Life in a Camper

We enjoyed traveling camper style and eventually learned all the switches, connections and "to dos". We quickly learned the importance of a level campsite, sink drains and no one feels like they might fall out of bed. It helped that both Tara and Al are experienced tent campers and earthquake life taught them the value of simple meals and conserving water. They did all the hard work, we just enjoyed. We can't thank them enough for including us on this adventure. We hope these pictures will encourage others and help them enjoy the experience. See slide show of pictures. This ends the blog of our trip.

Auckland Zoo and Last Day in NZ

We spent our last day on a Auckland city tour and a visit to the Auckland Zoo. Our trip is over and we are back into our home routine. See slide show of pictures.

Last Camper Night

It is sad to know the journey is coming to an end. Our last campsite was in Miranda where we enjoyed a soak in their natural hot tub pool and an outdoor dinner of wine and nachos. We are now in Auckland for two days before heading home. We will be very sad to say goodby to Tara and Al tomorrow. :( They have allowed us to experience so many things we could not have done on our own. ;) Today we explored the dock area which was teaming with people and activity from the Volvo Ocean Race. The cheering we just heard from the docks confirms the arrival of the first boats. See slide show of pictures.

Unique Kiwi Experiences

On and off rain did not dampen our enjoyment of the Driving Creek Train Explorer, a narrow gauge zig-zag track up into dense palms and trees. Dinner at the Mussel Kitchen was yummy and included a beautiful sunset. We saved the water park for our last day in Coromandel Town and were rewarded with perfect weather. What a quirky place that allows you to discover fun! Even crossed two more things off my bucket list - seeing a Fantail bird and riding a zipline! See slide show of pictures.

Coromandel Town

Time for a new campsite and new adventures - We walked to see the Waiau waterfall and giant Kauri trees. Tomorrow we plan a scenic train ride and visits to a water park and the Mussel Kitchen. See slide show of pictures.

Three Days - Hahei

Boat trips (kayaking for the young, powered for the not so young) allowed us all to see the Cathedral Cove, sting rays, little blue penguins and so much more. Tara and Al braved the cool waters of our campsite beach. We all enjoyed the warm water of the Hot Water beach. We also celebrated Frank's birthday with candle and cake. More pictures later. See slide show of pictures.

Mount Maunganui

How can one campsite have expansive beach in front of you, fully equipped bathrooms with hair dryers and electronic token for entry, a highrise to the right and a hill with sheep behind you? They can and do in New Zealand! Slideshows with more pictures will be added when we get on unlimited data. We had to top up their WiFi Spot again. ;) See slide show  of pictures.

Rainy Night Then Spectacular Views

We had a rainy night and winds leading to some gray skies and seas but spectaculare views the next day. Al's driving skills were tested on some unpaved roads and slips and debris on the roads after the night of heavy rain. See slide show  of pictures.

Napier and Cute Campsite

Next stop Napier, the city destroyed in 1931 by a 7.8 earthquake. We stopped for lunch and the mandatory flat whites. Tara and Al took a walk of the city and Frank and I took a city bus tour. Campsite that night was clean, cute, unique and with perfect weather. See slide show of pictures.

Cape Kidnappers and Gannet Bird Colony

Next stop was a campground right on a beach below Cape Kidnappers that was shrinking from erosion. Camper was backed up to a cliff of palms and heavy vegatation. Kind of scary when you look up out the window from your bed to see it. Next day we took a tour to see a huge gannet (bird) colony up close on the top of the cape. Fantastic views! It's also home to the Cape Kidnapper golf course, one of the top fifty courses in the world. It was a very interesting tour. The tea and coffee break (standard on tours in NZ) at the top was thankfully up wind as the bird colony is stinky. It was fun to watch the very ungraceful belly flop landing of these birds. See slide show  of pictures.

Ferry and Wellington

Our night in Picton was uneventful, the ferry crossing even more so - VERY calm! On the ferry Tara arranged the repair of the crack in the camper windshield caused by a stone from a truck shortly after we started our trip. Repair was done in the Te Papa Museum parking lot in Wellington while we had lunch with Al's cousin who had just arrived in Wellington as an actor in a Shakespere performance. Then it was on to a campground outside Wellington on the West coast to camp and visit with their friends, Sally and Ed. See slide show  of pictures.

Gisborne & Poverty Bay

We leave shortly for trip around the East Cape. We may or may not have Internet connection for all of this part of our trip. Having too much fun to post much to the blog.

Marlborough and Picton

On a cloudy day we appropiately visited the Cloudy Bay Winery. Tara and I did the hard work of sampling wines and choosing a couple of bottles for consumption on our trip. The day ended at a very nice campsite with showers and early to bed for all. We must be on the ferry early tomorrow to cross to the North Island. See slide show of pictures.

Kaikoura Beautiful Coastline and Seals

Trip is going great. Al's an excellent driver and we've figured out all the switches and workings of our camper van. See slide show of pictures.

Camper Van Will Roll Soon

We've loaded the van and will leave soon. See slide show of pictures

Segway Tour

One more thing off my bucket list. We had a good time on our Segway tour today. See slide show of pictures from our trip.

Museum and Earthquake Exhibit

Tara dropped us off for a second visit at the museum to see the newly opened Earthquake Exhibit. Had a nice lunch and mandatory flat whites overlooking the Botanical Gardens. We saw more evidence of the rebuild efforts and anniversary remembrances on our walk to catch the bus home. See slide show

Restart Mall

We had lunch at the Restart Mall made from shipping containers. Max visited the Radio New Zealand tent set up for broadcasts because tomorrow is the one year anniversary of the deadly Feb 22 earthquake. We also visiedt the Chambery Museum butterfly and wearable art exhibits. We hope to go back on Thursday to visit the special earthquake exhibit that opens tomorrow on the anniversary of Feb quake.

NZ Flight

Flat Correy joined us on Air New Zealand Flight 1. We were surprised by champaign at breakfast to celebrate our 45 anniversary. We think a Canadian couple we met in LA must have told the staff. The Sky Couch did allow us to get some decent sleep but required gymnastics that was less than dignified at times. Our transfers between domestic and international terminals were a challenge especially in Auckland when we had no time to spare. We love being with Tara and Al. It's reassuring to see them safe and happy in their environment. Tara drove us on a quick tour to see the quake damage and rebuild efforts. More to come now that Blogger is working. See slide show  of pictures from our flight and first day in Christchurch.

We almost ready!

We have our sun/rain hats but our plants are probably wondering why we moved them inside on a gorgeous 80 degree day. If we don't, I'm sure San Antonio will get a good freezing winter blast.

The "Green Island"

We only had to walk to Tara's and Al's backyard to understand one reason New Zealand is often called the "Green Island." Vibrant and different plants, flowers & trees inspired LOTS of pictures of the unique beauty on our 2009 trip. Successfully adding the slideshow of NZ Flora and Fauna Picasa Album of pics proved to be a real challenge but I hope to continue to edit this blog with our iPad2.

Skype call with Tara & Al to plan our trip

Finally figured out how to add a picture from the iPad. Publish picture as draft via email, then edit draft. Even had to add HTML to get text to wrap. There should be an easier way. Good thing I understand some HTML.

NZ Return Trip Planned

December 2009 we return from New Zealand never dreaming we would return so soon. . . . but that is the plan. If Tara & Al are crazy enough to ask us to join them for a camper van tour of the North Island, we're crazy enough to go.

Technically we will celebrate or miss our 45th wedding anniversary as we skip the date somewhere over the Pacific Ocean.