Okie dokie team... Good on ya

Seal Swimming!

Our last few days in New Zealand consisted of an epic birthday celebration in honor of Dave. It started out early on the 17th by suiting up from head to toe in black neoprene suits and sliding into the frigid water with a number of juvenile New Zealand fur seals. The seals were very curious and playful, like puppies. They would come check us out, and the most remarkable moments were in our last 15 minutes when two youngsters played with us as if we were seals ourselves. They would come by, and make eye contact with us while spinning around, hanging upside down, and chomp at us playfully. We got them pretty revved up. It was fantastic.

Photo by Allison
We then drove the 2.5 hours down to Sumner, a small beach town outside of Christchurch where we continued the celebration. After checking into our hostel and making the pudding for "dirt" (an American favorite dessert that I haven't had in about 15 years.. But is oh so good!), which we gave a New Zealand flair by adding chopped up mint slices instead of the crushed oreos. We went to Clink and had the most incredibly delicious meal of lamb, seafood pasta, champagne, and local wine and beer. I don't think that any of us have ever eaten so slowly in hopes to make the meal last longer because it was so good.

We've spent the last few days right outside of Melbourne, Australia on Mt. Macedon with really good family friends, Peter and Avril, who have spoiled us rotten. We also got to see their daughters and son-in-law. Some highlights include a great afternoon spent with some friends who run their own vineyard and produce incredible wine from both their, and Peter and Avril's, vineyards. We ate a lamb stew which was made from lamb raised on their farm, and then attempted to pet their alpacas and goats. We also hiked up Hanging Rock and explored the rock formations. Allison and I also nearly jumped out of our skin when a wallaby (small animal that looks very similar to a kangaroo) came zooming past us unexpectedly. Last night we went to my favorite Chinese restaurant, the Bamboo House, where Peter and Avril took me and some friends when I was studying here four years ago, where we had another amazing dinner. I then experienced my first opera, Rigaletto, which was absolutely fantastic. We all really enjoyed it. I can't believe how quickly the time has gone. 

Photo by Dave

Photo by Dave

Photo by Dave

Sadly, our time in New Zealand and now Australia has come to an end, and Allison is currently on the plane back home. The team is now down to two, as Dave and I have just arrived in Bangkok, Thailand.

Photo by Dave