It’s Wednesday evening here and I am finally having a chance to catch my breath. It’s been all go go go since arriving Monday night. My flight was delayed 3 hours out of Sydney so I didn’t arrive in New Zealand until 3am. Thank heavens Brenda was still willing to come to the airport and get me. I really didn’t know up from down very well at that point because by the time I landed it had been 51 hours since I took off from Paris. 
I didn’t know if I should be hungry, what meal I should be eating (and for sure it wasn’t that generous bag of peanut m and ms I inhaled at the gate while I was killing time!) and whether it was time to sleep or not. I will tell you, the showers I was able to get in both Hong Kong and Sydney were remarkable in their ability to keep me upright and lucid. I think if I was to ever be tortured (yikes!) depriving me of the ability to shower would be pretty pivotal in making me talk. Just sayin’.
Only once did I ask someone to watch my bags while I walked to the washroom; I just didn’t have it in me to pull on the backpack and drag my little red suitcase through the airport. For all of 5 minutes I was freed from the burden and it was just what I needed to give me some energy back. (FYI, don’t panic, I had my money and passport in my fanny pack on my person. I am not quite that trusting……)
My traveling companions have also packed light but we still seem to fill the generous trunk of our rental Corolla. Thankfully it is Lloyd’s job to get everything fitted in just so. Brenda amazes me every day; this woman has a small bag (that she checked) and managed, besides all of her personal stuff, to pack a sharp knife, small cutting board and a ton of heavy duty zippered plastic bags for storing food items etc. She is like a magician constantly pulling something new out of her bag of tricks!
Of course, we brought clothes primarily for warm weather- It was 28 and sunny while we were touring Christchurch and surrounding area yesterday. (Yes dear friends, jetlagged or not we were out the door in the morning and didn’t return until 11 pm. Nothing like just diving in. The time is ticking on our 46 days in this country.) Alas, we are now in the Southern Alps where the temperature as I write this at 11pm is 7 degrees. Yikes! I am ever so glad Em said packing my jeans was a must. We will layer up when we venture out hiking in the am. Oh yes, and Brenda also has gloves packed in her magic bag.
That’s all I am dashing off for tonight. I have a date with a bed and a full day of hiking planned for tomorrow.
If you didn’t catch it I released part 3 of The Fireman a few hours ago- I look forward to hearing from you on both!
A Bientot! xo
I’m glad you made it safely. Enjoy.
And another adventure begins! That was quite the long haul to get there Michelle! Enjoyed the third segment of the fireman story. I know I have heard it before and I’m pretty sure I remember the finish, but it is certainly entertaining hearing it told again.
Happy you made it and can now enjoy NZ. You’re jumping right in there; no time to waste! Oh, that fireman doesn’t know what he wants 🤔
So glad you made it safely and have already started new adventures!!
Wow—you’re amazing. I’m pretty certain my jet legged body would’ve need at least two days to recover.
Enjoy every second. Off to read your latest on the Fireman. A bientôt😘
Amazing you are on the go already…look forward to following this adventure! Go girl!
No rest for the weary! Have fun!
Have a great time!! Love hearing about all your adventures! Can’t wait to have my own soon once I retire!!
Safe travels Michelle. The fireman story, well, his loss. Curious if you know what’s up with him today.
Nope!
You are definitely an experienced traveller Michelle but that one had to be a tiring trip even for you. I did not know about booking showers. I can see how helpful that would be and I’m sure worthy of the extra money. Enjoy your hike and I can only imagine the scenery will be mind blowing. Oh, and loving the intrigue of the Fireman story. You know how to create a cliff hanger 🤣
Have so much fun!!! New Zealand is a beautiful place!!!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ love this once again.
Omg that fireman story was something else. I called him a few names while reading lol. Cliff hanger all the way. Off to read your next blog. I want to be you in my next life.