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Kia Ora from New Zealand!!
Just got back from BloKarting on the beach ~ think windsurfer on wheels on the sand ~ a blast!!
We are at the top of the South Island and here are a few highlights so far:
-First day driving the high-top campervan we thought the wind was quite strong and Malcolm was wrestling it to stay on the road ~ found out afterwards it was a cyclone! Lots of flooding throughout the country.
-Taking a gondola then chairlift up Mt Ngongataha then screaming down in a luge!
-Malcolm digging for half an hour at Hot Water Beach only to come up with luke-warm water (the people right next to us had really hot water and invited us in so over we slipped)
-My cousin and her husband, two nephews and their partners from Australia surprising Elinor for her 60th!! Then lunch the next day with 16 relatives, including an Uncle and cousin I hadn't seen for about 30 years.
-Long walk in the sunshine on the soft white sand of Mount Maunganui
-Malcolm says it is the land of unpronounceable names with lots of stutters!
-Fish and chips for Malcolm, hokey-pokey ice-cream for Elinor
-Getting used to our small (that is SMALL), campervan- have it down to an art now and it is quite comfy
-Narrow, windy roads - it takes a lot longer than you would think to get from place to place
-Really nice campgrounds with big kitchens, TV lounges, BBQs, internet, very clean bathrooms
-Discovering how good is toast with vegemite, avocado and tomato - don't knock it till you've
-tried it!
-Matai Maori Village ~ Malcolm was made chief and was "haka'ed at" . Good evening of Maori song ,dance and a hangi (lamb, chicken, kumara and potatoes cooked in the ground)
That's it for now. Hope all is well with you all.
Cheers, Malcolm and Elinor
- comments
Gaby & Adrian Sounds like you're having a ton of fun exploring and participating in adventures (cyclones??). Camping really is such a great way to see New Zealand. Enjoy your holiday and time with family. Happy 60th Elinor!
Barbara Soooooooooooo jealous !!
Barbara Soooooooooooo jealous !! Oh, and why does your blog say Exploring Ecuador ????
Brigid Happy 60th Elinor! Enjoy New Zealand!
adam I thought you were going to say they sacrificed Malcolm for the hangi.
Irene Happy 60th Elinor! I think you are in the best place to celebrate it. Nice to share it with family. Hope the wind dies down for you!!
Thom and Sue you two always find the most fun things to do. and lucky you, elinor - TWO surprise birthdays, one at my house and one in NZ! we leave for sydney, australia this week - wish NZ wasn't so far away so we could see you.... continue enjoying your time!
Wendy and Ted Ted is so envious - maybe next year!! - so you felt the cyclone?? Enjoy and a very happy 60th Elinor - hugs Wen
Leslie You two go on the best vacations! It's been years (decades, really) since I've been in New Zealand and you bring back lots of great memories, including hokey-pokey ice cream. Can't believe you're 60, Elinor. Sounds like a wonderful celebration. Happy Birthday!
John & Ina The big 60 you sure don't look it, Malcolm is lucky to have such a lovely young looking gal by his side. All the best Elinor. We just came home from a month in Melaque, we were greeted with winter yuk! Saw lots of the old gang, & went through "checkpoint charlie" to the beach with Alex (Fiesta) one day. It looks weird to see our old stamping grounds obliterated, they are fighting mad in Rebalsito and are hopeful with the change in gov't in a couple of years. Oh well that's Mexico. Enjoy your journey stay safe and in good spirits. Your old Mexican Amigos J&I
John & Alice Hi. Sounds like you are having fun. Happy Birthday Elinor. Gather all that info for us. John & Alice
Dave & Betty Nice to hear that you are enjoying yourselves. The house is fine, east indian lodger is comfortable but messy. Was malc chosen for his facial tattoos or was it more about his vim and vigour? Dave and Betty.
Terry McCarthy Hi Folks, glad you are having a good time. Didn't know about your birthday, Elinor, happy birthday. Malcolm, blew past you in the pool. I feel really good about that. Should I mention it again, just to make sure you noted it? Ok, I passed you in the pool. Spring is coming. Still on for Pinantan on the May long weekend> Terry