Where in the World is Saura

After almost a year of waiting and after months of planning, Mom and Dad are five days away from their first taste of New Zealand. I thought I’d write alittle about our plans over the next few weeks. Its not a formal itinerary, but it has pitcures! The dates are New Zealand time, 18 hours ahead of the east coast USA.

Monday 11 Dec. Mom and Dad arrive in Christchurch at 8:30 AM after a marathon flight, crossing a zillion time zones, and will no doubt struggle to stay awake while Al and I explain cricket to Dad on TV. Al and I have a few things planned for this day, but they aren’t set in stone and they will be a surprise (whatever it may be).

Mom and Dad will get to know Christchurch a bit better this week, but we will may venture out of the city to see the near by sites of Lake Coleridge (with Saura):

First trip to Lake Coleridge (Feb 2006)

and we may explore the Banks Penninsula from Lyttleton Harbor, Akaroa, or the Christchurch gondola:

Various Views Around Banks Penninsula

The next week brings our trip to Nelson. On 17 Dec. we will head up the coast through Kaikoura for a roadside crayfish feast, we’ll stop off in Marlborough for some wine tasting, then ride into Nelson to stay a night with Al’s aunt and uncle:

Nelson, Fall 2006

On 18 Dec, we head to Kaiteriteri to relax a day before we grab a water taxi and spend three days hiking the Abel Tasman Track:

Abel Tasman Track March 2006

We’ll be back in Christchurch on 22 Dec to relax and recover for a few days before Christmas.

But of course Mom and Dad can’t leave New Zealand without seeing Mt Cook and the rugged West Coast, so from 26 Dec to 4 Jan we will view the night sky at Lake Tekapo, tramp along the base of the mighty Mt. Cook on my birthday, party down in Queenstown (the adventure capital of New Zealand) over the New Year, and leave a few footprints on the Franz Josef glacier before driving over the scenic Arthurs Pass back to Christchurch:

Te Anau and the West Coast Glaciers

I can’t wait to add a few more chapters to those photo albums. Mom and Dad, have a safe trip, be patient, get up and stretch your legs frequently while flying, and drink plenty of water.

Love,

Christen and Al

P.S. I am now uploading my pictures to a web album. So you can browse more photos here. I have also added the link to the “My Links” column of this blog, so you can follow our trip as we get the photos uploaded.

Here are a few photos that I have of Nik’s first year. I can’t believe how much he’s grown! That goes for Josh too, those boys are growing so fast. I wish I could be there to celebrate, I really miss you all. I hope you enjoy going through these pics.
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