Give Way at the Round About

So we finally made it to New Zealand after a three hour delay at JFK which aroused quite a bit of anxiety, wondering if we'd make our connecting flight in Los Angeles to Auckland or if we'd be stranded in an airport too cheap to swing for accommodations. We found out that the plane we were on was the one going to Auckland, so though we were delayed we'd make our flight.

I think Emari and I did our best to force ourselves to sleep and though we both read and watched movies, we did manage to sleep. I learned that my Northface shirt had an old-guy pocket that I could keep my passport in and that made me quite happy. I was also thrilled to learn that trash was referred to as "rubbish", a much better word!!! We also ate lots of food on the plane and the service from Qantas was good.

No problems in Auckland airport, obtained some local currency, cleared customs and got some new stamps in the passport, picked up our bags and all bags were waiting!!! Stopped at a Vodaphone shop at the airport and obtained a 3G card for the iPad as well as bought a local cell phone. We got a taxi no problems and headed to the camper van place and got dialed in with the camper van. Let me tell you, my head was pounding from jet lag and driving on the wrong side of the car; on the wrong side of the road in a camper van was a little challenging. With one small detour we arrived in Raglan around 3:45pm to Ste'en and Tonya's house and immediately pulled a surfboard and wetsuit and boots out and was heading to Ragland with Ste'en for a surf. We surfed Indicators head high with overhead sets with good wind, it was a great way to break the ice.....what an amazing set up. Ste'en and Tonya made us feel at home with a great home cooked meal, nice bed with heated blankets. As I write this I'm so tired my eyes are crossed and I'm off to bed.

No KY Needed

Whew! Let's just say we're $300-$600 richer. Barbara, our Qantas associate, didn't charge us for oversize bags, and she encouraged us to move things from our backpacks to our checked luggage so that we didn't get hassled at the gate.

AJ and I just wolfed a plate of nachos and two beach salads at JFK's Sammy's Beach Bar and Grill, and I'm pretty sure this is the first time AJ has felt relaxed in the past month. Days before our wedding he had a nightmare that his passport was expired. He woke up panicked. Fortunately for us both, this was not the case.

The past week, post-wedding, has been filled with countless tasks to prepare for our trip. The surf board bag needed to be duct-taped and glued (this is probably its last trip). AJ had to buy a new wet suit because a plastic hanger mangled the shoulders of his 4/3, and of course, we had to run to REI for a few odds and ends because our last Amazon orders didn't arrive on time.

But I wouldn't have it any other way: AJ, pausing between nachos, do we have the baggage tickets??

Yes. We're on our way. New Zealand here we come.

7.23.11 Brigantine Observation Tower

Keep paddling, keep paddling!!

That's what AJ yells when I go to catch a wave and what he was yelling as we pedaled our bikini and speedo-clad selves toward the 160 guests awaiting our arrival at the Brigantine Observation Tower.

We didn't wipe out in the soft sand along the last turn. I had tried not to plan how I'd patch a bloody knee or elbow before I put on my dress in the restroom trailer.

I could not have imagined a more perfect day.

If you'd like to follow our adventures in New Zealand and beyond, please follow this blog.

For some Go Pro footage of our processional that afternoon, check this out.

Thanks.

Ciao,

Emari & AJ