Geo: -45.4151, 167.718Our 4th Sunday without worship ! we were lazy today - this first Sunday that we probably could have found a church somewhere. But we have been constantly praying and praising God for His bounty, that's for sure, and look forward to being at Advent next Sunday!After our usual breakfast of free-range eggs (how can I go back to normal ones?) and marmalade toast, we did some resorting of our packing.Our flight from Queenstown to Auckland is the most restrictive one we face: one bag each can be checked, and can be up to 50, with one carry on each only 15 pounds. So the big case is stuffed, and the bag that's usually a carry on has to be stuffed even more densely. Plus my backpack with delicate things, and David's camera bag. ... read more

Geo: -45.4151, 167.718We woke up to drizzles - and sun - and the most amazing rainbow right outside our place. This provided the perfect greeting for Anna & Mike's anniversary, which hasn't happened yet - ha ha!We wandered over to the Visitor's "I site" and watched the cutest movie about Sirocco the kakapo, a highly endangered forest parrot (about 50 known). Evidently he was abandoned as a chick and imprinted onto humans, so he was considered a "dud" to the breeding program. However, his desire to mate with his human friends caused a video to go viral and he brought so much attention to the conservation cause he became a star!!! Wonderful story :) Check it out.We had to be at the wharf in next town by 11:30, so we grabbed some sandwiches and our overnight ... read more

Geo: -43.8811, 169.042We couldn't resist one more walk out on our beach in Hokatika - our little cabin had a direct route straight out. How tempting all those smooth rocks and bits of driftwood were! And the weather looked great.So, off we went inland for about 30 mins to the Hokatika Gorge - we were the first and only ones there for a while, absorbing the beauty and sounds of all the birds. Then south to Franz Josef Glacier. What was surprising was how seldom we were along the coast, AND how little we climbed. But what views over my left shoulder!! Count your lucky stars that we didn't upload all the shots@ Got to the village of Franz Josef - a typical ski town, lots of coffee shops and gear shops, and where to go ... read more

Geo: -43.5316, 172.637We really didn't know what to expect - Christchurch is described as the most English city of NZ, but what we saw was the power of an earthquake and the resilience of people - plus much beauty and a great evening of Maori culture.Thanks to our hosts' suggestions, we arrived at the Botanic Gardens by 9 am, walked around - even this early in spring the flowers were great, and trees huge. Then we caught a 90 min "Restart" tour to highlight the devastating earthquakes of 2010 and months later. The first killed no one, the second over 150, mostly in one building. 90% of the city center was damaged. Our guide was asked, along with many, to leave her home in 10 mins. The city is taking the op to gather like-items together ... read more

Geo: -41.5116, 173.957After a roughish night for David (too much coffee and tea for this usually-decaffeinated man?) we were up and at 'em by 6:15, and out the door at 7:15, sadly bidding adieu to our new adopted cousins Everard and Antonella. We found the Ferry Terminal without difficulty, but then waited for about 2 hours to board. We were beginning to wonder. We were blessed to sight a new bird, though - a goldfinch, but completely different from the American type. Left by 10:30, with a full dramamine in David. Probably unnecessary as it wasn't all that bad.We had the honor of being the absolute last car off - don't know how that happened. We drove the coastal road west to Havelock along the Queen Charlotte road - beautiful views, up and down, up and ... read more