Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in our_nz_trip's LiveJournal:

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Tuesday, February 7th, 2006
8:48 am	2 weeks home well it's 2 weeks later, we're home, both fighting colds we picked up on the plane. The weather here is really wet and cool, certainly nothing close to what we left in NZ. Our computers weren't working well when we got home, but now we're up and running again. Our old external modem supplied by the ISP was dying so they changed it yesterday for a new one. Cooper met us at the airport, and acted excited to meet us like he would to meet anyone. Once we got close enough that he could smell us, he really got excited when he realised that it was us. He's barely left our sides since we got home. Wer're off today to Vancouver for an appointment butp lan to be home again tonight. We're still wading through the stacks of mail, both snail and email that we received while gone. (Comment on this)
Monday, January 23rd, 2006
9:31 am	last day Well, this is it. No more sleeps. We will be repacking our bags, again, for the last time this morning. We leave Hamilton at 2 pm, so about 5 pm victoria time on Sunday. It's Monday here, the 23rd, but re cross the Int'l date line on the way home so we get to re live the 23rd. Too bad nothing exciting except flying and hanging around airports. We arrive Victoria about 5:30 on the 23rd, so the trip, door to door is about 25 hours. It's another lovely sunny and already warm day. Yesterday was 27*c and the burn time without sun block was about 10 minutes. We can attest to that fact as we both tried to get the last bit of sun. We've had a great stay here in NZ. We haven't met anyone rude, and overall the weather has been great. I've got about 1000 pictures, yes that's 1000, not a typo. Don't worry, only the best 100 or so will be up on the webshots site. remember, user name is lindawre. My folks should be back form their January trip, down to Reno. Hopefully they cleaned out the casino bank and not theirs. We will do our best to bring some sun home, but after a 25 hour trip, we might lose it. I best get a move on, the van will be here in 4 hours and we still have many shores to do. Next message should be from home, if our internet is working. I've heard stories that it's been down since New Years. L&C, looking forward to sleeping in their own bed, seeing family and friends, and of course Cooper! (Comment on this)
Friday, January 20th, 2006
5:21 pm	Waitomo Caves I don't know if we can express the awe and amazement that we felt when we were here today. It really was a great time. The cave we were in, was one of 300 that have been explored. Wai means water and Tomo means hole, so literally it means water hole. There's a spot in the cave that the is about 10' wide that goes down over 50' to the river. We have a CD that has all sorts of pictures. The amount of stalagmites and stalagtites, is really something to see. It's Calcium, now I have to go check, but I think it's cloride, but it turns into limestone. Some of the 'mites have joined and they are called columns. The cave wasn't small at all, and the large room called the cathedral has renowned acousitcs. Singers that sung underground include Rolf Harris, Kenny Rogers, Kiri Te Kanawa; a NZer opera singer, and the Vienna Boys choir. No one in our tour group offered to sign but the ~100 Asian tourists were all clapping their hands in unison. Then we went and saw the glow worms. They are actually larvae (kiwi pronouncation is lava) of the Glow worm fly. The worm is in it's larva stage for 9 months, then is only alive for about 4 days. It's born with out a mouth so it dies of starvation. What is it's purpose you ask?? We asked.... and it's sole purpose is to mate and carry on the life cycle. The larvae have a bioluminesense spot at their bottom end, that attracts mosquitoes. To catch the mozzies, they let out a fibre, like a spiders web, that hangs down frmo the worm, to entangle the mozzie. Each worm can hang out up to 10 or so. We saw one spot, and saw a few worms, maybe 100 or so, and when he turned on the light to see these fibres, it was almost indescribable, 1000's of fibres light those tiny light fibres, about 10" long, hanging down from the top of the cave. We took a boat ride in the cave, for about <10 min, about 50m long, and saw 1000's of glow worms. They are a greeny blue pinprick on the roof of the cave. We weren't allowed to take photos, but I do have a CD, and hopefully it'll have some of those on it. It was sunny and hot today. It's hard to imagine we only have 3 days left in the country. 3 more sleeps. We are having a good visit with Cheryl's mom and her partner Ian. They both are good company. After putting Ians computer up and running yesterday, I couldn't get the DVD drive to work after I installed it. Today I'm happy to report that both the DVD AND the CD drive both work today. We hope that it starts to get sunny for you at home, we'll try to bring some back with us. Robert if you read this, can you bring our voting cards with you when you pick us up please. It was a full day today, so after dinner, it'll be quiet evening then early to bed, again. L&C (Comment on this)
Thursday, January 19th, 2006
4:40 pm	Last Stop We are in Hamilton at Cheryl's mum's place. It's a fair size town, probably Naniamo size. We've been having great weather, although it rained today for a few hours, it gave everything a good soak. Later last week was spent at Kevin and Sandy's place. Lounging in the pool and getting more suntanned.It was wonderful. Tuesday we came over to Hamilton with Ian and Dorrie. We've gone to the Hamilton gardens, and spent not enough time there. WE hope to go back, but time will tell. It's been hard to get to a computer, until now. Ian and Dorrie have been thinking for a long time to get a computer. When we were here last week, We talked about computers. Today we all went out and helped Ian spend lots of money. I'm using his brand spanking new computer right now. From the time we got home, put together the cabinet, set up the computer, to using it, was about 4 hours. They are a bit over whelmed at it all, but I"m doing my best to get them comfy with it. if you want/need their email, it's iananddorrie@xtra.co.nz Tomorrow the plan is to finally go to the Waitomo caves. Famous for the glow worms they have. Last evening we were out for dinner with 2 women that Cheryl went to teachers college with, and their husbands. It really was a good meal with lots of good conversation. Very nice people. Cheryl got her hair cut today, she just couldn't wait another day... I've been feeling pretty good lately, able to walk some. We are sorry to hear that the beloved dog Boo has passed away, we will miss her too. We're looking forward to seeing Cooper, and hope that he will recognise us. We've got oodles of pictures, arouns a 1000, so it mi ght take me a bit to get them up onto webshots. We leave in 4 (four) :( days. It'll be good to be home, but it's been a great time here. OK, better go, dinner is smelling good. See you soon. L&C (Comment on this)
Saturday, January 14th, 2006
1:29 pm	Jan 14th It's Saturday the 14th here. We made it through the 13th with out any major troubles. We are stil having great weather, so sorry to hear about almost a new record of consecutive rain at home. We're in the pool every day, and often the ocean as well. We've been taking it easy the last few days. Resting up for when we go over to Hamiton to Stay with Cheryl's mom Dorrie and her partner ian. The day we left Hamilton after staying one night, Ian's brother died. he had been on hospital but it was quite sooner than expected. The funeral is Monday the 16th. we arrive back there on the 17th. We will be going to the Waitomo glowworm caves from there. Mitra made it home safe & sound. We haven't heard form Steph for a week or 2, she's started school again. Cooper had a few off days, but we understand he's back to his full of energy and inquisitive self. We're both well, tired and almost ready to come home. Hopefully the rain will be gone by then!. L&C (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Wednesday, January 11th, 2006
4:11 pm	Jan 11th, catching up Well where to start. I've got abut 3 days to fill you up on. Saturday, we came to Mt Maunganui, I think i mentioned that already. After being on teh computer we went to the beach and swam. The waves were a bit big. First we were jumping over them, but then tried to duck under them and then to body surf. There were many surfers out, off to the side. The weather was great. Did I mention that the Sushi we had on Saturday was great? So great, that we're picking some up today and having it for dinner as well. Sunday we drove to Whakatane, where Cheryl grew up. It's a smaller community on the east coast of the Bay of Plenty, and really beautiful. There's lots of boating and swimming. It reminded me of White Rock years ago. Then we drove to Ohope, where kevin has his bach. We met Sandy and the 3 kids. They were across the road trying surfing and bogie boarding. If we thought the waves the Mount Maunganui the day before were big, these were quite a bit bigger. The beach reminded me of Long beach. miles and miles of beach with lots of surf and scattered people. We had an afternoon with them, and tried our hands and body's at surfing and bogie boarding. i've got some good pictures of Mitra & Cheryl in the surf. Monday we drove about 2 hours to Rotorua. it's a bit west and south of Taurangu. It's known for it's thermal pools. We went to Te Puia, a large geothermal park with a cultural centre. Walking up to the gate, we went by boiling mud pools. Dad, you would enjoy the golf course across the street. They don't have water hazards, they have boiling mud pools as hazards. You have to carry many balls with you as you can't recover your balls from the hazards. We went into the cultural centre. Of the group of about 70 of us, we choose a chief that was traditionally welcomed into the marae by the 'chief'. Then we followed into the marae. i've put up photos on the webshots site of a marae. it's the community meeting house, school, hall for weddings & funerals. They did a show of 5 different dances and the haka. On site there's also a carving school, a weaving school, a museum, and then guided tours. We could've walked through the area , but took a tram that had a guy narrating while we went by the mud pools, geysers and boiling water pools. We got out a couple of times for phots ops, and that was nice as it was really hot. About 29C I think, but don't know if that's from the sun or the hot ground we were on. We also had a chance to go into the kiwi house. kiwis are nocturnal, and I was suprized at how big they are. i didn't get any photos, we weren't allowed to take any photos of them. yesterday we drove over to Hamilton and met Dorrie & Ian. Cheryl's mom and latest man. We stayed overnight and willl be returning again on the 17th until we leave NZ. Today we drove back to Rotorua, and had ~4 hours at the luge. It's like go carts racing down hill. Only gravity is used and there's numerous runs to do. It really was a blast, and I'd recommend it to anyone. I bet it'd be a money maker in Canada if someone built it. Mitra goes back to Wellington in the morning, and we plan to have a quite day. It's been a challenge for me to go so long with out a computer. I am surviving though. The weather is stilll mostly sunny and about 25C, it's really hard to imagine that in 2 weeks we'll be back in the rainy season at home. We'll post again when we get back to the computer. Take care. (Comment on this)
Saturday, January 7th, 2006
2:49 pm	Tauranga and Mount Maunganui We are staying at Cheryl's brothers place in Matua, a suburb of Tauranga.The house itself leaves us breathless. We;ll try to post some pictures of the house, pool, and spa. the water for the spa comes direct from a 1500m bore into the ground, straight to a natural hot pool. We arrived night before last, after flying back to Auckland, then driving 3+ hours in dusk and drenching squalls. Since then its been sunny and warm. after this email we're going to tear ourselves away from the shops, and go to the beach for a swim, joining the throngs that are already there. We've seen many heading towards thebeach and some returning, so we're sure it's a good place to be. Other than having 3 swims in the pool yesterday and getting some groceries, we didn't do anything else. We've been in 'the mount' since noon and had some great sushi. Probably the best I've had. It's called Bay Sushi. We got 28 peices for $30. It was loads for us. Tomorrow we head off to Ohope to spend the day at their 'bach' with them so we can meet and Mitra can see them again. That will be our Sunday as it's Saturday for us now. We'll be BBQing steak for dinner, than another swim or 2 before bed. We certainly get used to this kind of life style. i guess we better keep buying more lotto tix. There's more 'swimming with the dolphins' cruises here. I doubt highly if i can get Cheryl back out on the water but i might try Mitra. We'll check to see what the possibilities of seeing them are. Monday, we're not sure what we're doing, but probably Tuesday we'll probably be heading to Hamilton to see Cheryl's mom. Matbe Monday we'll be off to Rotorua, to the active geothermal fields, or some other stuff over there. We're saving the Waitomo glow worm caves until we're with Cheryl's mom, later next week. They said they'd take us and it's easier to get there from there than from here. Not much mroe to mention, the internet cafe I'im at just gave me the 2 min warning. There's no computer at kev's house because they have a laptop and it's at the beach with them, so we have to ersort to internet cafes. life is soo tough some times. Hahaha not. (Comment on this)
Wednesday, January 4th, 2006
8:29 pm	Windy Windy Wellington Last evening we had a wind storm, that did break some huge limbs off trees, and i saw some fences down as well. I was out walking, into the wind, and some of the winds actually stopped me in my tracks. It was really windy! And then the rains came, but only for a couple of hours. We went to the Wellington Botanical Gardens today. We took the cable car up and then wandered down through the various gardens. It was fairly easy, mostly down hill doing it that way. There's some beautiful specimens of native plants as well as a big duck pond, that a couple were having their wedding photos done by. We also went to the begonia house. Some of those were huge and very bright. I got lots of photos and hope that they've turned out. We also saw plumeria, and lotus in bloom. They had a great pond with water lilies and the lotus. Also around the grounds they had 3 different Brugmansia plants, of the Sanguinea type. Those mostly grow in cooler climes so I was surprised to see them there. After we walked down the hill, through the memorial park. It's an old cemetery that was last used in the very 1900's. many of the jewish headstones have been refurbished by the Wellington council because of vandalism. We also noticed that many children died around 1872-1875, we will try and find out if there was some kind of plague or just terrible child mortality. Mitra made a great pavlova this evening, shared between the 3 of us, and we gorged ourselves. We leave tomorrow afternoon, the 5th of Jan to fly back to Auckland, then rent another car and drive to Tauranga where Cheryl's brother & family live. We think it's about a 3 hour drive to Tauranga. I'm working on a great tan, and have finally started to peel from the sunburn I got while on the dolphin boat in Paihia. Remember that trip? That's the one that Cheryl got so sea sick... I'm lucky she's still talking to me. No other news from here. We've heard that they found 12 of the W. Virgina miners alive, and that Prez Bush has let down the blacks of New Orleans, according to the media here. NZ really doesn't care for the USA, and even less for OZ. Must go and pack. TTYL (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Sunday, January 1st, 2006
4:31 pm	more photos at: I've put more photos at my webshots page. I know, it means going somewhere else to them, but they load faster there and we've got many others there as well. Hers's the link. http://community.webshots.com/user/lindawre It's close to NY's eve for you at home, have a great one. (Comment on this)
11:47 am	Happy New year It's noon here in NZ on Jan 1st. We had a quiet NY eve. Went with Mitra for a Vietnamese dinner with 12 of her friends. Was a good time, then came back and watched the videos. Today we think it'll be another quiet day. Both Cheryl and Mitra are into good books and then it'll probably be another video. It's still nice, or as the forcasters say 'fine' but maybe rain in themorning tomorrow with gales. We're at Mitra's till the 5th, then up to Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty to see Cheryl's family. I'll try to upload a couple more photos. I'm on a dial up and forgot how dismally slow they are compared to the instant access of high speed cable. Hope all of you are having a Happy and safe NY. L&C Dad, this is of the ship that has in Paihia when we were there. You could've met us there! this is of a Pukeko, it's larger than a chicken. This was at the Auckland Botanical Gardens. That's it for now. TTFN (Comment on this)
Friday, December 30th, 2005
1:07 pm	this is one of Linda & one of the members of the Maori display group that did a Haka. A Haka is the demonstration of how powerful and mighty a group is to intimidate the opponent. The pervious post has a Pohutakawa tree in full bloom. It's also known as the NZ Christmas tree. This is looking tothe top of the sand dune that we climbed and surfed down. The bus drivers were able to make it down the dune, across the stream and onto the other side. A few tried, but ended up getting wet. (2 Comments |Comment on this)
1:01 pm	photos I'm hoping the gibberish computer code above this note ends up being a photo when I post it. I will try one photo first to see what happened. (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Thursday, December 29th, 2005
9:46 pm	Dec 29th, Windy Wellington We've had a bit of a lazy day today. It was a slow start. Went with the girls as they needed 2 tyres, yes, that's how it's spelled here. Turns out they needed 4 tyres, 2 had belt showing and one had a nail, so had an alignment done as well. We went to Lyall Bay while the car was being serviced and I went in for a wade. I had planned to go in for a swim but it was really cold and windy. Those who remained on the beach had sand swirls landing on them and sand ended up everywhere. It's right by the WGN airport, so was great views of the planes landing and taking off. This evening we went to a restaurant called "Istanbul" and had Turkish food. It was really busy and we heard it was the best Turkish food in Wellington. As it's the only Turkish food I've ever had, I'd say it was the best. We had Moussaka, Borek, a Chicken salad and I had a Chicken Boregi. Was chicken, mushrooms, spinach in a filo pastry, with jarik and hummus on the side. I had to have some hummus just for self defence as everyone in the house has been eating hummus and other garlic tidbits multiple times a day! Steph had planned to have her last night at the open mike at "the blue note" a bar downtown, but tonight they didn't have it on. Many folks there came up to Steph and said they'd miss her voice and wished her well back in Canada. She's serenading us as we type this note. The weather is supposed to change tomorrow, with clouds and northerlies coming in, so we're planning a relaxing day with Steph before she leaves Friday evening for Canada. J&A, it's too bad that the call was so garbled, it would've been nice to talk with you better. I bet you will notice a big change in Cooper, as we will when we get back. M&D, glad that you are having a good time with Fran and folks in for dinner and games. When's your next trip? You going to wait until we're home before you take off again? I'd like to be like my folks when I really retire, always jetting off on some vacation or cruise 4-7 times a year. Good for them, they've worked hard for it. Mom, I'm well, doing well considering all the *&&^$^% hills in Wellington. My legs should be in the best shape they've been in for years. Glenda, we're in Wellington until the 5th of Jan, then off to Tauranga as a base for ~10 days and visit in Hamilton, Rotorua, Waitomo caves. We're back in Victoria the 23rd of Jan. Too bad we didn't talk about the trip before hand, oh well, we will after... Joan, every time I see premade pav's in the grocer's I think of you. Mitra plans to make one for just her & I, I can hardly wait. Thanks for the notice about Eve's mom. If you send Cheryl an email with her addy, we'll send a card from here. Karen you would've loved it tonight at the restaurant. I often see sights that make me think of you and how you'd enjoy seeing this or that. Especially stores, or jewlery. We don't have any plans yet for NY's eve, but that's not suprising, we don't usually do anything. It's nice to hear from everyone, we don't seem so far away... but realized today that our trip is about 1/2 over. It's just flown by for us. Tomorrow I'll try to get a bunch of photos up, I was going to do it today, but decided that staying in bed in the morning was better for me. Well off to bed, and hope everyone's well. L&C (Comment on this)
Wednesday, December 28th, 2005
11:36 am	Dec 28 NZ It's another lovely day in paradise here, 23C and sunny. We were going to go to the beach last evening but after going to Te papa, the national museum, and a bit of grocery shopping, it was a bit late and we all were beat. Last evening we went out to see King Kong, at the Embassy theater. It's where the Lord of the Ring and King Kong had their world premieres. It's a great theater, with leather wide ass seats, and they serve alcohol, goodies and ice cream. All for $10 on Tuesday cheap nite. It was a 3 hour movie that didn't start till 9:35, so some of us are a bit tired and cranky today. We are waiting the arrival of the land lord, hopefully he'll fix the toilet. We've had to use buckets for 2+ days to flush it. We're off today to the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary with Mitra and her GF's 2 kids aged 4&6. We're making up the days plans as we go along. From the folks we've heard from it sounds like most of you if not all had good Christmas's. My Visa card has finally arrived, and it's had a good work out just to see if it is indeed up & running. Dad, there is no charge to post on here, or to read, or for me to have the site, It's all free. Once I have a couple of hours to myself and the computer, I'll post a few of the 500+ photos that we've got so far. Don't worry, you won't be inundated with pix! (Comment on this)
Monday, December 26th, 2005
4:54 pm	Boxing Day in NZ We hope that you've had a wonderful Christmas day in Canada. The BBQ was great, there were 21 people here. A large BBQ with beef steaks, lamb steaks; beef,lamb and vege sausages, and some other things too. There's so much food left over, we'll be having the xmas dinner for another couple of days. The pavolva went in seconds, it had fresh strawberries on it, as well as local kiwi fruit. Delish! I was having breakfast in the back yard this morning and could feel the sunburn starting again, so did the slip/slap/slop so I don't get burnt more. I've got a big tan already. We did some shopping today, it's not crazy like it is at home, but still lots of sales. Mitra got a new couch, it should be delivered the day we leave here. We had thought of going for a swim at one of the beaches this evening with some of Mitra's friends that were here yesterday, but we've all realised that it'd be better to be like slugs and watch a movie this evening. Tomorrow the plan is to do the botanical gardens, probably a swim, and then go to the theater to see King Kong. It's the same theater that the show opened in with NZer Peter Jackson in attendance. It's been a lovely day today, about 22-24 and very little wind. We have heard from Melissa, she's at our house and staying with our boy Cooper. We heard there was quite a thunder storm. The Thunder was louder than Melissa and Cheryl's son Andrew have ever heard it. They said that the new Home Depot down the road was hit by lighting. Anyway, the first boom, Cooper had a little accident so Melissa took him out to finish his job. There has another bigger louder boom, and Cooper took off, pulling Melissa down into mud face first, and pulling a bunch of muscles. Cooper ran into his crate, barely came out for a bit of dinner and then ran back into his crate. He's over it now, but we understand it was quite a scene. I guess we'll always be scared now of loud noises. Cheryl's over her seasickness. Boy, she was really sick. We' are at Mitra's, Cheryl's oldest daughter's place in Wellington. It's a great old house with a good yard and 3 cats that have taken to us well. It's been nice getting the emails from folks, thank you, nice to hear that you are reading this, and what's going on at home. Has Stephan Harper made a complete fool of himself in the campaign? (I hope so) That's all for today, the movie is starting, some foreign flick with subtitles. (Comment on this)
Sunday, December 25th, 2005
9:19 am	Merry Christmas It's Christmas day in NZ. We've opened our gift had breakfast and now we're goign to get cooking. We hope that the clouds will clear for a beautiful afternoon for the BBQ. Merry Christmas to all. (Comment on this)
Saturday, December 24th, 2005
4:12 pm	A KIWI Night Before Christmas "Twas the night before Christmas, and all round the bach Not a possum was stirring, not one we could catch. We'd left on the table a meat pie and berr, In hopes that Santa Claus soon would be here. We children were snuggled up in our bunk beds, While dreams of pavlova danced in our heads; And Mum in her nightie, and Dad in his shorts, Had just settled down to watch TV sports, When outside the bach such a hoo-ha arose, I woke up at once from my wonderful doze. I ran straight to the sliding door, looking about, Jumped out on the deck, and let out a shout! The fairy lights dad had strung up round the door Let me see everything, down to the shore. And what did I see, when I took a peep? But a miniature tractor and eight tiny sheep, With a little old driver, his dog on his knee. I knew at once who this joker might be. He patted the dog, and in a voice not unkind, cried, "Good on ya, boy! Now, Git in behind! Now Flossy! Now Fluffy! Now, Shaun and Shane! On Bossy! On Buffy! On Jason & Wayne! Up that red tree, to the top of the bach! But mind you don't trample the vegetable patch." So up to the roof those sheep quickly flew, With the tractor of toys, Santa and his dog too. As my sister awoke and I turned around, In through the window he came with a bound. He wore a black singlet and little white shorts, and stuck on his feet were gumboots, of course; A sackful of toys he had flung on his back , And he looked like a postie just opening his pack. His eyes- bright as paua shell - oh, how they twinkled! Like an old tuatara, his skin was all wrinkled! He had a wide face and a round, fat tummy, That looked like he'd eaten lots that was yummy. He spoke not a word, but got down on one knee, And placed a cricket set under the tree, A present for Sis, one for Dad, one for Mum, Then he turned and he winked and help up his thumb; He jumped on his tractor, to his dog he gave a whistle, And away they all flew, as fast as a missle. I called out "Thanks," as he flew past the gate. He called back: "Kia ora to all, and good on ya, mate!" by Yvonne Morrison & Deborah Hinde. (Comment on this)
9:25 am	Adventures con't. We're finally in Wndy Wellington. It's the coldest We've been since we got here. 16C but winds about 70kmph. So to con't with the adventures.... The day after the bus trip up to Cape Reinga, we spent a "day in the bay" with the dolphin tours and going through the hole in the rock. After trying to get on the wrong boat, we made it on to the ~50' catamaran. Must've had about 70 people on it. Cheryl took a double dose of anti seasick pills, cause she has had some trouble with boats in the past. We had a great trip for the first couple of hours, it was in sheltered water. We got to see some dolphins coming in the bay, which they said we'd be seing them later. We had a couple trips into different bays, to see the sites. Beautiful green & blue waters with great sandy beaches. Once we left the islands, on the way out to 'hole in the rock' we were in open water, and the swells were at least 2m. Did I mention that it's windy here, and Cheryl gets seasick???. I've never seen her so sick... we've made a pact that I will do any futher boat trips alone. It's not a pretty site watching her, and then an hour later we reached a beach for lunch, and she was sick again on land! So after lunch, we went looking for dolphins. We found them. We had to go into the water in three groups of 20, and the crew yell SWIM and point out to where they are. First you have to leap 6' down into a net, then swim into the water. On my leap, as soon as I came up for air, I realised that I had lost my wedding ring. I've marked on our map the spot with an X so that we konw where there's a treasure. Fortunately we'll get another made when we get back home. So I was in teh first group to get in the water, and we had to get back in the net cause the dolphins moved away. The crew moved the boat colser with us still in the net. We've got a picture of me hanging on for dear life in the net. I'm suprised I didn't dislocate a shoulder while hanging on. We got back near the dolphins, but no luck to swim with them. The other 2 groups after us had them swimming in the middle of their groups. All in all, it was memorable day for us both, for many reasons. We're at Mitra's and we're off. Will update later. (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, December 22nd, 2005
11:24 am	adventures We've had a few adventurous days. Day before yesterday we took a bus tour all the way up to Cape Reinga, the most northern tip of NZ and drove on 90 mile beach. We stopped at the ancient Kauri forrest, saw trees 10s of thousands years old, then went to the place where they have dug them up from swamps perfectly preserved, still with leaves. These trees are amazing and the art created from them is beautilful but out of our league. I was able to do soem sand tobogganing. The asnd dunes are huge, probably the height of 10 story buildings. The climb up almost killed me, and I can just see Mom shaking her head. Cheryl said it was the most crazy thing she's seen me do. All for <10 secs of sliding down a sand dune on a bogey board. It was great, and Cheryl had to remind me that my smile showed sand covered teeth. About to run out of internet time, so will have to continue at a later date. There's a line up for hte coputer and I've had my 1/2 hour. I'll write chapter 2 of our wonderful adventures soon. Off to Wellington in the AM to stay with Mitra & Stephanie. Nice to see the comments, thanks for writing J&A we miss you guys & Tallis. Love L&C (Comment on this)
Saturday, December 17th, 2005
4:32 pm	Paihia have arrived in Paihia, a lush almost tropical tourist beach town 4 hours north of Auckland. Have been in the south pacific already, it's warmer than the resprt pool. It's hot, sunny and humid. We hope to go swimming with the dolphins Monday. The drive up from Auckland was like driving the sooke road on the other side of the road. No real news, will be relaxing up here. Temps about 25C, must go have ice cream melting in the car. Ha HA ha. (1 Comment |Comment on this)