the most decorative house along Auckland's version of Candy Cane Lane ... on Franklin Road, near the hostel I stayed at my 1st couple of nights in Aotearoa... very bizzare to see such X-mas decor with not trace of snow or cold weather ... as I walked about in my shorts among a couple hundred people on the 1st night the lights were lit (e. 1, 2007)
First & foremost ...
"Happy Birthday" KATRINA!!!! ... & Deanna too! ... also to Mary-Frances & Claudette!!
Sorry I haven't been able to give you a call, my travel mode is more full in high gear, so haven't had a chance to reach out until now ... hope both of you had a splendid day.
It was also lovely to reconnect with a few Dharma friends (Lizzie & Rebecca) up in Auckland before I headed to the South Island :)
Yesterday, I enjoyed a great day kayaking out at Piopiotahi (Milford Sound) yesterday under sunny, blue skies :)
Tonight, I am in Queenstown, which is set wonderfully on Lake Wakatipu (imagine Canmore spread out around the bottom curve of a very big lake & add a variety of British botanical gardens, bowling greens, but then add heaps of Aotearoa's charm).
What a treat it is to be travelling around New Zealand where the hillsides are so green & the sheep are so white & the landscpae sooooo incredibly beauty-full!! The drought that continues in Australia (into its 8th year at least) sure pales much of the places where I have been living in Oz, in comparison to the lush countrysides & rainforests of Aotearoa!
I head to Aoraki (pronounce Aorangi), also known as Mt. Cook, & if the weather forecast holds on with sunny skies & a high of 20 degrees Celsius, then I will have a chance to finally see Aotearoa's highest peak towering overhead. It was very overcast & rainy my first time to Aoraki but still managed to go hiking in the rain with Margaret :)
It is great to be visiting these very splendid places around Kiwi land but I am growing quite travel weary & am looking forward to reconnecting with familiar faces & people :)
Here's a few pic's fr. my final days in Oz (& Canberra) reconnecting with a few Seed Mates & with Fumi & John & their daughter Julia :) ...
Marie at the National Botanical Gardens in CanberraI had a very lovely visit with Marie, at the Botanical Gardens, where we heard a Tibet Buddhist monk share some teachings & then was joined by about 4 others & they shared some chanting, accompanied by a few long horns and cymbals.
John & Fumi outside their very lovely home in north Sydney... thanks heaps for having me over again & for the lovely visit. I am so glad we were able to meet up again before I headed home & you headed for your trip to SE Asia.
Simon & I enjoying our much too brief visit on the bus back into Sydney from Maroubra Beach.ALL the best to you Simon & your new fiance Viv as you get yourselves moved up & settled in to Newcastle! I'm sending you heaps of love to you & your family as well.
Noel & I, truly splendid Seed Mates :)What a most splendid time it was to spend my last day in Sydney hanging out with you & Sherpa Dog ... do take care of her my friend & send her back my way when you find you don't need her by your side ... I'll miss you heaps my friends!!
a few of OBA's zany womyn
a few of OBA"s daring superheroes (each of them superhereos to me indeed!) ... M. Whiskey, Charlie Sierra, & M. Papa ... you look MAHVELLOUS!!;)... here they are ready to join the new recruits for their 6:30 a.m. run to the Namadgi Visitor's Centre
Lastly, here's a few cutie pie pic's fr. my travels to Phillip Island SE of Melbourne (more Melbourne pic's sometime soon?? or after I have landed back in Canada ...)
Teresa feeding a baby wallaby ... sooooo CUTE!!
Lucy the baby wombat ... what a lovable ball of fun!~~~
Nadia, it will be great to see you at the airport on the 10th, my flight arrives just before 11 p.m. (sorry it's soooo late). United Airlines flight San Francisco to Edmonton (I don't have the flight # handy but it's likely the only San Fran flight that evening.
Remember, I have my bike in a box & my big back pack, plust my carry on stuff. I'll call you to sort out the details for transporting me & my baggage away from the airport ... if anyone else is keen to meet me at the airport, it would be a great surprise to see you there too, perhaps give Nadia a call 998-7154, since you might be able to help us transport a few of my bigger items as well & of course, I do love surprises!
Baba, I hope you check on my BLOG sometime soon to see that I am not arriving today, Wednesday! 6 more sleeps, before I am back in the Great White North.
Glad I had a chance to bug into cyberspace with the free wireless at the backpacker hostel I am staying in tonight. Now it's time for me to get some sleep.
It was a most lovely bus ride from Piopiotahi to Queenstown but about 5 hours of driving ... with more in store for me tomorrow & the next day ... I visited with a new friend, Jana, from the Czech Republic on the bus. Such lovely people are often appearing & making my travels more interesting & fun ... thanks Sam for the fun day kayaking yesterday!!
Be well my friends & family & stay warm,
Teresa
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2 comments:
Be safe dear girl make the most of your last few days down there. I'll remind Baba u will be home on the 10th. Love you and talk to you after you get back to CA. All our love and wishes for a very safe transport back to the Great White North.
Hey and hola. Did you get my facebook note? I might see you at the airport -- it depends on how tired I am and how well I know my income tax stuff. I'll practice by doing yours (finally)and try to find you a refund.
It's about - 20 here today. brrrr
It should be pretty warm by the time you arrive -- maybe - 12!
Safe trip, my friend. See you soon.
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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