NZ Roadtrip - Central Otago

We left Dunedin yesterday and headed to Alexandra, and onto Queenstown.

(Iain is in the bathroom right now singing a combined version of an REO Speedwagon song and CSN song. What the hell?)

Anyway, it's been awesome driving around --- we stopped and got a big bag of cherries. The stand also had zucchini that were MASSIVE (the picture does not do it justice)

We drove alongside the Clutha River, and had to stop and jump in for a swim - it was cold but crystal clear and a beautiful turquoise. We didn't have our suits out, so we just jumped in with our shorts on.

There's a lake where Iain used to go fishing with his dad, so we stopped there while Iain indulged in an hour of fishing. There were fish everywhere but he didn't catch any.

For lunch we had pies which we ate in the car -- New Zealand makes these incredible meat pies that are a bit like pot pies but much better.

It was a really fun day. Well, we need to check out of our motel in a few minutes, so I'll post pictures of swanky Queenstown when we get to our next destination.

Engaged!

Congratulations, Jamie & Scott!!!

Yea! Hiking...

We went for a hike today that was straight uphill - 2000 feet. It was one of those walks where you keep thinking you're almost there, and you're totally not (Don't let my smile fool you -- I was delirious.) My motivation to reach the top was a rotund gal in jeans (who hikes in jeans?!) and her boyfriend who were ahead of us - if they could do it, so could we (in theory). More motivating was the tanned and fit couple in their 60s who we saw on the way down. Holy crap. I was whining about dehydration, my bad knee (I have one - really) while holding my lower back with my arm, while these two whizzed by us with no effort. Iain said, "That'll be us one day!" Uh, huh.

I Drove the Car!

A Real Dog and Pony Show

No, seriously -- it's a pony chasing a dog around a yard. I could've watched this all day.

Lover's Leap

Now that we've got the car and the driver's license sorted, we've had free time to do some hiking. Hopefully we'll start to lose some of the weight we've gained on this trip, although the beers at lunch pretty much negate our progress.

Here's a cliff called Lover's Leap where it's rumored that 2 people jumped. This lead to a quick discussion of Best Ways To Kill Yourself - diving off of a cliff was NOT on the list. I could barely look over it.

Sea Lion

Here's footage of a sea lion that we walked by on the beach today. He bears a slight resemblance to Blue, we thought!

Pictures of Dunedin

The water was a little too chilly to swim in (but barely) - think Florida in the winter - but it was still a beautiful day outside. The best part is how everything smells -- it's so amazing.

Look Out New Zealand!

I now have a NZ driver's license! I received a perfect score and am now allowed behind the wheel of the car!

It's not Pat's or Geno's but...

Actually, we were too afraid to try this.

New Car!

After a day and a half of test drives and wandering around to all of the dealerships in Dunedin, we settled on a car. It's a Toyota Coronna, which is a cross between a Corolla and a Camry. Iain is pleased with the larger engine, the back wiper (lots of rain in Auckland) and the large trunk space.

Dunedin!

Sorry we haven't posted for a few days -- we've been spending our time checking out the town, hanging out with family, and have also done a bit of car shopping. The weather in Dunedin is completely schizophrenic -- it goes from hot to rainy to cold to windy then back to hot and then it's cold again. But it beats snow.

Flying to Dunedin

We're visiting Iain's family for a week in Dunedin, located on the South Island. It was two 1-hour long flights. Domestic security is very efficient: no ziplock baggies, no 3 0z. rule, and you keep your shoes on. The motels here are also a LOVELY change from the vile Super 8s . Ours (pictured) is only a few blocks from Iain's parents' house.

Iain and I both have colds -- not surprising, but still irritating. We're loading up on elderberry, raw honey, manuka honey, vitamins, as well as the usual cold medicine to get through the day. Luckily, we don't have anything to do, so we can at least relax and enjoy the fantastic commercials on NZ television.

I am also studying for my NZ driver's license -- that should be interesting... Iain is out now, shopping for a car.

We'll leave Dunedin next week and start our cross-country drive up New Zealand, heading back up to our house in Auckland. I can't wait!

I'm Lovin' It

McDonald's menu at the Auckland airport. We went to the Asian food place next door that offered udon noodle soup that was restaurant quality -- it was SO good.

¡¡¡¡QUARANTINE!!!!

We finally got to see the cats and I am pleased to say they're doing just fine. Now we can relax for the next 30 days, knowing they're being well cared for. There were a few other cats in their own cages, including a psycho tabby from Taiwan who would not stop meowing and leaping up to see us -- he obviously wanted to befriend Blue and Tama, who would have none of it. Here are some pictures.

Auckland harbor

Here are some pictures of swanky Auckland harbor - most of the pictures are from our hotel room. Our hotel is gorgeous, although almost everyone appears to be American (including the staff), which sorta takes away from the "We're in a new country!" feel.