Day 3, and not much change

 Food & Wine, Vacations  1 Response »
Mar 022008
 

Well yesterday didn’t turn out too bad after all was said and done.

The further we drove into the Central Otago wine area, the better the weather became. The sun didn’t shine much, but the temperatures were quite comfortable, and we tasted quite a few very nice pinot noirs and a couple sauvignon blancs. Even bought a few.

We even came across this nice running stream I thought worth taking a video of. I’m really liking this new camera.

Anywaze, we’re still concerned about getting to Milford Sound [I'm hoping to take some fantastic videos]. Even though right now it appears dry, and I can’t hear or see much wind, the forecast doesn’t look promising for today. Tomorrow looks more promising, but it’s only supposed to get to a high of 48°F. Not what we were hoping for :(

Oh well, time for breakfast! Hopefully things will look better after my stomach gets full.

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 Posted by Marc at 6:50 am  Tagged with: ,

Safe and sound

 Edie, Food & Wine, Vacations  No Responses »
Feb 282008
 

Well, we made it to New Zealand safe and sound, and with the exception of it being a hassle making our connection to Queenstown, it was a great trip.

I got my usual amount of sleep, and managed to wake up relatively refreshed. Edie didn’t fare quite as well, and after walking about a half mile to the domestic terminal in Auckland (which was the main hassle making that connection), Edie was a little worn out.

She did recover enough though to visit a few wineries, while we waited for our room to be ready, and even spent some time watching a few people out for a leisurely day of bungee jumping.

The biggest problem so far, besides the fact it’s overcast and raining, I forgot to bring my stash of green tea, and I didn’t bring any extra hair bands, is learning to drive on the wrong side of the road.stoneridge.jpg

The driving isn’t so bad, but trying to remember to get in the car on the right side instead of the left, trying not to turn on the windshield wipers when you want the turn signals, and remembering the rear view mirror is to my left, not my right, has not been quite as easy.

We’re now in our room trying to relax a bit before going to dinner, after which we’re hoping for a good nights sleep.

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 Posted by Marc at 7:42 pm  Tagged with:

2 hours and counting

 Vacations  1 Response »
Feb 272008
 

Well, as some would say, we have completed the most dangerous part of the trip, that is, the trip to the airport.

Edie successfully negotiated getting her multitude of pills and creams through security, and now we sit in the Koru Club, watching Larry King on CNN, sipping on an Oyster Bay Pinot Noir, while indulging on some goat and bleu cheese waiting for our flight to begin boarding.

Life is good.

More reports and pictures to follow, and keep an eye on MiniPosts in the sidebar, for short and quick updates.

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 Posted by Marc at 6:17 pm  Tagged with:

We’re good to go!

 Edie, Life, My MCL, Vacations  3 Responses »
Feb 252008
 

thumbsup5.jpgAll the results are in, and it’s a thumbs up for our trip to New Zealand.

Edie got the results of her latest blood work on Friday, and I got mine today.

Edie’s counts were stable, and I was better than good. My hemoglobin was up to 13 g/dl (that’s almost normal) from 11.9 g/dl last month, and my lymphocyte count was down to 88.2 thou/cumm from 99 thou/cumm. Even my platelets were up.

I also bought a new backpack, so that I can easily carry the computer (and keep everyone up to date on our adventure) , some Bose noise cancellation headphones (to make the flight a little more tolerable), a new camera with 2 – 4 Gb flash drives, each with the capability of taking 3000 pictures or 3 hours worth of videos.  I’m hoping that will be sufficient for 18 days.

Edie’s even prepared enough nourishing meals for Sylvia to make while we’re gone.

Now, all I have to do is pack!

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 Posted by Marc at 8:16 pm  Tagged with:

Decisions, decisions, decisions!!

 Vacations  No Responses »
Feb 092008
 

Well, after four itinerary changes, I think we’re finally set for our trip to New Zealand.

We leave the end of February, bound for Queenstown, spending the first 3 days at the Stoneridge Estate.

From there, we plan to visit a few wineries of the Central Otago region, as well as take a tour of Milford Sound (that seems to be on everyone’s list of sights to see), and take a jet boat ride (or maybe kayak) up the Dart River (it goes by some Lord of the Ring sites).

Beyond that.we have nothing specific planned until we get to Auckland, where I have 4 nights booked at the Westin Auckland, Lighter Quay. (I’ve used my Starwood points, so I can change those dates if needed without a penalty.) Total time on the ground in New Zealand – 17 days.

Touring the wineries is easy, we have a car, but how to best experience Milford Sound and the Dart River is proving a lot more daunting than I had expected.

There are just too many different tours to choose from, with prices ranging widely, especially for Milford Sound, which involves a helicopter ride (not my favorite form of transportation, but…..).

Anywaze, so I’ve decide to resort to asking for advice and suggestions (I’m hoping all the NZ links I’ve put in this post will get to someones attention), from those in the know, who either live in New Zealand, or have visited there, and can offer some recommendations.

Our hosts at the Stoneridge Estate, have recommended the Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters company, and Dart River Safaris as the best tour operators, but there is at least one other helicopter company that offers tours.

Price isn’t a major obstacle, as I’ve always regretted being cheap, and then missing out on something, but at the same time, I want to be sure I’m getting good value for my dollar (even with the favorable exchange rate).

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 Posted by Marc at 12:14 pm  Tagged with:
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