Our last NZ blog L

Well, here we are with only a few days left in NZ, sitting in the sun at a beautiful little beach.

We really enjoyed the Waitomo caves ~ we went with a company that does small group tours and they allow more time in the caves so our eyes really had time to adjust to the dark and see the glow-worms - there are thousands of them and the ceiling looks like a river of light ~amazing!I (Elinor) was foolish enough to volunteer to feed the eels (native ones that grow up to 2 metres long) and the bloody thing jumped up out of the water and bit my finger!!I'll tell you what (that's for you, Christine) they have very sharp teeth! The guide wasn't the least concerned that my finger was bleeding.I survived though and the very next day volunteered again (obviously a slow learner!) but this time was safe ~ just shearing a sheep.

We have finally seen a Kiwi, albeit in a bird park, it was fun to see them being fed ~ they sure can move!

We had a wonderful visit with my friend from high school!! Elizabeth and her husband Philip live in a fabulous house overlooking a bay where we used to go on school holidays so it was a special catch-up visit!

The Bay of Islands was next and we had a couple of lovely sunny days there exploring the beginnings of New Zealand and relaxing on the beach.

In the next few days we are going to go to the northernmost tip of New Zealand, visit with my cousin Trish and her family then end in Auckland with my other cousin Denise. It has been a godsend having friends and cousins to offer us a real bed and actual houses to stay in!!

Bye for now,

See you Canadians soon,

Malcolm and Elinor