Soundtrack of my night

You know those times steeped in nostalgia and sentiment when your insides feel as heavy and dense as the iron core of the Earth?  Well that's me tonight as I wait for Pauly to get home from another hard week's work. My dad and Sandy have officially made it back home safe and sound - maybe that's a part of it.  We had a really wonderful visit but again I'm reminded of what I'm missing back home.  This year has flown even though thinking back to last July seems like an eternity.  I know what you're thinking.  Don't get me wrong, I am immensely grateful for this time - we are beyond lucky to have these opportunities yet naturally I still yearn for "home".  Oh life, how you enchant me.   Ok take this mic away from me!   
Happy Anniversary to my mom and Buddy celebrating 4 years of marriage and Carolyn & Luther who are celebrating 65 years today.  WOW!  

Long and Winding Road

Skandy's visit has been full of laughs and other bodily outbursts!  We spent the first few days around Auckland, followed by a long weekend road trip over to Rotorua and then up to the Coromandel Peninsula.  Yeeeehaww!  

Photo shoot at Karekare 

Waiheke time!  Sandy has decided this is where she will retire.  

He's got that Paton flair!

So does she!

Volvo Ocean Race leg in Auckland

Lake Rotorua

Waimangu Volcanic Valley

Love this shot Paul took

Best birthday present!

Inferno Lake - NOT Kool-Aid

Lake Rotomahana and Tarawera Volcano in the distance

Stumbled upon this on our way up to the Coromandel

Coromandel Peninsula - is that real?!

Opito Bay

Paul's new friend, Blackbeard who appeared and disappeared mysteriously
from that grassy stuff.  Was she real?   

"Skip, you were right"

Birthday digger!!

Heaven

Doesn't that look like Bits waiting patiently for somebody to throw her racquet?  

kthx byyeeee

S K A N D Y

In tha house!!!!  My father and stepmonster (I love this woman for the record) have officially hit Kiwi soil.  We've had a great day, including a 4 hour nap for everyone.  Official Skandy shout out to Jim & Anita, Muddy and Larah (Luke & Sarah)!  XOXOXOXOXOXOXOOXO to all.  

Galbraith's Alehouse for lunch

Wicka wicka wicka wickaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Milford lady

Emotionalism

I'm a little choked up today saying adiós to my momma and auntie.  Our adventure has been truly unforgettable so I will be A-ok.  Here are some images from the rest of our zig zag of the South Island and day trip to Waiheke Island with Pauly.  Muah!  

Akaroa (80 kilometers from Christchurch) in the mornin time

Barry's Bay Cheese Farm - Banks Peninsula.  He's making Canterbury Red - a yummy smoky cheddar.  

Lake Tekapo 

More of Lake Tekapo.  The sky remained this clear during the night so we did some stargazing with an astrophysicist from SoCal.  I can now identify the Southern Cross!  

Arrowtown Lodge B&B - introducing Mickey 

The drive along Lake Wakatipu to Glenorchy from Queenstown.  This should look very familiar to a LOTR fan!  

Glenorchy

Not-Masochistic bus tour to Milford Sound thanks to our lovely tour guide & driver, Peter 

First wind farm (not the only one now) in New Zealand

Eglinton Valley - really never thought I'd be able to get back to this stunning piece of Earth ever again.  

Sisters in Fiordland!

Nearing sunset on the way back to Arrowtown

Why hello little buddy - seal colony near Moeraki - east coast 

Speight's Brewery in Dunedin

Heading to Waiheke Island for lunch at Casita Miro and maybe a winery or 4

Mini horsey on Waiheke

Stag party at Man O' War winery - they've just ripped the groom's cow suit off.  HA

W O W 

Zig Zag Twins

Mom, Aunt Patti and myself are switchbacking our day down the South Island.  It all started with a mucked up train/bus from Auckland to Wellington to escort BanAnna to her new home, ferry from Wellington (bottom of North Island) to Picton (top of South Island), bus from Picton to Nelson where we rented a car.  Tonight we're in Akaroa which is a cute little French/British settlement 80 kilometers east of Christchurch on the Banks Peninsula.  It is set on a beautiful bay in the center of an ancient volcano.  Tres jolie.  Heaps of love to all!  

Before celebratory dinner drink with BanAnna at General Practitioner in Wellington

Coming into Marlborough Sounds on the ferry

Hippie Stick dancing at the Queen's Garden in Nelson

Woollaston's organic vineyard outside of Nelson

Brave Patti & Mom walking Buller Gorge swingbridge!!

Sunset at the seal colony at Cape Foulwind - West Coast

Momma love at Pancake Rocks

Along the Devil's Punchbowl Falls track in Arthur's Pass National Park

Bridal's Veil - Arthur's Pass

Beginning of Craigieburn Range just east of Arthur's Pass

One year post earthquake Christchurch city centre is still empty and broken

Governor's Bay - Banks Peninsula

Overcast, chilly evening in Akaroa