Good Bye Carolyn and Joe

Today Carolyn and Joe left New Zealand. We have had an amazing time with them and have shared so many experiences together. Carolyn and Joe leave NZ to finish off traveling around OZ. We will miss not having them around and coming home from work and seeing their smiley faces, hopefully we can get a chance to go over to OZ b/4 April, when they leave to travel around South East Asia.
I can't make this entry too long as there is not much time left to tidy up the house b/4 my dad gets here tomorrow afternoon!!! Best get going.
Miss you already Carolyn xxoo

bday weekend...Best Hotel ever...

Here we are on the balcony at the Chateau Tongerio. This resort and hotel reminds us of Lake Louise and the hotel Banff Springs. The hotel is located about 3 hrs north of Wellington. The hotel is at the base of a huge mountian, this is the mountain where we go skiing in the winter HREF='http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/7801/4021/640/10466/Birthday%20weekend%20away-%20Wellington%20Anniversary%20036.jpg'> 
  

Bday weekend continued...Black Water Rafting weekend

This is a photo of the group going down the river in the cave and looking at the glow worms. It was an amzing sight and nothing I had ever experinced...did I mention the water was only 10, even with wearing a wet suit I was still cold.

Here is a photo of me, just starting down the rock doing abseiling.

After we did the sailing, we drove 2 hrs further north to Waitomo Caves, where we did a 5 hr tour under ground of the Ruakuir Cave. I was super nervous but after paying how much we did for this adventure I pretty much could not turn back. We got all geared up, with wet suits, booties, shorts, and a helment. We hopped into a van and the guide drove us to the caves. We had a quick lesson on how to Absail, then had to actually abseil down 37 meters in complete darkness. The training was not like the real thing. I was so scared but finally made it to the bottom. I closed my eyes many times as we had to get through some tight spots and my hands were sore from holding on to the rope for dear life. Next we did a Flying Fox, which again was fun but it was so dark you could not tell what you were doing next, but as I was flying in the air I got to see alot of glow worms. Then we had to jump into freezing cold water and go tubing down a lazy river to see all of the glow worms, and that was so cool. We continued to see a lot of glow worms and walk in waist deep water through caves, and squeeze through holes to get through. We finally had to climb 3 fairly large water falls to get out to the sun shine. I know this does not sound to appealing but it sure was once I got through my fears of having to abseil and getting over how cold the water was. I would reccomend this to anyone, well I guess I would say you should be in fairly good shape, not scared of the dark and heights!!!

Birthday weekend away with my Hubby

Here is Scott being a brave guy and abseiling down 37 metrs of rock to start our day off in the Waitomo Cave.




On Friday night Scott and I left Wellington and headed up north to Turangi and Taupo. We rented a summer bach for 2 nights. It was so nice and great views of NZ's largest fresh water lake. On Saturday we went into Taupo and went sailing. The weather was great, bright sun shine. We packed a picnic lunch, took some beers and wine and sailed Lake Taupo. The sail boat was a bit rough bit so much fun. The skipper took us to a Maori carving site, that was carved 25 years ago, we thought it was more than that, as the natives have been here for 500 years.

It's my Birthday...

Today I turned 27, don't feel any different but man do I ever love having my birthday in the summer. Scott is taking me out for dinner tonight for a 5 course meal to the White House, then for a romantic walk on the beach. I was spoiled this morning by great presents from Scott, some billabong clothes, and new Ray Ban sunnies.
Thanks everyone for your birthday texts, calls, emails, cards, flowers and great gifts from home. I loved them all and it is so nice to be thought of while I am so far away.

It is with Great Sadness...

That I have to share with you the news about Anna's Dad. Mr. James passed away on Janaury 15th surrounded by his family at his home in Guelph. He battled with Cancer for only 6 weeks.
If you have any questions or want to get in touch with Anna and her family please feel free to email us or call.
Anna and her family are strong and are getting through this the best they can at this point.

Christmas Day

More Photos from Christmas Day in Hanmer Springs South Island

These photos are of us on December 24th relaxing in the thermal pools

Christmas down South

Well, we are back now. After a nice long 2 weeks away, we have experienced to many neat things. It was great to have some close friends over to New Zealand to share Christmas with, we even had a turkey. Carolyn and I made out first turkey, we did not like cleaning it out, but got through it, and the turkey was so good, we were eating if for the next 3 days as well....umm leftovers. We met up with Carolyn and Joe in Kiakoura, where we stayed over night, then we headed to our bach in Hanmer Springs where we spent Christmas Day and boxing Day. It was a super nice bach and the town was great as well. We went to the thermal pools, the boys played some sports, went on tramps and the girls talked about weddings!! It was fun to be all together for Christmas, we had a lay in on Christmas morning, then the boys made a big breakfast and then we opened up all of our gifts. I feel like the Kiwi Christmas is the same as ours, but with nice weather, longer sun light.
Try to copy this link below, it is Carolyn nad Joe's Blog from New Zealand and you can get a better diea of all the things we did. Although it is their view, we did all the same things.
http://www.travelblog.org/fred.php?id=117105 - Adventures in the South