Hello from New Zealand

Message

JBillyGirl · #1 Post by **JBillyGirl** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 2:02 am

I wish I could say "Hello from sunny, summery New Zealand," but right now in Rotorua it is actually rainy (off and on), windy, and chilly -- though not nearly so cold as it seems to be back in the northeast! Ah well, those lush green New Zealand landscapes have to come from somewhere. Anyway, Internet access costs a pretty penny here (though it didn't in Auckland), so I can't talk long. I went to a traditional Maori hangi (dinner and concert) last night, and today I went to see Kiwi Encounter -- no Jackson, alas, but we did see an injured bird getting cleaned up close. Then we went up a mountain in a gondola and did a kind of land luge three times (scenic, intermediate, and advance). Great fun, though my mom couldn't join in.

My time is almost up. Stay warm and happy!

Ritterskoop · #2 Post by **Ritterskoop** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 2:17 am

Huh. I have tended to think of New Zealand as rainyish anyway, so I am not disappointed. And it is raining here, finally, which we need, so keep sending it this direction after you are done with it!

Have fun.

peacock2121 · #3 Post by **peacock2121** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 6:27 am

Hope you are having a trip of a lifetime!

geoffil · #4 Post by **geoffil** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 8:44 am

Thanks for posting. How was the flight? Have you dined on any unusual local dishes? Enjoy and have a great time.

lilclyde54 · #5 Post by **lilclyde54** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 12:46 pm

Have fun JBG, you lucky ducky.

christie1111 · #6 Post by **christie1111** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 8:13 pm

Thanks for checking in!

Enjoy every minute!

wbtravis007 · #7 Post by **wbtravis007** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 11:17 pm

I guess you're responsible for my dream last night.

I kept trying to explain that I was just trying to help that lamb get over the fence.

Man, what a relief to wake up and realize that I wasn't in jail. (It did seem like none of the cows wanted to look me in the eye this morning, though. Hmmm.)

Anyway, hope you have a great trip.

I'll continue to report other dreams that I can attribute to you, if that's okay with you.

Snaxx · #8 Post by **Snaxx** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 10:25 pm

Hope you are enjoying your trip!

JBillyGirl · #9 Post by **JBillyGirl** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 3:07 am

Thanks for the responses! Again, I don't have much time, so I'll make it quick.

I am having a great time, though my experience was marred yesterday by an accident I had in the hotel parking lot. I was backing out of a space into a single narrow lane while figuring out the controls for the drive-on-the-left car, and I hit a car's tail light and dented the car I was in. I was inconsolable for a bit when I thought it would cost tons of money and that I'd get hit for higher insurance rates back home. However, we got insurance for the car, and the other car was a rental, so it seems to have been not a big deal. I feel much better today, especially with sunnier weather and after Dad and I went Zorbing this afternoon. (Google it.)

Geoffil, I have indeed sampled some local cuisine, including a semi-traditional Maori hangi meal (Google it), which I call "semi-traditional" because I don't think the ancient Maori had the dessert "Pavlova" -- yes, Google it again!

If you order coffee with milk here, you get what's called a "flat white" (you know what to do...); plain coffee with milk on the side is sometimes called "Cafe Americano." The flat white is much more delish, and probably more caloric, too. I am consuming mass quantities in general.

Well, I've gotta go. I'm supposed to go to Mt. Manganui and swim with dolphins tomorrow, so I gotta get up early, but the weather may be iffy, so please cross appendages for a sunny day, even if you are jealous.

peacock2121 · #10 Post by **peacock2121** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 6:01 am

I was just envious, until you told us you went Zorbing.

Now I am freakin' jealous!

The closest place I have found for me to do it is in Tennessee. I am working on a way to do it for the Z event.

It will take some doing, some enrolling and some saved money.

I can do it!

tlynn78 · #11 Post by **tlynn78** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 10:58 am

I want to Zorb!! I just didn't know it! My boys and I saw that on tv this weekend and were wondering how one went about signing up, whatnot. Now I will endeavor to look into it more closely!

t.