This is a rare trip that “The Two of Us” did not go together on. So not to muck up Michele’s excellent blogging track record, I , David am trying my hand at writing some travel adventures rather than writing my usual project and quick start guides. It started with a note from a long-time friend, Mark who wanted to take his kayak out for a paddle. He was prepared to go alone if need be but was looking for some company. It has been quite a long time since I had done tent camping let alone portaging and paddling for long stretches. I decided I needed to add some other company to this adventure, so I called upon my son’s to join us. I got two nibbles but, in the end, only one was able ... read more

October 12 - Today we headed out to sea! It was a bit breezy, but the clouds took a break, and there was no rain. I came prepared -- coat, pants, sweater, wool socks, long underwear, hat and sun tan lotion! I might have looked a little odd, but I was quite comfortable sitting up on the top of the boat. David wandered the boat looking for photo opportunities. Our captain described our route which would take us through a number of small islands. As we passed each one, he related interesting bits of information and stories. He told us how Captain James Cook came to these islands, and how the area was the base for the South Pacific whaling fleet in the 1830's. Most of the islands have Maori names like Urupukapuka, Kororareka, Motukiekie, Motuarohai ... read more

October 10 - Oh, I could live here! Each morning Dan and Tasha made us great breakfasts that we ate upstairs in their gorgeous great room overlooking the bay. They will also serve it to you on your private deck off your room, but the weather was a little chilly, and I like my breakfast warm. (It's the Princess and the Pea thing again.) It also meant we got to chat with these two interesting people who are both musicians at heart. I hope the next time we come, Dan will have his baby grand set up in the corner, so he can play and Tasha can serenade us during breakfast. (And, perhaps by that time, they will have also bought up a few more places in the area so they can let loose and have ... read more

October 7 & 8 - I spent two and a half weeks in Australia mostly in shorts and a t-shirt and never got so much as a scratch! Australia! Where there are more things that can kill you than anywhere on the planet! I did see a poisonous snake, a crocodile and one spider, but they all seemed totally disinterested in me. But in New Zealand, while covered head to toe in several layers of clothing with only my hands and face peeking out, I got five bites on my hands from these nasty little sand flies. Itchy, painful bites that I slathered with itch cream to no effect and kept me up at night. Several days later, I noticed my hand was quite red and swollen around one of the bites. So I checked with ... read more

October 5 – The Rob Roy Glacier sits in the Matukituki Valley in Mt. Aspiring National Park. To get to the trail head, we first had to ford the river 5 or 6 times. Thankfully, we were in Brian and Diane’s sturdy four-wheel drive Rav 4 and not in ‘gee zee jay’ which we left sulking in the parking lot at the resort. It was a cool, wet, windy day. (I was beginning to think there were no other kinds.) We first crossed an open area surrounded by beautiful green and gold, bracken covered hills. Brian set a fast pace trying his best to get us (well, mostly me) to the bridge before more rain fell as fording the stream on the way back might be difficult if the waters rose too much. We crossed a ... read more