Back to "Normal" Life

We're back to our "normal" life but it will be next summer before our plants recover. San Antonio had just one night with freezing temperatures (low of 21 F) while we were in NZ. It claimed a few plants but most will recover in time. We miss Tara and Al AND their cooking and the many other great and "good for you meals" we had while in NZ.

Spurs game tonight ended in a exciting 100-99 victory.

We're scrambling to get our house back in order, luggage stored for another day, (yes we're already talking about another NZ trip) gifts wrapped and house cleaned. Thank goodness for Roomba, the new love of my life this year. I figured I better get the North Island  pictures sorted and posted before family arrives for Christmas. We thought the Auckland stop would just be a city stay before heading home and not that much to interst us but we were wrong. We enjoyed it all and the last minute decision to visit the Kelly Tarlton Aquarium was great. Don't miss it if you are ever in the area. See new slide show posted of North Island pictures.

Auckland

After a fond farewell to Tara & Al we flew to Auckland where we watched the ADVENTUROUS jump from the Skytower. Later we explored the harbor and had dinner outdoor there.

Our last full day was spent on a tour visiting the glow worm cave, a sheep farm, Maori culture center, thermal mud pools and geyers. On departure day we utilized the time after check out to visit the Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium. See some of our pictures from the North Island.  The "Time Travelers" landed in San Antonio Dec. 15 at 5:30 PM, two hours BEFORE our departure time and date from Auckland. More pictures and info will be added after we restock the pantry and get some ZZZZZ.

Life in Christchurch

Life is slower and less complicated. Many people grow gardens and will use their own produce, buy local items and make there own items and condiments. Farmers Markets are common and with many patrons. Heating and AC in house is less advanced but trash and recycling is more advanced. Coffee shops are EVERYWHERE and each cup is made to order a cup at a time. Yes, Starbucks is here but we were under orders from Tara not to visit a Starsbucks, KFC, McD or Subway during our visit. Bus service is frequent and at some stops you can push a button to see where the bus in on the route. We leave tomorrow for Auckland and will greatly miss Tara, Al, Simba and life in Christchurch.

Sharing Tara's and Al's Social Life

Sightseeing and seeing the beauty and uniqueness of New Zealand is great but getting a chance to meet and enjoy social time with Tara's & Al's friends is very special. We attend several evening and holiday events and Al's work holiday party. Now we might get some complaints for posting the pictures and one video clip from their Guitar Hero performances with friends but we leave for Auckland tomorrow and hopefully we will be out of town before they discover this post.

Museum Visit

On December 10th Frank visited the Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum in Christchurch and was blown away with the array of aircraft on display and the overall quality of the museum. Funded by the New Zealand government, it is recognized as one of the best Air Force museums in the world. He booked a behind-the-scenes tour of their restoration hangers and turned out to be the only person on the tour so he had his own personal guide. For Frank it was a major highlight of our his day. See pictures.

Pancake Rocks Trip

Spring in NZ means rain but we ignored it and headed across the island to Hanmer Springs with Tara & Al. By the time we arrived rain had let up and we enjoyed soaks in the hot mineral pools and massages before heading to the West Coast across the Lewis pass. Rain returned when we arrived but didn't deminish our delight on discovering what a fabulous cottage we had ON the Tasman Sea in village of Punakaiki. Next day we explored the Pancake Rocks and a glow worm cave (grand total of two worms) and we enjoyed a scenic river walk through the rain forest. While having lunch we met Nathan, a cyclist from Seatle, who was biking alone throughout the South Island. He later joined us at the cabin for dinner. Nathan is also using a blog to record his travel adventures. We saw him again on the road the next morning. See pictures.

Trip Around the Bottom of the South Island

We enjoyed a six day trip to Dunedin, Taieri Gorge, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Franz Josef Glasier and back to Christchurch via the TransAlpine Railway. Thanksgiving was spend in Queenstown. See the pictures on the left. Tonight it was time to set up the Christmas tree. Tomorrow we leave for a couple of days on the northwest side of the South Island with Tara and Al.

Christchurch Liedertafel 535th Concert

Tara sang Laudate Dominum with a men's Quartet in the Christchurch Cathredral today. It was a special thrill for Frank and I to hear and see her sing. The best audio is in the video recording Frank made. Pictures.

Tomorrow morning we leave for six day tour of Dunedin, Queenstown, Milford Sound and back to Christchurch via the train across the scenic Southern Alps. Last night we watched one of the Lord of the Ring movies with Tara and Al trying to give us a crash course on the characters, good guys, bad guys, plots etc.

Antarctic Center to Akaroa Bay

Yesterday we visited the Antarctic Center. Today we drove to Akaroa, a beautiful bay just south of the city surrounded by green hills and sheep. Had a lovely lunch with a wine sampler. A northeaster wind brought in the first real taste of summer, temperatures in the high 70's. Tonight we took a walk along the river to the hospital where Tara works. We can all be envious of her idealic short and beautiful commute to work. Pictures.

Noise in the night

We were all awakened at 5:30 am by a noise none of could identify. It was an earthquake just north of Christchurch!

Lakes, Lupins and Mountains

We returned this evening from a wonderful trip to Lake Tekapo and to see the beautiful Lupin flowers and the highest mountain in New Zealand, Mt. Cook. The blue color of the lakes are from the sediment from the glacier in the area. The Lupins are the same family as Texas Bluebonnets and come in many colors. Click to see some pictures from this trip.

First Days in Christchurch

After the ferry trip, we enjoyed a pleasant train ride into Christchurch where Tara and Al meet us. It was great to see them and their new home. They are excellent hosts, providing great meals and acting as tour guides. We also enjoyed meeting many of their friends when we visited their camping site over the holiday weekend.

Today we spend the day in Christchurch touring both the Art Center and the Botanical Gardens. --MX Pictures.

Ferry Trip Almost Over

The ferry trip is almost over. Partly cloudy clear weather. Trip was very calm expect for the short distance where the two tides meet. We will transfer to the train from the ferry and arrive in Christchurch early evening. The water and land is BEAUTIFUL! We  saw quite a few dolphins off the side of the ferry. We will add more news and pictures once we are settled in Christchurch. --MX Pictures.

New Zealand Orientation Completed

A full day at the Te PaPa Museum completes our New Zealand orientation in Wellington. You do know you are in a different country but I've discovered it's easy to get my coffee with "trim" milk; New Zealand wines are wonderful; newspaper pages seem really wide; everyone is friendly, helpful and no one expects a tip for doing their job. You can watch Monday night football and Australian "Biggest Loser" complete with look alike host and trainers. We tested our eligibility for immigration to New Zealand at a museum exhibit today. Seems we would need two million dollars or a child who is a resident in New Zealand to be welcomed. Guess which one we have?

Tomorrow we leave early for ferry and train trip to Christchurch. We are anxious to visit with Tara and Al. --Mx

Day one in Wellington

Arrived in Auckland on schedule. Flight was long but went as well as a 13 hour flight could go. It was full but our coach seats had more legroom than any American airline we've ever been on so it was comfortable. My back held up well. Some soreness but nothing I needed to whine about. Dinner and breakfast were very good for airline food and the wine was free. Crossed the international dateline so it's now Tuesday. We're officially time travelers.

Last leg to Wellington also went smoothly but it took all the time we had to get through customs and to the domestic terminal. Arrived in Wellington to a cool and windy day. Hotel that Tara had recommended to us is excellent and very conveniently located in the downtown business district. Really were tempted to go to sleep but we decided to try to get our time change adjusted so we set out for some immediate sightseeing.

Took the cable car to the top of a hill for a view of the city and see the botanical gardens. (Wellington is as hilly as San Francisco.) Then walked to the museum where we explored in preparation for our full museum day tomorrow. In case you didn't know. the Te Papa Museum is one of the finest in the world and will give us an excellent understanding of New Zealand history. By the time we get to bed tonight we will have been up well over 40 hours. Time to get some food and sleep.  --FM Pictures.

Stage 2 of NZ Adventure

We're at LAX airport waiting for our flight to New Zealand. Southwest flights were on time and packed but otherwise uneventful. Got free wifi at SA and Phoenix airports but had to pay here. That's California for you! Air New Zealand took our bags early and have been very helpful. Actually looking forward to the flight, having dinner and  getting some sleep. FM

Sent from my iPod

Last Skype Call

We just had a final Skype call with Tara and Al. They are busy trying to fix the leg on the trundle bed. The bed with a damage leg survived multiple trip to college and back AND the trip to New Zealand. But the thought of us coming to sleep on it was just too much. Al assures us he'll have it fixed. We're getting excited and have much to do to get ready.

Halloween with Granddaughters

A quick trip but a great time! In case you can't figure it out Sydney was a jellyfish, Jessica a fortune teller and Amanda a leopard - and two old bats!

Blog Test

We traveling to Dallas for Halloween with grandkids. This is a test
from IH 35 wireless @ a rest stop. Isn't technology wonderful!!
Sent from my iPod