OfftoNZ

The next leg of our trip was on Malaysia Airlines from Bangkok, Thailand to Amsterdam, Netherlands. It was about a 15 hour flight with one layover stop in Malaysia. One long flight.... When we got to Amsterdam we took the train to Zaandam where I lived when I was 17 years old as an exchange student for one year. I have stayed in touch with my host family and friends over the years and it was wonderful to stop by and visit before heading back to the states. Jon and Wil, my host parents, are in their 80's now. They are in the same house I lived in. The weather was cold and damp so that was a big change from the sunshine in Thailand. Amsterdam seems a bit busier than I remember. Lots of foreigners ... read more

Saying good-bye to Bruce and our daughter Nicole in New Zealand was difficult but she will thankfully be coming home in 9 months and I will be back in the states soon enough. Eleven hours of flying......what a flight from Auckland to Bangkok. Thai Airways was wonderful. The plane was spotless, the chairs were comfortable and the service outstanding. I did manage to obtain three seats together to stretch out which was a nothing but a miracle. It is so difficult to describe our experience in Thailand so far, near impossible, but I will try. The steamy Asian metropolis of Bangkok is overwhelming when you see it the first time. Bangkok is a massive, hot, humid, dirty, exciting city. Taking a taxi from the airport to my cousins house was an experience in itself. I do ... read more

Christchurch to Milford Sound : Bruce and I have been trying to keep up with our travel blog but sometimes it is difficult finding the internet . I hope you haven’d missed us too much. What did we do before the internet? How the heck did we survive? Sometimes we stop at libraries but they charge a fee there as well to use the computer. Anyway, the saga continues.... We stayed three nights in the city of Christchurch. Christchurch is the most “english” of New Zealand cities. There is the avon river, cathedrals, a tram, a city square with english style pubs and houses with manicured gardens. We went to the art museum and visited the “Ron Mueck” exhibit. What an exhibit it was. There were about 11 sculptures made of fiberglass, rubber, all different materials ... read more

Hi Everyone! This is Nicole speaking....I have decided to write a piece of the Layden Family blog to give Mom and Dad a break for once. We all know they are both working extremely hard. Last Monday morning the five of us took the Interislander ferry to the top of the South Island to the small town of Picton (Population 4,700). To our surprise Picton is a great little town with wicked (awesome) views, and there are tramping (hiking) trails everywhere. Our apartment is the tallest building and we are on the top floor (#5). We have been so busy here, waking up late, having our coffee, taking naps, strolling along the beach and eating. It is pretty awesome that our biggest worry is what to have for lunch that day. Two days ago we drove ... read more