Earthquake and recap

Sobering moments Earthquake in Christchurch

I am very disappointed that internet access has not been what was anticipated. Blogging has been a problem and I do hope that you have not given up on me. We are sitting here at a beach side campsite in Kaikoura which is just north of earthquake ravaged Christchurch. We heard the news of the quake when we were in Abel Tasman Nat'l Park. It was announced just prior to being dropped off to kayak near Tonga Island. At that time we were told that it was at least as bad as the September quake. We have learned that to date at least 100 have died and Christchurch is damaged beyond comprehension. Some seaside homes were demolished by boulders crashing down the hillsides due to the tremendous shaking. Fortunately, we are safe and the roads around Christchurch have reopened and we will be able to bypass the city. Send your prayers and love to the folks here. They are -understandably- in shock and hurting.

I will now proceed with an update of our travels. We have experienced so much so I need to do some serious catch up! My snarkiness is not up to standard but it is due to the length of time that I have been out of contact and the earthquake.


Ok I will skip over the plane trip and the fact that the Big Fella and me were stuck in coach while the Love Birds were nestled in business class...ahem. It was an uneventful flight and after landing and clearing customs etc. we got the rental car and were off to our first destination, Ngunguru -pronouced nunguru. We had a great bed and breakfast lined up called Bellmain House. Our hosts Graeme and Marian Bell were a great couple with good recommendations for restaurants and other activities. Needless to say we turned in early that night. Early to bed and early to rise, the early bird gets the worm, ok you get the idea. An early morning can only mean one thing, scuba diving and snorkeling. I went snorkeling and donned a wet suit for the first time. One can look at a wet suit two ways. Number one, it is the most unflattering and the most difficult piece of attire to put on. Number two, you are instantly made to look 10 pounds thinner. Although, one does look a bit bloated about the face but never mind It's the waist line that counts. The weather was wonderful, the water was crystal clear, and the fish were everywhere. We left Bellmain the following day and were off to Kinloch which is a mere six hour drive south but first a bit about driving on the "wrong" side of the road...it is terrifying especially when riding shotgun. There are not very many straight roads in New Zealand and the Big Fella drives them thinking that he is a native and when I tell him um you are a bit close to the trees here on my side and he says no I'm not and then there is a big thud...of course he says what was that and I say um that was a tree limb that I told you was pretty close and he says no it wasn't. Well, you get the picture. Riding shotgun is done at your own risk. Oh, and by the way he has only been in the wrong lane twice, so far which is lucky. So where was I? Oh yeah, we drove six hours to Kinloch and you will never believe what we ran into along the way. Ok, I will tell you. It was the New Zealand National Military Museum. The Big Fella made a bee line and before you can say hey look at those tanks on the side of the road, he is parked, out of the car, and on his way to pay the fee. He was joined by his brother-the females sat this one out- and with only two days in NZ he had already been to a museum. Sigh. I had lunch instead. I'd rather eat and gain 20 lbs than go to a military museum. Puhleeze! This was a planned long driving day and we arrived in Kinloch to the most beautiful B&B called Country Lodge Kinloch. It sits on a hillside overlooking beautiful Lake Taupo -pronounced Toepaw. Our hosts Gavin and Julia Brown were charming and explained much about the area to us, which includes the thermal areas of Rotorua which is much like Yellowstone. Their home was beautiful, quiet and just what we needed after the long drive through the hills and sheep filled valleys. We had a great dinner of fish and chips that we enjoyed by the lake. All had a very restful night and awoke to a sumptuous breakfast. Our hosts povided fresh fruit, yogurt, muesli, toast and then we feasted on pancakes with raspberries and whipped cream,and bacon. The Big Fella was in heaven. I was happily overfull and then we were off again our destination Wellington but first a stop at Arakei Karako. More about that tomorrow! It's late, and I need to get my beauty sleep, A bit of a preview... thermal area, swimming with seals, kayaking in Abel Tasman. It will get more interesting, I promise.