Waiheke Island

Waiheke Island is an Island off of Auckland where there are a lot of olive orchards and vineyards. We took the ferry over from Auckland and enjoyed the beautiful views, rainbows and some lovely wine and olives.  We could have spent the whole day there, but we only spent the afternoon. We made it to one winery- Stonyridge. The wine was fantastic, expensive but fantastic. We had the best olive oil, made on the site, and olives from New Zealand, we have ever had. The views were breathtaking and the weather was on the warmish side. It was a perfect trip.

On the ferry ride over to the island

The view of Auckland behind us

Kit and I enjoying the sunshine

Stonyridge Vineyard

Herons in the field next to the vineyard

Our view

our corner seats

Cheers to the Keelen's in New Zealand

me and my dad

A rainbow in Auckland.

We enjoyed Auckland, but it is just a big city and we were very excited to see more of the North Island. The next day we packed up the rental car, (barely getting all of our suitcases in it ) and head to Rotorua.

Auckland

We had such a wonderful trip with my parents. I loved every minute they were here and I miss them a ton already.  Two weeks wasn't long enough. It was so wonderful to pick my parents up at the airport. We started out our trip in Auckland. Auckland is the biggest city in New Zealand, around 1 million people. We enjoyed eating some yummy food and walking around the city.

my parents in front of the skytower

So high up.  

People actually can jump off the sky tower and walk around the outer rim. We thought they were crazy!

A view from the sky tower

 people walking around the sky tower.

me trying to walk across the glass floor and Kit taking a video of me.

The second day we went to Waiheke Island and had an amazing time. pictures soon!

pictures coming soon

For all those wondering, we are having a wonderful time with my parents. Pictures coming soon!!

36 hours

We are so excited that my parents will be here in 36 hours.  Kit and I fly to Auckland Monday night and then my parents will be here on Tuesday morning.  Can't wait!!!!!

Snow in New Zealand!

We don't get a lot of snow in New Zealand, unless you live on or near the mountains. We definitely don't get a lot of snow in Dunedin. We have heard that if we do get snow it usually is only on the hills or lasts for about a day or two. If the snow comes down past the hills, the town tends to shut down since they aren't use to snow. On Monday morning, we woke up to it snowing, big fat beautiful flakes. It only snowed for about 5 minutes and didn't stick, but then when we looked up to the hills we could see snow and got very excited about playing in it. After work, we drove up to the Pineapple Trail and we hoped we would be able to see snow. We were so giddy the closer we got to the snow. (If you have ever seen Kit and I in the snow you'd swear we had never seen it before, we love it). We hiked up to a peak on the trail where we could see out to the hills west of Dunedin. The hills were covered in snow and the sun was setting, it was so beautiful. We threw snowballs at each other and made snow angels. It finally felt like winter to us.

a snow man we saw some had made

Kit in his work, clothes,(nice pants tucked into the socks to they don't get dirty) and so excited

oh no, a snowball

It is hard to see, but the hills are covered in snow in the background

snow in the background hill

Beautiful sunset

Taco Night

A couple of weeks ago we had a taco night at our friend's Kate and Justin's house. They had recently gotten a tortilla press from the US. We made our own homemade corn tortillas and they were amazing. We had amazing night making tacos and finally eating some really good Mexican food. (they don't have Mexican food in Dunedin and  we miss it)

Kate and Daniel, frying up some tortilla shells

Juan making salsa.

Christina made some guacamole.

How to make corn tortilla: mix it up and put a little water on it

roll into a ball and put it in the tortilla press.

press it down

Fry it up

and eat it!! yummy

The night ended with a tribute to the Soccer World Cup by playing the vuvuzella.

 

Taco Night was great and we hope to have another one soon, thanks Kate and Justin

Dr. Kit Elam

We have been busy this weekend celebrating Kit becoming a PHD.  Dr. Elam, is very happy to finally be over with his dissertation and I am so proud of him. He has worked so hard and deserves this. Well Done Kit.

Friends that came to celebrate Dr. Elams big night!

(the card says Dr. Elam)