Some photos of the travels...

Top photo: This is in Doubtful Sound; those folks are on an overnight cruise. We just took the day cruise...

Next: as far south as we got -- near Riverton, South Island, New Zealand.  Beautiful seas --

Wildlife picture -- this is the RARE Fjordland Crested Penguin -- that is only rarely seen here -- and then only in mating season.  We not only got to see him/her -- we were able to snatch some quick pictures -- which accounts for why it is so fuzzy...but what a gift!  Folks on the boat and our hostess were both quite surprised that we saw them.  Just lucky, I guess.

Here is Doubtful Sound from the Wilmot Pass -- next stop down is the underground tunnel to the power plant. Road overland was built in the early '70's at a cost of (sit down) $5 per INCH!!!

Bottom picture is view out our window at the b 'n b...notice low lying cloud layer -- this is typical: the clouds are lower than mtn tops and higher than the tree tops...

Glow little glowworm, glimmer, glimmer....

You have to be of a certain age to know those lyrics. I thought the Mills Brothers just made them up in the '50s for me to dance to, but lo and behold...there is a glowworm cave in Fjorland National Park and we went there!!!!

Close your eyes and imagine the darkest night in Mississippi (or North Carolina). Next pretend you have looked up into the sky and Whammo! you are stunned by the extraordinary number of stars in the sky.

Well, when you have taken a boat on Lake TeAnau, and then walked through a tunnel with a rushing river running through it, and finally got on a boat and floated around a black lake in the dark, saying nothing...you have the same experience.  On the walls of the cave -- in total darkness -- are thousands of tiny -- really tiny -- green lights (just like the standby lights on the computer only smaller). These little critters glow more brightly the hungrier they are, and lost insects fly toward them. Unbeknownst to the bug, the worm has woven a thread of sticky stuff that hangs down from its body... once they are there -- they are goners.  These little suckers are vicious, too...if one of their own kind wanders too close to their turf -- whoosh! they are in the stomach of their neighbor! What a lesson in the struggle that is called "life".

That is just one of the wonderful experiences we have had here in New Zealand.  Seems there are more amazing things at every turn of the corner. Our time here is nearly over, and I find myself wanting MORE!!

First, I can't decide whether the people or more extraordinary or the place...I love these folks with their funky accent -- even they admit they don't know how to speak "the King's English" -- we were told we were visiting a "pear" station -- I assumed it was a fruit cellar...but it was a power plant -- under the mountains -- (felt like a coal miner on that one!) Our new-found friend's name is Heether -- we say Heather.  Even she laughs at it...and the minister at church was "Kyle" -- until we read his name -- Karl.

Glowworm cave on Sunday -- after church at Lakeside Presbyterian.  Great day.  Monday we drove to the south of the island -- wound up at Riverton ALMOST the most southernly place, but not quite.  On the way saw herds of cattle and red deer/elk (donated by Teddy Roosevelt), fishing villages, and surfers -- now I guarantee you the waves were not the Hawaii-50 type, but the six kids in the water were having fun. Driving on, we dined at a Beach House restaurant, and while there the other folks excitedly pointed out the pod of dolphin frolicking up Mitchell Sound.  They were really having fun, and natives say that only happens once or twice a year -- so we were lucky.

Yesterday we took our "special" trip of this visit...a day long trip out Doubtful Sound.  Coach ride to Manapuri where we boarded the boat...then across Manapuri Lake to dock and again ride a coach overland.  We rose to a high pass and had a vista of the sound from above -- then descended past those "cold rainforest temperate" zones - and down to where there was a smattering of deciduous fall colored trees...then on a boat again.

Fjords are simply one of God's special creations...these are covered with plant/lichen growth --to the extent that when it rains (nearly all the time) the water leeches the tannin out of the plants, and the brown water descends to the sound -- making it actually brown water close to the shore. Their extreme verticality in close proximity to each other and to the islands make the scenery simply beautiful.  Add to that the appearance of the Fjordland Crested Penguin who had returned to mate, the sea lions basking in the sun with their babies, and those albatrosses as they crossed the clear blue sky, and you have a perfect day.  We also met a couple from Texas and spent the entire time ooohhhing and aaaahhhing with them. She teaches "butterfly gardens", Anita, so you know Vaughn offered a free week in the mountains of North Carolina if she would come and share her knowledge with us. I won't hold my breath until they do...

Today is a catch-up day with a trip to Milford Sound and preparations for departure. We fly out of Queenstown tomorrow, and spend two nights in Auckland before flying out to Seoul for one night and on to Malaysia and the first of our international "pseudo-sons"visit.  And -- instead of wearing those heavy coats...we will be in equatorial weather - shedding as much as is legally possible and enduring 90+ temps.

I hope to get the pix on line on Friday -- MY FRiday--not yours :-)

What an adventure!

A couple of pictures

Here we are at one of the biggest trees -- this one is over 800 years old, but in the forest

we visited, there were others over 1,000 years old. It lives long because it sheds any "predatory growths" that land on it -- it sheds that part of the bark, and so takes care of its own health!

Vaughn got to play sheepman as he sorts them out according to their color on their  wool.  He did alright, according to the professional sheep man...

Greetings from the Southern Hemisphere

Well, everything they have said about New Zealand is true -- and more!  We spent the day of arrival resting in the hotel, but the next day, an Ole Miss grad and his wife introduced us to the North Island.  We spent the day perusing supermarkets -- they have purple sweet potatoes! Next we drove to a place where Jurassic Park was filmed -- it makes our term "virgin forest" look elementary. It is absolutely primeval.  I have lots of film of it -- ferns over 60' tall, trees that are 1,000+ years old -- not redwoods, either.  And an amazing world of birds -- which you know attracts Vaughn's attention.

After the long -- 30 hours in the air and 8 on the ground or tied up at the gate -- trip -- we appreciated the business class....however, on the plane to Queenstown we were back in the normal, coach seats.  What a difference.

We arrived in Queenstown to rent our car, and drive (on the other side of the road) and drive down here to Te Anau where we are in a b 'n b, looking at the fjords, seeing the sheep, and learning how to interpret the Kiwi speech.

Believe me, when people speak of the kindness and friendliness of the New Zealanders, they are right.  They are eager to help, and do it with a smile. No tipping allowed in the country, because they earn a living wage anyway...when they say 65 miles an hour they mean 65 KILOMETERS AN HOUR -- not 67 -- when they say your plane check in is 30 minutes before departure...they will NOT check you in prior to 30 minutes.  And guess what?  They "cue" in the most civilized manner to board the plane...

And....gas is (we DID convert it from liters and kilometers!) -- sit down -- $8 a gallon.  Guess we cannot complain too much.

I will try to attach a picture -- if you get it, great, if you don't well, better luck next time...love to all. Sndy and Vaughn

PS -- I did see the Southern Cross -- their version of the Big Dipper and the North Star -- that constellation that the sailors cued off of....

First leg of the trip

Well, the first leg is over...but the tragedy of the tornados in all of our favorite places have dominated our consciousness.  Oxford was spared, as was Bakersvillle, and the airport at St. Louis was as normal as usual when we departed yesterday...the concourse that was heavily damaged was built separately, so we had no idea of any damage as we waited to board.  Only when we took off over Bridgeton did we see blocks of devastation.  Our hearts go out to all of those affected by the storms.  They are in our prayers.

Out of a total of 25 different flights, we have completed two:  St Louis to Oklahoma City and OK to Denver...we are enjoying the snow that is left over on the mountain tops...they are gorgeous...we are all layered up in our clothes, but the sun is shining (haven't seen that in days) even though the thermometer does not get above low 50's.  But, as I just said, the sun is shining...and we are drying our clothes outside.

The visit to St. Louis was wonderful, spending time with the grandsons, Jacob and Sammy, Mike and Betty Ann, and reminiscing with friends of long standing.  This is a freedom of schedule we have not enjoyed before! We spoke to Jacob's kindergarten class on Monday about this trip (they will follow us on their globes and maps), and tried to Skype them today, but had some techie problems.  We will try again tomorrow before we leave for Los Angeles.  It was cute to see the kids waving to us. Maybe tomorrow we can hear them!

Terri and Al met us yesterday and we are taking things slow and easy...can you believe it?  It is a great beginning to a lifelong dream....hope you are all in good health and that the sun begins to shine in your world!  Email me sometime!

Here's the "easy to read" itinerary

GRISHAM ITINERARY:

ROUND THE WORLD TRIP

APRIL 23 TO JULY 23, 2011

April 23, 2011

We drive to St. Louis to visit the grandsons there and good friends before we head west into “tomorrow-land”.  Celebrate Easter and a half marathon at the same time, and “teach” Jacob’s kindergarten class about our trip…got a beach ball globe so they can follow us throughout the trip.

April 27

We depart at 10:30 am for Terri’s in Nederland (near Boulder, CO).  Get to stay there until Friday morning…just enjoying the mountains from their deck. A good way to get into the New Zealand mode.

April 29

Fly to Los Angeles – and get ready to launch into the journey…Bruce and Rhonda will “host” us there for two nights, doing some sightseeing.

May 1

That Sunday at 11:30 we depart from LAX on China Southern Airlines to arrive in China (Guangzhou) for a three hour layover, then on Korean Air to Seoul for another three hour layover, and once again, into the night as we head for New Zealand.

May 4 (remember – it is a day head of our day here)

At 7:30 am we arrive in Auckland, NZ where we will stay for two nights before heading for our bnb in Te Anau, on the South Island.  There we will take life easy and tour the mountains and bays – hoping to see the penguins or other such wildlife and enjoy the country and its people. By the way, read an interesting book by a NZ author – I am Mr. Pip.  I can recommend it. (Maybe the name is Call me Mr. Pip)

May 12

Depart the South Island for Auckland, and remain there for another two days.

May 14

Leave Auckland at 8:30 am, headed for Seoul, Korea and a twenty-four hour layover, where we will meet with Hyan for dinner and meander around the city.

May 15

Depart for Kuala Lumpur, Malayasia where we will spending time with Ben and Leong Yeo.  Their names are on the contact list.

May 31

Depart KL for Bangkok where we layover and catch a flight to Johannesburg, South Africa via Amsterdam. We arrive in Jo’burg at 9:20 PM and our contact there is Ivor Jenkins. Hotel there is Vile la Va in Pretoria

June 7

Depart for Shumbalala Game Lodge outside of Krueger Nat’l. Park where we stay – looking hopefully at the five big game animals of Africa.

June 10

Depart the game lodge, return to Jo’burg and depart for Cape Town.

June 13

Depart Cape Town, layover in Jo’burg and on to Amsterdam and Helsinki, Finland.

June 14

Arrive Helsinki at about 5 PM today – Contact people there are Taru-Maija Helila-Rasimov of Jyvaskyla and Tarja Harkonen of Savolinna.  Their names and contact information is on the list.

July 2

Depart Helsinki for Amsterdam then on to Berlin. There we can be reached via Michael Wachholz – also his name is on the contact list.

July 10

Depart Berlin, via Paris for Dublin, Ireland.  Contact person there is Therese Smith, also on your contact list, and our last international stop on the trip.

July 18

Depart Dublin, via Paris arrive in Chicago. Staying at the Tremont Hotel, going to a Cubs game on the 20^th with Rich, Jean and Jeanette.

July 21

Take the train down to St. Louis and stay at Mike’s for two nights then back to Oxford.

Important thing to remember is that we can be reached by email any day – I will be checking it daily, except perhaps when we are on planes all day.  Telephone calls will be expensive, and texting is verboten by price.  So….we will have to miss your voices for three months, unless there is an emergency.

Let me know if you get this and have any problems understanding it…

REALLY Getting Ready!!

Just checking in as we begin our final packing.  Latest news is that we will "teach" our grandson's kindergarten class for a short while Monday -- let them follow us on the trip.  I can hardly wait to sit in one of those tee-niny little chairs and tell them about the water going counter-clockwise down the drain in New Zealand, instead of clockwise as it does here, what penguins look like in real life,  and where the Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean mix the blue and the green at Cape of Good Hope, etc.

Have chucked the back pack idea and will take our faithful suitcases, though a friend suggested we pack half and half -- so each case will  have part his and part hers...in case of loss of luggage, we wouldn't be without clothes.

We are closing in on the loose ends...today checking on malaria, Hepititis A, and Tetnus shots and 90 days worth of prescriptions.  There has to be lots of organization on the front end of a trip like this...I am hoping when we depart that I will cease to worry about details and just enjoy the journey.

I think the next time I post will be after May 1 -- as that is when we truly leave the country.  I just wanted to let y'all know that things are working on the blog site...and that I will try to download the simplified itinerary with this.

Remember we are always available via email.

Take care in y'alls worlds...Sandy