It's Thursday and we've been enjoying the van experience, so far. Our campgrounds have been fantastic! Great shower facilities as well as kitchens and laundry. Driving has actually been fun! Other than doing driving and camping for two days, nothing too exciting has happened. The scenery in central NZ is breathtaking. All is meticulously landscaped and litter free. We are finding the people very friendly and helpful. For example, "Can you help us figure out how to fill our camper water tank?" "Where is the fuel latch?"
Plans for the next two days are at the mercy of the weather as rain is forecast. A helicopter ride over the fiords will be one of our highlights...stay tuned.

In New Zealand...hit a snafu yesterday as we approached Sydney.  Seems as if American Airlines forgot to adjust our flights relative to passing the international dateline.  Therefore, we lost a day and our overnight in Sydney.  After a wonderful flight with Qantas from Honolulu (9 hrs. 35 min) we then made our 3 hour flight to Auckland.  Checked into the hotel around 2am!  Now we're flying to Christchurch Airport to collect our van and then head to parts unknown.  There will be a minute of silence today for earthquake victims and folks are asked to stop wherever they are and whatever they're doing--even if driving.
Don't know what my internet access will be while on the road, but I'll try to keep you all posted as to our activities.  Wish me luck in driving and shifting on the left!

Aloha! We're coming to the end of our first segment of our trip. I visited Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial early (7:00) this morning. Ellen and I swam at Waikiki Beach and later in the afternoon we took a bus to Diamond Head. We did about 6 miles, including the long trek to the entrance. Good practice for our Australian Safari. Off to Sydney tomorrow on a ten hour flight, overnight there, then off to Auckland and Christchurch. Aloha...

Passport and visas finally arrived this morning. I cancelled our Christchurch hotel. Ellen and I are trying alternative arrangements for our van pickup, originally in the earthquake zone! Stay tuned...

Blogging is getting me down. Many hours spent trying to add photos. You may only have text these next few weeks.

Busy, busy, busy...packing, buying, washing, unpacking...

In just a month, I will be on my way.  It's hard to figure out what to pack for a bit over two months...and to keep it to 33 pounds (requirement for my Australian Safari!)  With a backpack and messenger bag, I hope to become the world's best female packer!  

This is the first day of learning how to "blog"...to say it is time consuming would be an understatement...ahhh, that infamous learning curve!