We are crusing around New Zealand as quickly as we can because we want to see everything in the three weeks that we have! Super Hero Sally is doing great, she has no pick-up whatsoever and she is constantly thirsty but she's getting us to all of the gorgeous places we want to go. It's definitely been fun living in the van. We can cook, eat, clean and sleep in her quite comfortably. Most of the time we just park overnight in a parking lot, at a park or at the lake front and crash. We've only gotten one notice so far that said we were camping illegally ... oops! We are however dirty backpackers because we only get showers every 2 or 3 days ... thank goodness for dry shampoo and deodorant!!!
The North Island was fantastic. Everyone says go South and we definitely are but we have found many hidden gems in the North Island as well. We started out in Auckland and were lucky enough to stay with a very generous friend who showed us around the City, Piha - the Black Sand Beach, KiteKite Falls and Rangitoto Island - an extinct Volcano. We also hit up the Bay of Islands which were amazing and then drove up to Cape Reinga and 90 Mile Beach ... both are definitely worth the long winding drive. We've experienced the wonders of Hot Water Beach and the beauty of Cathedral Cove, the smells of Rotorua and the adventure of Taupo. We also spent some very nice days in the art deco city of Napier and the Wine Region of Hawke's Bay where we saw Te Mata - The Sleeping Giant and fantastic views of the vineyards. Finally we made our way down to Wellington and crossed through the Cook Straight by Bluebridge Ferry to Picton. Whew, it's been fun!
I'll update again in 10 days from OZ with a post on the South Island :)
Wishing you all a wonderful Holiday Season and a very Happy New Year! We are going to be celebrating Nomad style with Santa and Sally some where in the South of New Zealand.
Some pics from the North Island:

Driving in Superhero Sally for the first time - Ash doing a lane change, Silje navigating and Me testing out the self shot.
The crew at Piha - Black Sand Beach with Lion Rock behind us
The gals at the top of Rangitoto Island - an extinct volano

Pohutakawa Blooms on Rangitoto Island (volcanic rocks in the background)
The Hundertwasser Toilets in Kawakawa (most photographed toilets in the world)
Sailing in the Bay of Islands on "The Edge"
View from the top of the Track on Motuarohia Island (Bay of Islands)

Superhero Sally and Crew on 90 Mile Beach
Cape Reinga (Northern most tip of New Zealand) where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean
Loving Life at Cathedral Cove (on the Coromandel Peninsula)
Hot Water Beach (Coromandel Peninsula)
New Zealand has great road signs!
Silje and a gorgeous view of Rotorua
Silje lugeing in Rotorua
The gals with the Pohutu Geyser at Te Puia
Yes we went Zorbing!
Kayaking on Lake Taupo to see the Maori Carvings
The gals Wine Tasting in Hawke's Bay - I was the designated driver :)
Sally and Te Mata - "The Sleeping Giant"
Cooking and Cleaning in Sally in Napier

Wellington at night (view from the Bluebridge Ferry)