SO LONG NEW ZEALAND

POST # 368

 SUNRISE ON RAKINO ISLAND

Well, I got back before I left, which always happens when you fly from New Zealand, back to North America.  I departed Auckland at 1:30pm, July 27th, and arrived in San Francisco at 6:30am, July 27th.  Another adventure to add to the very long list, in an adventurous life.

 I was originally scheduled to depart on July 31st, and considering that I went to Auckland airport on July 26th, to say goodbye to my friends, Guy and Pauline, it was looking like I was going to get to know the airport very well indeed.  Not that I am trying to set any new record for airport stays, but it would have been a new record for me.  After our goodbye, I settled in for my first night, and when I awoke at 4am, I felt surprisingly well rested.

 While pondering my situation, I noted that I had all of my basic needs met- food, shelter, water, beer, and the icing on the airport cake, a free shower.  This was bloody luxury, and I would have had no problem hanging out until the 31st.  But a call to United Airlines allowed me to get onboard this earlier flight, and for only the small fee of $50.70CDN.  How could I say no?

 It has been a wonderful couple of weeks, and it was great to have the opportunity to re-visit places that I've been before on both the North and South Island.  The journey brought back some very special memories for me, which happened to include driving down the road to the Waitomo Caves, where in 1992, as I rolled into town on my bicycle, I was hit by a Maui Camper van filled with German tourists in a rush to get to the next glow-worm viewing. Their side mounted, very large, rear-view mirror hit me square in the back.  One minute I was riding happily along, and then BANG, I was flat on the ground.  It took a few days to recover, before I could  resume my journey back to Auckland.  

 As I write these words (on-board the aircraft on July 27th), Guy and Pauline will be just getting back to New York, and Kevin is now settled back in on Rakino island.  Not too long from now, I'll be back in Canada, and this adventure will come to an end.

 There are plenty of photos to remind me of the time spent in New Zealand, so I'll conclude this post with a selection of them, in no particular order. More precious memories to enjoy.
Many thanks to Guy, Pauline and Kevin for their friendship, laughter and generosity along the way, and to our gracious hosts, Lee and Chris on the South Island.  I'm one lucky Canuck.

 AUCKLAND SKYLINE ENROUTE TO RAKINO ISLAND

 RAKINO 

 CLOUDY BAY ON SOUTH ISLAND

WELLINGTON SKYLINE

 HEADING TO PICTON

LOLA

CHRIS, GUY, PAULINE, LEE, KEVIN

GOOD ADVICE

 MORE GOOD ADVICE

LAKE TAUPO ROAD SIGN

MOUNT NGAURUHOE

INTER ISLAND FERRY

 LEAVING RAKINO

 TAUPO ACCOMMODATION

 GUY ON THE AM SHOW

ON THE FERRY

LOLA GIVING LEE A HIGH 5 (4?)

RUBY

maximizing my moments,

Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer

RELAXING ON RAKINO

POST # 367

KEVIN (aka Phil Collins look-a-like)

GUY, TTW, PAULINE

The above photo was taken at Muriwai beach in New Zealand, and the reason we went there was to enjoy viewing the gannet colony. (See below)

That was almost a week ago, and since then we have relocated to Rakino Island, here in the Hauraki Gulf.  Rakino is about thirteen nautical miles East of the city of Auckland.
Kevin has a magnificent location here, and it would be easy to spend the entire time, just gazing out at the sea.

To have the opportunity to be here in this wonderful location, and to be able to spend this time with my dear friends, is a pure joy.
We will be here for another day, prior to heading back to the mainland, in preparation for our journey to the South Island.

A visitor arrived today at Kevin's place, and of course, I had to take a couple of photos.  This is Billie.

By the time next week rolls around, I should have more news to report.  Already it seems like the time is going by, way too fast.  Or to use an abrupt climate change phrase, "faster than expected."

maximizing my moments,

Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer

CHANGING HEMISPHERES FOR A WHILE

POST # 366

In my continuing effort to maximize my moments, I decided to go for a quick visit to the Southern Hemisphere.  After all, one never knows if I'll have this chance again.

By the time that this post shows up on my blog, I will be in New Zealand.  I plan to be there for almost three weeks, and I have no clue whether or not I will be able to post an entry on July 21st or July 28th.  If I have access to a computer on those dates, I will try and write a few words.

While I am gone, I imagine that Dora-dog will continue to have the opportunity to have a few adventures, like the one she had the other day.  She loved it.

maximizing my moments,

Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer

STRESSED-OUT DORA-DOG

POST # 365

Dora-dog knows nothing about the 4th of July except for this.  She hates it.  At least she hates the noise which results from the almost endless rounds of fireworks that people here seem to think is the one and only  thing to do during this time.  Above, is a photo of her cowering in her crate.  What you can't see is the constant fast paced breathing that is part and parcel of her stress.  I find myself feeling helpless to comfort her, and my friend Mary, who owns Dora-dog feels the same way.  It's tough to watch.

July 4th was without a doubt the worst day this week, but the fireworks started days before that, and they continue to this day, but at a reduced frequency.  I guess that we should all be grateful for that fact.

I took another photo, later on which shows the sheer exhaustion on Dora-dog's face, after a very long,  very loud, and very stressful day.  She's worn out with all of the stress, and it makes me very sad to see her in this condition.

Perhaps the worst of it is over with by now, and with any luck,  Dora-dog will be back to her normal happy disposition,  and the memory of this stress-filled week will fade away, and she will once again have this look on her face.

I could go on a rant about all of the craziness of the 4th of July, and take this post in an entirely different direction, but maybe I'll save that for sometime in the future.  Right now,  all I can think about is helping Dora-dog get back to normal.

maximizing my moments,

Paul

The Thoughtful Wanderer