Timara Lodge Blenheim

... waiting to participate in the Tuesday shopping trip. We talked a bit about the work, and I told her it was my first day. She got a big smile on her face and looked at me and said "Congratulations!", then came and gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. I was incredibly confused and thought she must just be very enthusiastic about vineyard work until she asked, "How old?" I'm not sure where she's from (somewhere in Europe), but I assume my accent was, to her, as ...

... we met some Americans at the place we are staying who are from Summit and they actually know Nicolas Ramsey's family. That made me a little homesick but then I remembered that in only a few weeks we will be back in the States. I am starting to get excited - especially to see all my friends and family and eat Gramae's chocolate cake and go swimming at Gram Judi's and go kayaking with Gram Anne! Plus see Pop, Grandpa Steve, and all my aunts and uncles and cousins!

... as when I was putting my sunscreen on he turned up again hovering at my feet, not too worried about me at all. A little further along the track the top was closed off by the owner so had to go straight down the hill to the road and follow it around to Portage Bay. The information being given as to why the track was closed was for 'pest control'. However the night before the local guide of a group that was also doing the walk had said that it was actually a bit of a standoff situation ...

... Field Winery, Matua Vineyard and Villa Maria Estates. Whew!! Needless to stay, we had a quiet night in and an early night to bed at Honi-B-Backpackers. (Yes, that would be the only hostel in NZ without locks..yikes!) Onward and upward...North Island here we come! Click here to view photos from this adventure: http://picasaweb.google.com/ThreeVagabo nds/GlaciersRaftingVineyards

... to Fiji, so more pictures to come. Although, we're not sure when we'll have access again. Needless to say, we'll update at some point. ;) So far, we've: Spent a couple of days in Auckland, North Island New Zealand. Went to the zoo, awesome! Had dinner at the top of the City, and enjoyed the Heavenly Collection at the Westin Hotel as we got used to the time change. This was our best ...

... at the bead store, a pair of the longest socks I've ever seen at a store I can't remember the name of and three shirts at Farmers. I finally found a nice purse at a second hand store call Buy 4 less. I ate my lunch in the town gardens and listened to the birds. Over all today was a very nice day and I had a lot of fun. the next day was a strange day. We left Blenheim around 10:30 and started the two hour journey to Nelson. It was like a car trip to ...

... avait cessé. Nous sommes partis faire une balade de plusieurs heures sur le chemin Queen Charlotte pour y prendre nos dernières photos de l'ile du Sud. Après ça il était temps de retourner sur Picton pour prendre le ferry direction Wellington ou nous y passerons les mois hivernaux. C'est avec regret que nous quittons l'ile du Sud. C'est un endroit super pour des vacances actives et des endroits tellement différent à découvrir dans un si ...

... Alessandro and I went to the Spring Creek Pub the first night he was here and met Walter (de Espana) for a couple delicious Kiwi beers. Phil, the owner/host of the home stay where Walter lives came down and had a beer. He was a great source of the kind of information I love to learn about a place. Apparently Spring Creek exists as a community for the fact it was the only crossing of ...

... was getting picked up at 555am! There's this great train journey that goes along the coast from Christchurch up to Picton. We know it's great 'cos we just did it by camper. Now, though a second chance to see it without continually being run off the road by frustrated locals. Interestingly the folk at Trans Scenic (for that is its name), must have taken a leaf out of the "Argos - It's So Easy.." book of efficient ...

... are made by the elders of the tribe. <br><br> <br><br>I have absolutely no idea what THISE was, but it looked good. <br><br> <br><br>Another good thing was seeing a terrific photo of the Tongariro crossing that we did a few days ago, so that we ...