Category Archives: New Zealand

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is listed one of the top 10 day hikes in the world. While on our 1st of 19 kilometers, Kasey said, “We should do all ten.” I said, “Yeah! We’ll see what we think on kilometer 17 or 18…” One must get shuttled to the beginning of the trail and thenContinue reading “trek to mordor.”

The doctor’s hot tub never got as hot as the naturally hot waterfall we hiked to today. It’s now high on our “top experiences in NZ” list. The water coming out of the falls was scorching, like a gloriously hot shower after a day in the snow. Though it’s not snowing here; it’s summer time.Continue reading “wow.”

A 65-year-old swim teacher, Pam, was the official dog-sitter for Hans and Winnie while they were away. And we earned our keep by tending to the garden and washing the car. While cleaning out the car, Pam came back and when I asked the usual “how are you?” she responded with an unusual “not veryContinue reading “sam.”

Nana’s front left tire gets low from time to time. While on a roundabout (New Zealand seems to put roundabouts where stoplights would go in the states; they’re everywhere), a woman got our attention and pointed down and we tried to guess what she meant. My first thought, of course, was Ellen’s standup comedy bitContinue reading “nana the valiant.”

Driving in the dark in New Zealand from one town to the next is full of wonder. I gaze out the backseat window and can’t tell if what surrounds me is crystal blue water or jagged mountains or rolling hills full of sheep. It’s a thin island of a country, so water is abundant andContinue reading “make a fire and pour some wine.”

Reactions we’ve heard once we say we’re from the US: “Of A?” “Oh, I bet you’re so good at beer pong!” “That’s where Dexter lives. Be careful!” “How many guns do you own?” And today’s: “You’re from America? So you were probably close to Paul Walker? Are you doing OK?” Truth is, even though weContinue reading “we’re from america.”

I realized today while picking weeds, that for the first time in a while, I look forward to Mondays. The last time this was the case was my freshman year of high school when I couldn’t wait to see what color Hawaiian shirt Tom Porter would have on, just like every other girl in school.Continue reading “mondays.”

We weren’t homeless on Thanksgiving! We were thankful to have found a job getting Hans and Winnie’s house ready for an annual neighborhood BBQ. We’re in Havelock North in Hawke’s Bay for a week. Brittany has been looking at real estate, that’s how much she likes it here.  Hans and Winnie are from Holland andContinue reading “not homeless.”

As of this morning, we don’t know where we are going next. People are renting the lodge we’re in now, and we don’t have a job lined up until Friday. I just talked to a guy named Mark about working on his pheasant farm and he had lots to say, but in a way whereContinue reading “homeless.”

I’ve been in kiwi country for over two months now and the only things I’m sick of are the clothes in my suitcase. I love the new towns and ever-changing views, the new people and their accents, the strong coffees, and the variety of work. It’s a constant stream of hellos, getting used to things,Continue reading “cutiepatootie.”