Friday October 30th, 2009
Today is the day we come back to US, sweet and sad.
I was up early, finished the tapestry for Belinda and Steve. Then I went to the studio for my sculpting class. I mixed the products, pored the mold, . While it was drying I watched Belinda begin her creative process of carving a sculpture for a fund raising event. The cylinder of cement, sand and water became a young lady with long beautiful hair. Crisi is her inspiration. The sculpture will go on a stained pole for a garden. Her skirt will be the flowers around her, amazing. When my mold was ready I carved in it something for Dawn's garden in Queenstown. It has a couple of places for candles in cathederal windows with flowers on each side. Very elimentary, but so enjoyable.Crisi and I are packed, ready to go to the airport. Thank you for sharing this advanture with us.
Ardith
Thursday October 29th, 2009
Our last full day in New Zealand but one of a few days where we slept in, well like 8am. We all got ready and Dawn, Belinda, Mom, and I set off for my meeting with mental health professionals in Auckland. We arrived early and of course had another coffee. I then met Meg, and friend of my friend's Rosie and Kim from Carborro, NC, at the Mental health Hospital where she introduced me to her friend Lindsey who works in Crisis Services for one half of the Auckland area. We compared the differences between services in NZ and NC. Excellent information and leads for more information related to my business. Meg then gave me a ride to downtown Auckland to meet up with the ladies who visited another flower shop in Auckland. We went to the top of a volcano where we could see the Pacific Ocean and the Tazman Sea. The only place in the world where you can see two different huge bodies of water. We went to the grocery store and then I made American Tacos for everyone. Soon after we all "hit the hay" so we could be ready for our travels tomorrow. We have really had a great time with great people! Thank you to everyone who gave to us while we were here in New Zealand and they are all welcome to visit both of us in the states. Much Love!
Cristin
Thursday, October 29, 2009
October 28th, 2009
Wednesday October 28th, 2009
We got up early this morning to set off to Rotorua which is a town where the Maori people educate visitors about their culture. After the 2 1/2 drive to Rotorua, which Dawn graciously drove, we went to Living Colour which is a flower shop on Rotorua. Nina owns the shop and she is an AIFD, American Institute of Floral Designers, designer who won the 2009 New Zealand Designer of the Year which is the New Zealand cup. The New Zealand cup recipient is one of twenty that qualifies to design for the World Cup. Nina was gracious and offered her insight into her floral business in New Zealand and tips for starting a floral shop in New Zealand. Mom and I then went out to shop for souvenirs for our family back home. The town of Rotorua is in a volcano which results in a distinctive scent of sulfur. Not our favorite part of the trip. We caught up with Dawn and Darrell after Dawn met up with a friend that she has not seen in many years. They took us to Te Puia which is a native village of the Maori people. We went for a tour which included seeing Kiwi birds, education on the Maori people, seeing a live geyser, and participating in an authentic Maori dance presentation. Darrell even played the role of the Chief and we were part of his family. After the presentation we set off for Belinda and Steve's where they decided that we would get "take away" for dinner and we went to bed early.
Cristin
We got up early this morning to set off to Rotorua which is a town where the Maori people educate visitors about their culture. After the 2 1/2 drive to Rotorua, which Dawn graciously drove, we went to Living Colour which is a flower shop on Rotorua. Nina owns the shop and she is an AIFD, American Institute of Floral Designers, designer who won the 2009 New Zealand Designer of the Year which is the New Zealand cup. The New Zealand cup recipient is one of twenty that qualifies to design for the World Cup. Nina was gracious and offered her insight into her floral business in New Zealand and tips for starting a floral shop in New Zealand. Mom and I then went out to shop for souvenirs for our family back home. The town of Rotorua is in a volcano which results in a distinctive scent of sulfur. Not our favorite part of the trip. We caught up with Dawn and Darrell after Dawn met up with a friend that she has not seen in many years. They took us to Te Puia which is a native village of the Maori people. We went for a tour which included seeing Kiwi birds, education on the Maori people, seeing a live geyser, and participating in an authentic Maori dance presentation. Darrell even played the role of the Chief and we were part of his family. After the presentation we set off for Belinda and Steve's where they decided that we would get "take away" for dinner and we went to bed early.
Cristin
October 27th, 2009
Tuesday October 27th, 2009
Good morning-We started off the day with going to a "shopping "area of Auckland that Dawn took us to. We did some window shopping and then went to St. Helieis Bay area for lunch. After lunch we went to a local bakery for some wonderful breads and a couple of bakery treats. At 1pm we visited New Zealand Bloom which is a grower of some flowers that are sent to Koehler and Dramm, if you don't know that is the floral wholesale house in Minneapolis where Mom works. The flowers were beautiful and we saw orchids and peonies. Next David and Mike from New Zealand Bloom took us to an orchid greenhouse named Joshua that supplies the orchids for New Zealand Bloom. Joshua is owned by two brothers originally from Holland. It was spectacular. Of course as we mentioned before the orchid season is coming to an end but it was full of hundreds and hundreds of orchid plants and about 1/4 of the greenhouse had orchids that were ready to be cut, packed, and shipped. After all of that beauty we were beat so we went back to Belinda and Steve's to have a wonderful dinner made by Steve and then off to bed.
Cristin
Good morning-We started off the day with going to a "shopping "area of Auckland that Dawn took us to. We did some window shopping and then went to St. Helieis Bay area for lunch. After lunch we went to a local bakery for some wonderful breads and a couple of bakery treats. At 1pm we visited New Zealand Bloom which is a grower of some flowers that are sent to Koehler and Dramm, if you don't know that is the floral wholesale house in Minneapolis where Mom works. The flowers were beautiful and we saw orchids and peonies. Next David and Mike from New Zealand Bloom took us to an orchid greenhouse named Joshua that supplies the orchids for New Zealand Bloom. Joshua is owned by two brothers originally from Holland. It was spectacular. Of course as we mentioned before the orchid season is coming to an end but it was full of hundreds and hundreds of orchid plants and about 1/4 of the greenhouse had orchids that were ready to be cut, packed, and shipped. After all of that beauty we were beat so we went back to Belinda and Steve's to have a wonderful dinner made by Steve and then off to bed.
Cristin
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
October 24th, 2009 through October 26th, 2009
Monday October 26th, 2009
We were up very early for our car trip from Martinbourough to Wellington, visited a couple of shops, and then hopped on a plane to Auckland. When we arrived to Auckland we rented a car and drove to Dawn and Darrell's friends Belinda and Steve. They live on this property out in the country in Ramarama. Their place is amazing with birds, plants, and flowers. They have an orchird growning range named Balzana LTD. It has been wonderful to walk through the orchids and hours of discussions about growing, cutting, shipping, and processing. Steve is an amazing man and the process is successful. The smell in the warm greenhouse is great. this ius the end of the orchird growing season, with only a couple of weeks left. Thank God I am able to see and be here now.
Sunday October 25th, 2009
Today is Sunday of Labor Day Weekend. Monday is considered Labor Day and is a national holiday. We were up early packed a lunch and to the beach, beautiful black sand beach. The whole family and the two dogs . We went to this great lighthouse, 250 steps up and down. Cape Palliesr on the Pacific Ocean. The seals were right up on the rocks, actually they look like rocks, only they move, yawn and stretch, oh yes, and smell!!!!The picnic was lovely, warm, the black sand was beautiful and warm.We went home late afternoon. Crisi taught Thalia cheer leading, and dance. I put a tree together with bamboo, from the yard, and grapevine around and around and around.Then I put it upside down, saw that at K&D, great idea. It looked so nice. So Gail, Dawns sister and I decorated the Spa for Christmas. We set the tree up in front of the small wood burning fireplace--funny--I was concerned at first about the wood so close to the fire.No need Christmas here is in the summer.
We had a bonfire and introduced Smores. They loved them.Great day.
Crisi had a meeting with Chris Wilson,EMT emergency fireman and CPR instructor in Wellington and Martinborough.Mental health crisis, emergency and CPR services were the center of topics.
Saturday October 24, 2009
Crisi was up early to walk the two German Shepards with Dawn and Gail. Then we had a traditional New Zealand breakfast with pancakes, toast, eggs, hash browns, and fruit, and , and , and everything . We jumped into Gail's caddy to go to Greystown where we had tea, more "pies", looked in the local stores, and had some fruit ice cream. Next to the Richmond Gardens in Carterton Wirarapa for a wonderful walk around the privately owned gardens. Then back to Gails house for a wonderful organic dinner. Crisi, Gail, and friends went to the Okotober Beer Festival with a great local band at the local pub. They dressed up as German Wenches, let it go at that.
Ardith
We were up very early for our car trip from Martinbourough to Wellington, visited a couple of shops, and then hopped on a plane to Auckland. When we arrived to Auckland we rented a car and drove to Dawn and Darrell's friends Belinda and Steve. They live on this property out in the country in Ramarama. Their place is amazing with birds, plants, and flowers. They have an orchird growning range named Balzana LTD. It has been wonderful to walk through the orchids and hours of discussions about growing, cutting, shipping, and processing. Steve is an amazing man and the process is successful. The smell in the warm greenhouse is great. this ius the end of the orchird growing season, with only a couple of weeks left. Thank God I am able to see and be here now.
Sunday October 25th, 2009
Today is Sunday of Labor Day Weekend. Monday is considered Labor Day and is a national holiday. We were up early packed a lunch and to the beach, beautiful black sand beach. The whole family and the two dogs . We went to this great lighthouse, 250 steps up and down. Cape Palliesr on the Pacific Ocean. The seals were right up on the rocks, actually they look like rocks, only they move, yawn and stretch, oh yes, and smell!!!!The picnic was lovely, warm, the black sand was beautiful and warm.We went home late afternoon. Crisi taught Thalia cheer leading, and dance. I put a tree together with bamboo, from the yard, and grapevine around and around and around.Then I put it upside down, saw that at K&D, great idea. It looked so nice. So Gail, Dawns sister and I decorated the Spa for Christmas. We set the tree up in front of the small wood burning fireplace--funny--I was concerned at first about the wood so close to the fire.No need Christmas here is in the summer.
We had a bonfire and introduced Smores. They loved them.Great day.
Crisi had a meeting with Chris Wilson,EMT emergency fireman and CPR instructor in Wellington and Martinborough.Mental health crisis, emergency and CPR services were the center of topics.
Saturday October 24, 2009
Crisi was up early to walk the two German Shepards with Dawn and Gail. Then we had a traditional New Zealand breakfast with pancakes, toast, eggs, hash browns, and fruit, and , and , and everything . We jumped into Gail's caddy to go to Greystown where we had tea, more "pies", looked in the local stores, and had some fruit ice cream. Next to the Richmond Gardens in Carterton Wirarapa for a wonderful walk around the privately owned gardens. Then back to Gails house for a wonderful organic dinner. Crisi, Gail, and friends went to the Okotober Beer Festival with a great local band at the local pub. They dressed up as German Wenches, let it go at that.
Ardith
Friday, October 23, 2009
October 23rd, 2009
Friday October 23rd, 2009
We woke up this morning and said goodbye to Cveta who is continuing on her biking and hiking retreat. We checked out of the apartment and met up with Dawn's parents at their home. After some lunch and Dawn re-packing we set off to the airport. Shompoo and her two sons gave Mom and I a ride and Dawn and her husband Darrel went with Dawn's parents. We checked in and then were met by Sandra and Paul to say their goodbyes. We boarded the plane, without security, to Wellington. The view was, again, spectacular. We arrived in Wellington at 2:30pm, picked up the rental car, and took off to the New Zealand National Te Papa Museum. They had the largest squid preserved and educational information about how the New Zealand Islands were formed and about the native people, Maori. We drove to Dawn's sister's place in Martinborough and during the drive we drove up one of the huge mountains and then back down. Gail's daughter Thalia (13 yo) told me that she timed the drive once and it was 7 minutes up and 7 minutes down either way. When we got there, Gail's other daughter Melia (7 yo) was so excited that she could not even stand still. We also met her son Sergio (16yo) who was home for the weekend from boarding school. Gail made us a wonderful feast of organic chicken, 3 different types of potatoes, and different vegetables. Just what we needed. Then off to bed at the Edendale house down the street.
Cristin
We woke up this morning and said goodbye to Cveta who is continuing on her biking and hiking retreat. We checked out of the apartment and met up with Dawn's parents at their home. After some lunch and Dawn re-packing we set off to the airport. Shompoo and her two sons gave Mom and I a ride and Dawn and her husband Darrel went with Dawn's parents. We checked in and then were met by Sandra and Paul to say their goodbyes. We boarded the plane, without security, to Wellington. The view was, again, spectacular. We arrived in Wellington at 2:30pm, picked up the rental car, and took off to the New Zealand National Te Papa Museum. They had the largest squid preserved and educational information about how the New Zealand Islands were formed and about the native people, Maori. We drove to Dawn's sister's place in Martinborough and during the drive we drove up one of the huge mountains and then back down. Gail's daughter Thalia (13 yo) told me that she timed the drive once and it was 7 minutes up and 7 minutes down either way. When we got there, Gail's other daughter Melia (7 yo) was so excited that she could not even stand still. We also met her son Sergio (16yo) who was home for the weekend from boarding school. Gail made us a wonderful feast of organic chicken, 3 different types of potatoes, and different vegetables. Just what we needed. Then off to bed at the Edendale house down the street.
Cristin
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