After nine weeks, our time has come to depart this beautiful country. The last time we were here, leaving was incredibly difficult for me and the same is true again. This is a country with natural beauty, people with a 'can-do' spirit and an almost shy attitude about the beauty of their home, and a place that is 'comfortable' to travel in.
The last time we were here it was for 7-1/2 weeks and we said it wasn't enough. This time we left 9 weeks and still we missed several places we need to come back for. If the 'journey is the prize', we need to come back and finish collecting ours. New Zealand be warned ... you haven't seen the last of us!
Memories of New Zealand :
- Culli
- Keep left!
- Belcher hospitality (thanks Angie!)
- Hiking in an active volcano (White Island)
- Dolphins and diving in Paihia
- Christmas with Marc (from the UK)
- Scott arrives and Part II begins
- Keep left!!
- Blackwater rafting, Scott thinks we're insane:)
- New Year's Eve in Wellington (Tequila and Belgian Beer, thanks to Scott)
- Kiwi Burn (sort of - see Val's posting of January 4, 2006)
- Sandflies
- Wine and beer tasting
- Sailing in Lyttleton
- Visiting Fiona and seeing Busker's Festival in Christchurch
- Keep left!!!
- Mt. Aoraki/Mt. Cook at sunrise
- Emerson's Brewery
- Heaps and heaps of sheeps
- The Catlins
- Song Birds in the morning
- Sandflies
- Stewart Island
- Was that your computer ringing?
- F'ing sandflies
- Glowing skies at 10:00 p.m.
- Keep left!
- Lake Manapouri - Doubtful Sound
- Rippon!!!!
- The most comfortable country in the world to travel in. Thank you again New Zealand
Along the way we read a few books, but not nearly as many as before. We realized we spent so much time driving and doing 'stuff' that neither of us read as much as previous places. To be fair, Val read a lot more than I did, but she's in a book club and is obligated:) Here's the list:
- Deception Point (Eric)
- The World is Flat (Eric)
- Sometimes a Great Notion (Eric)
- Secret History of Modernism (both)
- Straight Man (both)
- The Good Earth (Val)
- Mrs. Dalloway (Val)
- The Fig Eater (Val)
- The Dive from Clausen's Pier (Val)
- The Hours (Val)
- Amy and Isabelle (Val)
- The Namesake (Val)
- The Seventh Secret (Val) - wouldn't recommend it
- The Time Traveler's Wife (both)
- The Vision of Emma Blau (Val)
- The Woven Flax Kete (both)
So as we get ready to begin Phase IV of this voyage, Australia, we look forward to renewing a few friendships. One we just made in Rarotonga and others we made on our last journey to this side of the world.
Until then, Cheers,
Eric & Val
PS: Check out the special 'Guest Writer's' section we have added.
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