Day 17, April 1, 2016

Good bye New Zeland. Hello Sydney, Los Angels and Home!

Day 16, March 31, 2016

This was our last full day in New Zealand. We had to move hotels one last time, turn in the car and prepare everything for travel the next day.

The Anglican Cathedral. In ruins since February 2011.

Day 15, March 30, 2016

This is our first full day in Christ Church. It's also the first day we've been cold here. The morning started with left over Korean food and quesadilla (cheese and bean) for breakfast. We headed out to the Orana Wildlife park for the first part of the day.

Ugly kitty (Rhys) - also known as meerkats.

Day 14, March 29, 2016

Today was the last day where we changed towns. We woke up in Hanmer and ended up in Christchurch, from where we'll fly home in a couple of days.

Day 13, March 28, 2016

This was the day we left Blenheim, and the Hunters, behind and headed further south. We got a late start out of the gate but finally said our goodbyes and got on the road. Tony and Mason drove along with us for the first hour of the trip. There was a seal colony that Tony wanted to show us and they drove that far with us.

There was not a lot of parking here and we had to cross the highway, dodging cars, to get this far.

Day 12, March 27, 2016

Easter Sunday.

Day 11, March 26, 2016

Today we got to tour several wineries. We all pitched in on a rental van and Dean volunteered to be our sober driver. We were on the road by 1100 and at the first winery by 1130. The day was gorgeous and there were not too many people out.

It seems like all of these old Pizza Hut buildings are something else now, but this is a first.

Day 10, March 25, 2016

This is the day that Tony had booked a fishing charter for us. We were out on the sound by 0930, shooting past the same ferry we had ridden in on the day before.

Day 9, March 24, 2016

A day of doddling about.  Then off to the ferry we went for a lovely 3 and a half hour sail between North and South Islands. It rained over night but cleared up in the morning.

Day 8, March 23, 2016

Today was a full day in Wellington. Let me just start by saying, I love this city. The people have been much friendlier than those up north were. The city is beautiful and the food has been amazing. Our hotel is right off of the waterfront and within walking distance of most of what we want to see.

We started the morning with the buffet in the hotel. Owyn was thrilled because it was all you can eat, his favorite kind of food. We were not sure how long it would take us to get to Weta, so we left an hour before our tour. It ended up only taking a half hour, even in rush hour traffic. Google Earth has completely revolutionized our travel. It takes all of the navigation stress out of the drive and makes it easy.

She's a ballerina with the Wellington Ballet.

Day 7, March 22, 2016

Today we cleaned up our lovely cottage and headed to Wellington, New Zealand. We hit the road at 0900 on the nose. We re-traced some of our steps from the first day and then hit new territory. This was the longest day of travel.

This looks like Wyoming.

Day 6, March 21, 2016

This was our last full day in Rotorua. Rhys needed some down time so we stayed local and got a late start. Our plan was to head into town, check out the local museum and walk around a bit, then hit Nando's for lunch. Then we'd go back to the cottage to rest for a couple of hours before going to the Maori feast/ceremony we'd booked.

The Rotorua Museum as seen through yet another hot springs.

Day 5, March 20, 2016

Today was the day. The Day. The day that Owyn and Rhys have been waiting for. Today we went to Hobbiton. I was not at all sure what to expect, and was a little worried that they would be disappointed.

Owyn after the tour. Better than Legoland. High praise indeed.

Day 4, March 19, 2016

Saturday began dark and early; we were all up between 0500 and 0600. Breakfast was scrambled eggs, fried up chips from the night before, bacon, toast from bakery bread and garlic nan. Tracy started the non-stop laundry marathon and the boys nested with their iPad's and Nexflix cartoons.

The day only had one thing on the schedule, a trip to Huka Prawn Park,which had Tracy inordinately excited. It's located an hour south of where we are staying.

Day 3, March 18, 2016

We have arrived!   The end of a long day of travel and we are at our home for the next four nights.

Our cottage on Lake Rotrura

2016 New Zealand

Day 1 and 2, March 16/17

Let the new adventure begin.  Departing lovely LAX and heading to Auckland, NZ... going to be way to much time on a plane :}

See ya when we get to New Zealand!