Kiwi Country

Enjoying refreshment and our hosts at Tangley on Clyde!

Yesterday we arrived in New Zealand and into the gracious hands of our hosts Ian and Janet. They own a Bed and Breakfast called Tangley on Clyde (how great for us) and I would highly recommend it! We enjoyed wine and cheese on the back terrace after Ian took me to the local spinal rehabilitation hospital for a chat with the director about rehab in NZ and information from me on the American Business Leadership Networks. Oddly enough my boss, Roger, had been to Christchurch in the late 90's and they remembered him and even tried to do a BLN on their own as a result. Small world.... Roger will be amazed! People actually do listen to him!

Lynn with new friend Andrew from Burwood Hospital

Today we got up and helped Janet with a breakfast for a group at her B and B and then hopped into their car and started down the coast to a seaside village of Arkora (? not sure of the spelling and the map is in the car). We went through some amazing countryside.... unlike nothing I have ever seen before... lush with flora and fauna that was incrediable... green and pastoral yet ocean living side by side.... amazing.

Great Fish and Chips for lunch... so much for Glutten free....

What a way to go! We took a boat ride out into a bay which lead to the Pacific Ocean.... we saw Hector Dophins, a small penguin and wonderful seals.... the guide was even impressed by all we saw and Janet and Ian said they had never gone out on this cruise as far as the Pacific so it was even extra special for our hosts as well! The color of the water was unbelievable.... my favorite color... aqua, of course!!! Ian even got us a B and B discount! It was a gorgeous day and was amazing! We were so blessed!

On the Boat

Can you see the seals?

After we boated we came back to Christchurch up past the volcanic rim where Ian took Mom and Dad K back in the 70's. The view and the vegetation were stunning!!! About this time I began to go into overload.... I had hardly ever seen so much beauty on one day... kept telling Janet that I was trying to take it all in and would think about it later!

On the top of the Volcanic Rim

We took in a bit of the ocean too and then went on the Botanic Gardens with some the the biggest roses and biggest trees we have ever seen in our lives..... tomorrow we start our journey around the South Island. Janet and Ian are the best hosts ever! Feel like we have nown them forever and know we will be friends for life after this! Stay tuned for more!!!! How can it get better than this!?!?