We left Taupo for New Plymouth by bus at 10:20 a.m. on Thursday. We arrived in New Plymouth at 8:15 p.m. after a 3 hour layover in Hamilton. This wasn’t as bad as it sounds as we were able to lock up our bags at the bus station and walk along the riverwalk through town a bit before having a leisurely late lunch at the Iguana (very cute restaurant in Hamilton — across the street from the Riff Raff statue in honor of the individual who wrote the Rocky Horror Picture Show).
Dana (pronounced Donna), the wife of the couple for whom we are house sitting, picked us up at the bus station in New Plymouth. Since arriving we have met and learned about her family, the dogs (Jessie Lou and Baz), some friends, and have seen a bit of the area. New Plymouth is the port and main city in the Taranaki region on the west coast of the North Island. It is bordered by Mount Taranaki on one side (very impressive mountain) and the Tasman Sea on the other. Devon is the main street through town. We are in a lovely neighborhood close to a long walking/running/biking trail and also within walking distance to the main business area. The coast has a beautiful black sand beach and the walking trail has a lovely new bridge. We are excited to begin really learning the area and settling into a new routine.
We took Dana and Alan to the airport this a.m. for their six-week French holiday. (Our, as in Bob’s, first experience of this trip driving on the left-hand side of the road. We survived.) Dana and Alan are a lovely couple, and we are honored to be caring for their home and pets.
Peckish Travels 