Akaroa

Bret and I have always wanted to visit Akaroa, which is a small township an hour and a half away from Christchurch.  They're known for being French-influenced and founded, and offer nature harbor cruises.  We took a shuttle coach to Akaroa for the day and lounged beachside.  The town is very laid-back, slow, and relaxed, with only 550 residents, which can climb to 6000 in the summer.  The weather was gorgeous and perfect and it was a great end to a busy week.

Before crusing down into the harbor, a view of Akaroa from above...

while looking back towards Christchurch.

World-renowned (apparently) fish and chips shop we ate at upon arrival

Although we didn't go on a harbor cruise, Akaroa is known for the world's smallest and rarest dolphins, Hector's dolphins.  There are only 3000-4000 and are only found in New Zealand.  I took this photo, because the dolphin is true to size (even smaller than the dolphins we swam with)!

In a gift shop, Bret giving Hector (named after the dolphins, of course), the owner's dog, a little love

Spectacular scenery throughout the small township

Our last stop on the way back to Christchurch was Barry's Bay Cheese, the only cheese factory left on the Banks Peninsula, to sample some yummy cheeses and check out the cheese-making process!

banana milk

While shopping with Jody, we came across banana flavored milk.  Rather than buying a whole jug, we opted to try the juice-box size.

It tasted like a milkshake, but I probably wouldn't buy it again.  Scarily, the expiration date was six months away...must not have been real milk!

Clinkers

I love trying new candies here in NZ, and I sampled a few on our holiday.

When Bret took me and Jody to the grocery store (deemed NZ's most expensive) and told us we could get whatever we want for movie snacks, I chose these.  I thought they would be like Whoppers (which I miss).  They were similar, but the insides were harder, and oddly flavored.  I couldn't figure out if it was supposed to be fruit flavored...I never finished them.

Cookie Time!

On the way back into town from our long bustrip from Queenstown to Christchurch on Friday, we drove by the Cookie Time factory on the outskirts of Christchurch.  Cookie Time cookies have been Bret's savior, since American cookies are hard to come by here.  He has found solace in the large Cookie Time chocolate chip cookies, that I am not convinced are very American.  However, I have recently fallen victim to their mini cookie bites, that totally taste like home.  After a bit of research, I discovered that the factory isn't open for tours, but they do have a factory shop (which totally reminded me of the Palmer Candy Company in Sioux City, where I always go when I visit my grandparents).  Since I had the day off, I planned the hour long bustrip to take Bret to cookie paradise.

 

 Bret outside the factory with the Cookie Muncher!
 

The story is amazing!  A kiwi fell in love with soft American cookies and started this factory as a result (which was totally our idea when we got here)!

Up until a few years ago, Cookie Time held the Guinness World Record for largest chocolate chip cookie with 3.1 tons of sugar, 4.1 tons of flour, and 2.5 tons of chocolate!  Wow!

Bin after bin of yummy, factory-direct cookies (@ discount prices)!!!  Still recovering from the cookie overload from Bret's birthday, we only purchased the mini cookies (apricot chocolate chip!) and the broken cookie factory bits!  And a whole lot of fun trinkets for Bret!

coin-operated rubbish?

Although I'm back at work in Chch, I still have some pretty nifty photos from our trip to share.  For example, in the small township of Franz Joseph, I spotted this coin-operated rubbish bin.  Meaning, people have to pay to dispose garbage in this dumpster...I've never heard of such a thing!!!

best friends

Getting over the crazy busy holiday of last week and reflecting over my time spent with Jody...

 

Our best friend necklaces, a kiwi bird (Jody's) and a lamb (mine)

Guest blog from Jody

As Jody leaves her first international trip to New Zealand behind, her thoughts and reflections:

When Tara first told me that she was going to be living in New Zealand, my first response was, “Oh, I will have to come and visit” (Yeah right).  I have to admit that even though I said it to her, I really didn’t think that it would happen.  We entertained the idea as Tara and Bret’s departure crept up and all throughout their time away.  The longer they were gone the more fate worked to bring us together in New Zealand.  A lot of things in my life fell into place in the most unexpected and sometimes unwanted ways, but those are the things that eventually led me to book my flight and take a trip to the land of the kiwis.
   
Seeing Tara and Bret immediately after I arrived in Christchurch was like pure joy and instant comfort.  No matter how different my surroundings were during this trip, I always felt perfectly at home in their company; they made me feel so welcomed the entire time, and they were always there to make sure I was having a true kiwi experience ( I didn’t need the bus for that!).  It would be impossible for me to describe what this trip meant to me, how much it altered my reality, sharpened my outlook, eased my transition, and helped me to let go.  All I can say is that my eyes were opened so wide that I woke up every morning with eye aches!
    
My relationship with Tara has always been strong, although tested, and it continues to grow through our experiences together and apart.  Eternally there for each other no matter how far apart. A welcomed gift of this journey was the opportunity to re-connect with Bret and build on our friendship as well.  I have known Bret since he started dating Tara but never had the opportunity to see what kind of man he really was until this trip.  He is incredibly genuine, intelligent, considerate, determined, and loves Tara completely (something we have in common…among other things).  Seeing this newly engaged couple and celebrating their engagement with them for the first time was a treasure.  I am truly happy for them both and support them fully as a couple, as I have finally gotten to know them as a couple.  Congratulations again!
            
Final thought:  Go for it!  Live every moment like a new adventure and take what life gives you.  If it gives you kiwiss, make jam!

Cheers mates!
Jody