Hello from aussieland!!!

Good day from Down Under,

We are crossing the Tasman Sea as we leave New Zealand on our way to Australia. I'll give a recap of our New Zealand's journey.

Auckland was our first stop. It is the largest city in New Zealand and is typically the point of entry or departure for international visitors. Known as the "City of Sails" it was capital until 1865 when Wellington was chosen as the approximate physical center of the island nation. Greater Auckland is in the North Island and the largest urban area. The "sails" nickname is named so because there are some 70,000 sailing craft and private powerboats in the greater Auckland region-this means one boat for every four households! Like most New Zealanders, Aucklanders like to be outdoors and are leaders in the world ecology movement.

Sweeping beauty surrounds Auckland and we were able to experience it from 722 feet above the city on the Sky Deck of the Sky Tower. The Sky Tower is the tallest man-made structure in New Zealand with views of up to 52 miles in every direction. Just think...being in Destin and almost seeing all the way to Panama city, Crestview and Pensacola!! There are 1029 steps to the Main Observation Deck (which is 623 feet). Needless to say we took the "lift" which travels at 18kph...40 seconds!!! I learned something new about Ken up there...he is deathly afraid of heights...what a big chicken he was as he clung to the inside rails. There was glass you could stand on and look down on the city but do you think he would come close to it...nope...I had to take my own picture on it and of course I did a little dance just to freak him out a bit more!!! I was getting him back for him making me go places I didn't want to go!!! We than visited the Antarctica Experience...it is a 100-foot Plexiglas tube beneath the harbor. Explorer Kelly Tarlton had a vision to bring the undersea to the people and turned a sewer into an underground aquarium....the penguins were adorable!!!

Next we traveled to Christchurch, which is the South Island's largest city. Retaining the nation's traditional character, the Garden City is known as one of New Zealand's most handsome cities. Filled with public parks and privet gardens, the town center is reserved for pedestrians. Old gothic style buildings dominate the skyline. A planned community established by British upper classes, in places, the city is reminiscent of Oxford. The town center is Cathedral Square and its namesake Anglican Church. Arriving at the historic Antigua Boatsheds we boarded an English-style punt. Our puntsman took us on a boat ride through the scenic Botanical Gardens, enjoying the sights and sounds of the garden paradise right in the heart of the city. Then we took a short walk to the Curator's House where we had tea and desserts. Our tour included a ttam ticket so we were able to explore other city sites.

Our last stop was Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. After a frustrating time trying to get my computer online (technology yuck) we boarded the Kelburn Cable Car and rode it to the top of Wellington to the Botanical Gardens. It is the only cable car in the Southern Hemisphere!!! The gardens were beautiful as you strolled along the walkway. It led us to the most magnificent rose garden where there were over 1200 varieties of roses. As we were leaving we watched a rugby touch match that was quite interesting. Since we have a gentleman that dines with us nightly we were educated on the rules of the game. Not quite as rough as the regular rugby matches. By the way the World Cup Rugby Match will be in Wellington in 2011. The local team name is ALL BLACK!!

We feel we walked many miles in New Zealand, at least 6-7 miles a day and our feet are talking to us, along with the hips, back and legs!!! That is a good thing...we are getting alot of exercise. I'm still trying to get Ken to join in dance classes and he seems to enjoy the country line dances the most...maybe one of these days he will succumb to the rumba...

Also, I know I told you the launderettes are a challenge...one other thing are the dryers are malfunctioning...they are shrinking all of our clothes!!!

With that I will end another few days in the life of a passenger..."It isn't that life ashore is distasteful to me. But life at sea is better".

Good day and good bye for now,

janet and ken