Back in the US for a few days and am already reminded of just how good service and wireless internet is. The Inn at Spanish Bay was fantastic. Remarkable service. Super high-speed Internet.

Ok, neither the food or coffee quality of the Sky City Grand but slays them on everything else. And the Sky City Grand is about as good as it gets in NZ – the Copithorne Bay of Islands was terrible on nearly every count, which for a premier NZ destination isn’t OK. Lousy food, average service, tired room, and terrible Internet.

Although I was reminded that the 17 Mile Drive spread has the same weather pattern as Melbourne. A whole lot of seasons in one day. You start with wet and mist, progress to a sunny morning and afternoon, sudden light rain, then a cool evening.

All first world problems though.