Sunday, December 11, 2011

Paradise....we found it!!

As I write (maybe the last post on my blog), I am on a jet somewhere over the Pacific on a course that will take me back to reality. This has been a phenomenal experience. I have loved almost everywhere we have been.....I have loved ALL of the people we have met.....natives and fellow travelers alike. I have left little pieces of my heart all over Africa, New Zealand, and Sydney. I truly don't have ONE favorite place! Sure, there are favorites.....but every place has it's pros and cons. Barry and I saw a road sign that we both loved near our last stop....Blanket Bay. The simple sign pointed south and read:
"Paradise"
"12 km"
"No Exit"
Well, of course we drove there! Unfortunately, U-turns are mandatory. We couldn't stay there. And though the place may be named Paradise.....it really isn't. It is being with our family and friends. Though we have loved this journey.....I am excited to get back to our own paradise and celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus with all of the people we love! Thanks for going on this journey with us. Have a very Merry Christmas!
(Who knows???? I may keep blogging!)

Paradise......yes, it really exists!!!!

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Brain Freeze in Sydney!!!!!

We arrived in Sydney last evening. We were so sad to leave to leave New Zealand! What a great country! The Kiwi are wonderful! I have never seen such beautiful mountains or stunning beaches! Everything was pretty much a big WOW!!!! When we checked into our hotel last evening, the desk clerk said said something about us being here one night. I quickly told him that NO, NO, NO.....we are here for TWO nights. He looked confused ..... I showed him a confirmation that said we were booked for 2 nights. He smiled and said yes mam.....and changed our stay for 2 nights! And this episode made no bells ring in my brain!!!! We went to dinner. Got back to the hotel. Barry asked me what time our plane was leaving on Sunday. I really almost didn't check....I was tired. But, I got the folder out.....we were to leave the next day!!!!!! THEN I REMEMBERED!!!!!! I had earlier gotten the 11th stuck in my brain. Sweet Mary Manthei that put our trip together had to change this reservation to 1 night from 2 way back when I realized this faux pas on my part! Well.....I FORGOT! TOTALLY FORGOT!!!! I knew that my confirmation was a day off....somewhere back in the deep recesses of my brain! Well, I got on then phone with Delta to just see if there was any chance that we could switch our flights to Sunday. Barry, in the meantime, scurried around trying to get all of our stuff together to leave for home in a few hours. And we had a lot of paper work and repacking!!!!! We were both pleasantly shocked and relieved that Delta was able to change our whole schedule!!!! I really made a GINORMOUS mistake!!! UGH!!!! So thankful and happy that Barry asked me to check our air confirmation!!!! We were able to sleep last night instead of panic and pack! We had a great day today after getting everything in order to depart on Sunday. We went to Manly Beach....did a lot of walking in the area. Had fun watching the surfers. We also walked around a lot in the harbor this evening into the night. Sydney is an incredibly beautiful city!!!! One of my favorites.....if not my most favorite!!!!!!

Fireworks.....

Fireworks over The Opera House.....wedding reception.

The moon over Sydney Harbor. I am standing behind the Opera House.

Barry and I walked around residential neighborhood today. Every mailbox had some sort of notice like this one! Wonder if this would work in Jackson?

Watching the surfers on Manly Beach!

Pretty sails everywhere in the mouth of the Sydney Harbor......I only had the "wee" camera. After being in New Zealand, I renamed Barry's camera...It was called the purse camera!

Last morning at Blanket Bay!

The view from our room in Sydney

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Our Christmas Gift to our Kids!!! LOL!!!

A copy of the email Barry sent to our kids and a few others......A PERFECT DAY !!!! A PERFECT TRIP!!!

We have just completed the most remarkable day that can be imagined on what has been truly a dream trip. We are staying at arguably the best private lodge anywhere - and we have been staying at many in 7 different countries these past 2 and 1/2 months. It is secluded and beautiful almost beyond description. It is as far as you can go in New Zealand and is in the most picturesque place in a country known for picturesque places. We had this great breakfast and then took off in a helicopter across the bay and then over the mountains to the other side. We landed in the adjoining high mountain valley just up from the fiord that we cruised 4 days earlier. We go into this beautiful mountain river with no one to see us and start walking the river fly fishing for mountain trout. You only cast at what you can see. Even though it is a beautiful blue summer day, there is snow still all around us - we are FISHING HIGH IN THE MOUNTAINS. There are waterfalls and snow run off plusvonly the sounds of nature except for the sound of the dreaded helicopter coming to get us at the very end of a perfect day. We leave the fish, the cold mountain river where we drank water directly from the river and climbed back in for a ride back over the mountains and through the high mountain valleys to return to the most stunning site for a lodge that be imagined. We are the only guests tonight at this unbelievable place, where some of the best chefs in this country prepare a 7 course meal outside on the terrace so we an look at the mountain range across the bay (the Remarkables) while we eat a fabulous meal.

It does not get any better. There have been many more meaningful days in my life - my wedding, the birth of Katie, Caroline and Davis and the weddings for Katie and Caroline and many others - but there has never been a single day (in a life that I have been given much more than I deserve) in which I have had more fun or enjoyed more than this one. It is a perfect end to a perfect trip.

Thanks Jerry for allowing this. I wish Sherry was alive to not only thank her but to show her the pictures. You too Don, thanks for working with me on this sabbatical timing - it has been one of the highlights of my life. Thanks, kids, for supporting us while we spent some of your inheritance.

You just cannot experience this without thanking someone. I just wish Mom and Dad were still around.

Sent from my iPad

Merry Christmas from Blanket Bay!

Monday, December 5, 2011

Behind me is a set from The Hobbit that is being dismantled.

Early this morning at Blanket Bay.....

Beautiful water on the Dart River

Darting up the Dart River on a jet boat

Darting up the Dart River

Well....I think we could write a book on pancakes! New Zealand has the best pancakes in the whole world! Haven't had any bad ones or even mediocre ones yet! This morning I DEVOURED blueberry pancakes with caramelized bananas, macadamia nuts, and maple syrup! Oh My Goodness! I didn't do anything else the whole morning except stare at the Remarkable Mountains looming across the lake. These fantastic mountains are also known as The Misty Mountains in all of the LOTR movies. We rode up the extremely rocky and shallow Dart River today in a jet boat early this afternoon. We came back in a 4 wheel drive through Paradise Valley. They were busy taking down some sets from The Hobbit. A lot of scenes from Lord of the Rings, Prince Caspian, Wolverine, White Fang......and the list goes on and on where filmed in this valley.

Storm Blowing in.....

Blanket Bay....WOW!!!!

We arrived at our LAST "home away from home" in New Zealand this afternoon. We drove from Te Anau to Glenorchy with a quick stop in Queenstown to see our pals at The Dairy. (We also returned their key that we took by mistake.) Every drive in New Zealand has been jaw-dropping, stunningly beautiful...and today was no exception! We keep pinching ourselves! I feel like we are living in a painting! Blanket Bay has already exceeded all expectations! And once again, The Hobbit crew and Peter Jackson have just left!!!!! Shoot!!! We walked around the grounds this afternoon...WOW! Had a fantastic dinner tonight! There is a handsome, well-equipped game/ media room here. After dinner, I GOT to play Barry in shuffleboard, darts, and pool!!!! I never want to leave......

Blanket Bay

Blanket Bay!!!!

On the side of the road....not a bad view!

We are standing above the pool area at Blanket Bay.....

Taps last night at Fiordland Lodge......

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Entering Crooked Arm in Doubtful Sound. While deep in this arm, the boat captain cut the engines. All passengers and crew were on deck and we experienced only the sounds of the birds and the waterfalls. It was magical!

Happy Us! Doubtful Sound!

A Visit to Middle Earth!!!

Well, another day.....another journey! We were treated to such a beautiful view of Lake Te Anau ( the longest lake in NZ) when we woke this morning. The lake and mountains were enough to make you stop and stare.....but, throw in grazing lambs bleating on the hillside that is blanketed in wild flowers and you just want to sit in a rocking chair with a cup of coffee and not move! But, I am with Barry....so that ain't happening! We both had scrumptious hazelnut pancakes for our early breakfast. Our destination for the day was Doubtful Sound. You can't easily get there! First we drove to Pearl Harbor in the town of Manapouri...about 25 minutes from our lodge. We bordered a boat and were taken across Lake Manapouri....an hour ride. Next, we rode in a 4 wheel drive coach (bus) up and over Wilmont Pass.....45 minutes. Finally, we arrived at Doubtful Sound where we boarded another boat for our 3 hour cruise. It is truly magnificent. We had a great time seeing rare Crested Fiordland Penguins and lots of fur seals. We saw lots of waterfalls and breathtaking scenery! Doubtful Sound has many arms and islands. The wind is not nearly as fierce in Doubtful as it was in Milford. Also, there are several small islands in the mouth at the entrance to the Tasman Sea; therefore the waters were relatively calm. On our way back to Lake Manapouri ( on the bus) we got to go to Middle Earth!!!! This was slightly different than Tolkien's Middle Earth! We went 2 miles down and into a mountain to the Manapouri Power Station. We felt like we were in a James Bond movie. Very interesting, but strange to know you are that deep into the earth. I am VERY RELIEVED that I did not read the paper or see the New Zealand news this morning or I would NOT have made the underground trek.......THERE WAS AN EARTHQUAKE in the northern part of the South Island yesterday! We had one more fabulous dinner tonight!!

Looking down on Doubtful Sound. What an experience just to get there!!!!

Where the Doubtful Sound meets the Tasman Sea....

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Milford Sound is absolutely fabulous!!!!!!!!

Beautiful waterfall in Milford Sound.....

On the trail of a hobbit....

LONG, LONG, Long, long day!!!! But, a GREAT day! After gorging on The Dairy's fabulous pancakes and crispy bacon, we said our "see ya's until the next time" to our new friends in Queenstown. We packed up and headed south, then west, and then north...... Yep, that's what you gotta do to get to The Milford Sound! I must say that the drive was one of the most stunning that I have ever experienced! The wild flowers were outrageous! The crystal clear aqua colored rivers and lakes were dazzling! The number of waterfalls we saw.....I wouldn't even try to guess! The people that either fly over from Queenstown and then get on a boat or the ones that only see Milford by air are truly missing IT! Truly magnificent! Barry was a trooper (once again!) maneuvering those one lane curves and bridges....and stopping each time I "had" to have a photo. We loved the cruise part, too. It did rain lightly for a while we were cruising...but it was no big deal. Now, when the wind started pushing the boat around.....I could have done without that! We love our new home...The Fiordland Lodge. It looks like it was picked up by a tornado from Montana and dropped in New Zealand in a most perfect place. It is the only Orvis endorsed lodge in NZ. Our dinner tonight was one of the best, if not the best we have had in NZ! I saw the chef run to the garden twice during dinner to get ingredients! Wow!!! There was one BIG problem.....I am, once again, a week late seeing The Hobbit being filmed! Peter Jackson was here last week. Sir Ian McKellan (Gandalf) will be here next week filming as will Andy Serkis ( Gollum) in a couple of days! Shoot! I understand they are shooting this week up close to Mt. Cook...where we were 6 days ago!!!!

Barry and our friend "Bryan" from The Dairy that MADE us do the Nevis Bungy! And he makes the best pancakes in the Southern Hemisphere!

Friday, December 2, 2011

Wild Flowers Galore on the drive to the Milford Sound!

We are Way Too Old for this!!!!

Once again, Barry had me out and about after another fabulous breakfast at The Dairy! We drove back to Arrowtown to pick up a few items for Santa! We love Arrowtown. The entire main street was blocked off for a 3 course luncheon. The tables were in a long line from one end of town to the other! We had fun observing! We drove back to Queenstown.....it is a beautiful short drive! When we got back to our hotel, Barry wanted to go see the kiwi feeding and maybe take the gondola up to see the beautiful views of Queenstown and the surrounding area. I had been talking about bungy jumping for quite a while ...... I know we discussed it in Jackson. Well, I think I discussed it and Barry ignored me! Every time I have brought it up....through out our Africa trip, he has ignored me, or just shook his head and remained silent ( I know, hard to believe!), or just told me NO! He was happy for me to do a foolish thing like that, but he was not participating! He explained that "there would be no returns on that investment" ......?????? WHATEVER!!!! Well, I signed us up! Unhappily, he went with me to The Station where we board the bus for the hour drive. After we checked in, we were sitting in this large room waiting for our ride....and there were videos on showing the bungy jump. Barry found out that we were NOT doing the 47 meter jump...but that I had signed us up for the 134 meter jump! They kept saying on the video that it is the equivalent of jumping off of a 64 story building. BARRY WAS EXTREMELY UNHAPPY!!!!! And I am putting it mildly!!!!! I was thrilled, enthusiastic, energized, and eager! We missed our bus....because Barry was reading an email to me from Dan Hise...and we did not hear the announcement. Barry was thrilled! He was so very hopeful that this solved the whole "problem"! No worries....as the Kiwi love to say! They got a bus just for us! It was a 4 wheel drive bus...has to be to get up the 1 lane dirt and gravel road up the side of the mountain! We got all geared up with harnesses when we got there and headed out to the deck for the gondola to take us to the platform. First of all, we were by far the oldest people with in miles of this place! Secondly, it was a LONG, LONG, LONG drop!!!!!! To a SHALLOW ROCKY RIVER! I wanted to go first, but they made Barry go first! He really did not want to do it. He asked the bungy workers a zillion questions. I am very excited and smug about the whole thing! He dives off....yelling, I must add. But, he had a blast! It is my turn and I am smiling and so excited! I get to the edge, look over and get a vise grip on the workers arm! I look at Barry and say.....as I am on the edge, toes hanging over....."I have changed my mind! I am not doing this!". The worker is encouraging me.....And Barry yells, "You better come back to me!" as I swan dive over! I didn't make a sound. It was beautiful, scary, thrilling, nuts, exhilarating, idiotic, and crazy! Loved it! Poor Barry, he just wanted to watch the kiwis being fed!!!! But, he is a great sport and supporter!!!! We ate at a fab place for dinner...Botswana Butchery. Yum! We took a walk around the botanic gardens after our great meal.

Shotover River Jet Boat Ride

Barry had me up and out early. We did a little Christmas shopping this morning. We ate lunch at a great burger place called Fergburger. We decided to go on the late afternoon jet boat ride on the Shotover River. We LOVED it! I can see Jerry Swanson driving one of these jet boats in another life! It was very thrilling....got a little wet. I lost my hair band before we got there ...... So my hair was one massive tangle when the ride was over! Ate an early supper at a great place called Flame which is on the waterfront. We came back to the room.....but since the sun sets so, so late, Barry headed out on a long walk.....I happily hung out at The Dairy!

A straight down shot!!!!!! Long way down!!!!!

I only look confident!!!

And he is gone.....

All Barry really wanted to do is watch the kiwi feeding today.....Oh well!

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Shotover River

Shotover River

On the driveway to our lodge in Wanaka.

What a drive!!!! What a pizza! What a town!

We packed up and left the lodge in Wanaka...but, stopped to do a little shopping before heading south to Queenstown. Caroline, do not open any boxes/packages that may beat us home! I will be able to tell if you peak! We were so excited to meet 2 more of Rachel's relatives in Wanaka before we had to leave. Judy and Gary are just a really fun couple! And since they live in our new favorite town and own a fantastic lodge/hotel, we want to really work on being their new best friends!!!! Judy sent us to a fantastic place for lunch in a teeny town in route to Queenstown. It is called the Cardrona Hotel....in Cardrona. It is very old....and lots of fun....fantastic food! We also stopped in Arrowtown. Loved it too! Plan on driving back tomorrow to do a little shopping there! Wow! The drive from Wanaka to Queenstown is very picturesque. Kinda got a little car sick! We found our new home away from home in Queenstown...The Dairy. We wanted to say in this low-key, funky, fun, and friendy hotel after reading about it in several magazines. We ate a late dinner at The Cow......highly recommended by Ceci! We had a huge pizza. It was great....even though we had a great wait!

Wanaka: Perfectly Perfect in Every Way!

Wanaka is maybe my favorite town in New Zealand! We love it! After being "startled awake" by the helicopter a few yards from our door, we had a fantastic time walking around the cute town. We had lunch outside because the weather was perfectly perfect in every way! We drove all the way up Lake Hawae and ended up back on Lake Wanaka. They are side by side, but separated by mountains. We were late getting back to a five course dinner by the well respected (and rightly so) chef at our lodge. We enjoyed the food and fellowship with other fellow travelers.

And another photo by Barry.....Queenstown

Sunset photo taken by Barry!!!

Our fantastic view in Queenstown!