Last of New Zealand

The past few days have been busy with travelling, a live radio lecture, along with workshops and lectures.

We flew from Nelson to Wellington. It was a completely different view than flying to Nelson, which had been over aqua seas, volcanic islands, fjords and beaches. Returning we flew over mountains, hills and farmfields, then a windy channel between the islands. Glad we were aloft! We landing in a bit of a gale, but the pilot of the small aircraft made it look easy. I also got blown over descending to the tarmac.

Wellington is like a small San Francisco, tall buildings on a small bay. We had our best meal thanks to the lecture chair who shared a 2-1 coupon for the hotel restaurant. Dave had steak and I had prawns in a wonderful Indian curry sauce. Then on to the workshop. Next morning the site was filled with people sitting in the hallway. Talked with visitors for an hour, then on to the bus station. It was a bit of a muddle. Lovely town, Wellington, but no parking. So they dropped us off and then the bus ticket person said the bus was FULL and we couldn’t travel until the next day. That wouldn’t work. So we went to the platform indicated, finally talked to a bus driver who told us to go out front where the taxis were and our bus would be there. Off we went, grabbing a sandwich to go, and talked to a couple taxi drivers who directed us back to the bus platform. Praise God, but I felt impelled to approach a van driver and on the way, another driver stopped me and asked if we were looking for the bus to New Plymouth. Turns out it’s a little van. We climbed aboard and the next 6 hours were spent hopping from one little town to another. Changed buses mid-way and arrived about 9pm in New Plymouth with happy faces to greet us. We all walked to the hotel and then off for a decaf. It was Earth Hour so the place was lit with candles, but very nice.
We thoroughly enjoyed our time in New Plymouth. Next morning took a walk along the sea with the surf banging over the walkway. Had brunch overlooking the ocean. Lovely. That afternoon they packed their lecture hall. Afterward we had dinner with Coreen and Scott in their beautiful home with a view of the Taranaki volcano. Oh my, can’t describe how lovely. Scott is an artist and his front door is carved indigenous style, metal sculptures all about outside, his mother’s paintings on every wall inside, totem poles in the carpark, truly a picture. The meal was fabulous and got to visit with a practitioner and her husband who drove a couple hours to spend the day in NPlymouth.

After dinner was the lecture prep, yes I know out of sequence, but there you are. After giving the hour talk they wanted, there were questions and then they asked for a summary of another talk on Church Growth. I prayed and just decided to go ahead and did another half hour. We got home about 10:30pm.

Off the next morning at 6:30am to catch the bus to Hamilton. This ride was spectacular. Couldn’t keep my eyes open for the whole thing, but striking mountains, craggy hills covered in trees, dramatic seacoast views. It was everything one could hope for re scenery. We arrived at 11am, checked into the hotel and did a lecture prep that evening after a long nap. Next day was the live radio lecture, one hour with a host giving the talk “God is Speaking to You” live on air. This was a first. It went beautifully. The host is an Episcopal priest who believes in and practices healing. You would have thought we’d done this a hundred times before. It was flawless. People came to the lecture that night who had heard the radio program. Had a couple hours between events, then on to the evening talk.

Dave and I took a walk this morning on the beautiful walkway along the river beside our hotel. It extends 14km but we did about 1-2km. Lots of ducks. Saw a Silvereye and wonderful special Goldfinch with orangey-red faces. Went to an internet café and had a major problem with the computer. 1 hour and nothing done. Not good. Then moved to another internet café and praise the Lord the owner came and helped me. My email address had gotten corrupted somehow and nothing would go in or out. I still have a problem with elise@elisemoore.com, can’t send anything only receive. But at least I can get messages out via gmail again. I spent 2 hours there with this guy helping me. At the end we finally got it connected. Just as Dave hurried in telling me the van to Auckland was waiting and I needed to get the lead out.

Off we went via van for another couple hours. Pretty ride, but not spectacular. I snoozed through part of it. Got here and thank you Father I have an internet connection that works. So I’ve spent the past 4-5 hours catching up on all the work that has backed up. We leave tomorrow morning at 7am for Sydney, which means getting up at 3:45. I’m wondering who put this schedule together, smile.

We’ve really enjoyed New Zealand. We’d like to come back and do a pelagic birding trip to the little islands around NZ and then into the mountains to see the kiwi and other special birds. We’ve gotten to see quite a bit considering, and feel so privileged to have been given this opportunity.

Well until next time.
Love,