A Fabulously Fun Fall

When we lived in Alberta, I used to dread Fall - despite the larch trees turning beautiful shades of yellows -- because I knew it was a precursor to winter.  That doesn't worry me anymore, because winter on Vancouver Island is a helluva lot easier to take.

Our fun and fabulous Fall started with a weekend in Vancouver to see Elton John on  his Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour.  Thanks to a generous Christmas gift from Brad and Anette, we had great tickets and felt Elton John gave one of the best performances we've ever seen.  Well done, Sir Elton -- and thanks, Brad and Anette!

In October, we went down to Washington to visit Brad, Anette and Magnus.  Always a fun weekend, we went to a school event for Magnus who just started Grade 1.  The event was in a Corn Maze and we had a terrific day.

The maze was set up like the State of Washington and we were given maps to help us find our way out.

Magnus loves maps and did a great job finding the route out

Magnus is always so happy to play with his friends - the smile says it all

With Hallowe'en around the corner, I got to experience the fun of dressing up for a work event that Oceanside Building Learning Together puts on every year, called Spooktacular.  In less than 2 hours, almost 300 children and their parents and grandparents visited our Storybook Theatre playground.  I was a greeter, and had a ball.  I really love my job.

I dressed up as Cruella deVille - but who was rehabilitated and now loves dogs!  

The costumes ranged from princesses to The Adams Family - what a hoot.

Then came the trip we had been planning since Christmas; the Tapas Tour of New Zealand (meaning we were going to see a little bit from several places!).

Roger gave me this on Christmas Day - pretty sure he thought I'd choose him as my traveling partner!

We asked our dear friends Shelagh and John Slater from Ma-Me-O Beach, Alberta and Paddy and Dave Carlson from Spokane to join us.  For months we planned, booked flights, AirBnb's, ferries, and a wine tour.  One of the last tasks was to get the New Zealand visa that had only just come into effect.  According to the website it was fast and easy - and indeed, five of us received ours within hours.  Unfortunately, David's application was put under review for a minor incident that happened 45 years ago and it got sent to bureaucracy purgatory.  Sadly, the Slaters and us left with the hopes Carlsons could catch up to us once the visa was granted.  Despite David leading an exemplary life, his application is yet to be reviewed.

That was the only downside to this trip -- so sit back and join us on the Tapas Tour!

A gin and tonic and a bloody Mary kicked off  the 14 hour flight

We arrived in Auckland at 7 a.m. and had several hours to kill before checking into our condo.  We all went up the Sky Tower to get a view of this beautiful harbour city.

We decided to "pass" on the sky jump and sky walk.....

The 360 degree views were spectacular

The glass floor sections are quite freaky to stand on ---- 328 meters is quite a height!

Bastion Point had beautiful gardens and ocean views

Auckland from the water

We had our first lunch at Dr. Rudi's on the Viaduct Harbour.  It was so good that Roger and I returned on our last day in NZ.

Roger laughs that Shelagh and I can talk for hours and still find things to talk about.

We were so happy to get into our condo, have a shower and then have a gin and tonic!

Day 2 had us travel by ferry to Waiheke Island, a short distance from Auckland.  We took a hop on, hop off bus that circled the island and took us to places famous for oysters, beaches and wine.  What else could we ask for?

We only dipped our toes in the ocean -- it was spring in New Zealand and the water still had to warm up!

Cable Bay vineyard had a spectacular location with Auckland in the background

Off to Rotorua, we passed beautiful countryside.  We heard that sheep outnumber people 5:1, and we believe it.

Mount Fuji in New Zealand???

Our AirBnb was gorgeous and overlooked Rotorua

Steam from the hot springs rose like smoke from fires with Lake Rotorua in the background

We took a gondola to the top of the mountain, and then took the "luge" (which was more like a go cart) down the mountain.  We each had 3 runs and Roger, of course, left us all in the dust.  It was a blast.

Riding the chairlift back up the mountain with our luge sleds.  The track is below us.

Coming into the finish line!

Our next stop was Wellington.  The harbour was interesting and the museum well worth visiting.

Interesting boat tied up at the harbour

The ferry we were about to get on had a hard time docking due to the high winds.  After 45 minutes, a tug boat was finally able to guide it in and we were able to board.

It was a rough 3-1/2 hour crossing, but Roger was in his element.

The Cook Strait is notorious for stormy weather

As we neared Picton on the South Island, the weather broke and the scenery was one again spectacular

Our first stop on the South Island was to Nelson.  Once more, our accommodation was fantastic with views of the ocean and we enjoyed watching ships coming into port.

Our AirBnb was called "Above the Cut" which described it perfectly as you can see this tanker going through The Cut.

We went to an amazing museum called The Museum of Wearable Art and Classic Cars.  An unlucky combo of avant garde clothes and cars, it was fun as well as interesting.

When do clothes become art?  Right here.

Then came the restored classic cars with an exhibit of automobiles dating back more than 100 years. Roger said he'd never seen such a collection before.

This one was Roger's favourite

Brad used to own a DeLorean, so I always take photos of them when I see them.

The main reason for coming to New Zealand was to have a tour of the Marlborough Region and taste some great wines.  Mission accomplished.  

I booked a driver to take us around so we wouldn't have to worry about drinking and driving. I asked that she take us to Cloudy Bay and then to boutique wineries with interesting Cellar Doors.  It was all that I hoped it would be.  

St. Clair was our first stop, and the Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir were excellent

I always find it neat to visit the wineries of wines we like to drink.  We've done tastings in South Africa, California, Australia, and BC and when we go to buy bottles when back home, I'm immediately transported to the experience of sampling the wines where they were made.

Forrest Wines has a dessert wine that tastes amazing over the delicious ice cream 

Slaters and Kinleys!

We had the most decadent and incredible charcuterie boards while touring New Zealand.  We voted this one #1!

We took a "break" from wine tastings, and visited the Omaka Aviation Heritage Museum in Blenheim.  The aircraft exhibits were really well done, and John saw the same model of plane his dad had flown in WWII.

Leaving the wine country behind, we headed south to Christchurch.  We stopped around Kaikoura, a region that suffered a 7.6 magnitude earthquake 3 years ago.  Roads were still being repaired, and we spoke to people who lived there.

Our wine tour guide told us to stop by Nins Bin near Kaikoura -- a famous food stop on the coast that specializes in cray fish (our version of lobster without the claws).

With mouths watering, we thought we'd stop for lunch......until we saw how much the crayfish were!

The prices are marked on the crayfish....we just couldn't wrap our heads around spending close to $100 each for a lunch that was served on a paper plate, so we ordered fish and chips were absolutely delicious!

In Christchurch, we visited the International Antarctic Centre which was another great place to spend a few hours.  Christchurch is the base for many Antarctic expeditions and we learned a lot about the continent I have no interest in visiting (but I never say never).

We started off by taking a Hagglund all terrain vehicle that took us on an obstacle course to show what it could do.  I was too busy hanging on for dear life, so had to take this photos off their website. It was a blast.

We bought a special pass, and got a private tour of the penguin exhibit.  These penguins were all rescued, and some suffer from unique issues including one that is afraid of the water!  We learned about their love lives, heard them sing love songs to their partners and also heard how they grieve when one dies.

Feeding time for the penguins

This was one exhibit we decided to pass on.  People could dress up in warm jackets and shoes and enter a room to experience -8C with wind to bring the temperature down to -20C with the windchill.  Been there --- avoiding that.

Another epic charcuterie and seafood platter

The boys went one way and Shelagh and I went another.  We walked around downtown and saw the lasting effects of the 2010 and 2011 earthquake that killed 185 people.

Had to take this picture.

Christchurch Cathedral was heavily damaged in the earthquake.  After years of debate, it was finally agreed 2 years ago to restore the cathedral.

Interesting shops, restaurants and murals

Beautiful archway in Christchurch

We often ate out in a pub for lunch, and then relaxed at home making easy dinners.  Cheers!

Our last stop was Queenstown, and a long the way, we saw...wait for it....more spectacular scenery.

Lake Tekapo

Church of the Good Shepherd

Lupins and the lake which is a spectacular blue much like Peyto Lake, Lake Louise, and Morraine Lake in the Rockies

Some of the 25 million sheep that call New Zealand home

Our Queenstown condo was breathtaking. While we planned to do a day trip to Milford Sound to take a boat trip through the Fjords, we decided to cancel when torrential rain was forecast.  We decided to explore Queenstown, which reminded us of Jasper/Banff and were so glad we did.

The region is famous for bungy jumping and all things adventurous. While we didn't do any of those activities, we did notice a lot of young adults at the airport with casts, crutches and bandaged limbs.

View from the condo

Waking up to this view was easy to take

The Queenstown town center has a great vibe with wonderful restaurants, shops and of course, the lake.

Shelagh and John took a tour on this steamboat and enjoyed it despite the rough water.

A final farewell in Queenstown as we flew to Auckland, and Slaters returned to Christchurch for another day before heading to Australia for 3 weeks.

The Viaduct Harbour is home to the biggest yachts we've ever seen.

Back to Dr. Rudi's for a last meal.  What a view!
We dined on lamb ribs, snapper wings and salt and pepper squid with a great IPA and Sauvignon Blanc -- decadent and delicious!

Our condo was close to Viaduct Harbour

Auckland is getting ready for Christmas!

Roger continues to show me the world.

Before we left, we heard that New Zealand was British Columbia on steroids.  No question about that, but we also thought parts reminded us of the beautiful drive between Nanton, Alberta and the Crowsnest Pass, as well as Ireland.  What a great combination.

Many people thought we tried to do too much in too little time.  We all agreed that the itinerary was perfect for us.  We saw lots and with 2 nights in every place except for Wellington, and staying in great accommodation, it wasn't too hectic.

How lucky we were to visit a such a beautiful country where we felt safe....where people were friendly.....where we learned a lot.... where we ate and drank like royalty....and where we shared the experience with dear friends.

We decided to change the name of the tour to the Holey Moley tour because we were constantly saying, "Holey Moley"!  This restaurant in Auckland summed it all up.

Getting ready to start the descent into Vancouver

Kei Ou Ringaringa Te Oa.   
The world is yours.