Thanks for sharing those amazing pics. I almost feel like I am there. Well, not quite!
The scenery looks great, and it's so nice to see you already have a down-under party group established. You can never have too many laughs.
I hope you do not have to cope with the fires in Austrailia. NZ looks like a great place to visit.
Enjoy the sun, sand and the friendship.
Melissa, there is one pic that you look just like Geri. She better not be there without me!
Fun to all of your group!!!!
Rita

hello everyone, fyi, in case you have been trying to reach melissa and/or lindsey over the phone, the phone number is 011 64 210 227 0709. be warned that the new zealand mobile phone network is not as reliable as our own, so don't be discouraged if you don't get them on your first try.

Wow Melissa the adventure really has begun and I am so excited for you. Please do not do as I do but do as I say, be careful and be good and always remember how much we all love you - and okay have some fun too. This message board is such a great idea I look forward to following along on your adventure from my desk in Tisdale. Have fun sweetie - love from Aunti Jo, Uncle Glen, Randi and Riley.

Glad to hear you are now at your first desination and it sounds like you are already enjoying it . Just a quick note to let you know Tyson and Tracy made it home tonight from Peru. Tyson came back feeling a little under the weather. I haven't talked to them much as I think they are pretty tired after their long haul home but sounds like they enjoyed their trip. Just thought Colten and I would let you know that we found your website site so look forward to keeping up on your trek. Take care and have fun. I will let you know how Cuba was when I get back. (I leave on the 30th)
Sharon & Colten

Hi guys,

I am glad that you made it to Kiwi land. Any tips eh!! Well when I was there I went to this beach called Raglan beach it is about an hour drive West of Hamilton. We would go at least twice a month and sit on the beach there is lots of waves and a good place to try out surfing and boy watching!! Another great place to go is the Coromandel Penninsula and make sure you go to hot water beach. You dig a hole and end up with water over 30 degrees C. Your very own personal hottub just remember to take a shovel. You have to drive 90 mile beach in the north part of the island just make sure that you check the tide times before you drive on the beach. My host family lives at Taupiri I am sure that if you need a place to stay I could hook you up, I also have a couple of friends at Huntly and Hamilton so if you need let me know and I will give you there contacts. One thing not to bother with is to go and see hobbitin what a waste of time and money all you see is holes in the ground they took out all the hobbit houses already. There are lots of other great places I could tell you to go but there isn't enough time. Use your lonely planet and it will take you to all the best spots. I wish you all the best on your journey's.

Hi Everyone, thanks for the messages thus far. We are now in NZ, it is absolutely amazing. We are on Waiheke Island right now with a friend of Becky's. They have been great to us. We headed to the beach yesterday, went for a swim and proceeded to fall asleep on the beach and have a sunburn to prove it! We have alredy taken lots of pictures already, but have only dial up access so far so can not post any yet. Besides, we wouldn't want to make you guys too jealous already. Cheers!!

Lindsey! I mean it in the nicest way possible when I say, I'm so glad that you're gone! Hope you have a great trip and thanks for letting me know about the website-that way I can be jealous for an entire year! Have a blast! (By the way, weren't the words to the littlest hobo "Until tomorrow, I'll just keep moving on"? Take it from someone from that era.)

Bob tells me you are in Singapore. You will have a bit of a different view than we have here. We've had an amazing snow dump. If I told you it was beautiful, you will know I am trying to cope with the fact that I'm not in the sun like you are.
Who set up your website? How can you do that in a very basic way?
Enjoy the waters and the sun!
Rita

Well, I procrastinated away enough time and now it's too late to call you and wish you all the best...so this'll have to do! Hope your flights were good and you arrive in the sunshine of Kiwi-land! Take care girls and can't wait to see the pics!

Girls I am going to miss you!!!! Take care of one another and have all the fun that you possibly can!!! I'm sorry I couldn't see you before you left, but I'm sending BIG hugs!!! Have fun Mudda Faddas!!! Lots of Love! Erin

Wow!!! I am sooo jealous.
You will have a wonderful time!
Take care of one another..I will check in often!
Good Luck!
Shawni

Yes, they are keen indeed!! Well everyone, we are alomost off. I just want to ensure that my friends take note of Melissa's message and keep it PG (not that I don't trust you guys)!! For those of you who have been to these parts of the world, feel free to leave us helpful tips along the way and be sure to keep us updated on what is happening at home. Cheers!