Today is it - our last day in New Zealand! Even though we've been preparing for this for a long time, it's still hard to believe. We've had our good-bye parties, our car is sold, we've dispersed all our belongings, got rid of cell phones, are packed, and it really seems real now. We feel like we've made the most of it though and can easily say no regrets. I guess that's one of the good things about limited time somewhere, it makes you really count each day.
It's funny to think that we've seen more of NZ than most Kiwi's! We've also had the luxury of visiting our favorite places more than once... and some several times. Add in the fact that we've really been immersed in another culture and have been able to live, work and play here for two years and that totals to a pretty amazing experience. We've been so lucky!
Of course, we're sad to go, but we're ready to come home, see everyone, and be locals again. ;) Our flight takes off at 7:30 am tomorrow and we'll arrive in Fiji for 9 days of (hopefully) warm, wonderful weather so we can relax on the beach. We land on US soil on April 4th, arrive in KC on the 5th and will visit our families at home before moving to Manhattan sometime in mid/late April.
Andy and I really appreciate all of the support and encouragement we've received from all of you! Thanks again to everyone who came to visit, sent cards, called, and emailed us so that we didn't feel too forgotten over here on the other side of the world. It's great that you've kept up with us via email/blog and photos (I hope to keep posting photos once I get home for trips that I missed, so you can always check back). We'll see you soon... can't wait!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
More Celebrity Sightings...
We had another "celebrity" sighting today in the city centre! "Money Man", Brendon Johnson was filming for his show at the intersection of Queen and Customs.
I also realized that I forgot about Sam from Sticky TV who we saw in a grocery store in North Shore. (He's the curly haired one on the left.)
I also realized that I forgot about Sam from Sticky TV who we saw in a grocery store in North Shore. (He's the curly haired one on the left.)
Windsurfing
As if salsa dancing and guitar lessons weren't enough this year, we've taken up windsurfing! Bryan's an expert and has been encouraging Andy to give it a try, but we didn't get around to it until last month. There's a lake not far from here that has supposedly ideal conditions, especially for beginners, and there is a guy that gives lessons there daily.
Windsurfing has a big reputation as being difficult, so I was nervous about trying and opted for watching the first go round. Andy did really well and all the instructors were really keen to have me sign up for next time... so I did, in fact, we signed up for a set of 10 lessons.
So what is it? Well, you stand on a surf-type board that has a mast in the center which supports a sail. You hold onto a boom that wraps around both sides of the sail and steer by tilting and rotating the sail. Generally, you move perpendicular to or at an angle to the wind... tack to turn upwind or gybe/jibe to turn downwind. It's been a lot for me to swallow and little things like balancing have been a challenge, but Andy's doing fantastic!
It takes some time to get comfortable and get all the moves down, but after that you can really move... lean over the side of the board, have it up at an angle and really fly across the water. Our instructors and other "pros" out on the lake are really amazing to watch! Even though we won't have an ocean near by to continue this at home, there's no shortage of wind or lakes in KS & MO, so you never know!
Windsurfing has a big reputation as being difficult, so I was nervous about trying and opted for watching the first go round. Andy did really well and all the instructors were really keen to have me sign up for next time... so I did, in fact, we signed up for a set of 10 lessons.
So what is it? Well, you stand on a surf-type board that has a mast in the center which supports a sail. You hold onto a boom that wraps around both sides of the sail and steer by tilting and rotating the sail. Generally, you move perpendicular to or at an angle to the wind... tack to turn upwind or gybe/jibe to turn downwind. It's been a lot for me to swallow and little things like balancing have been a challenge, but Andy's doing fantastic!
It takes some time to get comfortable and get all the moves down, but after that you can really move... lean over the side of the board, have it up at an angle and really fly across the water. Our instructors and other "pros" out on the lake are really amazing to watch! Even though we won't have an ocean near by to continue this at home, there's no shortage of wind or lakes in KS & MO, so you never know!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
One Week Countdown
One week from today we leave New Zealand. It doesn't even seem real when I type it, but we will literally be in the air at this same time next Thursday. We're feverishly planning, packing, selling, cleaning and finishing up everything here. It's unbelievable what we've accumulated in two years!
Tonight is our going away party "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"... yeah, we'll be in Wizard of Oz costume! (Quite fitting really, considering the comments we always get.) Should be fun, but I'm not looking forward to start the good-byes.
Tonight is our going away party "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"... yeah, we'll be in Wizard of Oz costume! (Quite fitting really, considering the comments we always get.) Should be fun, but I'm not looking forward to start the good-byes.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Calie's Visit
Just in the nick of time, my friend Calie came to visit! She managed to get a couple weeks off work to spend with Andy and I and we took her on a tour of some of our favorite places in New Zealand.
The day she arrived the weather really took a turn for the worse and we had some really gloomy, rainy days, but we still managed to make the most of it. A few sunny days on the beach really helped even things out!
We picked her up early from the airport and went straight to Mt. Eden for a view of Auckland. After she had settled in, we met Andy for Riba's fish and chips in the park. Somehow we found ourselves wandering along the water to a pub for some drinks with a sea view while we caught up!
Our first big day was a trip to Waiheke Island. We ferried over and had lunch in Oneroa before a walk around the coast that gave us some beautiful views. Afterwards we bused to huge Onetangi beach for a chilly swim and drinks at the beach side bar. Calie was apprehensive about jumping straight in, but at least she gave it a shot!
We spent the next few days waiting out the weather and hanging out in Devonport and the city. Calie and I met the boys for drinks on Friday evening after work and we spent a very rainy Saturday pub crawling in the city. If we were hiding inside, we figured we might as well be social while we did it! Along with some of our favorite bars on Vulcan Lane and the Viaduct, we went to Minus 5°, where we sported Ugg boots and Parkas to drink out of ice glasses in a completely frozen bar.
At the beginning of the week we took off for our trip to the Coromandel Peninsula, more specifically, Whangamata on the southeast coast. It was a stunning beach town with a big surfing crowd and huge stretch of light sand beach. The waves were bigger than we expected, but we still managed to get in some swimming... the water was frigid, but worth it!
We had expected to spend several days here, but decided that it lacked some of the key activities we hoped for, so we only stayed one night (at a sweet hotel w/ our own hot tub on a deck that overlooked the pool), spent the next morning lounging on the beach, then headed north. We visited the infamous Hot Water Beach where we dug (rather borrowed) a hole in the beach and sat in our natural hot spring spa. The hot water comes up from underground and mixes with the cold ocean water for a very interesting experience.
That night we stayed in the small town of Tairua (at a sketchy hostel) and were off the next morning for our original destination, the very sought after Hahei, where we were lucky to get a room for one night. We spent the sunny morning lounging on the beach at one of our very favorite places! That afternoon we set off for sea kayaking adventure on a half day guided trip - one of the must do's on Calie's list.
Calie paired with our guide and Andy and I took our usual places together while we paddled all around Mercury Bay. We made our way along the cliffs through a marine reserve, to Gemstone Bay, and Stingray Bay (where we spotted several small sting rays just below our boats) to Cathedral Cove. Each bay had a different color of water from aqua, to deep blue, and bright turquoise and were clear enough to see everything below!
At Cathedral Cove, we beached for a "coffee" break and explored the huge cave carved out by the sea and the beaches on either side. It was truly stunning... and I really wished I'd brought more than my disposable waterproof camera for photos! Back out to sea, we paddled around some rocks/islands out in the bay and listened to the history and legends of the area. We were lucky to have the best weather yet on a kayaking trip!
The next morning we took off on a hike down the beach and up to a cliff top that overlooked Hahei for some incredible views before saying good-bye and heading home. Calie took a turn at left-hand driving and got us to the highway with no worries! Across to the west side of the peninsula, we drove along the coastal road at the edge of the water before crossing the one-lane bridge back to the Auckland area.
Unfortunately, a bad wreck stopped traffic and turned a 2.5 hour trip into something like 5 hours, but luckily we made it all the way to Auckland's west coast just in time for a stunning sunset! We broke out the cooler for drinks and snacks as we watched the surfers fight the rough waves while the sun set.
On Calie's last full day she took a walk around Devonport and up Mt. Victoria while I caught up with work, then we took the ferry over to the city in search of some local artwork. We struck out on the paintings we were after, but had a good time looking around at the Victoria and Aotea markets. Calie found a few souvenirs and I got my very own pair of (girlie) gumboots. A trip up to the top of the Sky Tower was a nice stop and for a great view over Auckland so Calie could see some of the places she'd been. Back in Devonport, we met up with the boys at the Patriot again for drinks, then picked up some more fish from Riba's and stayed in for the night... in fact, we were up ALL night chatting. This made for a difficult early morning trip to the airport, but we had a great time and were sad to see Calie go. I'm so glad that she came to visit!
The day she arrived the weather really took a turn for the worse and we had some really gloomy, rainy days, but we still managed to make the most of it. A few sunny days on the beach really helped even things out!
We picked her up early from the airport and went straight to Mt. Eden for a view of Auckland. After she had settled in, we met Andy for Riba's fish and chips in the park. Somehow we found ourselves wandering along the water to a pub for some drinks with a sea view while we caught up!
Our first big day was a trip to Waiheke Island. We ferried over and had lunch in Oneroa before a walk around the coast that gave us some beautiful views. Afterwards we bused to huge Onetangi beach for a chilly swim and drinks at the beach side bar. Calie was apprehensive about jumping straight in, but at least she gave it a shot!
We spent the next few days waiting out the weather and hanging out in Devonport and the city. Calie and I met the boys for drinks on Friday evening after work and we spent a very rainy Saturday pub crawling in the city. If we were hiding inside, we figured we might as well be social while we did it! Along with some of our favorite bars on Vulcan Lane and the Viaduct, we went to Minus 5°, where we sported Ugg boots and Parkas to drink out of ice glasses in a completely frozen bar.
At the beginning of the week we took off for our trip to the Coromandel Peninsula, more specifically, Whangamata on the southeast coast. It was a stunning beach town with a big surfing crowd and huge stretch of light sand beach. The waves were bigger than we expected, but we still managed to get in some swimming... the water was frigid, but worth it!
We had expected to spend several days here, but decided that it lacked some of the key activities we hoped for, so we only stayed one night (at a sweet hotel w/ our own hot tub on a deck that overlooked the pool), spent the next morning lounging on the beach, then headed north. We visited the infamous Hot Water Beach where we dug (rather borrowed) a hole in the beach and sat in our natural hot spring spa. The hot water comes up from underground and mixes with the cold ocean water for a very interesting experience.
That night we stayed in the small town of Tairua (at a sketchy hostel) and were off the next morning for our original destination, the very sought after Hahei, where we were lucky to get a room for one night. We spent the sunny morning lounging on the beach at one of our very favorite places! That afternoon we set off for sea kayaking adventure on a half day guided trip - one of the must do's on Calie's list.
Calie paired with our guide and Andy and I took our usual places together while we paddled all around Mercury Bay. We made our way along the cliffs through a marine reserve, to Gemstone Bay, and Stingray Bay (where we spotted several small sting rays just below our boats) to Cathedral Cove. Each bay had a different color of water from aqua, to deep blue, and bright turquoise and were clear enough to see everything below!
At Cathedral Cove, we beached for a "coffee" break and explored the huge cave carved out by the sea and the beaches on either side. It was truly stunning... and I really wished I'd brought more than my disposable waterproof camera for photos! Back out to sea, we paddled around some rocks/islands out in the bay and listened to the history and legends of the area. We were lucky to have the best weather yet on a kayaking trip!
The next morning we took off on a hike down the beach and up to a cliff top that overlooked Hahei for some incredible views before saying good-bye and heading home. Calie took a turn at left-hand driving and got us to the highway with no worries! Across to the west side of the peninsula, we drove along the coastal road at the edge of the water before crossing the one-lane bridge back to the Auckland area.
Unfortunately, a bad wreck stopped traffic and turned a 2.5 hour trip into something like 5 hours, but luckily we made it all the way to Auckland's west coast just in time for a stunning sunset! We broke out the cooler for drinks and snacks as we watched the surfers fight the rough waves while the sun set.
On Calie's last full day she took a walk around Devonport and up Mt. Victoria while I caught up with work, then we took the ferry over to the city in search of some local artwork. We struck out on the paintings we were after, but had a good time looking around at the Victoria and Aotea markets. Calie found a few souvenirs and I got my very own pair of (girlie) gumboots. A trip up to the top of the Sky Tower was a nice stop and for a great view over Auckland so Calie could see some of the places she'd been. Back in Devonport, we met up with the boys at the Patriot again for drinks, then picked up some more fish from Riba's and stayed in for the night... in fact, we were up ALL night chatting. This made for a difficult early morning trip to the airport, but we had a great time and were sad to see Calie go. I'm so glad that she came to visit!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Celebrity Sightings
So, I know this might be cheesy, but I had to do a blog about all the New Zealand celebrities we've seen in the past two years! Granted, it's a small country and granted, we are living in the largest city, but it's crazy how many celebrities we've seen! I never have the nerve to stop and take pictures or make a fool of myself... but I swear next time I'm going to.
On to the list...
Kevin Milne: Fair Go TV show presenter/reporter
Sighted: Wagamama restaurant in Auckland CBD
Richie McCaw: All Blacks Rugby player & Captain
Sighted: Walking down Hobson St. in CBD on his way to an awards ceremony at Sky City
Aroha Hathaway: Good Morning TV show presenter
Sighted: Te Papa Museum in Wellington
Shane Cortese: Outrageous Fortune TV show actor
Sighted: Coffee shop next to Andy's work in Devonport & again walking down Lake Rd. w/ his baby.
Temeura Morrison: Actor, Star Wars
Sighted: In Manuka cafe in Devonport.
James Ryan : All Blacks Rugby player
Sighted: At a bar/restaurant in Wanaka... Andy said he checked me out!
Pippa Wetzell: Breakfast TV show presenter
Sighted: At my gym in Devonport
Robyn Malcolm: Outrageous Fortune TV show actor
Sighted: In her car - stopped for us at the crosswalk by the park in Devonport.
On to the list...
Kevin Milne: Fair Go TV show presenter/reporter
Sighted: Wagamama restaurant in Auckland CBD
Richie McCaw: All Blacks Rugby player & Captain
Sighted: Walking down Hobson St. in CBD on his way to an awards ceremony at Sky City
Aroha Hathaway: Good Morning TV show presenter
Sighted: Te Papa Museum in Wellington
Shane Cortese: Outrageous Fortune TV show actor
Sighted: Coffee shop next to Andy's work in Devonport & again walking down Lake Rd. w/ his baby.
Temeura Morrison: Actor, Star Wars
Sighted: In Manuka cafe in Devonport.
James Ryan : All Blacks Rugby player
Sighted: At a bar/restaurant in Wanaka... Andy said he checked me out!
Pippa Wetzell: Breakfast TV show presenter
Sighted: At my gym in Devonport
Robyn Malcolm: Outrageous Fortune TV show actor
Sighted: In her car - stopped for us at the crosswalk by the park in Devonport.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Go For a Swim
Since the weather here finally warmed up to our "warm" standards - reaching high 70's some days - Andy and I have been partaking in the Kiwi beach culture. Having a swim at the beach is something people do here pretty frequently... even if it's literally for just five minutes after work. But, while the locals will swim nearly all year round with wet suits, we had to wait it out for warmer water!
With our apartment within walking/short driving distance of several beaches, we've been "going for a swim" in the evenings quite a bit. It's such a funny thing for us to check the tides and walk to the beach for an evening swim, but it's been great. It's such a great break from work and really makes us appreciate where we live and the nice weather (when we have it).
We really missed out on this last year because of the cooler weather and I know we're going to miss this once we're home. Speaking of home, we'll be landing on U.S. soil exactly one month from today! Hard to believe...
With our apartment within walking/short driving distance of several beaches, we've been "going for a swim" in the evenings quite a bit. It's such a funny thing for us to check the tides and walk to the beach for an evening swim, but it's been great. It's such a great break from work and really makes us appreciate where we live and the nice weather (when we have it).
We really missed out on this last year because of the cooler weather and I know we're going to miss this once we're home. Speaking of home, we'll be landing on U.S. soil exactly one month from today! Hard to believe...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)