It's Tomorrow Today

Ki Ora from New Zealand everybody!

See all that computer Mumbo Jumbo above, and to the right? Pay no attention to that. It is our secret language. Quick translation: we have not posted any pictures. More on that later.

This story may be told backwards or somewhat out of order, as we try to make this post with the last few minutes of our dwindling computer battery. To discover why I can't just plug the computer into the wall . . . read on.

First and Foremost, thank you all so much for all the lovely comments. It's so fantastic to read them all, and hear from our favorite people! Thanks for sending your love and good mojo all the way to the other side of the planet!

It is beautiful here and we are enjoying the crisp weather. Dan's mom's cousin Grace picked us up and brought us directly to Dunkin' Donuts (thanks Grace!). Then we raced around on the wrong side of the road for a while, talked religion and politics, and hugged Grace as she dashed off to work.

We napped after the 13 hour flight from LAX to Auckland (Thank you, Katerina Encinas for the magic stones that kept us safe and sound on our long journey!). We had arrived in LAX late due to weather delays, and our bags were pulled off the plane by a savage beast from Air New Zealand named Ruth (yes, Jeff Hunter, her name was RRRuth). She was the embodiment of all negative thoughts . . . sort of a hobgoblin in our way. Once we slayed her with our cunning use of iPhoto, we had to sprint across LAX with our names blaring over the loud speakers.

We had to prove to Ruth that we had tickets LEAVING New Zealand, and Dan had made the traveling faux pas of packing all the paper tickets in his checked luggage. Let this be a lesson. Take digitial photos of your tickets if you plan to abuse or misplace them.

Once in New Zealand, Dan's Mom's cousin Grace's friends Robyn and Terry came to pick us up and show us around Auckland. If you are ever lucky enough to ride in the back seat of a Kia Sportiva and have Robyn and Terry guiding you around like true NZ patriots, refrain from trying to buy them coffee or cheese, as they will make you walk home.

Luckily, Kim's charming smile charmed us back into their good Kia, and back into the hills and volcanoes of Auckland we drove.

So . . . it is now been 27 hours in NZ and our bags have just now arrived from LAX, we are washing our stinky clothes and armpits, awaiting another fun-filled day with Robyn and Terry. We shall be hiking the great New Zealand Yonder with borrowed and slightly too-big hiking shoes and jackets. How lucky we are to have made such good friends in New Zealand so far!

Oh yeah... Dan packed all the computer and camera cords in our checked luggage, so that's why there's no pictures to accompany this entry. But here, we will make one for you:

: ) ; )

Love, Kim and Dan

name posted on 2010-03-20 at 12:55 pm

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Mark posted on 2007-08-17 at 3:33 am

Hope Im not crashing your party,just wanted to tell you both congrats on being engaged! looks like an awesome time globetrotting. looks like you found a good man Sis, Im still alive,miss ya love ya Cheers!

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Auntie posted on 2007-08-04 at 5:50 pm

Glad to see you made it safe and sound, even with a few bumps which just add interest to your venture. You will be well seasoned travelers when you are through your 5 months and I see a book being published that will be a great tool for others to go on such adventures after you. Have fun and savor the foods of the cultures for me. Love to you both. Kio tsukete!!!

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Eva & Derick posted on 2007-08-03 at 2:03 pm

Wow! Sounds like a great adventure so far. Whoever is writing this adventure journal should consider writing as a profession. It is very entertaining and reads like a great adventure story. Very funny! Have a great continuation of your journey. We look forward to living vicariously through your travels, and travel journals. Eva & Derick

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katerina (again) posted on 2007-08-02 at 10:52 pm

and i'm so glad the magic stones are keeping you safe! and i miss you guys. (oh, and kim ~ i got my socks! oooooooh, they're fabulous ~ yes, i know this is irrelevant in NZ, but i know they matter in kim's world ;)

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katerina posted on 2007-08-02 at 10:50 pm

1. i can't even express how gigantic my smile is just to read your words. my cheeks hurt a little already and you've just barely gotten there! 2. i miss you guys. a lot. 3. didn't you guys read, like *every* travel book? there wasn't anything in there like helpful pointers such as don't pack your paper tickets in your checked luggage? ;0 4. once you get back, will you please publish a fancy lil' travel tip book of your own? this is me, reserving my copy. 5. i miss you guys. so much. 6. i'm moving to danberly

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Anna posted on 2007-08-02 at 8:53 pm

HOOO-WEEE! sounds like it's been quite an adventure so far! I'm excited to read on. So I read Mark's comment - 5 months off!??? Ok, now I am TOTALLY envious!!!! how wonderful. truly... awesome. YAY for you guys! ENJOY! as I see you have been so far. thanks for including me! :) p.s. I like the "being wed on some remote beach" idea of Mark's. ;)

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Dad (Terry) posted on 2007-08-02 at 1:54 pm

Glad your having fun. I thought you were going to Australia first. Dan thanks for all the help setting up my computer. I love Macs, and will never go back to a PC. Got Mac for dummies and have been trying to get smarter. Daughter I went to Port Angles and went sea Kyaiking, and also saw Eric. He is looking good and doing well. I'll close for now, have a wonderful time and I Love you both. Love Dad:

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Nash posted on 2007-08-01 at 9:24 pm

Oh thank heavens. How are the clouds in your world now? What can :you: see?

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Mark posted on 2007-08-01 at 6:07 pm

5 months off.... You're livin the dream!!! I look forward to the cords being unburied and seeing some of the landscape! I'm betting there's a 50% chance you return to AZ having already wed on some remote beach or something of the sort....

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