Hey guys!
I'm actually posting this from L.A. 7 hours before we left New Zealand (international date line and all that rot). So let me rewind to where Caiti left off. The day after we went to the chocolate factory, we left Dunedin with the goal of going south to a place called Tunnel Beach and then heading north to NZ's 3rd largest town of Christchurch, home of mum's best friend in NZ. Tunnel Beach was interesting. We walked down a 60 degree hill to get to the top of a cliff that had a hand dug tunnel down to the beach. Now this beach would be the perfect location for a castaway movie because, from the water all you can see are cliffs on three sides and the surf at your back. Off to your left there's a cave that almost completely fills the cave at high tide making protection very difficult. Anyhow, after losing about five pounds each from the walk back, we got back in the car and drove back through town to see the worlds steepest street on our way north. Then, we headed north and only made a few stops on the five hour drive to Christchurch where we met the family we were staying with. Following a great dinner, we watched "Stormbreaker" and then hit the hay.
The next day (Saturday), we had leisurely morning where we had breakie and then went for a walk in the city. Then, we went back to our host's house where we had lunch and a little time to relax before we went to the Antarctic Center. Because of it's location, Christchurch is the jumping-off point for both the American and Kiwi Antarctic missions. So, they have a whole museum dedicated to all things Antarctic, complete with Antarctic storm simulator and 12 of the world's smallest penguins. Afterwards, we went home, watched "Night at the Museum," had dinner, and went to bed.
Sunday morning, we got up and got ready for church. We went to our friends' Baptist church where we heard a sermon about the churches of Philadelphia and Laodicea in the book of Revelation. After church, went had lunch and then went to the local market where Mum and the girls got some jewellery and crafty things and I got some of the best licorice that I've ever had. Then, we went back and re-packed all of our bags for the trip and we left for the airport and quarter til six. From there we flew to Auckland, where we had to run to get on our plane because the first flight was late. So, we left NZ at 9 PM on Sunday and arrived in Las Angeles at 2 PM on Sunday, went through customs, got our bags and I'm now sitting in our hotel. We will be staying the night here, and then flying home tomorrow. For anyone who is interested, our Southwest Airlines flight gets into BWI around 5:45 PM.
I'll get the whole family to do a big wrap-up post tomorrow night when we get home. See y'all soon!
Catcha lata,
The Russet Manuka
Monday, 21 July 2008
Thursday, 17 July 2008
All right guys...
I don't want to hear any more about the goodness of chocolate for at least a week. One of the things that New Zealand does very well is make good chocolate. This is because of a company called Cadbury's Confectionary Limited. Guess what? Cadbury World, the factory where they make a lot of their chocolate, is right here in Dunedin. And we are right in the middle of Cadbury's Chocolate Carnival. :{ Being the chocolate lover that I am, I was thrilled to go and see the factory - and if you haven't picked up on the fact that Caiti is posting, than you need to wake up and smell the ... chocolate. No, it wasn't that bad. I was actually okay with doing this whole "chocolate carnival" thing. This morning we got to make some chocolates (pouring melted chocolate into moulds and then mixing flavors) and decorate some really chocolaty muffins. I feel a little proud of myself; I was able to make a chocolate flower. (for those of you who don't realize how HUGE this is for me, we're talking about a girl who doesn't even like to touch chocolate chips here) Anyway, after we did that, we did a little shopping, and then went on a tour of Cadbury World. WOW. This was candymaking on a massive scale. I don't think I have ever seen so many boxes of candy at one time. The warehouse alone was ginormous. And we won't even talk about the stench...I mean, aroma. It was quite the experience.
After that, we went out onto the Otago Pennisula to try and see some albatrosses and some other penguins. Shall we say that standing out in the upper 30s with a 20mph wind for a little over an hour is not the funnest of activities? We came to the conclusion that the penguins had all relocated without telling anyone that they were leaving. Oh well - it was funny to be all huddled together trying to stay warm. :) So after that we went out to a fancy restaurant for dinner and came back to get ready for our nice warm beds. Tomorrow we move on to our last stop. Hopefully one of us will be able to post again soon!
Th-th-that's all folks!
the gimp
After that, we went out onto the Otago Pennisula to try and see some albatrosses and some other penguins. Shall we say that standing out in the upper 30s with a 20mph wind for a little over an hour is not the funnest of activities? We came to the conclusion that the penguins had all relocated without telling anyone that they were leaving. Oh well - it was funny to be all huddled together trying to stay warm. :) So after that we went out to a fancy restaurant for dinner and came back to get ready for our nice warm beds. Tomorrow we move on to our last stop. Hopefully one of us will be able to post again soon!
Th-th-that's all folks!
the gimp
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
July 15-16
Kia Ora, mates!
July 15 found us leaving Te Anau for the southernmost large city of Invercargill. We said "good-bye" to the Southern Alps, stopped in the "Sausage Capital of New Zealand" (but didn't get any of them), and visited a paua shell place in Riverton before arriving in Invercargill, the southernmost city in New Zealand.
When we arrived, the hostel we were booked to stay in were short on power so we ended up staying in a lovely little place called Southern Comfort - it was a remodeled, beautiful old house that Mum loved. It had tin tiles decorating the really high ceilings in the lounge - what they call the dining room. After settling in, we had dinner with Mum's friends, Peter and Dena Hale. We played with their kids and watched "Racing Stripes".
The next morning, July 16, we had porridge for breakfast and headed out on the Southern Scenice Route to reach the Scottish town of Dunedin. Along the way, we stopped at Curio Bay where a forest of trees was somehow petrified and left on the edge of the beach. We continued on to Purakaunui Falls; it looked like a river flowing down an Aztec Temple. Then, we went to Nugget Point.
Now, Nugget Point might not sound like a cool place but let me tell you it was! At Nugget Point, we saw Southern fur seals - a family of five of them with at least three pups, one of which was playing in a tide pool - and several more were sleeping in the grass and climbing around on the rocks. After seeing the seals and the lighthouse, we drove a little way down the road to Roaring Bay. We are pretty sure this was the beach for Cair Paravel in the first movie. But, even more cool was what we saw when we got to the beach: the rarest penguin in the world, the Yellow-Eyed Penguin. There are only about 3,000 of these penguins in the world and we saw 18 of them! (about 0.6% of the population!) They were the funniest looking birds I've ever seen. I really thank God that He allowed us to see them in the wild. I would post a picture but the computer is misbehaving. As soon as possible, I will but here is a website you can check out in the meantime: http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/podcover.aspx?id=33022.
From there, we wandered on to Dunedin where we settled into our hostel for the next two nights. We had a delicious dinner at a local restaurant and are now posting for you.
Until tomorrow,
The Russet Manuka
July 15 found us leaving Te Anau for the southernmost large city of Invercargill. We said "good-bye" to the Southern Alps, stopped in the "Sausage Capital of New Zealand" (but didn't get any of them), and visited a paua shell place in Riverton before arriving in Invercargill, the southernmost city in New Zealand.
When we arrived, the hostel we were booked to stay in were short on power so we ended up staying in a lovely little place called Southern Comfort - it was a remodeled, beautiful old house that Mum loved. It had tin tiles decorating the really high ceilings in the lounge - what they call the dining room. After settling in, we had dinner with Mum's friends, Peter and Dena Hale. We played with their kids and watched "Racing Stripes".
The next morning, July 16, we had porridge for breakfast and headed out on the Southern Scenice Route to reach the Scottish town of Dunedin. Along the way, we stopped at Curio Bay where a forest of trees was somehow petrified and left on the edge of the beach. We continued on to Purakaunui Falls; it looked like a river flowing down an Aztec Temple. Then, we went to Nugget Point.
Now, Nugget Point might not sound like a cool place but let me tell you it was! At Nugget Point, we saw Southern fur seals - a family of five of them with at least three pups, one of which was playing in a tide pool - and several more were sleeping in the grass and climbing around on the rocks. After seeing the seals and the lighthouse, we drove a little way down the road to Roaring Bay. We are pretty sure this was the beach for Cair Paravel in the first movie. But, even more cool was what we saw when we got to the beach: the rarest penguin in the world, the Yellow-Eyed Penguin. There are only about 3,000 of these penguins in the world and we saw 18 of them! (about 0.6% of the population!) They were the funniest looking birds I've ever seen. I really thank God that He allowed us to see them in the wild. I would post a picture but the computer is misbehaving. As soon as possible, I will but here is a website you can check out in the meantime: http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/podcover.aspx?id=33022.
From there, we wandered on to Dunedin where we settled into our hostel for the next two nights. We had a delicious dinner at a local restaurant and are now posting for you.
Until tomorrow,
The Russet Manuka
Monday, 14 July 2008
July 14
Top of the even' to ya'!
Today was pretty cool. After the usual morning rot, we drove for about three hours through the Southern Alps till we reached Milford Sound. Now, Milford Sound is a beautiful fiord that is a home to highly endangered Southern Fur Seals, Crested Penguins, and Bottlenose Dolphins. We got on our mini cruise ship and took an hour and a half tour of the sound including seeing both the seals and dolphins. The fiord was truly awesome with it's nearly verticle, nearly kilometer high walls and numerous waterfalls because of all the rain. After that, we drove back to the town of Te Auno where we're staying, got an excellant dinner, and came back here to post.
I'll do my best to post tommorrow. Only seven more days till we're back in the states :(
That's it,
The Russet Manuka
Today was pretty cool. After the usual morning rot, we drove for about three hours through the Southern Alps till we reached Milford Sound. Now, Milford Sound is a beautiful fiord that is a home to highly endangered Southern Fur Seals, Crested Penguins, and Bottlenose Dolphins. We got on our mini cruise ship and took an hour and a half tour of the sound including seeing both the seals and dolphins. The fiord was truly awesome with it's nearly verticle, nearly kilometer high walls and numerous waterfalls because of all the rain. After that, we drove back to the town of Te Auno where we're staying, got an excellant dinner, and came back here to post.
I'll do my best to post tommorrow. Only seven more days till we're back in the states :(
That's it,
The Russet Manuka
July 13
Hullo mates!
Yesterday, we got out of bed, ate breakie, loaded up the car and left the little town of Franz Josef. After that we drove all day (literally) through the Southern Alps until we got here in Te Anau late at night. The Southern Alps are one of the things in this world that are truly awesome. We drove through valley after valley, some of which had large lakes, some had farmland (mainly beef cows, sheep and deer) and one had the self-proclaimed "adventure capitol" of New Zealand. So, besides the amazing scenery and listening to a really good sermon by CJ, nothing much happened.
Signing off,
The Russet Manuka
Yesterday, we got out of bed, ate breakie, loaded up the car and left the little town of Franz Josef. After that we drove all day (literally) through the Southern Alps until we got here in Te Anau late at night. The Southern Alps are one of the things in this world that are truly awesome. We drove through valley after valley, some of which had large lakes, some had farmland (mainly beef cows, sheep and deer) and one had the self-proclaimed "adventure capitol" of New Zealand. So, besides the amazing scenery and listening to a really good sermon by CJ, nothing much happened.
Signing off,
The Russet Manuka
Saturday, 12 July 2008
a bit of explanation
Hello friends!
It occurred to me that you may not know why we are visiting my "families" in New Zealand. Here's the short version of the story:
When I was 17, I was selected as a Rotary International exchange student and was given the opportunity to come to New Zealand. I lived here from January, 1980 to January, 1981. During my time here, I lived with Jim and Carol Shepherd and their three girls, Max and Peggy Bracegirdle where I was the youngest of 6 and the only one at home, and with Kelvin and Nina Wackrow and their two youngest boys. I had a family that acted like a special aunt and uncle - Colin Hale and his first wife, Thelma. Thelma has since passed away, and Colin is remarried to a lovely lady named Frances. Colin's son, Kelvin, is married to our lovely Wellington hostess, Bronwyn. They have three girls and a delightful puppy.
We came back at this time because Mum and Dad Wackrow celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in April and because it was a good time to bring the children to meet the people who played a pivotal role in my life.
It is especially sweet to see how these people modeled unconditional love for me. I was not their own but they loved me - and still do - much like I am one of their own. Just as Christ adopted us into His family, they adopted me into theirs. They are precious examples of what it is to love someone who has done nothing to deserve it.
Thanks for reading! I hope this helps make some sense out of how I have "family" in New Zealand!
Aunt Susan
It occurred to me that you may not know why we are visiting my "families" in New Zealand. Here's the short version of the story:
When I was 17, I was selected as a Rotary International exchange student and was given the opportunity to come to New Zealand. I lived here from January, 1980 to January, 1981. During my time here, I lived with Jim and Carol Shepherd and their three girls, Max and Peggy Bracegirdle where I was the youngest of 6 and the only one at home, and with Kelvin and Nina Wackrow and their two youngest boys. I had a family that acted like a special aunt and uncle - Colin Hale and his first wife, Thelma. Thelma has since passed away, and Colin is remarried to a lovely lady named Frances. Colin's son, Kelvin, is married to our lovely Wellington hostess, Bronwyn. They have three girls and a delightful puppy.
We came back at this time because Mum and Dad Wackrow celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in April and because it was a good time to bring the children to meet the people who played a pivotal role in my life.
It is especially sweet to see how these people modeled unconditional love for me. I was not their own but they loved me - and still do - much like I am one of their own. Just as Christ adopted us into His family, they adopted me into theirs. They are precious examples of what it is to love someone who has done nothing to deserve it.
Thanks for reading! I hope this helps make some sense out of how I have "family" in New Zealand!
Aunt Susan
mwuahahaha
Now I get to post! (heehee) Kia ora from Caiti! :) (btw, "kia ora" means "hello" in Maori - the native people of New Zealand)
Picking up from where Chris left off yesterday...
Bronwyn spoiled us by fixing pancakes, bacon, and a fruit salad for breakfast. Then, we took a three hour ferry ride: across the harbor, through the Cook strait (where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific meet briefly), and then on to the South Island. We drove through some lovely countryside as we made our way down the west coast. The scenery is a lot more rugged here. You can look out one side of the car and see the ocean, and the out the other side and see cliffs and mountains densely covered with bush. Pretty cool. Anyway, I digress.
We spent last night in Punakaiki, which is known for the Pancake Rocks in Paparoa National Park. These rocks are actually layer upon layer of limestone, but they look like huge towers of pancakes. After seeing the Pancake Rocks, we drove down to Franz Josef, a little town whose main reason for existence is the tourists coming to see one of the two coastal glaciers here, Franz Josef Glacier and the Fox Glacier. We left some of our stuff in FJ village and proceeded to Fox Glacier. We had a great hike up to the glacier; we even spent about an hour actually out on the ice. It was pretty cool! Chris, Mom, and I sampled the water on the glacier - it was really really cold. But, it tasted really good. :)
So here I sit, stiff and sore from climbing and falling. I'm going to try and post some pictures, but if they don't work, well...I'll get Chris to try and figure it out tomorrow.
Over and out -
the gimp
Picking up from where Chris left off yesterday...
Bronwyn spoiled us by fixing pancakes, bacon, and a fruit salad for breakfast. Then, we took a three hour ferry ride: across the harbor, through the Cook strait (where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific meet briefly), and then on to the South Island. We drove through some lovely countryside as we made our way down the west coast. The scenery is a lot more rugged here. You can look out one side of the car and see the ocean, and the out the other side and see cliffs and mountains densely covered with bush. Pretty cool. Anyway, I digress.
We spent last night in Punakaiki, which is known for the Pancake Rocks in Paparoa National Park. These rocks are actually layer upon layer of limestone, but they look like huge towers of pancakes. After seeing the Pancake Rocks, we drove down to Franz Josef, a little town whose main reason for existence is the tourists coming to see one of the two coastal glaciers here, Franz Josef Glacier and the Fox Glacier. We left some of our stuff in FJ village and proceeded to Fox Glacier. We had a great hike up to the glacier; we even spent about an hour actually out on the ice. It was pretty cool! Chris, Mom, and I sampled the water on the glacier - it was really really cold. But, it tasted really good. :)
So here I sit, stiff and sore from climbing and falling. I'm going to try and post some pictures, but if they don't work, well...I'll get Chris to try and figure it out tomorrow.
Over and out -
the gimp
Thursday, 10 July 2008
July 10th
Hey Peeps!
Today was great! We got up, ate breakie, and went to Te Papa, which is like most of our Smithsonian museums crunched into one building. After that, we went out for lunch with our friends. We then went to one of Wellington's mountains so that we could get a good look at the city. One of the really cool things about the city is that, rather than leveling the land to build the city, Wellington moves with the hills. There is a lot of green space with "bush" everywhere. It's also built around a harbour making the whole city absolutely beautiful.
Anyhow, after we got a look at the city, get ready for the surprise...
We actually went to the Weta Cave. (There was a viewing theater, miniature museum, and tiny store for the famous Weta Workshop.) I was a bit disappointed that we couldn't see any of the work, but I guess that's to be expected because they want to keep their secrets. After that, we saw the U.S. embassy and the Parliament building.
We arrived back at the Hales to watch "The Incredibles" while Bronwyn fixed an incredible meal of barbequed lamb for dinner. We gave another little concert, and are currently getting set for bed.
Hope to update you on the morrow!
Signed,
The Russet Manuka
Today was great! We got up, ate breakie, and went to Te Papa, which is like most of our Smithsonian museums crunched into one building. After that, we went out for lunch with our friends. We then went to one of Wellington's mountains so that we could get a good look at the city. One of the really cool things about the city is that, rather than leveling the land to build the city, Wellington moves with the hills. There is a lot of green space with "bush" everywhere. It's also built around a harbour making the whole city absolutely beautiful.
Anyhow, after we got a look at the city, get ready for the surprise...
We actually went to the Weta Cave. (There was a viewing theater, miniature museum, and tiny store for the famous Weta Workshop.) I was a bit disappointed that we couldn't see any of the work, but I guess that's to be expected because they want to keep their secrets. After that, we saw the U.S. embassy and the Parliament building.
We arrived back at the Hales to watch "The Incredibles" while Bronwyn fixed an incredible meal of barbequed lamb for dinner. We gave another little concert, and are currently getting set for bed.
Hope to update you on the morrow!
Signed,
The Russet Manuka
July 9th
Not as much happened today. Mum's mate that we were staying with took us to go and see a huge wind farm on the ridge above Palmerston North. We also went to a spot where we could see the whole city. Then, we began driving towards Wellington, the capitol city. We stopped to get some of the best ice cream I've had. When we arrived at Mum's friend's house, we watched Princess Diaries 2, ate dinner, and gave them a fiddle concert.
I'll be able to post on the 10th for sure and look for our surprise stop.
Singning off
The Russet Manuka
I'll be able to post on the 10th for sure and look for our surprise stop.
Singning off
The Russet Manuka
Tuesday, 8 July 2008
July 8
Hullo everyone!
This morning we said goodbye to the little town of Inglewood as well as bidding Colin and Frances a goodbye. After that we spent our time driving to the town of Palmerston North where we are spending the night with one of my Mum's field hockey friends. On the way here, we stopped by one of the West coast beaches. One of the really unique things about New Zealand is that all of the beaches on the East coast have the usual whitish gold sand. Yet, all the beaches on the west coast have black sand that, I'm pretty sure, is caused by iron ore that has been washed onto the beaches by the Tasman Sea.
That's it for today. I'll hopefully post again tommorrow!
Signed,
The Russet Manuka
This morning we said goodbye to the little town of Inglewood as well as bidding Colin and Frances a goodbye. After that we spent our time driving to the town of Palmerston North where we are spending the night with one of my Mum's field hockey friends. On the way here, we stopped by one of the West coast beaches. One of the really unique things about New Zealand is that all of the beaches on the East coast have the usual whitish gold sand. Yet, all the beaches on the west coast have black sand that, I'm pretty sure, is caused by iron ore that has been washed onto the beaches by the Tasman Sea.
That's it for today. I'll hopefully post again tommorrow!
Signed,
The Russet Manuka
Some of the Black sand
Monday, 7 July 2008
Friday through Monday
Gudday all!
Sorry I haven't been able to post for so long. Today is the first day that I've had internet since Thursday night.
Friday morning, we rolled out of bed and left our hostel after a swim in the hostel's pool which is fed by a hot water spring. We drove around beautiful Lake Taupo which is in the middle of the North Island and is similar to Lake Tahoe. We had fish and chips and a paua fritter in Turangi on the south end of the lake and then...
We went on a "road" that the sign called "Forgotten World Highway"... which in my opinion should stay that way - though I won't be forgetting it any time soon. It was more like a sheep track with gravel thrown on top! Throw in some rain, some hail, no evidence of human life for at least 45 minutes, hairpin turns in the dark, and voila! You have the Forgotten World Highway. Even the New Zealanders have been shocked that my dad chose to drive that route. By God's grace, we survived the trip and reached the little town of Inglewood where Mum lived as a student.
Since then, we've been spending our nights with Colin and Frances Hale, a couple that Mum was close to when she was here. Saturday morning, we got up and went to meet the Hale's daughter, Dellwyn, who took us for a walk along the waterfton in New Plymouth, the largest city in Taranaki. After that, we went to a luncheon organized by the Hales to welcome us. It was there that I got to meet most of my NZ family. After that, we went see what a NZ dairy farm is like. In the evening, we watched the New Zealand All Blacks, the country's rugby team, play South Africa. They gave them a 19-8 thrashing. I hope it goes just as well when they play each other again next week .
On Sunday, Colin took us to the small farmers market in town. Afterwards, we spent the day with the third family Mum lived with, the Wackrows. Grandad "Wacky" is quite a sportsman and coach who focuses on track and field and rugby. Grandmum Wacky loves her plants and has the most beautiful lawn and garden that you've ever seen. After we got to their house, Grandad took us to the running track where Mum used to do track and field and had us do a quarter mile race (Caiti won by a hair, I was in second, Dad was third, and Meghan didn't finish because her shoe came untied). Then we went to Pukekura Park which is a beautiful place that Mum visited frequently when she was here in NZ.
After that, we went to have aftrernoon tea with Mum's second family, the Bracegirdles. Grandad used to do a lot of farming but is now retired. They took us to a petting zoo/farm where they had all sorts of animals including deer (a large export in NZ), an ostrich, a yak, two possum, peacocks, a tame eel and many other creatures - including the White Stag from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. After going to that farm, we went back to their house where we had tea and got to meet one of Mum's sisters, her husband, and one of Mum's brothers.
In the evening, we went back to Wackrows for dinner. There, we got to meet one of Mum's Wackrow brothers, his partner, and her daughter. Afrer dinner, we watched another rugby game while Grandad Wacky explained how it worked.
Today, we got up and had an excellant cooked breakfast compliments of Frances Hale. After that, we spent the day with Mum's first family, the Shepherds. Grandad Shepp is half Brit, half Scot and lived in Hong Kong with his police dad until WWII. His dad spent four years as a P.O.W. Afterwards, they went back to England for awhile, then back to Hong Kong, before his dad moved the family to NZ. Grandmum Shepp grew up in England and moved to NZ in the 1950s. We got to their house and met one of their daughter, Tania, her two sons, and Blake, the son of one of their other daughters, Linda. It had snowed on the nearby mountain, a dormant volcano called Mt. Taranaki by the Maori, the night before. We decided to go up the mountain to play in the snow. We came back to their house and had afternoon tea and a scrumptous dinner prepared by Mum's youngest sister, Moira.
Sorry this post has been so long but I've had so much catching up to do!
Signed, The Russet Manuka
Sorry I haven't been able to post for so long. Today is the first day that I've had internet since Thursday night.
Friday morning, we rolled out of bed and left our hostel after a swim in the hostel's pool which is fed by a hot water spring. We drove around beautiful Lake Taupo which is in the middle of the North Island and is similar to Lake Tahoe. We had fish and chips and a paua fritter in Turangi on the south end of the lake and then...
We went on a "road" that the sign called "Forgotten World Highway"... which in my opinion should stay that way - though I won't be forgetting it any time soon. It was more like a sheep track with gravel thrown on top! Throw in some rain, some hail, no evidence of human life for at least 45 minutes, hairpin turns in the dark, and voila! You have the Forgotten World Highway. Even the New Zealanders have been shocked that my dad chose to drive that route. By God's grace, we survived the trip and reached the little town of Inglewood where Mum lived as a student.
Since then, we've been spending our nights with Colin and Frances Hale, a couple that Mum was close to when she was here. Saturday morning, we got up and went to meet the Hale's daughter, Dellwyn, who took us for a walk along the waterfton in New Plymouth, the largest city in Taranaki. After that, we went to a luncheon organized by the Hales to welcome us. It was there that I got to meet most of my NZ family. After that, we went see what a NZ dairy farm is like. In the evening, we watched the New Zealand All Blacks, the country's rugby team, play South Africa. They gave them a 19-8 thrashing. I hope it goes just as well when they play each other again next week .
On Sunday, Colin took us to the small farmers market in town. Afterwards, we spent the day with the third family Mum lived with, the Wackrows. Grandad "Wacky" is quite a sportsman and coach who focuses on track and field and rugby. Grandmum Wacky loves her plants and has the most beautiful lawn and garden that you've ever seen. After we got to their house, Grandad took us to the running track where Mum used to do track and field and had us do a quarter mile race (Caiti won by a hair, I was in second, Dad was third, and Meghan didn't finish because her shoe came untied). Then we went to Pukekura Park which is a beautiful place that Mum visited frequently when she was here in NZ.
After that, we went to have aftrernoon tea with Mum's second family, the Bracegirdles. Grandad used to do a lot of farming but is now retired. They took us to a petting zoo/farm where they had all sorts of animals including deer (a large export in NZ), an ostrich, a yak, two possum, peacocks, a tame eel and many other creatures - including the White Stag from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. After going to that farm, we went back to their house where we had tea and got to meet one of Mum's sisters, her husband, and one of Mum's brothers.
In the evening, we went back to Wackrows for dinner. There, we got to meet one of Mum's Wackrow brothers, his partner, and her daughter. Afrer dinner, we watched another rugby game while Grandad Wacky explained how it worked.
Today, we got up and had an excellant cooked breakfast compliments of Frances Hale. After that, we spent the day with Mum's first family, the Shepherds. Grandad Shepp is half Brit, half Scot and lived in Hong Kong with his police dad until WWII. His dad spent four years as a P.O.W. Afterwards, they went back to England for awhile, then back to Hong Kong, before his dad moved the family to NZ. Grandmum Shepp grew up in England and moved to NZ in the 1950s. We got to their house and met one of their daughter, Tania, her two sons, and Blake, the son of one of their other daughters, Linda. It had snowed on the nearby mountain, a dormant volcano called Mt. Taranaki by the Maori, the night before. We decided to go up the mountain to play in the snow. We came back to their house and had afternoon tea and a scrumptous dinner prepared by Mum's youngest sister, Moira.
Sorry this post has been so long but I've had so much catching up to do!
Signed, The Russet Manuka
Thursday, 3 July 2008
Days One and Two
Hey all!
I meant to post sooner but was too tired from the flight. Anyway, we touched down yesterday morning at about 6:30 AM and were greeted by some of Mum's good friends. After going out to breakfast with them, we drove for about two hours until we reached Cathedral Cove (the beach set in Prince Caspian). Believe me, it is as beautiful as it is in the movie. From there we drove for several hours until we made to Rotorua where we spent last night. This morning we went to a place called the Agrodome and watched their famous sheep show consisting of a show of breeds, sheep shearing, cow milking, and sheepdog demonstrations. After that, we went out to lunch with one of Mum's friends. Afterwards, we went to a place called Te Puia where we experienced a traditional Maori welcome ceremony where Dad served as the visiting chief, a Maori concert, and the local geothermal features. Then we went to the grocery where we got dinner and breakfast for tomorrow and then came back here so that I could tell you all that we've done.
Our connection is kind of slow so I am going to try to figure out some way to get pictures here eventually.
I'll do my best to get another post up tomorrow!
Chris
I meant to post sooner but was too tired from the flight. Anyway, we touched down yesterday morning at about 6:30 AM and were greeted by some of Mum's good friends. After going out to breakfast with them, we drove for about two hours until we reached Cathedral Cove (the beach set in Prince Caspian). Believe me, it is as beautiful as it is in the movie. From there we drove for several hours until we made to Rotorua where we spent last night. This morning we went to a place called the Agrodome and watched their famous sheep show consisting of a show of breeds, sheep shearing, cow milking, and sheepdog demonstrations. After that, we went out to lunch with one of Mum's friends. Afterwards, we went to a place called Te Puia where we experienced a traditional Maori welcome ceremony where Dad served as the visiting chief, a Maori concert, and the local geothermal features. Then we went to the grocery where we got dinner and breakfast for tomorrow and then came back here so that I could tell you all that we've done.
Our connection is kind of slow so I am going to try to figure out some way to get pictures here eventually.
I'll do my best to get another post up tomorrow!
Chris
Tuesday, 1 July 2008
Update Numero Uno
Hey Guys!
We are currently in Houston waiting for the next leg of our flight. From here we are going to L.A. where we have to recheck our bags with Air New Zealand, then we have a 12 hour flight before we get into the country.
Don't expect to get an update tomorrow because it will have never happened for us (international date line and all that rot.)
Expect the next update on July 2.
We are currently in Houston waiting for the next leg of our flight. From here we are going to L.A. where we have to recheck our bags with Air New Zealand, then we have a 12 hour flight before we get into the country.
Don't expect to get an update tomorrow because it will have never happened for us (international date line and all that rot.)
Expect the next update on July 2.
Friday, 27 June 2008
Getting Ready
We're in the preparation stage right now so life is a little hectic. My goal for this blog is to get online everyday to keep y'all posted about what we're doing and to put up pictures of what we're doing. We'll be missing y'all!
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