We're Here (and where did Saturday go?)

After 30+ hours (I stopped counting) we arrived here in the middle of a field of cows and sheep. That last and fifth flight was on a prop plane, and needless to say there was no security and I worried about it carrying the weight of our bags. It was lovely when we arrived, in the sixties, and the day before it was in the 80's.....today is less lovely, with rain and 50's, lows in 40's.

I am getting used to the New Zealand accent again. It is pretty with lots of the short "i" sounds that make it distinctive. I try to imitate it, but is just not the same.

All of the flights were really good...I even slept on the long one. Amazing! The food was so good for an airplane (thanks to Gate Gourmet), and the man on our row didn't even get up to go to the bathroom until THE END of the flight! He was a camel. I was amazed.

Where did Saturday go? We left on Friday, arrived on Sunday, and spent no time on Saturday....or did we? Having the time to ponder this is luxurious. The conversation went along in my head like this:

"Where did Saturday go?"

"It disappeared."

"Disappeared to where?"

"Into thin air." (This was Susie's contribution to the conversation in my head.)

"Where is thin air?"

"It is in the International Date Line, evidently."

"Well, that is where Saturday went."

Are you bored yet?

We slept for 12 hours after dining in a cafe on the Octagon in city centre. Luxurious.

Today we are walking to Susie's school (she has a conference), and will meet for lunch after I explore all the local landmarks! The highlight of the day will be the WILDLIFE TOUR on the Otago peninsula....I want to see yellow-eyed penguins and albatrosses, although I think they are laying eggs. I pray for the rain to stop!

I will post pix on flickr soon (maybe tomorrow) of our adventures!