Pictures!!!

I've finally posted the pics. It's not all of them, Mom's still holding some diles hostage, but here's a big chunk. As time goes on I'll try to add to the descriptions, but this'll get y'all started.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisarmstrong/

The big delay...

I'm so sorry I have yet to post all the pics and wrap up this fine blogging adventure, but the adventure has been continuing for me this week in the form of serious jet-lag. I never get jet-lagged, but it's killing me these days, so... all free time has been spent sleeping and finding food. More to come.. just don't give up... keep checking!

Northland

cOn Wednesday (I have no ideas what day that would be in the states, so try not to keep too close of track), I drove up to Whangarei and stayed at a small farm on Paura Bay. The folks were nice and I got to haul a bit of wood, chase a cow, and hang out with the cats. It was a full day (in terms of getting out of Auckland and all) getting there, so I decided to take a walk, shoot some pictures, and relax.

Thursday I drove up to the Bay of Islands. Upon arrival, I drove into Opua and straight onto the ferry that goes over to Russel. I had heard it was a great town, and it was cute, but I wasn't overwhelmingly impressed so I didn't stay long. I hunted out my B&B out on Point Veronica and joined the husband in a beach walk with a dogs. Considering they live on the cliff looking ovet the bay and we had to get down to the beach and back up... it was more than a quick jaunt. I got cleaned up afterward and headed to Pahia.

In Pahia, I got my watch fixed (it's insane to try and travel without a watch!) and did a quick bit of shopping. I stopped in at the kayak hut to see about hiring a boat later on and I got talked into taking a sunset trip (it was half price- cheaper than just the boat). I grabbed some fish & chips at a local pub (I'm keeping it up for you Mom) and got changed for the trip. The paddle was great and a beautiful time of day to do it. I ended up getting paired in a kayak with a girl from England who was a rower and won the Commonwealth Games last year, so I didn't have to struggle over my partner at all. We beached on an island and took a hike to watch the sunset, which was great.

This morning I got up and had breakfast with my hosts before setting out for Pahia again. I spent today on a sail boat snorkeling and looking for dolphins. I didn't see much snorkeling, but had a nice swim - chilly on entry, but lucky for me I tripped on a rock and fell in so I got it all over with at once. After the snorkel I took another hike up to the top of one of the islands, but by the time I got up, it was time to head back to the boat for lunch. Later on we came upon a huge pod of dolphins, who came right up to the boat to show off. They had baby dolphins with them, so we couldn't swim with them, but I got a few great shots (I'll post when I can). I then proceeded to lay in the sun on the front of the boat far too long and burn myself... again. Now it's even better though, because I was in my 2-peice most of the day, so it's my whole body. Way to go, Chris!

So... I'm back at my homestay, packing up and checking emails. Tomorrow I'll drive down to Auckland, turn in the car, and get on the plane for a long night of flying. Luckily, Nick & Trish will be waiting in San Francisco to whisk me of to a nice comfy couch where I can stretch out... right guys?!

Well... that'll be it for now. When I get a chance (SF or home) I'll post some more pictures and provide you and Epilogue. Until then... miss you all and see you soon!

Auckland, again

We came back to Auckland yesterday as Mom & Dad had to catch their plane today. Last night we went to Minus 5 which is a bar made completely of ice (glasses and all). It was odd, but interesting. Afterward, we had a wonderful Teppanyaki meal and got some much needed sleep. We walked around a bit downtown and then they took off for the airport.

I went up to the top of the SkyTower (the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere) and took a look aroud Auckland. I'm not generally afraid of heights, but the veiw down made me a bit queasy. I finished up some last minute gift shopping and tonight I am treating myself to an in-room pedicure, hot bath, and a movie.

Tomorrow I'll head up to the Northland and stay on a farm near Whangarei before continuing on to the Bay of Islands for some sailing and dolphins.

And speaking of dolphins... congrats to Vez on the the great new job!!!

PS-- and note on the blog--
--you can comment as anonymous without becomeing a blogger & click on any blue words for attached links.

Oh the Watsu...

After Rotorua, we went to an orchard on the Firth of Thames for the night. Our hosts were Bill & Marylin and their lovely dog Kia. These were wonderful people who ended up giving me quite a few leads on ways to work in NZ. They have a "sub-tropical" orchard and all kinds of crazy and interesting fruits. Marylin is a Watsu practitioner, so, of course, I had a session with her at the Miranda mineral pools. I have never experienced something so relaxing... I highly reccommend it.

Sad as we were to leave the orchard, we went up the Coromandel Peninsula and it was beautiful. We had a room with a patio on the beach and got to hang out for a couple of days. we had made arrangements to go snorkeling (parents) / diving (me), but the weather got bad, so we ended up just relaxing and playing cards. We've also done a fair bit of shell collecting on this trip. Mom's the expert, being a beach girl herself, but Dad and I don't do too bad either. As many of you know, I'm more keen on collecting rocks (yes, I will be carrying rocks back to the states with me).

The MUD and such

I just realized I repeated myself on the last post, but I suppose you just get that much more!

We went up to Lake Taupo and Rotorua after wellington to check out the "thermal activity". We ended up spending our time at Hell's Gate which was awesome. There were thermal springs and a hot waterfall, but the best was that we went to the spa there and took a mud bath. Mind you, this is not generally Mom & Dad's cup of tea, but they were good sports and had fun in the end.

So... Wellington

I'm going to try and catch this thing up. Wellington was our first stop in the North Island and we weren't big fans. It's a city, but it's a very smushed (very technical term) city, so it all feels like it's caving in on you. It's also a very metro/gothic town which make the atmosphere a bit on edge.

The exciting part about Wellington was the zoo. I know it sounds strange, but there were animals there we wouldn't otherwise see, and for some strange reason... they all decided to pose for me. I've only attached a couple of pictures here, but you'll have to see more when I get back, it was just crazy!

Posting Delay

I've been a bit lagging on the posts, but they are coming. I'm just on a bit of a time crunch at the moment. Since I last wrote there have been sulfer springs, mud baths, massages, Watsu, an orchard, crazy bugs, an almost dive, shell collecting, lavender shortbread, and of course... lots of fish and chips. I'll expand when I get a chance... we're headed to Auckland in 3 minutes, so I'll try there!

To the NORTH...

I did, indeed go kayaking in Abel Tasman, which was wonderful (I'll post pics later...random internet cafe), but I, of course, managed to get a horrific sunburn. That was 3 days ago, so it's getting better, but sleeping and carying my bags became quite challenging. The next day we went back to Picton to catch the ferry, but due to storms and rough seas over the past few days we were delayed 5 hours. So, we took vare of some errands and got something to eat before we set sail that afternoon. I don't generally get seasick, but there was decent enough motion on the boat to make me uneasy. Dad, who usually gets seasick, on the other hand, seemed to do fine. We sat at a table with some nice NZ and Austrailian folks who taught Mom and I a new card game... it's a blast.

The ferry got into Wellington on the North Island a bit after 6 and we found our way to the hotel. It was pretty standard, which is really all we need, but we've been so pampered on this trip with, well... basically self-contained suites everywhere we've gone this trip.

Wellington is a city. Some of you may have heard me say that aside from a few landmarks, in the Western World: A city is a city is a city. Not a whole lot in town that sparked excitement. I managed to find a neuromuscular therapist, which was a huge help at this point in the trip. Then Yesterday, we went to the Wellington Zoo which was great. It was built on a hill, which got tiresome, but they have animals there that I don't generally get to see in zoos, and since it was a cool weekday afternoon, the animals were basically out posing for my camera (I'll post some when I can). Today we are getting a rental car and driving up to Lake Taupo which is NZ's largest lake and a thermal hot-spot. I'm hoping to hit some mineral pools this evening!

Hope all is well...

Christchurch, bubbles, & SHEEP!

We got to Christchurch on the evening of the first and on the second, set out to do some of Dad's requested activities. First we went Punting (sortof an English gondola along the canal), then took a ride on the tram (trolly car), and finally headed out the the International Antarctic Center. Apparently, all flights to Antarctica leave from Christchurch (makes sense, I suppose). They had a room that was supposed to allow you to experience and Antarctic storm and, of course, Dad and I went in without jackets and were fine (Gotta love that Alaskan blood!).

That night I got into a bit of humerous trouble. Our unit at the Moter Inn had a jet tub and so I decided to take a bubble bath, I squirted some shampoo in as it was filling and hopped in & turned on the jets. Before I knew it the foam was more than a foot higher than the rim of the tub and I couldn't reach to turn the jets off without overflowing the tub. So... for the first time in many years I had to ask for the folks' help with my bath (good thing I had a good bubble cover!)

The next day I got to fulfill my agrarian dream.... I got to SHEAR a SHEEP! I'm not sure if I've mentioned it on this blog much, but I love sheep and have decided that in order to lead a complete life, I will eventually need a few sheep on my land. And now I know how to shear them! I also got to see the sheep dogs work and had tea with the farmer... all in all, a great day. our tourguide/ driver was a great guy named Rex who seemed to know everything we wanted to know. He also brought along aguide who was new to the route who spent the return trip testing me on my pronounciation of Maori placenames... needless to say, I impressed them with my skill (really just dumb luck).

This morning we got up and hopped the train to Picton. That's where the ferry leaves from for Wellington, but we've taken a couple of days in between to see Nelson and so I can go kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park tomorrow.

I've gotta run for now, but miss you all. I finally got the pics to work!!!!!!!!!!

The Wanaka Maze

I've finally found another computer here in Nelson, So I'll try to catch you all up a bit. I'm going to post in chunks though for my own sanity.

So, after parasailing in Queenstown, we drove to Wanaka and navigated the great maze at puzzling world (just Dad and I, Mom's not much of a maze junkie). We had to find our way to each of four towers and then back to the middle, After which we continued on up to Christchurch. The motor inn we thought we were "stuck with" turned out to be a stellar place for a few nights to catch up on some much needed rest (I got a bed bigger than a twin!).

More on the next post...