Pictures of the four of us

Hi everyone,

Out of 700 pictures, we only have two photos of all four of us. I told my mom I'd post them. :)

Love, Amy

South Island with the parents

Hi everyone,

We've been too busy to blog!

We left on Thursday morning for the South Island. We took the ferry from Welly to Picton, and then a bus from Picton to Nelson. We stayed in a beautiful waterfront apartment on Wakefield Quay, and ended up just getting fish and chips from across the street. We just didn't feel like traveling anywhere else!

Friday morning we left took an early bus ride from Nelson to Kaiteriteri for our tour of Abel Tasman National Park. The first part of the day was spent sea kayaking. I felt a bit seasick, but everybody else had a good time. Then we ate our picnic lunches (and had some beer and cake!) and caught the boat up to the seal colony at Onetunga Island. From there we were dropped off at the Quarry Camp for our nature walk. The islands are made of granite, so the sand was tiny pieces of white granite, and there were enormous granite boulders (of all colours) all over the islands. The sea was a gorgeous turquoise blue.

Our walk took us through native bush down to two other beaches. We had time at the end to just lay on the beach and enjoy the scenery, and then we caught a boat cruise back to Kaiteriteri. We connected to our bus, and finally made it back to Nelson about 8pm. We had a drink on our balcony and then had a lovely dinner at a restaurant across the street. It was a fantastic evening.

Yesterday we shopped at the Saturday market before our bus and ferry back to Wellington. We arrived back at home about 6pm and had a big pizza dinner with Nik, Sara, Jakob, and Sam. Afterwards we played Nik's new game (its all finished and launches today!) and then went to bed. Mom and Dad leave in just a few hours, and I'm feeling pretty sad.

A note from mom: Hard to believe it is time to leave already. We really enjoyed our stay on the South Island - absolutely beautiful - a cross between the San Juan Islands and Eastern Washington with lots of green pastures and Douglas Fir (that is what the sign said) on the during the ferry trip through the Queen Charlotte Sound and then miles (or kilmeters) of vineyards with brown hills in the background during the bus trip to Nelson. There were some incredible hairpin curves going up and down the mountains, but our bus drivers seemed to have everything in control. Our stay in Nelson was perfect with a great deck to watch the boats coming and going. We had some of the best fish and chips (even Kevin agreed) for dinner on the deck and wonderful New Zealand wine and beer (yes, Kevin loves NZ beer). The trip to the national forest as Amy described above was great - another full day of beautiful sites with lots of great pictures. Great shopping at the Nelson Market - just wish we had some bigger suitcases with us. We bought Hell's Pizza last night for everyone and then playing Industry - the New Zealand game was fun (bringing home a copy to share - his first sale), especially because I won! The game lasted longer than usual as there were 6 of us playing so Amy did help out a little to let me win to finish the game. This morning we will make one more walk to the grocery store - have we told you that Amy and Rory live on quite a hill - to bring home some chocolate and tim-tams. Will be hard to say good-bye as we have enjoyed every minute here. Will spend the next 1 1/2 days in Auckland and then home on Monday. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.

Love,
Amy and Mom

Hi everyone,

We had another busy day yesterday. We started with the Cable Car and Botanical gardens, had lunch at the famous Backbencher Pub, continued on to Cuba Street, caught a bus up to Mt. Vic, and then walked back down into town.

The weather isn't cooperating, but we are trying to stay positive. We are having severe gales, so we weren't able to go to Martinborough. We'll spend the day around Island Bay instead.

The police came in the middle of the night again (this is the second time in four nights). They are looking for some criminal named Rajamastad, who gave the police our address as his residence. This time they came at 5am with full uniforms AND biosecurity suits. It is ridiculous.

A message from mom: We are experiencing first hand "windy Welly" with gale force winds last night continuing throughout today. Even with the overcast skies we have been careful with sunburning as the UV rays are at "extreme high" levels and when the sun comes out it is HOT. We really enjoyed our walk thru the botantical gardens - the roses were gorgeous with lots of colors and fragrances. Lunch was really fun and tasty and then seeing where Amy and Rory lived when they first arrived was insightful to their experience with the high winds and the long, very steep walks up and down the hill. Finishing the day with another good meal (Wellington has more eating establishments per capita than NYC) this time Turkish with lamb, chicken, and the most delicious baklava served with ice cream and raspberry puree. Will spend the rest of the day on the bay front searching for beach glass and walking the harbour. Kevin had a fun visit with a local fisherman which owned a small store called "Steve's Fishing Store". Unfortunately the high winds have kept most fishing to a minimum - will have to save that adventure for our next visit. Even in the wind, Wellington is beautiful and we are having a really great time.

Love,
Amy and Mom

The parents are here!

Hi everyone,

Mom and Dad arrived on Saturday morning, and we've been on the go ever since. We picked them up from the airport at about 8am, and then spent the day in the CBD. We walked by parliament, then by the waterfront to Mac's Brewery (where we had lunch), then on to Oriental Bay. After that we caught the bus to Newtown and went to the zoo, and then got some dinner at Planet Spice.

Yesterday we went on the hike to Red Rocks. We started at Island Bay beach, then up to the Oku Reserve, and then on to Red Rocks. The whole walk was probably close to ten miles, so we spent the evening on the deck resting with an assortment of NZ beers. I made some pizza for everyone, too.

A message from mom: Having a wonderful time. Flight over was great catching up on movies and getting a little sleep (flight was a little over 13 hours from San Francisco). Wellington is beautiful with rolling green hills and lots of wonderful houses from the 30s with incredible stained glass windows. The suburbs are small towns and the bus system is easy. Both Kevin and I are thoroughly enjoying the walking. Heading to wine country today and gale force winds are expected tonight, so we are experiencing all kinds of weather. Amy and Rory's house has a fabulous view and is very comfortable and roommates are delightful. The pizza Ames made last night was really the best we have ever tasted - will be bringing home her recipe. So glad we are here - I know the days will pass too quickly.

Oku Reserve at sunset

Hi everyone,

We had our friend Susan over for dinner and a sunset hike last night. I made greek salad with all of the fixings, and then we realized it was getting late so we briskly tramped (the proper NZ word for hiking) up to the Oku Reserve. We were just in time to catch the sun going down over the South Island.

I wasn't feeling well today, so I only worked until 1 and have been in bed ever since. I'm trying to do everything I can now to ensure that I'm well by the time my parents arrive on Saturday morning.

Just one more day of work! And loads of other things to do....

Love
Amy

Blogging on the lunch break

Hi everyone,

Just thought I would say a quick hello. I have exactly seven minutes left of my lunch break ...

My parents arrive in four days! I have so many things to do before they get here, but I'll get through them. Work is extra busy because I'm taking all of next week off. It'll feel like a real vacation!

I bought a new patio table (for 15 dollars, including delivery, from Salvation Army). It'll be great to sit on the deck now that the weather is better. There has been so much sunshine, and it is light between 5.30am and 9pm! Makes me a happy camper.

Tomorrow night we are taking a Greek salad picnic up to the Oku Reserve. Thursday we are helping Nik box up his games. Friday we are having a farewell gelato with Susan. Saturday morning (at 8am!) my parents arrive.

It'll be a busy time, but I'll try my hardest to blog!

Love,
Amy