Photos - QUEENSTOWN April 9

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New Zealand -day 5

QUEENSTOWN - April 8
We watched the news coverage of the  beautiful Royals' arrival to New Zealand. It would be nice to see them but the only day our paths will cross is on our return to Christchurch at the end of our holiday. Unfortunately they're not coming to Melbourne. Victorians feel snubbed that they aren't coming to what we believe is the prettiest state in Australia. (It's true, we've only seen 3).
When we first arrived and colleagues found out we were going to visit New Zealand for the first holiday, they said 'wait till hear their accent!' Before we came Australia, Aussie,NZ and South African....even British, all sounded the same to me. Now that we've lived in Australia for more than 3 months, I found it hard to understand the Kiwi accent.
We're on the road for 260km to QUEENSTOWN. The sun is trying to break through the fog.We have seen herds of sheep grazing on the sides and base of the mountains. Several falcons were pecking at carrion on the road. We stopped on the road to take photos of cattle crossing the road. The mountains are majestic. The landscape looks like  sprawling Swiss alps or Colorado mountains.

New Zealand - day 4

AORAKI/Mount Cook National Park
April 8 - Left Christchurch this morning and headed to Mount Cook. It was rainy, dreary and a desolate drive.
After about 2 hours, the scenery began to be breathtaking despite the fog and rain. It was only a 350 km but the two lane, windy and hilly roads made it a longer drive.  We made the best of the long drive with many stops and some exploring and enjoying some magnificent sights of Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki. Sitting for the long drive, I  did however come to a decision; that after the two  treks across Canada and the United States, I'm through with road trips. I will take planes, boats and be dropped off to my destination so that I can ride a bike or walk as we enjoy the sites.
Our destination of Aoraki/ Mt Cook National Park, is a beautiful enclave of a few resorts nestled in the fog peaked mountain ranges. It was reminiscent of Jasper in the Rockies. Our resort was immaculate and funky.
We did a Lisa and Tyler dinner of  grocery store meals for lunch and dinner. We pretended to be wealthy and sat in the panoramic lounge at the neighbouring Heritage resort and sipped on cocktails then went back to our cozy cabin for more bread and cheese.

New Zealand - day 2/3

April 6 - day 2
Christchurch
We heard there was a market nearby at Riccarton. Thank goodness we got the GPS...changed her English to Australian. Still not as sweet sounding as our GPS in Melbourne.
An overzealous Novotel bellman gave us directions.
It was a nice market but a bit junky. The food was delicious!!! We shared a bacon and egg sandwich with tomato and onion...the nice touch they have here is that onions are sauteed...yum!
We had a spiral potato...just like chips on a stick. Sliced with a drill...:-)
And shared an Egyptian lentil soup. It was nice to speak Arabic to the owners....they said I don't look Egyptian...don't know how we're supposed to look.
We then drove to Sumner on the coast, only 15 minutes away.  That's when we started to believe we were in NZ!!!
Everyone was strolling along the promenade....there is almost a Nordic feel....not that we've ever been, but that's how I  imagine it to be like.
At the end of the esplanade, we found a quaint restaurant where the locals gathered. it was reasonably priced....food and beer is much cheaper than Melbourne!
Even on this cloudy, rough day, the view was spectacular!
We then set the GPS to Lyttleton and got to a closed road...closed since the earth quake. It would be a detour of many km to go around to it, so we left the car and continued up the road to look at the view and then snuck past roadblock see what missed...spectacular views of turquoise waters, boats and hills! Seconds after we crossed the barrier, a police officer came to look behind the fence. In our imagination, we thought he might have been looking for senior rebels who disobeyed the law.
That evening, we had a lovely dinner of chicken pate and lamb burger in our cozy hotel restaurant. We were giddy and might have seemed like obnoxious Americans.

End of first 10 week term! Another Adventure!

Leaving school was a different experience...
1. When I told the children it was our last session before the holidays, they all said "aw" !
2. When the Grade 6 teacher asked me to open the doors for the senior kids, the flood of children rushing into their respective classes, cheered "hooray"!
3. At the end of the last day, instead of leaving immediately after the children left at 2:30, the teachers gathered for nibbles to toast the end of the first term and each made a point of chatting and saying goodbye to all other colleagues.

I moved my drama room to an empty 'multi purpose' room, away from the noisy hall (gym), as suggested by Nikki, a lovely and brilliant colleague. Eight Grade 6 children helped me set up and it already feels like my dream drama room!

I left first term, happy and satisfied.
Time flew.... I don't want to leave Hillsmeade.:-)

We arrived in New Zealand this afternoon. 

Goosebumps arriving in airport....

Christchurch is a sad place right now.
It puzzles me, that it's been 3 years since the devastating earthquake and everything seems to be exactly the same as if it happened last week...like a post apocalypse city....signage of sales and specials, with boarded up frontage. Novotel, where we are staying is one structure that withstood the devastating earthquake.

...just researched -  it's bureaucracy...

It is so sad for the business owners.

So far, every 'kiwi' has been hospitable and so kind.

Tried to post photos but internet in hotel does not allow photo posts. Will try again at the next destination.

Beautiful Day at Cape Schank/Mornington with Evelyn and Barry!