Over the River and Through the Woods

Wow, it feels like ages since I have been connected online but it's only been a few days. We are now safely in Cambridge/Arapuni back at Paul and Diane's house, my Mom's wonderful friends and now lovingly coined our surrogate grandparents! They are so welcoming and warm; it sure is nice to have family in New Zealand. My left knee is fairly injured from the Queen Charlotte Tramp, unfortunately. I have been limping since the last 6km of the track. Ice and rest is all my sore joint needs really, so a good book and a flat surface is where I have spent my time recently. Being at Paul and Di's has been incredibly therapeutic, enjoying Di's delicious cooking and looking out the window as the soft breeze blows the sheer curtains and rattles the tree branches outside.

Since the tramp we have been relaxing mostly. We checked into a motel with a spa bath and ordered pizza right afterwards. That was close to heaven on Earth at the time! We did a bit of Sauvignon Blanc wine tasting in the popular and world-renown Marlborough Sounds region before we headed back on the ferry to the north island on Friday. We planned to do a bit more but Friday was Anzac Day, a national holiday of remembrance of war veterans so they were closed. Ah well.

The sea was a bit rough across the strait and the Dramamine didn't help too much but we made it safely, albeit green. We headed to Upper Hutt to meet up with Brook and Ant, our WOOFing friends daughter and soon-to-be son-in-law to stay with them for the night. We had spoken the day before about meeting up in Wellington for dinner possibly, but that we would talk the next day and confirm. We left a messages from the boat and heard nothing, so we decided to just drive over to their place 30 minutes north. Heather had drawn us quite a bum map so we headed in circles for a good hour before we finally went to a gas station and found our way with a real map. Finally we were there but crap the house is dark. No one home, so we left a note and drove back into town for some tasty Thai food. We have only been out to eat a few times really so this was a treat. Thankfully when we rang Brook and Ant they were home so we cruised over and enjoyed the warm fire, some delicious Chinese tea and good conversation. They are some of the most down to Earth folks I have met. The next morning we enjoyed playing with their darling 2 year old niece Isis, reading the paper and eating delicious blueberry crepes before we made our way. We stopped at a DOC Bird & Wildlife Refuge and saw our first live Kiwi! Now I know why the fruit is named after the bird - a kiwi butt looks just like the fruit.

Tongariro National Park was the next stop. One of the NZ Great Walks is the 8-hour Tongariro Crossing which we had planned to do, but alas my damn knee. So I sat while Andy went on a quick hike. It's frustrating, but since the pain is still there even today I KNOW I need to rest it, but what a tease with beautiful NZ all around me! At least the car rides still afford lovely views.

So it is time to say goodbye to the Mazda'r. Andy is test driving it with an interested couple at the moment - wish us luck!!! We only have about 10 days or so left in this beautiful country. It is going to be hard to say goodbye, but the warm tropical air and palm trees are calling my name...

Yesterday we booked our flight from Sydney to Bali for May 29, so we are looking forward to learning how to surf and chilling with Andy's cuz Matt Bergdahl for a couple of weeks in paradise after Oz.

Oh - and check out the bungy jumping action photos from our friend Jonah we met who just emailed us!