Leaving the North Island south of Wellington, New Zealand, on my way to the adventures that await me on the South Island of New Zealand.

At this point, roughly 3 1/2 weeks after arriving in New Zealand, I had originally planned to be leaving for Perth, Australia. Once I began to experience the splendor and peace of New Zealand all preconceived notions and plans faded away. I would continue to delay my departure for another 7 1/2 weeks. I just couldn't get enough of it. Heck, for that matter, I already knew I wasn't going back home after just 3 or 4 months of traveling "downunder".