New Zealand........

I mentioned in my last post when we were in Fiji that it was winter.

I wasn't kidding. When we got to New Zealand.......it

was freezing. Lindsey & I had to buy some hats.....sure....hats

were mentioned on the packing list but we were idiot

tourists and didn't listen. Actually....when you are traveling from

98 degree weather back home not even including the heat

index.....well hats just aren't on your mind. The lakes & other

scenery like the giant Redwoods were breathtaking.

Did you know that there are more sheep in New Zealand.......

than people?????? They are grazing every where.

My next pet will definitely be a sheep. It is only fitting.....

I love wool and wouldn't it be fun to card my own wool? I saw the

process at a local farm in New Zealand. Lindsey loved them too!

We were really excited to see the Maori tribe. They came to our

hotel and served us a special dinner called a Hanni Dinner. It

is cooked under ground by the steam that comes from the

geysers. Thermal heat. Basically.....it is a crock pot in the ground.

My favorite dish was Pavlova. You know the meringue dessert with

fresh fruit. Yes.....kiwi was served with the Pavlova. Kiwi fruit is

very popular in New Zealand....but did you know that the people

of New Zealand are called Kiwi's???

We got to take a huge cable car up the mountain to have

lunch. The scenery and view were exquisite. We had the best

dessert on the mountain. Basically....it was like an

eclair....but better. Then the kids got to ride down the

mountain in a luge car. They had so much fun! Extreme sports

originated in New Zealand.

This is a WW2 Duck. In New Zealand....they call this

a duck bus. We got to ride in this open air 'bus'

all around the area.....and then drive into 2 lakes. So we toured

the lakes in the same bus we toured the land. We had duck quacker

whistles that we honked at all the walkers in the

area! During WW2 the US made 20,000 of these vehicles.

They took supplies & soldiers from ship to land. They weren't

very good vehicles....and this is where the term

sitting duck comes from. Only a few remain today.....and have

been refurbished into tour vehicles.

I hope you have enjoyed hearing about another leg of our trip.

New Zealand was truly one of the most gorgeous places

I have visited...maybe that is why it is called the rainbow

capital of the world. I hope you have an artfully

creative & productive day. Yesterday....I finished my bird tags

for Karla's swap....today....I think I will make some hair accessories!