New Zealand, Part 1

After the wedding, and before the kitchen floor paint extravaganza, we took a trip to New Zealand.  Actually, it was something more than a trip...but I'm failing to find adequate words.  Maybe there are none.  New Zealand is a world unto itself, at once familiar and alien, lovely beyond words and exceedingly accessible, especially if you are of the get-in-the-car-and-go ilk.  We met amazing people, swam in geothermal pools, hiked on glaciers, were drenched by a waterfall in one of the most beautiful places on earth, and drank a lot of really, really good wine.

Here's where we started...

Sunrise somewhere over the south pacific...the 12 hour flight from Los Angeles was pretty darn effortless, thanks to Air New Zealand's cushy seats and awesome on-demand library...

Wake-up espresso from a coffee shop in Auckland.  We wandered around the morning after we got in, looking for somewhere to eat, but wanting to avoid McDonalds and (can you believe it) the Dunkin Donuts on the corner across from the hotel *shudder.  We walked into this place mostly because it reminded us of a place you would find in New York - made to order breakfast, no-nonsense steel cafe tables, and great coffee.  Strike that...amazing coffee.  I could have happily spent all day there, but there were more things to see and do...

like steps that walked down into the pacific ocean...

 the 'Santa Parade' with a giant Kiwi-wearing-jandals balloon...

amazing, drool-worthy yachts and seafoam green water...

 a colorful waterfront walk...

yummy bubble tea...

even more yummy belgian beer...

ok, it was a carb-fest...

 sparkling evenings...

the first of many wines we tried and loved...

and KEBABS.  I introduced my husband to the wonder that is a kebab take-out in Auckland.  I had just won $25 at the casino in the Sky Tower, and told him I would treat him to dinner.  It being (I'm told) some pretty tasty meat, he was all in.  Plus, how can you not eat at a place with signage that great?  At random times for the rest of the trip, one or the other of us would interrupt moments of silence with 'kebab time!' in a high, squeaky voice, and then laugh hysterically at ourselves. 

Auckland was cool.  But our favorite parts were yet to come.

photos, ours