that wouldn't fit into any of the other 3 bags, like my cheese, PJ's and wash bag... Really - don't ask.
The train journey down was lovely, though it was a bit dissapointing that the first hour or so of the trip was thick monring mist. Eventually the sun won the battle, and the skys were bright beautiful blue, and the trip was fantastic. There was a running comentary on the sceanery, there was a outside viewing platform just behind the engine, and the hot guy from my carriage managed to sneak a crafty smoke out there (the whole train is no smoking even the outside section!) at the back of the train was the viewing lounge, with big glass windows across the back of the train, and huge windows along the sides. Compared to British rail... there is no comparison, the train was clean, spacious, clean, fairly empty, it was a double seat per person, or sometimes even 2 per person, (I kept hopping from one side to the other and back again...pictures soon, promise....

Last night I met up with a couple of my Kathmandu peeps for a farewell drink, (photos to follow (I just broke the first computer that I was using to do this post by trying to upload the photos so they;re going to have to come later!)

I'm runing out of time so I'll post it now and follow up tomorrow