The Journey - What You Can Do!

Alex's grandparents drove us to Heathrow airport and helped us check in with Air New Zealand. We'd booked our tickets with the Flight Centre and were unimpressed to discover whilst queuing that they had not told us about registering for an ESTA (needed for USA immigration). Luckily Alex's new phone (Nokia 900) was able to find the website and log our details before we got to the front desk! The next thing the Flight Centre had failed to tell us was the correct baggage allowance - only 23kg per bag - we had two bags weighing 25kg because we thought that was the max limit!! Luckily they let us off and didn't charge us :)

We were then able to go and enjoy some lunch, our last British meal where these pictures were taken.

The time flew by in the departure lounge, shopping for last bits and saying goodbye on the phone to close friends and family. We had to run to the gate because we'd only just noticed the gates closing sign. The staff said it was closing early because they wanted to leave asap due to the snow!

It still took another 45 minutes sitting on the plane before take off. By which point I'd lined up several films/tv shows to watch over the next 20 odd hours. As you will see you can learn a lot on a plane and be entertained (or not) depending on what stage of the flight your are.

The invention of lying life is more fun when you don't have to be truthful and can think outside the parameters of what is genetically good or labels people are trapped with.

Paper Heart is a cute look at what is love, does true love exist? The mock documentary leaves you guessing what is real and what is staged between Charlyne Yi and Michael Cera. It was enjoyable enough.

An Education a coming of age story set in the 60s that had a discussion about whether action is character, which stuck in my mind. I think action does describe character.

The world's greatest money maker - Warren Buffet - the secrets of the richest man.

Eagle vs Shark - I begun to watch this after not much sleep and failed to enjoy the humour of this comedy romance staring Jermaine Clement (from Flight of the Conchords) so gave up!

The Informant! Matt Damon was interesting enough and funny in this movie watched just before we landed in NZ.

Air New Zealand have been voted number one in the world and it's easy to see why, good food, wine, plenty of movies, tv shows to choose from and music to listen to. The service by flight attendants was high quality and they kept asking for feedback on anything they can do to make the journey better. They also do their bit for the environment :)

Hatched!

This is one of the more random and interesting things I have discovered in NZ! Hatched the capacity for sustainable development, part of the Landcare Research, Manaaki Whenua. Made me think about the Lifeline project.

The website has an Ebook of research findings, stories and tools exploring five key areas of capacity required for New Zealand's long term success.

So how did we find Hatched? Well Alex and I, were testing out various used cars located on TradeMe (NZ version of eBay) and the owner of one sporty little number worked there. I picked up a flyer to take away and read up on Hatched because I loved the quote written up below.

"It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad." C.S.Lewis

The Waterfall Lesson - Your Focus Creates Your Reality

On Sunday (Valentine's day) I was reminded of the Magician's Way - a book I read last autumn by William Whitecloud. It contains the seven secrets of magic or lessons to transform your outer life by changing your inner world.

Kirsten, Alex and I, had gone to Kare Kare beach for a swim in the sea. On our drive there we'd spotted a waterfall and decided to walk back along the path to see it more clearly.

Before you reach the main waterfall (pictured right) we found a smaller waterfall (see below).

Alex and Kirsten were both taking pictures and decided to climb up over the wet rocks to get some closer shots. I was on the path thinking "hmm that looks wet and slippery ... not sure I want to go up there!" So I stayed where I was and enjoyed the view from down below.

I then thought this is silly, if they can get up there safely so can I - so I did! It was quite pleasant and you could see that the pool was quite deep.

The only problem was by the time we'd finished appreciating being up there. My mind was back thinking negatively "how on earth am I going to get down safely? I bet I fall." I said something about my uncertainty. Kirsten said look for the dry rocks - all I could see were wet ones. Alex said - trust your trainers they have good grips.

But I was too busy focusing on how unstable I felt and how there was no dry rocks. Inevitably, I fell down and landed in the stream getting my trainers soaking wet! Not to mention some grazes and bruises that stung like crazy. I wont repeat what I said when asked if I was ok - the polite answer was no!

Sadly I hadn't mastered the second secret: your focus creates your reality ;)

Farewell Fabulous You & Bon Voyage

Go safely and have a good journey! Enjoy yourselves, the sunshine, every moment of your adventure! Smile and laugh every day :) Take good care of each other. Eat weird stuff. Get your adrenaline pumping. Good luck! We'll miss you! Keep in touch (via skype, facebook, blog)! Happy travelling, have a wonderful and exciting time! Toodle pip! We will come and visit! Please come back. We love you.

A brief summary of the lovely, generous and kind messages from our friends and family :-) I can safely say a week on from landing in NZ that we are well, looking after each other, enjoying life, the sunshine, eating weird food like pipi's (spelling?) and doing our best to catch up on blogging!

Thank you so much for the cards, conversations and presents - Alex and I really appreciated the super soft blanket and comfy squidgy pillow on the flight (thanks Sandra). The travel toothbrush covers and other bits from Sarah have also been used, although thankfully neither Alex or I have needed the muscle rub! The incense with the crystals has been acting as an air freshener in our new bedroom, smells heavenly (thanks Geri). I am enjoying wearing my new necklaces (thanks Ali and Anita) and it hasn't been cold enough yet to bring out the beautiful scarf from Rach. I have started to use some of the journals (thanks Anita, Yung and Kirsten).

Saying goodbye was hard (sometimes overwhelming) and fun at the same time, the photos are from the various leaving parties. I wish I had more - note to self bring my camera and take more pictures! ;) If I ever needed proof that my friends and family love me, then you guys delivered it in spades and then some. Thank you again and I hope you will keep in touch, maybe leave a comment or two on the blog, or find me on skype for a chat.