Meet The Parents

As a Christmas present and post- earthquake reprieve, I was greeted by my parents on boxing day (which still would have been Christmas in the states for anyone keeping track).  It was very nice to see them in 3D after almost 3 months of Skyping, although after a few days I wasn't sure if they were more excited to see me or to see New Zealand... Well, maybe not really, but they were definitely very excited to do some exploring. We had a couple days of amazing weather and took a couple of day trips from Christchurch. The first day we started with a Christchurch area tour and a trip up to Sugarloaf hill, from which you have an ariel view of the city.  

We made it down to the local beach and also did some exploring in the new Cashel Mall- the one rebuilt from containers. On the way we couldn't miss the destruction still apparent from the February earthquake almost a year ago.  It reminded me that it really takes being here and seeing it to truely understand and appreciate what the city has gone through.  We did even get to experience some fun aftershocks of our own. (I now, like many Christchurch locals, have become addicted to checking geonet.org.nz to see what the latest afterschock was on the Richter Scale. Check it out, you will be amazed at how many there are, most of which we can't even feel.)


On our second full day we made a trip out to Akaroa, a place that I am coming to know very well.  We did very well with the weather, it was nice but not too bright when we arrived for our bay and dolphin sightseeing tour. We were very lucky and got the boat tour to ourselves! It made for a nice intimate ride, especially when we were surrounded by Hector's Dolphins.  These dolphins are a very rare breed that are only found in New Zealand, and this is one of the only places in NZ to see them so we were really very lucky.  As the guide said, you know it's a great day when he gets out his camera too! They were very curious and putting on quite a show.

After, we took the summit road, which gives those wonderful full views of the crater and bays.

After we returned home I headed out to work and my parents joined at the end of the night to check out the bar. Luckily for me it was a slow night since my father came armed with his camera, and for those of you who know, you know he has no regard for how embarrassing he may be- especially when it concerns his children.  In his defense though, he did manage to get some good shots before I was able to lure him back to the bar with a good ole G&T.

Before we got the new quake-proof shelves in

We were lucky we spent our sunny days as we did, as the next two while we waited for Wells to return from the ice were a fitting cool and rainy. It did allow them to get some further trip planning in.  Since Wells' flight was delayed, I ended up working on the night he returned. The next night, which was New Years Eve, we did a combined Christmas lamb roast dinner and New Year's celebration.

The next morning we dropped my parents off with their camper van. Flash forward two weeks and they had done more South Island sightseeing than most locals ever have.  They had been kayaking on a glacier, seen penguins returning from the see, flew over beautiful Milford Sound, kayaked on the Abel Tasman, gone wine tasting, whale watching and more! I'm going to need to get the full list from her myself for when we take our trip!

Arthur's Pass rocks.  Called the spiritual centre of the world be the Dali Lama

When they returned we took a great day trip to Arthur's Pass.  We played among the same rocks and visited the same cave Wells had on his school trip.  Afterwards, we freshened up and went out to dinner and saw the new Sherlock Holmes movie. Expensive, but a great way to wrap up the day! After they left us again they landed in North Island and continued their adventure for a few days before heading back home to reality.  At this point they've been back for about a week and I'm waiting to see pictures myself after they've gone through them all. Especially the ones with their friend the kiwi in it!

There he is, hiding in the plants on the right!

In all it was a great trip for us all. I was glad they got to see where we've been staying and how we've been living for the past few months. From what i hear they're already planning their next trip, though I think it's less to see me and more to see the country :)
After they're visit we are super excited for our next visitor, Kevin Brady, in March!
Can't wait!