The Last Post

I can't believe I'm writing this. I can't believe it's been 7 months since we arrived in the beautiful country of New Zealand and our adventures began. It's making it really hit home thinking of all the things that have happened to us on our way to this moment, and all the people we've met. It's a bittersweet moment indeed. It has been, and will always be, one of the most amazing experiences we could ever have, we have been so blessed. I know how much it has changed both of us for the better, and helped us to move forwards in ways we never thought possible. There's so many moments that have been really special to us that we haven't been able to share with you, and we wish we could, but we just wouldn't have the time. We hope you have enjoyed reading this blog as we have enjoyed writing it; it's been like taking all of our family and friends along with us for this awesome journey. Of course, the journey will continue, with both of us beginning new adventures, but for now, the time of us being dearest companions has come to an end. And so it seems only right to end this blog, as we began it, together. What can we end by saying? We've had the most breathtaking, heartwrenching, sidesplitting time in this incredible place. The only thing I can say that seems to do it justice is that we've lived fully in every moment, whether laughing, crying, or dancing. Farewell to you all. Drink up me hearties, yo ho! Kt and Sally xxx

P.S. For the next part of Kt's adventure go to www.ktnz.blogspot.com. For the next part of Sally's adventure, ring her up (don't text her it's pointless). ha ha!!

A Rushed Ending

Oooh, we've been having all sorts of blog dramas over the last week or two (you might have noticed the dramatic decrease of postage) Lack of internet access and spending hours trying to unsuccessfully upload pictures means that I only have 40 minutes to try and get you up to speed with all our adventures... and this may well be my last blog, as Katie and I are parting in a days time!
Hopefully pics will appear soon to illustrate our high jinx on the Great Ocean Road outside Melbourne and Waheike Island. We headed straight to Waheike on our return to blessed New Zealand soil, and had three great days enjoying beautiful landscapes and an entire hostel to ourselves (apart from a lovely Scotsman called Craig and a lovely dog called Jess). Then we headed to Kate and Pheebs for a weekend of fun (see below).
Now we are in the absolutely stunning Coromandel Peninsula, which is one of the most breath-taking places in this most beautiful of countries! We are staying in a tiny seaside town and have hired a car (the very sexy and hip-hop Carnye), and have spent the last few days bezzing about the countryside. On Tuesday we drove to Coromandel town down the 309, a slightly terrifying track complete with blind hairpin bends and landslides over the road; however, we arrived safely at Coromadel, after stopping in at an ace water park, which had the most amazing playground for adults- flying foxes, a huge hamster wheel, and a flying bicycles ride (wait for the pics, they are awesome!) At Coromandel we went to the Driving Creek Railway, which is a tiny railway built by a sculptor to bring wood and clay down to his pottery. It runs through gorgeous woods and hills, with lots of sculptures nestled in to the bush as you pass- an absolutely amazing place! To top off a simply ripping day, we grabbed fish and chips and ate them by the seaside as the sun went down.
Yesterday we awoke to rain that would not stop for the entire day. We decided that the only thing to do in such weather was eat A LOT of food. So we hot-footed it down to New World supermarket and had a roast chicken dinner for lunch (and scones with jam and cream for afternoon tea). OH MY GOD! The biggest news that I can't believe I haven't mentioned earlier- I have started drinking tea! (Okay, so maybe only Newsomes will understand the hugeness of this event, but believe me, after 24 years of never touching the stuff, this is a big change!) Hello, kt here. Sal didn't know how to continue this post because she didn't know how best to mention the latter part of yesterdays events (hee hee). After our chicken lunch some new folks arrived at the hostel, one of whom was a gorgeous young man by the name of Scott. We had a jovial game of NZ Genius Edition trivial pursuits with said hottie, and his dad Steve, and later that evening we accompanied them to the local karaoke, along with their travelling companion Helen. To cut a long story short, myself, Helen, and Steve went home to bed about 12, but Sally and Scott stayed out and took the long way home, not returning until 3.30ish. I'll leave her to tell you what happened when she sees you. Oy oy!!
Today the sun came out and we had a gorgeous day. We drove to Hot Water Beach and dug a little pool to soak our feet in, very enjoyable. We then drove to hahei (great name) with the hope of having a chocolate fudge brownie at luna caf, but it was closed. Nevertheless we had a scrumptious meal at another caf. We then walked to Cathedral Cove, and then winded our way home for our penultimate night togther before the parting of the ways. More about that above. Adieu. xxx

Spa (ghetti) and the luge

Wow, it feels like ages since we told you anything of our travels. We've been back in NZ for almost a week now, but didn't really have internet access for most of it, hence no updates. It's probably easiest if we start with the present and work our way backwards. We are now at Saturday night, and are in Cambridge once again with the fab Kate, Pheebs (and of course Jason - the sexy beast). We arrived here yesterday afternoon, whiling away the time before Kate and Pheebs finished work with a bit of pool and juke box action (plus a bit of tequila for Sally). We then had an evening of comfort eating, preparing ourselves for a day of both relaxation and fun fun fun on this day of Saturday. This morning we were awoken to Eggs Benedict (cooked by Pheebs - very yummy), then after a bit of trimming the verge we made our way to egg town (aka rotorua) and went for a dip in the termal pools at the polynesian spa. Toasty. (This is us 'beyonceying' in the water). After a spot of lunch we headed up the skylift for lugeing it large, and how we loved it. There is talk of Kate and Pheebs getting a season pass. Anyone who passes through rotorua should give it a whirl it's ace. We finished our day with another round of spag bol and chocolate rum cake, this time with the added delight of pate to start. A good day was had by all.