Northland

We are staying in KeriKeri a town in the bay of Islands on the Northern tip of New Zealands North Island. We have been here for 6 days and will probably stay here until we need to travel back down to Wellington which is the country's capitol where we will be flying from to head back to the States. The Bay of Islands is a beautiful region of New Zealnd. The home where we are staying has a magnificent veiw of the bay in which you can see many islands and the vast ocean beyond them. The sunsets and sunrises here are beautiful. The place here is very peacefull. It is a farm that has been passed down from generation to generation of a family who was here in the early days of settlement in New Zealand. There are many adventures that take place in the Bay of Islands, snorkeling, hiking/tramping, scuba diving, dolphin and whale watching, kayacking, etc. There are two beautiful water falls in the area. There is a lot of history here, both Maori and European. There is a replica of a Maori village which looks across the river to the land where the Maori village once thrived. It is so facinating to learn about other people, countries and there history.

The end is in sight...

The end of our New Zealand vacation is in sight.

It will be a little sad to leave.

We have enjoyed our travels all over these two beautifull islands.

The country is magnificent.

The people are generally friendly and helpful.

The culture is different but the same.

The beaches are warm and beautiful.

The water is cool and refreshing.

The wildlife is interesting and exotic.

The wheather is nice but every changing.

The stars are vast and bright on clear days.

The sunrises and sunsets are colorful and alluring.

The food is normal and strange.

The days are long and warm, when not raining.

Overall this has been a great vacation and many memories have been created.

We will miss the place but love to be home.

Accidents always happen when least expecting

Have you ever thought of removing a finger? I haven't. Just yesterday while cooking dinner, I was able to experience a little of what it would feel like to cut off a finger. I was slicing onions for hamburgers and the knife slipped and cut the tip of my pinky, which went about halfway through my finger. It was a little scary seeing the blood just come rushing out and not really feeling much until later. It looked like it would need stitches because the cut was very deep, but the new zealand doctor said that none were nescesary. So my poor little finger that I almost cut the entire top off is now wrapped and bandaged.

To all of you who look at this blog and have been very disappointed at the lack of updating...I apologize. When on vacation one tends to forget all the things they need to, should do, and even promise to do, because of all the fun they are having playing and relaxing. Alas...I am here now updating this blog. There are new pictures...even though they were taken a few weeks ago. I hope you enjoy them. We sure did enjoy what we did in the pictures.