My insightful step-daughter differentiates between travel and vacations.     Sometimes one needs a vacation from travel.     So far we have deliberately stayed places at least three nights, which is a slow mode of travel compared to moving to a new place each day.      But so far, every place has had a hefty inventory of sites and experiences we wanted to grab – so it's been a steady pace.

As we left Napier, we drove south towards the nation’s capital of Wellington, through a beautiful combo of fields, green dramatic hilly areas, pastures with sheep and cattle, rivers and small towns .    We picnic at Huka Falls – a deep gorge of rock with glacially blue water tumbling down near Lake Taupo.    If it hadn’t been time for our picnic lunch, we may not have stopped.     A gift.     

We stop our journey at Martinborough, a tiny rural community.     The unassuming town square forms the epicentre for the pattern of roads that keep that rectangular shape in increasing distances.   No map necessary.     The land is agricultural, with an inordinate number of boutique wineries, peppered among sheep and cattle pastures, and olive groves.

We parked the car for this one and bicycled and walked around the area to take in its simple, quiet beauty.    Made for a peaceful, happy downtime.

On the subject of wineries, the density of these boutique wineries means they almost become part of the scenic furniture.     We drive by dozens on any given day.      Yes, tastings are behind us – curiosity sated for now .     

When we reconvene the final leg of driving to Wellington, we detour to Cape Palliser – the remote southerly most point of land on the South Island.     And the home to a bunch of fur seals and a lighthouse at the top of 250+ steps.      The scenic drive leads us through ever more narrow, cliffy and gravel roads.      Stunning, raw and remote beauty.    

This time we lunch at the Lake Ferry Motel….an Aussie Trip Advisor forum poster caught my eye with his post, reading something like:   "Just go to Lake Ferry, don't take a menu, just order the fish and chips."      Delish.     Dined with a couple from Dunedin whom we met at the lighthouse earlier in the morning.     Enjoyed their perspectives on everything from the earthquake in Christchurch, travelling in a caravan, some of their family history with war heroes and a Chinese great grandfather.       Love the stories.