Trip before we came home
A little late but we are still excited to share our trip with everyone.
Before we came home we stopped off in
New Zealand and Fiji...
New Zealand
The 5th of December we said goodbye to everyone we loved in Australia and flew to New Zealand (their arch rival). We arrived in New Zealand, hired a car and went straight to the Denny's we spotted J Denny’s is unheard of in AU.
On our way back to the car... there was no car! Yes it was towed. Talk about confusion at 11pm trying to figure out where your car is (With everything you own in the boot), who can help and what to do. Everything ended up ok with help from a beat cop and taxi driver. The car was towed because of the "Taxi Stand" sign 2 blocks down the road that applied to where we parked. Who knew?
New Zealand was absolutely amazing. ‘Lord of the Rings’ was filmed in the south island of NZ and we were predominantly in the north- but it still looked like a movie. Beautiful surroundings wrapped around ever corner as we were driving through the mountains on our way to Gisborne (pronounced Gizbin). This is the first city on the other side of the International Date Line. Hence, they see the sun rise before anyone else in the world. That had to be the most magical time sitting there on the beach with Jeffrey, freshly engaged and waiting to see the sun before anyone, anywhere!!!
Days were spent learning about the Native Mauri people of New Zealand, running the beach, visiting Mount Maunganui and Sky City (the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere).
Check out the engagement, NZ, Fiji and x-mas album by clicking HERE!
Fiji
December 9th we were off to our next destination Fiji! (Despite the military coup and overthrow of the government in Suva). Yes it was a little nerve racking and we had a plan B if needed. Through our entire trip in Fiji we wouldn’t have ever known something was going on at the opposite side of the island.
This place was a fairytale. We booked a resort on Sonaisali Island that was completely private. We took a ferry to get to our island and just became amazed at how picturesque everything was. Our pictures really do seem fake looking like postcards. We learned some words (Bula = Hello, Vinaka = Thank you), took advantage of the paddle boats - kayaks and played tennis.
They had activities on one side of the island which we participated in almost every night. There was an event where Kali (our Fiji friend) climbed a palm tree, picked coconuts, and peeled them for us to eat and drink. We even received last place in a frog race that won us a horse back riding adventure on the beach and around the island. (First place was a snorkeling adventure).
The best part about our days were getting up and walking outside onto our deck to be greeted with the sunrise over the ocean with palm trees and huts with hammocks everywhere. This atmosphere was so calming and ever so peaceful. When we would take a trip into the city it was very exciting because it was so busy with everyone running around. This is still a developing country so there were some poor areas. But everything was safe and comforting. So many souvenirs shops, people spotting you as a tourist and trying to sell you ANYTHING!!!
We are so fortunate to have had these experiences with other countries and cultures. We feel we have grown so much throughout this past year. It is overwhelming to sit back and just think at everything we have accomplished! Most of all, thank you for letting us share our lives with you. That is the best part: being able to spread your happiness to others whom you love.
We wish you beautiful holidays and a happy new year!
It has been so crazy running around catching up with everyone but Jeffrey and I have been loving it!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays :) (Comment this)
Talk to you soon! (Comment this)