I don't mean this in a disparaging way, but the drive down from Dawson Falls was even better than the drive up. Bar getting out of the car park, I didn't touch the gas peddle at all until I got to the base of the mountain - gravity just did all the work (and the limit!) for me. Probably the most effortless scenic drive I've ever had!
Naturally, the drive back to Stratford took me through some of the finest dairy country in the world - and it shows. I have to admit that driving Taranaki is one of the great pleasures in life.
European tourism and rail organisations - a quick reference - A reference guide to European tourism and rail organisations
Why chase solar eclipses? - Why I chase total solar eclipse all over the world
Lucerne - a short history of The Lion Monument - A brief history of the Lion Monument in Lucerne, Switzerland
Lucerne - 7 things not to miss - What not to miss in Lucerne
Lucerne - getting around - How to get around Lucerne in central Switzerland
Berne Münster (Cathedral) - a brief history - A brief history of the Cathedral in the UNESCO-protected old town of Berne
Zürich - a brief history of Grossmünster - A brief history of the distinctive twin-spired Grossmünster in Zürich
Eclipse Websites - A selection of websites with information about total solar eclipses
Switzerland - places not to miss - Sixteen places not to miss around Switzerland
Italy - 10 places not to miss - 10 places you shouldn't miss in Italy
Mark Sukhija is a travel and wine blogger, photographer, tourism researcher, hat-touting, white-shirt-wearing, New Zealand fantatic and eclipse chaser. Aside from at least annual visits to New Zealand, Mark has seen eclipses in South Australia (2002), Libya (2006), China (2009) and Queensland (2012). After twelve years in Switzerland, Mark moved back to London in 2012. You can follow Mark on Twitter or Facebook