New Zealand

Since arriving to New Zealand we have been caught up in a whirlwind of Civilization, internet access, school for the kids, meeting up with friends and good food and wine.  When we put the kids into school we really saw first hand the New Zealand culture.  When the kids get to class they hang up their book backs, kick off their shoes and enjoy some quite play time till the bell rings.  Even in downtown it is not uncommon to see children and adults bare foot.  My first thought was, no way would you be allowed to take your shoes off at school in the states.  There would be some crazy parents who would sue for possible toe infections.  It was nice to see my kids felt “at home” at school.  It was an adjustment for both since their views of school was always: mom as the teacher, school starts anytime after breakfast and could be postponed if there was anything really exciting outside that needed to be seen first.  School last a max of two hours and then we are off to play.  Merric quickly realized there were rules to follow, you had to raise your hand and the teacher wasn’t always over your shoulder to help you along with things you struggled with. 

On the boat, while the kids were in school, was a disaster!  Projects that we have put off started with a vengeance.  We have since received new sails, repaired some water damage, got our headliners repaired, fixed the generator, ect……The list goes on the bank account goes down. 

We have been getting prepared to leave the boat for about two months on a serious camping trip.  We wills start touring the North island and head south and do a big loop back up to the  boat.  We have bought our nice roomy van, huge family tent, getting a list of things we need and getting knowledge of the things to see and do.  It is very overwhelming since there is SOOOOO much to do here.  I figured we would start at one place and read the books and ask locals from there.  We are going to do a shake down camping trip next week to a forest that holds one of the biggest trees in the world that is 1.5 hours away from the boat.  That way we will see what else we need or if we are all set to go for the long haul. 

Last night we had a blast at the local restaurant/bar called Danger/Danger.  It was rib night and has a dozen pool tables, air hockey and a few other games to play. It’s been a while since we have had this kind of fun.  As we were leaving the DJ arrived and they put on the disco ball, laser lights, bubbles and the fog machine.  I have never seen my kids dance so much.  They didn’t even kick us out so we stayed another hour just to dance.  We found out that the restaurant turns into a night club after 9pm.  The funniest part was when the fog machine turn on….Merric swore it was a dragon coming and ran right out of the restaurant.

Just driving down the roads here is part of the adventure.  So much to see and flowers in bloom everywhere you turn.  Sometimes I think someone just threw some seeds out of their car window to make this place so amazing.   I will write more when we get back from our camping trip.

bye,

Michele