Air New Zealand is an excellent airline. Free movies of your choice on your own screen, wonderful food, pillows and blankets. It was a long flight, but we did get a little sleep. At dinner I asked the server if there was a charge for wine, and he said, "Not at all, fill your boots!" Which we did!

What happened to Nov 6? Actually, we didn't have a Nov 6 -- we lost it crossing the dateline. Of course we'll get back a day on our trip home -- in 6 weeks! We are so excited!

We landed first in Auckland and then flew from Auckland to ChristChurch. Luggage made it; we negotiated through customs. Life is good.

We picked up our rental car and found our way out of ChristChurch. We're on our way to Lake Tekapo.