We're Still Here

Our ride with Aoraki (Mt Cook), New Zealand's highest peak

In early October we began a rather spontaneous tour of some more southerly areas of New Zealand. During the nearly three weeks that we were away from home, we were unable to blog because access to the internet was spotty and slow. That, and there is so much to do that blogging has had to take a back seat to travel!

Also, we've been busy with some medical appointments to treat a little spot on Susan's nose that she'd convinced herself was "nothing." Positive biopsy results were received the day before we left Colorado, but rather than cancel or delay our trip, we decided to deal with it in New Zealand. We were pretty sure we could find a good surgeon in the ozone-depleted skin cancer capital of the world! Indeed we did, but he was located 4 hours away in Christchurch. She is doing great and planning Christmas gifts of sunscreen and hats for all the grandkids.

New Zealand Banded Dotterel by Lemurkat

After Susan's final doctor appointment, we got a tasty schnitzel dinner at Brewer's Arms, then met with a local artist to purchase some of her New Zealand bird art over a cuppa at Coffee Culture.

We set off from Christchurch in the morning, keen to see more of this beautiful country, but with no set itinerary in mind. It was fun to wake up each morning and answer the question "where to next?" together.

The overview of the trip is Aoraki/Mt Cook, Wanaka, TeAnau,  Doubtful and Milford Sounds, Invercargill, the Catlins, and Dunedin/Otago Peninsula. The highlights of the trip were . . . well, everything.

We'll post details and photos of our trip south soon...unless we wake up tomorrow and decide to go on the road again!