The last 3 days :(

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