Storm clouds over The Tasman Sea, from the Coastal Walkway in New Plymouth.

Lots of snow and ice on the trail. We will miss being able to hike on the mountain pretty much any time we like.

While it may be hot as hell with 98% humidity on the Eastern Shore, it is pretty cold down here in the Southern Hemsiphere in July. Here is one more picture of Mt. Taranaki, from the Manganui River gorge.

Rarotonga, Cook Islands

We took a little break from the kiwi winter and headed north to the Cook Islands for a week. The main island, Rarotonga, is only 32km in circumference. On Saturdays you can visit the colorful market with crafts, produce and a cultural show.

Rarotonga is especially nice because it is surrounded by a reef that protects the land and creates very calm waters for swimming. We snorkeled right in front of our bungalow. The fish were incredibly colorful with the most intricate patterns.

This is Diesel Jr.

Rick always finds a new friend to adopt.

Even the crabs on the beach are feeling the economic crisis. Most of them had outgrown their shell houses and real estate was slim.

Dairy Farm

This is how it all works. Where milk comes from. It was quite a neat process to see the cows get on the ferris wheel and off the ferris wheel. Believe it or not they love it. Sometimes they even fall asleep while they are being milked.

Stratford Art Society Members Exhibition

The Percy Thomson Gallery, our local gallery, held their Stratford Art Society Members Exhibition opening last Friday. It was a great show with a lot of local talented artists' work. It was also a great show for me having sold two paintings and five pieces of jewelry. The two large paintings are mine. A huge thanks to Rick for all of his support, patience and critiques.

The green hills and the row boat are mine. Sold the boat painting.

To the top of Mt. Taranaki!

Rick, his friend from England and several people from the surgery hiked to the top of Mt. Taranaki. They started seven in the morning and back down at five in the evening. Rick informed Adam the day he arrived that they were going up the following morning.... jet lagged and all.

"Wheats"

These are our friends Adam and Julie. They are visiting for two weeks from England. Adam and Rick have been friends since they met in Africa through the Peace Corp. They will be joining us on our adventure to Napier and then to the South Island.

Art Deco Napier

Kaikoura

The spot to have lunch in Kaikoura

The artist retreat in Kaikoura

This house was really sweet. It was made from salvaged church windows and old train tracks.

Christchurch

A city full of adventure and sights. You can entertain yourself by riding the tram....



walking through the arts market ..........

.....help raise money for these eclectic kids......

...take random photos in phone booths....

......interactive art at the museum......

........walk around the botanical garden and possibly if you have time play a game of chess at the city square.

Beach house at Punakaiki

Pancake Rocks of Punakaiki

Through a layering weathering process called stylobedding, the limestone has formed into what looks like piles of thick pancakes.

Pancake Rocks of Punakaiki

Just outside of Punakaiki

Murchison

Photo taken for our friend David. We miss you.

The guys also went white water rafting here.

Abel Tasman National Park

Nice walks along the coast with little treasures along the way.

A group of hippy artists near Abel Tasman carved images into huge tree trunks. The detail was incredible.

Rick was amused by this sign and had to stop in for some lunch. Lucky for me eels were not part of the menu.