We had to hastly write our last blog because we only had 2 minutes.
We were very pleased with Qantus Airlines which we have adopted as our own “Menno” Airlines. Menno Airlines was gracious enough to provide us with a gift of free goodies and most importantly ice cream treat for dessert (Milky Way)! Our flight was long but in the end wasn’t nearly as bad as we anticipated.
We have been under the hospitality of Jenny and Howard Scott, Cam’s parents, which is absolutely awesome! They live in the country in the Bay of Plenty area which is absolutely amazing. There is no doubt that this country is beautiful in its own beauty. It is hard to describe the steep rolling hills on which sheep graze and kiwi vineyards are side by side. The roads are one sharp curve after another and I am well into my gravol supply. The straightest road would only go as far as the length of a football field. Jerry drove for the first time today – steering wheel on the right side of the car – and driving on the left side of the road – with round abouts or driving circles at nearly every intersection – or so it seems.
The Scott’s are amazing people and have been so kind as to make feel part of their family, so much so, that Howard, Tracy and I had some animated discussion which ranged from democracy to theology – it was wonderful and stretching – loved every moment of it. Jenny made an amazing lamb roast for us with all the trimmings – a wonderful home cooked meal – which was wonderful for Tamara.
We went into the City of Tauranga today and walked around some of the neat shops. We then walked around Mount Maunganui which looks out over the Bay of Plenty. There is nothing like the ocean, the sound of the waves, the smell and the breeze coming off the water. It was breathtaking beauty as we walked along the shoreline. Tracy, Cam’s wife, was our guide today and was Jerry’s driving instructor as he drove here for the first time. The speed limit is 100 km/hr but if you travelled at that speed you’d lose all 4 tires around most of the curves.
We will stay here until Wednesday morning and then head for Waitoma Caves and then make our way down to New Plymouth to see the Egmont National Park. We booked our ferry which leaves from Wellington on Saturday to head over to Nelson on the South Island.
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