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.