Catch a Wave and You're Sitting on Top Of the World

Our photos are now updated, so just link on the link above to see what we've been up to.

Our New Zealand trip was great. We spent 9 days on the South Island driving around and seeing beautiful things. We hiked up a glacier wearing crampons on our feet, which was incredible. The ice was so white it was blue. We did some adventure sports in Queenstown, which you'll see in the photos. Jet boating was fantastic (pictures to come soon), while canyon swinging was terrifying and incredibly satisfying to have down. We really loved this country, and the natural beauty of it, the people, and the laid back state of mind that awaits you upon arrival makes it such a nice place to holiday. Or live. If we were both best-selling authors we would probably buy a house there and spend three months a year writing there. It's a place that inspires.

For New Year's we went to a great party downtown that one of our friends threw, and watched the fireworks at midnight. They're no Sydney fireworks, but they were pretty special. We had the most incredible view, and it was such a glam evening. Seeing the city so alive and throbbing was amazing too. There were half a million people downtown (supposedly). It took us 45 minutes to walk three blocks along the river, it was really something. I don't think either of us have been "out" on NYE, so that was nice to go be in the middle things.

This past weekend we went to Sydney. What a city. We stayed with friends of ours and spent half our time on the beach, half in the city. They live 2 minutes from a great beach, so we spent a good deal of time body boarding. It was the most fun we've had. It's like yoga. Yoga is supposed to be something that is relaxing because it makes you focus on only that, which I never actually find with yoga. Well, sometimes. This however does just that. You are so focused on catching your next wave, jumping the ones in between, and riding one back to shore when you do, that you are really in the moment. It is such fun, and we now know how we'll be spending most of our weekends here. Tonight we're actually goign to drive along the coast here in Melbourne to see what spots are best here. This is definitely the way to experience Australia.

We saw old friends and my cousins while in Sydney, meeting for meals and drinks overlooking the opera house. It's as impressive and interesting architecturally in person as it is in pictures. Although, slightly smaller than you'd think because in real life it is next to an ENORMOUS bridge that dwarfs it a little. It's really lovely, and the city is just built around beautiful views and waterways.

Hope 2009 is going so well for everyone.

Love,
Sandra and Rob