Just a quick note to wish everyone a happy St Paddy’s Day. And Happy Birthdays to Mom and Iris. Still in Taupo. Enjoying it here. Went horseback riding this afternoon. (No, Mom, I didn’t go skydiving, though that seems to…
And for all the adrenaline junkies…
For all you adrenaline junkies, I highly recommend a trip to NZ – the country invented specifically for you. I’m here in Taupo, which borders on beautiful Lake Taupo. In true Kiwi fashion, simply looking at or admiring the lake…
Last one in is a rotten egg…
That smell of rotten eggs isn’t imagined. It’s the sulphur from the thermal hot springs in aptly-named Rotorua. And while I can’t say the air smells too pleasant, I am looking forward to having a dip. Arrived in Rotorua this…
Around Auckland
Kia Ora from Auckland once again! I’ve spent the last two days exploring the city. Yesterday I jumped on a free city tour offered by Stray (they do this to get you to buy their bus passes, but there’s no…
Auckland at last
Made it to New Zealand at last. I’ve lost count cause of the multiple time zone changes and the crossing of the international dateline but I think I was in transit for about 36 hours. First thing I did upon…
Fiji briefly
Stopped over briefly in the Fiji airport on the way to Auckland. I was only outside for a few moments but it was stifling hot. Highlights of the 3-hour stopover included seeing the sunrise out of the plane window as…
Bored at LAX
Bored at Los Angeles airport. Still another 8 hours till my flight to Fiji. So I’m killing time on this insanely expensive internet terminal. Anyway, I wasn’t able to check my pack through to New Zealand, so I’m lugging it…
Saying goodbye is the hardest part
Three days till departure. The tough part right now is saying goodbye to all my family and friends. If you’re reading this, then chances are you’re on the list of people I’m really going to miss an awful lot. Last…
The requisite first entry
I’m nowhere, yet. Still at home, sitting at my desk, daydreaming about travel and trying to plan the zillion details that need to be taken care of before I can depart. At the moment I’m too lost in the details…
Day 16: Home Sweet Home
Our flight home left at 8am, and we were told to get to the airport early to leave enough time. So we arranged to share a taxicab with Kirsten, who was also flying out first-thing. Cathy’s alarm watch was set…