“Ch- Ch- Ch- Changes” (North Island, New Zealand – January 4, 2010 to January 10, 2010)

I guess our sentiment that this place was rather “Dead As” was challenged when we happened to witness some hideous shouting of two Maori gangs hurling insults and even bottles at each other…

“Whale Of A Way To Start The New Decade” (Northern South Island, New Zealand – December 30, 2009 to January 3, 2010)

…no one was exactly rushing to do it, so that prompted our MC to say, “I know it’s difficult to leave the dolphins and return to your seats, but one thing I do know is that all of you can hear me..”

“Putting Our Book To The Test” (Southland, Fiordland, and Westland, New Zealand – December 24, 2009 to December 29, 2009)

Sometimes Mother Nature dictates what and when you can do any activities, and today was certainly not one of those days where you could do anything. We’ll just have to cross…

“Picking Up Where We Left Off” (Christchurch and Canterbury, New Zealand – December 20, 2009 to December 23, 2009)

It’s strange how it always seems that something goes wrong in every one of our trips. And I guess this was the bit of adversity we were faced with this time…

“Going Full Circle” (Catlins and Auckland, New Zealand – December 2, 2004 to December 3, 2004)

Complicating things were that parking in the Octagon was very temporary at best and we kept a close eye on our car in case the parking enforcer would come by and issue tickets, which we witnessed…

“The Soggy Sojourn” (Milford Track – November 27, 2004 to December 1, 2004)

With the rain coming down harder, we had beat a hasty retreat into the Pass Hut Shelter. I knew this region was one of the rainiest in the world and they sure weren’t kidding…

“The Sound of Silence” (Doubtful Sound, New Zealand – November 26, 2004)

I was concerned that the unseasonable and unstable weather would kill our viewing experience, but as the bus driver turned into pullout, we were blown away by what we saw…

“On Thick Ice” (Glacier Country, New Zealand – November 23, 2004 to November 25, 2004)

It had been pouring rain since yesterday. We worried that this would cancel our pre-booked heli-hike on the thick ice of the Franz Josef Glacier. Given the low-lying clouds and poor visibility…

“Mad Dash To The West Coast” (West Coast South Island, New Zealand – November 20, 2004 to November 22, 2004)

I wasn’t sure we were going to make it to the Pancake Rocks in time for sunset – especially given our Maui rental car snafu experience and the probability it will rain on the South Island’s West Coast

“The Journey Through Mordor” (Taranaki and Tongariro Crossing – November 16, 2004 to November 19, 2004)

The weather report had predicted bad weather until Friday. Unfortunately, it was Tuesday and I was worried our hoped-for Tongariro Crossing hike was in jeopardy…

“The Shortcut” (Bay of Plenty and Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand – November 13, 2004 to November 15, 2004)

I had read somewhere that this road tended to break up marriages as couples would argue after finding out it wasn’t the shortcut one of them hoped it would be. I prayed this would not be our fate…

“A Destination Wedding to Remember” (Whitianga, New Zealand – November 10, 2004 to November 12, 2004)

When I look back at the destination wedding photos taken by Susanna and her nephew, I still get misty-eyed. It was one of those rare times when all of my expectations were exceeded. I’ll never forget

“Pulled Over” (Northland, New Zealand – November 7, 2004 to November 9, 2004)

We headed west along SH12 when we had to follow a slow-moving truck. And so we merrily waited for an opportunity to pass the truck safely when a police car was suddenly in our rear-view mirror…