Well hello…Britt here…another day down and finally have the chance to use a computer and write a post. Lots of things to say…all will be pretty random and odd…
First off, talked to my Mom briefly yesterday when she was driving home from Marshalltown and she said there was severe weather around Iowa Falls. Spoke a few minutes again this morning and she said tornadoes hit in Parkersburg and New Hartford/Dike. I hope those who live nearby were unharmed and safe (Theresa, Ryan, Shirley/Dick, Jan/Marv).
The plane ride was great! Flew Air New Zealand and had more leg room then we’ve ever had before and chairs reclined far enough that both Ted and I slept almost 8 hours on the flight over. Also watched part of Michael Clayton (George Clooney movie) and Grease.
Day 1 we spent driving along the coast of Coromandel. There wasn’t anything separating our car and the ocean for 30 odd miles. Quite nerve racking with Ted behind the wheel and never more than 50 meters of straightaway. I managed to keep my calm and tell myself that Ted wouldn’t dare kill us on the first day of our vacation…
Partway through the day I wanted to stop in a small town and attempt to use the payphone to try and call our parents to inform Ted’s Mom she’d get Buddy for the night. The first two payphones we tried using our calling card pin number, but never managed to dial out. Our next option was to use our credit card and be charged a dollar amount. Wanting to get ahold of his Mom, I made Ted run back to the car and grab his wallet. Our third attempt at yet another payphone failed and we were on our way. We stopped 10 miles outside of town at an attraction and as we were walking through the lot Ted says, “Britt, I don’t have my wallet!” We quick looked around all the rubbage in the car and no wallet was to be found. We jumped in the car to speed back to town, the entire time arguing whose fault it was. Luckily, I found the wallet sitting in one of the booths. Not funny at the time, but funny now that we can look back.
FYI…if you like to travel, do not go anywhere without a GPS device. I would say it was the best present I have ever bought for Ted. For starters, it gets us to the places we need to be without getting lost. Two, saves on arguments as to which direction we need to be driving. Three, it allows me to fall asleep whenever possible since I am not required to navigate. And for those who know me, I can not stay awake in any vehicle! It’s as if someone secretly slips a sleeping pill in my pop. Maybe it’s actually Ted and he looks at it as peace and quiet time….
We’ve stayed at B&B’s the first two nights. Not only do you get a hearty breakfast, but we enjoy learning a lot from the hosts about their country. Ted spent all morning talking fly fishing with our hosts today. Sandy (our host) even took Ted to his favorite fishing spot to show him where he lost a 15 pounder yesterday. He even sent Ted away with two of his favorite flies!
Another interesting fact…hunting is allowed year round. One animal which is hunted is the wild pig. Apparently this is a sport in which hunting dogs chase the pig down the mountain near the hunter. At this point, one dog will take aim at one ear, another dog at the other ear, and sometimes a third dog at you know what if the pig is male. The hunter apparently stabs the pig under the gut. If you see men walking around town with a limp, easy guess is that he was stabbed in the leg by the pigs’ tusk. Doesn’t sound like a sport I’d be interested in….
Biggest disappointment: Ketchup isn’t called ketchup, it’s tomato sauce. And I tried some “tomato sauce” last night that didn’t taste anything like ketchup. I am quite concerned I will not find any Heinz ketchup in New Zealand and my meals will be subpar. Next time I better pack some in my suitcase…
Random notes:
An 18 pack of pop will cost you $15 NZD (New Zealand Dollars) which is approximately $11.50 in US dollars.
There are no pennies in their currency. If you spend $11.97, you’ll owe $12.00. That really kills two Engineers even if it is only 3 cents.
They run on 250V, so when you attempt to use your new hair dryer on 125, it’ll be shot. My bad.
Along one stretch of windy highway the following random signs were posted along various locations:
You’re going too fast…..crash
Nearest hospital…38 minutes
Surgery to save your life..9 hours
Spinal unit …….6 months
Grieving for your dead passenger…A lifetime
Enough said. Hope all is well with everyone back home. Grandma, hope you are feeling better. Ted and I are thinking of you often!
~Britt & Ted
Views from Coromandel Peninsula
Cathedral Cove
Waikato River
Huka Falls
2 comments:
Sounds like you are both having a great time! Thought you would like to know that in today's Courier they show Smally standing on top of his house which was destroyed in Parkersburg. The whole thing is surreal to say the less and very sadd. On a positive note.....have a great time and bring me back a magnet for my collection :) And some "tomato sauce" for Adam!!!!
We finally were able to view the Courier website. I was wondering about his place, and now we know. I would venture to guess he'll be spending his free summer rebuilding...
Magnet...ok.
Please tell Adam to send a bottle of sauce for me:-)
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