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Published: December 19th 2009
It's hard to believe that Christmas Day is less than a week away.
The New Zealand people certainly don't put the effort into decorating like we do back home. Christmas tree lots, lit up houses and decorations are few and far between. But I guess without snow around, nothing looks quite as nice, so they concentrate more of their time on things like 5-day cricket matches, and bungee jumping.
Leigh Ann and I got tired of waiting around in Tauranga for work, so we've spent the last few days travelling down the Eastern side of the North Island - with a few stops along the way.
We decided to watch the sun rise at a place called East Cape earlier this week - which coincidentally enough, is essentially the Eastern most point in the world. We drove out to a lighthouse at 5am, and on the 15th of December, we were two of the first five people (there was 3 others at the lighthouse) to see the sun rise in the entire world for that day.
I believe I was also the first person to have a nap that day as well - shortly after 6:30 am.
Surfing.
At the Mount After that, we spent a couple days in Gisborne. We spent one day at a place called the Rere Rockslide, which was unbelievable. You drive 40 minutes out into the country where there's a 45 degree rock surface with water running down it, how you decide get down it is up to you. Some people had inflatable toys, but we opted for a boogie board. There's a big pool of fresh water at the bottom which you slide across when you hit it.
We've spent the last few days in a town called Napier, staying with friends of LA's mother and father - the Holyoakes. They have a really nice home and were kind enough to let us stay in their 5th wheel trailer for a couple of nights. They even had a tv in there - and after 2 months, I was able to watch an NFL game (Thursday nighter between the Colts and the Jags. Good game, by the way)
The town of Napier was completely destroyed in the 1950's by an Earthquake, so everything around the city is relatively new. There's also an Art Deco theme throughout the town, which seems to be one
of their biggest claims to faim. They are also considered "Wine Country" - with vineyard after vineyard lining the side of the road. We were treated to a tour of the city by Mr. HolyOake and visited a few of the wineries, including the oldest in New Zealand.
At the moment, we're in Taupo for a couple nights and then it's off to Raglan (back on the West Coast) for four nights over Christmas. We have a cottage rented and have plans to do some beaching and surfing during the Holidays. I hear it's not quite beach weather in Halifax at the moment, but don't be too jealous... I do get a sun burn from time to time after all here in NZ.
I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season back in Nova Scotia. I miss everyone a lot and would like to hear from as many of you as possible.
Merry Christmas.
Love Brett.
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Tammy Fulmore
non-member comment
Merry Christmas
Love your Christmas tree - it's perfect. We are putting ours up today - we have a little one too, but not quite that little. I wanted to be sure when Baci knocks it down, it doesn't destroy the whole living room! I found out that Debby's (who worked with me at the bank)son, Eddie is living in Gisborne. Leigh-Ann might actually know him, he took his Education at MSVU as well - last name is Keefe. He has married and had a little girl since he moved to New Zealand. We are missing you both and wish you were here for Christmas, but we will see you soon - hopefully you will find some work soon, but enjoy Christmas. We will take lots of pictures. Love Mom, Dad and Baci xoxo