For my love, Owen

So I have been getting complaints about the lack of blogging I have not bored you with so this is for all you that are interested in what I've been doing the last couple of days!

It has been quite groggy here; seems the Sunchild has brought the drought instead of the sun. Soooo we have had a few days to do indoor activities. Took Ethan to gather some germs in the ultimate play pen and was loved on by this sleeping, drooling angel

Breaking hearts one slobber stream at a time!

Yesterday we were able to go visit the museum here in Christchurch. Learned some interesting history about the country of New Zealand.

This is a picture of a Moa bird being hunted by the Maori peoples. The bird was an indigenous bird to New Zealand and was hunted to extinction. The flightless bird could grow up to 12 ft in height and weighed around 500 pounds. They were easy pray to the Maori tribes because the birds were unafraid of the settlers presence.

A bird so great it has a beer named after it.

Quite delicious with a taste a lot like Yuengling.

Some of the weapons and tools the Maori used.

Poupou- wooden panels from a whare koiwi or tomb.

The Albatross! This oversized looking seagull is indigenous to New Zealand and its wingspan can be as long as 9 ft in length. Frickin massive. They can be seen in Dunedin and I plan to find some when and if I get to visit!

Now for this lovely bird. This is... Drumroll please... The great, the almighty, Kiwi! This also flightless bird is what New Zealanders are named after. You may get a feel for their sense of humor.... They kind of remind me of opossums.

And of course I have to include the penguins exhibit. I spy the guy from Surf's Up! I'm going to melt the day I get to see some of these guys!

Then I was forced to run away in horror when this guy popped out of nowhere.

Jumped on my bike and wheeled away.

Wednesday (your Tuesday) is my first big, lone adventure! I will be traveling to Queenstown which is about 6 hours south. Stay tuned for more pictures!

Love and miss you all!

 

Akaroa, New Zealand :)

Gooooood morning from Kiwi Land! This last week has been incredible. Heather has been wonderful, showing me around Christchurch and other nearby towns. We went to both the farmers market and Sunday market over the weekend, which was massive compared to other markets I've been to. I tried and bought the most delicious apples I've ever had as well as a pie that was cooked up with ham and leek.

Yesterday Heather, the boys, and myself went over to Akaroa. It was about an hour drive through the country side.

This hill looked like a giant cookie with a bite taken out of it. Noms.

It was a beautiful drive.

Some of the views looked like post cards!

And of course since I am like a five year old, I wanted to see everything at once, and therefore kept trying to look around and take pictures of everything... Eventually getting very car sick. Fortunately I made it there without decorating Heather's car.

Upon arrival, I was awestruck by the views of this town... The water was so clear and glassy it was almost dreamlike.

We walked around the bay front and played tourist. I finally found me a kiwi necklace and some other cute New Zealand nicknacks :)

We then went and ate at this delectable little restaurant on the water.

I got this masterpiece. Akaroa Salmon. Absolutely delicious.

Ethan and momma, spooning at his fluff.

We walked down the dock and I attempted to take a picture with Elias, but I just look like I'm torturing the poor fellow. Lol.

It was one of the prettiest places I've seen so far. I could definitely make another trip back there.

Getting back on the road, we stopped at this cheese factory we saw on the way there. If you know me, then you know my cheese addiction. So of course I had to get some :)

You could actually watch them make the cheese too!

Decided on some wood smoke cheddar :))

Ice cream cone mountain.

Of course the already spectacular day couldn't end there. We went back to the house and then Pier's colleagues from India came over to make us their kind of dinner. I got to eat with my hands and it was socially acceptable!

 

;)

All in all, it was a fabulous day and I cannot tell you how fast I passed out after. Looking forward to my next adventure :)

 

Beach Day

Where to begin....?

How about with this--

Can you say hello perfect surf? This is Sumner Beach. It is traced with beautiful mountains with the most amazing houses atop them. There are zero condos or businesses, but instead 1 and 2 story homes with incredible views.

The surf today was 3+ feet, glassy, with the most perfect lines I've ever seen. I could not believe my eyeballs! The water was a little chilly, reading at 16 degrees Celsius. I am so looking forward to riding these beauties as soon as I figure out the bus system! And of course find some hot kiwis to you know, "show me how" ;)

On the drive over to Sumner we passed where a lot of the 2011 earthquake damage happened. It was very interesting to see the way they blocked the falling and fallen rocks from the road--

Who woulda thunk... Recycled containers... Pretty nifty they are--

Here are some that people painted over

My favorite!

I cannot get over how beautiful the beach was!

And of course the surf....

 

First Day Out!

First, I would love to show you my humble abode for the next 3 months!

This is my beautiful room! There should be more houses like this everywhere.

This is the outside view :)

Something that is really awesome about this country is how much they conserve! The red can is compost that looks like this ---

Pretty gnar. And then the red is regular trash and the yellow is recycles. They are very keen on recycling here! They even recycle their diapers for fertilizer! (Wouldn't want that job).

Meet Elias! Eli for short :) he is such a happy baby! He very much enjoys sucking on my shoulder and drooling all over.... Those were the days.

This is Ethan! Such a little man!

Taking him home with me!

After breakfast we went to The Container Mall.. Yes you read it correctly.. Is is an entire mall made out of recycled containers :P and this is the visual-

Also found some lively plant life

'twas a beautiful and different mall experience! Later we went for a drive up the Port Hills.... Which I would call mountains. You could see both Christchurch and Lyttelton from the top.

Pretty great first day! Tomorrow we are hitting the farmers market. Happy Friday to you!

 

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