Things we have done and tried in New Zealand

Sunday March 12, evening

Here are some things I have read about in books and always wanted to try. So I have:

1) Marmite. Conclusion: really, truly, disgusting.

2) Vegemite. Conclusion: really, truly, thoroughly, amazingly disgusting.

3) Maori sweet potatoes. Conclusion: they taste surprisingly like plaintains and are pretty darn good, especially considering that I hate American sweet potatoes.

4) Ginger beer. Conclusion: Not bad. Tastes like a combination of ginger ale and Slice. (And like ginger ale, it is non-alcoholic.)

5) Beef Yorkshire. Conclusion: Not bad, but mine at home (although I make chicken with Yorkshire pudding, not beef) is better. ;-)

Words and phrases we have learned:

- Have a sticky beak = Have a look-see
- Homely = homey, comfortable (not ugly)
- Stopping = to apply drywall mud/plaster
- Good on ya = Good for you
- That's a load of turd = well, you can guess that one....

Scarily enough, we have grown somewhat accustomed to driving on the left-hand side of the road. I am now worried about driving again the first day after we get home!

Today was a day off, and we went yachting on a 38-footer. Walked around a reserve island, and then swam in the Pacific by jumping off the side of the yacht repeatedly. LOVELY is the only phrase to describe it.

Wednesday we had a half-day off, and we went on the "mystery tour" on Waiheke Island, about a half hour out from the bay outside of downtown Auckland. It was basically a scavenger hunt/road rally kind of thing, and it was BEAUTIFUL. The island was full of sheep farms and vineyards and alpaca farms. Just absolutely breathtaking scenery of the coast and the pasture lands. Unfortunately we have no way to upload pictures just yet; we'll have to send those around when we get back.

Saturday Wes and I built the frame for a deck for the house (by ourselves!) and tomorrow we'll finish it. It's really just a little landing area outside of the house rather than a full size deck, but it's nice to learn the principles of deck building.

We have 3 more days of the build, and then off to white water rafting, polynesian hot springs, black water rafting, hiking across Mt. Doom, and after that -- who knows!

Much love from across the world.