So Far, So Good

Trip On!!

We made it out of Gisborne.  It wasn't easy.  I did not get to say the goodbyes I wanted to, take the pictures I had always meant to take, pack the way I wanted to... in fact, none of it was the way I had envisioned leaving.  In a way, though, I just had to let go of the control and the ideas of what it would be, and once I did that, it was okay. Maybe even better than normal, as I just knew there was no way I could change it, and therefore, I could not be disappointed with all the things I didn't get done.   Poor Brett had most of the burden.  Not sure I have ever seen him so stressed.  We finally decided to push our trip back another day, which was a huge help.



On Sunday, April 1st, we got in the car bright and early and drove away from Gisborne.  Had a long car ride down to Wellington.   It took over 8 hours but we had a couple of breaks, one for a picnic on the waterfront in the art deco town of Napier, and another big stop at a cool park.   Brett and I have had a long running joke where we have renamed this last year of traveling the WPT (the World Park Tour).   We only stayed in Wellington for the night...had to cancel the other night because of the delays.  Seeing that I couldn't really walk around the city, and that we had been there before, we decided not to be disappointed. I did have to cancel my tattoo appointment.  Oh well.

The next morning we caught the ferry to the South Island.  I got some special treatment with a wheelchair and a good parking spot for the car.   Again, glad I had been on that journey before, so I didn't feel like I was missing out so much.  From the ferry we drove down the east coast to Kaikoura, the place where I swam with dolphins last year and one of Brett's favorite places in New Zealand.  It was a beautiful day and the water was the beautiful turquoise.  We stopped at place where the baby seals swim up to a pool under a waterfall and swim and play.  Of course, I got to sit in my chair by the car while Brett and the kids made the hike to the spot. But I did have some curious baby seals by the sea come visit me too.   Made me feel a little less left out.

We finally arrived at the holiday home I had booked for the next two nights.  Seeing we are trying to be a little more budget conscience, this place was not quite as fancy as some of the others.  Brett, I believe, called it disgusting.  But it did have some nice views of the sea.  We actually could see the dolphins in the bay from the house and had an airshow going on overhead the first night.  The next morning we could tell the dolphins were out again. Brett and Liam drove down to the bay and found a huge pod (around 500) of very playful dolphins close to shore.  They came back and got us and we got to watch the hundreds of dolphins jumping and flipping.  Very cool. And we were very envious of the kayakers who were right in the middle of it.   So, Brett contacted the kayak company and convinced Liam to go with him that afternoon.  They had an amazing experience. Got to kayak with the dolphins, although they were not jumping and playing as much, saw seals, albatross, penguins, and after paddling way out to sea, they got to see a whale.   And, when they got in, the whale was breeching and splashing, repeatedly (15-20 times).   So, another good day!

Today, was judgement day.  Got out of Kaikoura early to get down to the Christchruch hospital for my follow up x-ray.  Again, so far so good.  The bone still looks in decent placement (however, he did mention the mortise might be widened a little, but then again, thought it looked equal - come on, just tell me it is good)  Told me I needed one more x-ray in one week to determine that is really was not moving.  Not the 100% reassurance I needed, but, at least I am not stuck in the earthquake capitol getting surgery. Whew!   We spent the rest of the day at the botanical gardens on a beautiful fall day.   First at the playground (of course) and then we went punting.  Punting is a boat ride on the shallow river where they push the boat with a long pole, kind of like a gondola.   These are the kind of mellow activities I get to enjoy instead of bungy jumping.. and even this was challenging to get into the boat.  Still, it was a lovely day.  Tomorrow we head cross country.. though a beautiful mountain pass to the west coast of the South Island.