A quick update for those who are tuning in often. We are starting a 5-day tramp tomorrow (that's Kiwi for trekking) - it's called the Rees-Dart track named after the 2 river valleys that we will follow. We'll stay in very basic mountain huts so no phones or email. Check back in about 1 week and hopefully we'll have some new pics up - LOTS of great scenery here in NZ, so stay tuned!! Drew & Emi
Ishimori Masahiro
Drew san, Emi chan genkidesuka? 18nichi choujo no Atsuko ga kekkon wo shimas***a. Hita karamo Emi chan no otousan okasan mo , mata Kenji mo kitekuremas***a. atarashii sei ha Hirao(tairana oppo) desu. yoroshikuonegaishimasu.
Nick
You are too generous; though my native country, I did not know the significance of the kangaroo and emu on the seal. As to the stromatolites my brother subscribes me to the Australian Geographic!! (http://editorial.australiangeographic.com.au/) I should have waited longer before answering that one.
Drew & Emi
Apparently, we know some smart people....or maybe they cheated and used the internet? Either way, we have correct answers to the latest questions. From the Singapore album, the bag contained elaborate bird cages, each with one singing bird (they call it a "white eye") it's own cover and very unique & expensive carved ivory handles. Many Chinese men like to collect the cages and birds and then they gather each week to hang out and listen to them sing together. The guy who owned these cages/birds said his total investment was $30-40k...and then he drove away on his scooter, holding the bag with one hand and steering with the other. Since Tom Singer said parrots, that's close enough.
As for "the harder question", perhaps we should have realised that Nick Simon, a colleague from work, is both intelligent and a native of Australia because he is certainly the only one who could guess that one straight away. He is correct that the structures are stromatolites - fascinating micro-organisms of sort that are some of the earth's oldest fossils and actually account for the transition of the earth's atmosphere to it's current state of supporting human life because of the oxygen they produce. Look them up for more info.
The nets are indeed to keep away the birds (including emus and sometimes kangaroos) - they can easily eat 30% of a crop in the last couple of weeks when the grapes are sweet and nearing harvest time. And finally, Gaylord correctly answered the Aussie Seal question, though I'm sure Nick would have also guessed that one. Thanks for playing along!! Bye for now.
Mom & Gaylord
I should have waited to see all of the questions. I also believe the netting is for the birds but I particularly believe they have a problem with starlings and silvereyes.
Gaylord & Mom
Things have been quite busy at home. It has taken me a couple days to print off your current batch of pictures - awesome. Now to your question - The ageless Aussie Seal question - On the Australian coat of arms the Emu and the Kangaroo were selected as symbols of Australia to represent the country's progress because they are always moving forward and never move backwards.
David And Tammy
Hey drew and emi! To keep insects away. Grandma Doris so enjoys the postcards. She is getting a computer and I will send ya'll her email. The pictures are awesome! You guys are going to write a book I hope.
Take care, love you guys, David and Tammy
Nick
As to the covered grapes, I concur with the previous posting ... it's the birds. I believe the answer to the "harder question" is marine stromatolites. After NZ, you may not want to come home!
Drew & Emi
Hey All,
It was time to archive the messages - see old messages if you want to go back in time. And it was time to upload some pics. There are 3 new albums, a few new quiz questions and a new postcard, so enjoy and we'll be back in touch when we get to New Zealand.
Tom
I guess parrots.
Drew N Emi
Mark, Izumi, and Joe got the correct answer regarding quiz pic of roots. They are Ginseng roots. Large ones take 300 years to grow, and can cost more than 10K. Chinese believe that it can cure just about anything - I guess it should for that kind of money. Since they thought we were prospective buyers, we got a sample of tea. It did not cure Drew's gastronomical problems, but peharps he did not drink enough :) We are in Sydney and heading off to North in a camper van for a week. Sydney is a beautiful and fun city but we must go on. Cheers!
Mark N Izumi N Joe D.
Emi n Drew - Hey you two. Joe Dilenschneider is back in town. He's on his way down to KitaKyushu to do some househunting and get things sorted before he starts teaching at the University down there. We all think the quiz answer is Ginseng root. Great photos again.