Melbourne Austrailia

Look who finally showed up at Christchurch, Carol and Larry. We've been too busy to get to the internet the last couple of days and tomorrow we fly to Cairns, the Great Barrier Reef. Ate and drank our way around Melbourne on an old train today. We saw the little penguins last night on Phillips Island, a terrific experience. Great pictures Terry on the boys at their game.

A day in Christchurch

Today we did a city tour, a morning tea, and afternoon in the gardens and a catheral tour. We had a sandwich at the local pub and spent an hour discussing football with an Englishman. Tomorrow we fly to Sydney. The latest on the Tohms, is that they are flying in tomorrow and going to Sydney with us, that was a surprise. It really paid off buying the insurance for them. Hope everything is going well at home and that the snow is melted before we get there. We got the football scores off the internet and I also checked to see how Cole and Kyle did.

On the road to Christchurch

Arrived in Christchurch today for 2 night stay. Today we visited Mount Cook, visited a sheep ranch and had an English tea. Tomorrow Howard hopes to go golfing if it doesn't rain. I am going to sightsee and do some shopping.

Milford Sound

Still in Queenstown today, tomorrow we will travel to Christchurch. Yesterday was spent going to Milford Sound. It has been cool, but sunny. Troy, we went to the bungy jump this morning. We didn't do it, but saw others do it. I hear there is snow at home. Did I do snapfish so my pictures can be viewed? This morning we had breakfast at a bird sanctuary. We saw kiwi birds. I think the Thoms are going home, they missed enough of the trip, that it's probably for the best.

Queenstown, NZ

flew into Queenstown this afternoon. We will be on Milford Sound all day tomorrow. I think I am going to be able to download some pictures.
Yesterday we were in Roatora. We did the Agrodome for sheep shearing demo. I got to be on stage to feed the lambs. At night we went to a Moari festival for dinner and a show. Howard got to be on stage for the warrior dance. The food has been wonderful. There was alot of hot springs in Roatora,last night 3 of us went in the natural mineral springs bath. It was kind of smelly. We saw alot of geotherma electricity generated. I'm going to try to download the rest of my pictures to snapfish.com

Taupo NZ

We spent the day at a dairy farm with a wonderful lunch, and this afternoon we went to the Glowworm caves. Tonight we are staying at Taupo, we just finished this wonderful dinner. I had pavlova for dessert. The weather has been in the 60's and windy. I took pictures, but don't have my cord for downloading, it must be in my room and if I leave the computer someone else is going to take it, maybe tomorrow. The bad news is that Larry Tohm is in the hospital in Auckland. He got a blood clot in his groin and was operated on today. He can't fly home until it is taken care of. They hope to rejoin the trip in a few days if they can, if not they will fly home. I felt so bad this morning leaving her to deal with it alone, but the tour people have been wonderful and have taken care of all her expenses. Tomorrow is a cruise on Lake Taupo.
I'm too full to go to bed and it's too dark to go for a walk, maybe I'll do the weight room. Jen I took dessert pictures just for you.

Auckland

We made it to Auckland NZ this morning at 7:30a.m. the flight didn't seem too bad, it was 14 hours out of LA. To our surprise Larry and Carol Tohm from Wisconsin Rapids are on the tour also. I was afaid Howard was going to be the only man, but there are 7 of them. One guy wants to arrange for a golf outing one day. Our hotel is a suite with 2 bathrooms, a kitchen and dining area. We did the city tour today and got in our hotel at 2:00, so we showered and then we're walking around the city trying to find our way back to our hotel when I spotted the internet cafe. The keyboard is in Chinese. Hopefully at the next hotel I'll be able to download some pictures. It's been showery today with temps in the mid 60's. I'll update when I get a chance.

First Adventure

We reached the hotel in Mpls this afternoon at about 4:00, the Big H had several football games to watch so I decided to go down to the pool. The water was frigid, so I thought I'd work out in the exercise room, because I knew I was going to be doing alot of sitting the next several days. While I was on the tread mill a young latino with shaved head and baggy pants with 3 little kids came down to the pool, but he didn't have his key to get into the pool, so I got off the treadmill and swiped mine for him. He didn't last very long and they left. After I finished my workout I left and was walking down the hall. Who do you think was handcuffed and spreadeagled in the hallway with 2 officers of the law patting him down. I couldn't get past them, so I just waited and watched. They had a drug dog with them. He told him he was from Hayward. They took him in the squad car and left with him.

Off We Go, Into the Wild Blue Yonder

Packed and repacked and ready to go. What we forgot, is being left behind. We'll be in Mpls tonight and fly to LA tomorrow morning. I'm hoping for hotel internet to post information and pictures. I will at least be able to check my e-mail. We will be home on the 7th of Nov., hopefully in good shape. It's an "Adventure".
Everybody stay healthy, and Cole get your head healed up, hopefully no one get Swine Flu.

Packing up, Cleaning Up

I think we are pretty well packed up. The Tour Guide called last night and it seems we have all bases covered. Things can go wrong, planes can be delayed, bags can get lost, but I think we can deal with it. My biggest problem was money. Travelers checks are now being conterfited so often that the banks are no longer taking them or selling them. A preloaded cash card has so many charges on it, that it isn't economical. I no longer had my password on my debit card, but I got that corrected. I did get a credit card with no foreign transaction fees. I hope cash works. I'm really looking forward to getting some greenstone (jade). I have to double check that The Big H doesn't take his new Swiss Army Knife with him.
Today is cleaning and washing day.
I sure won't miss this cold October weather.

That 4 Letter Word

Come on, this is only the 10th of October. It looks like a long cold winter, well for those who stay here. I have a good stay at home day with alot of things to do. We will go pack up the church rummage sale at noon, but that won't take long. The ND is off today, so the big H will go with me.

Where are they coming from?

I have spent a huge amount of my time this morning sucking up flys. There must me a million of them. Where are they coming from? I feel I'm living in a horror movie.
This is the week of our semi-annual church rummage sale, set-up tomorrow and sale starts Friday. I'm working Friday in the kitchen. It's always interesting to go through everything. It seems what I buy one year, I take back the next. Thanks to Jen I have a good contribution this year.