Farewell to New Zealand

How do you say good bye to this wonderful country?  We have had such an amazing experience and met so many wonderful New Zealanders.  Here is a tally of some of the experiences/ highlights:

• ·         Kilometers Driven – 4735
• ·         Beds Slept In – 14
•       Pictures Taken - 1301
• ·         Lois’ Three Favorite Meals

                     - The Grange - Russell, Bay of Islands                   
                     - Mission Winery - Napier
                     - The Boat Shed - Nelson

• ·         Calories Consumed – We don’t want to know
• ·         Favorite B and B – The Lighthouse in Napier
• ·         Best B and B Hosts – a tie between Paul and Matt at The Dairy in Queenstown and Penny  at The Lighthouse in Napier
• ·         Lois’ Most Unusual Mode of Transportation – Sitting on feedbucket in a trailer to see the animals at the B and B in Rotorua
• ·         Most Emotional Experience – Seeing the devastation of the Christchurch earthquake
• ·         Most Exhilarating Experience – See how the core of Christchurch is coming back to life
• ·         Most Memorable Experience for Lois – Driving Unknown Roads to Find Mount Cook at Dusk
• ·         Most Memorable Experience for Vern – Tramping for 40 Minutes in the Dark to See Mount Cook at Dawn
• ·         Weather Experienced – 31 days of almost perfect weather
• ·         Most Daring Experience for Lois – The Zodiac Ride to Cathedral Cove at Hahei
• ·         Most “Why Did I Bother” Experience for Vern - Going up the Gondola in Queenstown
• ·         Not Worth Doing Again Experience – Trying to dig a hole by myself at Hot Water Beach
• ·         Number of Times Vern Ate Oysters – 10; Number of Kinds  – 6
• ·         Number of Times Lois Ate Oysters – 1: Number Eaten – ½
• ·         Best Wildlife Experience – Watching the Royal Albatross soar
• ·         The Total Time in New Zealand - PRICELESS