80% of Kiwis live on the northern island. The only fair sized towns in the south are Queensland and Christchurch. Almost all towns are under 5K population. Every town that has at least two blocks has a free standing building which houses public toilets. Each stall is stocked with hand soap dispensers, paper towels, ample tissue and they are CLEAN!!

The beauty of this island is overwhelming. Every minute offers a new panorama. We are always surrounded by steep mountains and beautiful valleys. Everything is brilliantly green. I finally have the driving thing down. I know my 4 corners. Wiz along at 100km on their 2 lane winding roads, and mom has quit yelling that I  am too close to the left shoulder.

We drove down the coast for two days. Spent the first night at a B&B in Moana. Beautiful home run by a couple. We had dinner with them and two other couples around a hugh dining table. 2Kiwis, 2Aussies, 2Germans, 2Americans. Trump dominated the conservation as expected. We all got along splendly since we were all on the same side. Brekkie was just as much fun.

• Today we drove down the rugged West coast. Stopping for numerous photo ops. The water is cold and the beaches are rocky and windblown.
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• The west coast is all rain forest. The vegetation is really lush. The roads are lined with a forest of ferns. Must be hundreds of species.
• The beaches are all rock. Beautiful rocks though, all flat and rounded.