The Great Campout...

     We made it to Melbourne and had a pretty nice day...check, got up early (4am) and caught a plane to Melbourne International Airport...very cool place we kind of a disco or art deco look to it...check, nice flight into Auckland, no sweat catching the bus into the city and walked about 3 blocks to the Jucy Hotel, home for the next 2 days. So, this is the duality of life...last night in the Awesome Melbourne Marriott, beautiful foyer and rooms, located on the corner Lonsdale and Exhibition it is right in the heart of the city, we had every convenience and luxury available...Tonight...The Jucy Hotel, one step up from a Backpackers Hostel, clean and comfortable sure but luxury hardly (I'm sitting here laughing)...my first indication of the difference was in the check in area and then having to carry our bags up to the 2nd floor (no elevators here)...We are going to look at this as "The Missing Link" between the Comfort of the Marriott and our 28 day Camping Trip. We love the adventure of it.
     Did a little scouting of the city and found lots to like, came across a California Burrito shop and a place called Mexicali...that takes care of dinner for the next couple days! On the 12th we spent what was left of the day getting organized and figuring out what we needed for the campout, not a long list. On the 13th we really spent the day looking around Auckland. We got up late and didn't even leave The Jucy until about 11am...looking for something to eat, a little late for breakfast but we spied an old friend, "Starbucks" and enjoyed a cup and a muffin...next we walked down to our meeting point for tomorrow so we knew how to get there and how long a walk it is...only about 3 blocks and all down hill. We had a wonderful day wandering around the city, checking out the shops and seeing the sights...lunch was at a nice little waterside cafe. We took a stroll along Viaduct Harbor, Princess Wharf and Queens Wharf, Auckland is a very cool city that blends the old and new in equal proportions...it is bright and cheery and has a good vibe to it. After our mandatory nap (we learned from the Italians), we headed out to Mexicali for dinner...as we are sitting thoroughly enjoying our burritos I notice a you couple sitting next to us and the young lady is wearing a Flying Kiwi T-shirt...I can't resist, walk over and introduce myself and sure enough these two are our guide (Holly) and driver (Mark) for the next month...so, we are ready for tomorrow, we know where to meet and now we know who to look for...had a nice short chat and left them to eat in peace.

Melbourne International Airport

The Jucy Hotel

Jucy Lucy herself...this looks homier than it really is!

Pinch me.

Sittin by the water eating fish and chips...can't get better.

Nanc is ready for her 28 day campout.

These people are serious about rugby.

Nicest Sailboat I've ever seen...anytime, anywhere.

Would you call these guys...fisherman?

Love the Auckland Museum Ad.

Fabulous burrito.

Best T-shirt. This is the Logo for the Museum.

The old Ferry Building.

Statue of a Moari Warrior.

Sittin by the dock of the bay...

Huge Cruise Ship...Dawn Princess.

The City from Queens Wharf.

The City from Queens Wharf.

     I'm sitting here at 5:30am with great anticipation of what we'll see and do in the next 4 weeks. The weather here seems to be on and off good/bad and the water cold...we are signed up for a couple of extra excursions already and look to add another 3 or 4...I'm for sure swimming with the dolphins and Nanc is coming along to laugh at me, and we also signed up for The Milford Sound cruise. The Maori Haka (kind of like a Luau) is being offered on the 15th and I think we may attend, then of course the thermal pools and mud baths are on our list and who could miss the glowworm caves. All in all this should be a wonderful adventure...stay tuned.