Seat 45F

Perhaps not as streamlined as I'm used to,and no time to get any real food as the nonrevs are held back until stupidly last minute, given TSA but I had good intelligence about the express sticker. I'm on the 2:50 pm departure.
Haere Mai

Indeed

In Paeora on Wednesday

Polynesian Spa

The reflexology walk is new. Paid $40 but it was worth it for old times sake.

Mud pool at Wai-o-tapu

Skipped the commercial development. I don't remember paying $45 last time I was here. The commercialization of Rotorua is too much for me these days.

Tuesday February 27 Napier to Rotorua

Along the thermal explorer highway from the coast. So much roadwork. Clearcuts and pastoral hills devoid of trees. It's difficult to imagine what this looked like before the Europeans arrived.

Te Mata Peak on Monday February 26

I'm totally uninterested in re-riding and of the Hawkes Bay trail. Too easy, too urban, not cheap. Alas, you can't go home again.
But I bought excellent wine at Te Mata winery (you can go home again), and a drive then hike up this impressive mountain.
Hawkes Bay is triggering bittersweetness, so I'm going with the flow and keeping melancholy at arm's length.
It's all good. I know who I am and what I've accomplished.