Saturday, November 14, 2009
We flew on a small (and I mean VERY small) plane. Would you believe the airport had no screening security? Does anyone remember the daytime show Wings? Remember that small Nantucket Airport that serviced only one or two flights at a time? That was the size of airport we departed from. A new adventure. I almost felt like a celebrity in hiding, leaving on my private jet.... ok ok , not really--- ! :) But you get the idea.
This is Mt. Taranaki located in New Plymouth. Im not sure exactly the height of it, but this picture was taken at cruising altitude and you can see the picture! Not such a shabby mountain, aye?
After landing in Christchurch (where we would soon return), we rented a car and drove MANY hours (ok so it was only 6, but thats alot of driving!) to Castle Rock. What a neat formation of Rocks, naturally placed on a hill in a gorgeous setting. I had only seen such beauty in magazines and on postcards, but to see it in person almost leaves you breathless. Speechless. In awe!
Here is another picture of some views we saw while driving through the Southern Alps, mountain range(s). Good times, awesome views.
This is just a *country scene* of the mountains as we drove past. Will said I was asleep, I dont think so..... Ha!
On
our trip we stayed in Backpackers. Its common for travelers to stay in
such places. This would be a place that might supply you with your own
room and toilet and then have a common kitchen area to cook. I was in
charge of the cooking and food for the trip. I was excited as I wanted
to make sure my hubby ate well and stayed fed, even on
vacation/holiday. I had all the meals planned out for the first part of
the trip (spaghetti one night and homemade pizza the next) Easy yet
filling, right!
Wait, did I forget to tell you that sometimes they call their ingredients different names here? Lets keep that in mind!
Im
in the grocery and picking up what is needed to make the meals. I grab
the things for a hawiian pizza (yummy) and then the spaghetti. I go to
the sauce aisle and pick up the tomato sauce. Everything is in check.
Ready to make dinner and spaghetti is up first.
Noodles
are done and we are both hungry. Garlic bread is ready to be heated.
After pouring the Tomato sauce on the noodles, I realize that I just
poured Ketchup on them, not *pasta sauce*!! Tomato sauce =ketchup! I
could have kicked myself a thousand times! I shredded cheese to try and
*fix the mistake. Nope. It was the *sweetest spaghetti I ever had.
Needless to say I didnt eat much of it, or any dinner that night. Thank
goodness my sweet husband will eat whatever I fix him!
Dont
think our journey ended with my horrible spaghetti flop! Will was able
to spend a day on Fox Glacier while I was pampered watching TV (yes, I
say pampered since I do not have a TV in my home)! We both went
on a walk later that day to see the face of Fox Glacier. To give you an
idea exactly how big it is.... the black specks behind us are people.
It is truly an amazing sight to see.
This is a picture of Will standing on Fox. He had the time of his life! :)
Will
and I far off from the face of Fox. Can you see the black specks
(people) behind us? Imagine how big that glacier REALLY is!
Now,
on to the Tasman Sea were we stayed in yet, another Backpackers
(although each one is a little different I am learning). Oh the stories
I have to tell dad---- hahaha! Off the Tasman Sea we went to Punataki
(the Pancake Rocks). These formations were the coolest thing!
Surrounding a portion of the sea were rock formations that looked like
pancakes, along with blowholes. The waves from the ocean were fierce in
certain areas-- which was even more awesome (almost like waves after a
thunderstorm off the coast of Panama City Beach). But the most
breathtaking view was the Tasman Sea at sunset. The natural, rustic,
untouched seaside cascaded with the glow of the setting sun!
Leaving
the Punataki area, we left to go to the Assembly for a few days in
Rangiora. We stayed with the sweetest couple, the Edmeades. I learned
alot from the way churches are handled in New Zealand compared to how
they are in the states. Overall, I was greatly surprised at the welcome
I received there. I was also excited about winning (for the first time)
the Candy guess (where you guess how many candies are in a jar)-- I was
off by 1!!
No,
our journey isnt over yet!! The assemby lasted 4 days. They were long
but we ate well. Ok ok! Im a Baptist... we eat when we get together so
we are supposed to say something about the food right? Oh, and the
worship was good too!
Arriving
in Christchurch, again..... another backpackers! yay-- this one was
once an old hotel back in the day, Im sure of it! It had class and
style but no elevator and we were on the second floor (but two flights
of stairs per floor)!! Its very hard to carry a rolling suitcase up two
floors. Bell Hop anyone? Oh wait, this is New Zealand!
Man
did we ever act like tourist in Christchurch. Our accomadations were
located behind the Christchurch Cathedral. The Cathedral was gorgeous,
along with other structures surrounding the city. People were playing
life size chess in the square and riding the trolly to their next
location. We also road the trolly several times, mostly to stay warm
for a few minutes before venturing out again. You can see us
here, huddled up in the cab of this trolly as it strolls through the
city of Christchurch. 
Will
and I loved the Cathedral. We went there twice, I think. I told Will
they were really smart to make the only exit from the cathedral to be
through their gift shop. Of course that worked on us. We bit the bait
and bought something! No pictures are allowed inside the Cathedral. You
can imagine my excitement when I saw my first REAL LIVE NUN walking
around. I had to tell Will. Of course he was shocked that I hadnt seen
one earlier. Umm, Hello... Im Baptist! :)
I watched her walk to the back of the Cathedral and a bigger grin came to my face!
"Will, she's leaving! She's leaving! Quick, give me the camera. I can take her picture now!!!"
I
exited through the entrance since going through the gift shop would
only take me to the other side of the church and I would miss my window
of opportunity. The doors opened, I stepped through and *SNAP* my first
picture of the first nun I ever saw. A moment of pure joy and pride.
Why? I have no idea.... I guess I just liked the movie Sister Act!
Will
and just really wanted to enjoy the surroundings of the city and relax.
What better way to do that than to go Punting on the Avalon River
through the Park. It was a 30 minute Punt, just the two of us. A sunny,
breezing, chilly (ok ok COLD) day but I have really come to enjoy doing
the things that I would never get to do anywhere else and what better
person to do them with than my sweet Will!
This is a picture I took the first day in Christchurch of another group of people punting along the river. So peaceful!
Will
and I are currently getting ready to come back to the states for a
short visit. We are excited about Barry and Dusti's upcoming wedding
and the joy and excitement it brings. Everyone here is excited for the
opportunity that we have to go back and revisit family and for the
upcoming wedding!! We cant wait. :)
Sometimes
when you are in a far away place or in another country, God can send
the smallest thing (or animal) to remind you of home or your family and
those who love you! This is a little cat I saw at a coffee
shop that looked just like Max, my dad's cat. Of course Im a
daddy's girl so anything that reminds me of my daddy makes me
smile!
This
concludes my wonderful first family vacation as a newly married wife! I
cant wait to go on the next one and the many more to come!
One
more week! FAMILY and FLORIDA here we come!! Please keep us in your
prayers as we travel many long hours and days (flying).
