We stayed in Twizel, New Zealand last night - we have fun calling it twizzle - it always makes the locals laugh. Our schedule called for us to drive back to Christchurch today but we panicked again and became concerned we might be missing some of the very best parts of New Zealand by not seeing the western coast. We debated for a long time last night. We settled and consoled ourselves that we would simply go back to Christchurch as planned and treat ourselves ...

We woke to an early morning alarm, did a quick fast walk, and then threw things in the car for a 4-hour drive and one-night stay down south near Mount Cook and the Tasman Glacier. First after today's drive and the accumulated others, I must say that I have had enough of driving! I cannot get excited about driving to another destination - anywhere!! No more. Breathe deep, breathe deep. Yes, however, in spite of all the driving required, Mt. Cook and the bus ...

Today was a total travel day. After catching the 6 am shuttle to the airport to enable the three hours Virgin Australia said we'd need to get through international security, yada-yada, we zoomed through everything and then proceeded to sit a while until it was at last time to board our Air New Zealand jet to Christchurch. It was a nice flight though and the scenery at landing was exhilarating—completely different view from what we've seen so far and reall...