Hello New Plymouth

We recently visited New Plymouth out on the west coast of the north island.  Home of Mt. Taranaki, we were able to pay the iconic conical volcano and go for a hike through a particularly beautiful forest.

It was east to see why the place was so green, what with all the clouds and rain.

Fortunately during our visit to the clouds kept their rain and simply resorted to hiding the peak for most of our visit

one word...lush

Working on my magazine cover pose, going for playful yet reflective

Heading out of town to the south next to Port Taranaki is Paritutu Rock. 

The trip up the rock starts with nice wooden steps with railings but quickly becomes a chain and notches worn in solid rock.  

An adventure going up and a few grey hairs coming down gave us quite the view.

Staglands stop over

Callie and I have used the Entertainment book to explore Wellington's many dining establishments, Friday night adventures and fun trips about town.  We recently visited the Staglands Wildlife reserve in Upper Hutt.  Once cashing in our coupon and picking up a bag of kibble to feed all the animals in the park we received a very enthusiastic greeting.

Oddly enough, peacocks seemed to be the pigeons of Staglands with another group of them around every corner.  None of other ones in the park quite felt like putting on the show as impressive as this fella though.

Baby ducks, always adorable.

Not sure why, but these ducks reminded me of Halloween.  Probably because of their bright orange eyes, but something else about them seemed...spooky.

These good looking creatures are Kune Kune Pigs.   Brought back from the edge of extinction but a couple of Christchurch folks, there are now thousands around the world.

 

This guy was more than happy to perform his talent "Eat a treat" if we were willing to provide the treat.

One of the little ladies hanging around.  We managed to get some treats to the other little ones when Poppa Pig wasn't looking.

The newest additions to the Kune Kune family keeping warm in a no holds barred cuddle-fest.

The mother had perfected the best trick of the park.  Couldn't resist throwing a good portion of our kibble her way, she didn't complain too much either.

 That'll do Donkey, that'll do.

 This little cutie looked to have pulled lawn-mower duty.  Callie was able to distract it for a quick heart to heart.

After reassurance from Callie that this Merino was a professional who was not going to take my fingers off, I got to share some kibble with the worlds most prized wool machine.  Not too bad at making horns either.

This kid was hard a work bouncing around the place playing with the little kids, snagging some snacks and playing "Hide in the rusty farm equipment".  Such hard work of course tuckered the little one out, pretty good for being about a week old.

I am not sure if we arrived at nap time or if the peacocks are just that intimidating, but there were several bunnies like the one below lounging about.  No amount of kibble could coax a hop.

Clear on her way to a fancy Ball this chicken was clearly not going to be under-dressed for the occasion.

Staglands ended up being a very fun visit.  It was a large petting zoo where you could interact with most of the animals and since so many of them were New Zealand natives made the visit all the more meaningful.

Getting out of town without driving

The Wellington harbour hosts many beautiful views, bays, little mountains and islands.  Callie and I finally found a weekend to duck off and enjoy one of these little paradises that we had been looking at for over a year.

As it turns out Matiu/Somes island located in Wellington harbour allows for a few campers to stay overnight every day so we packed a bag, packed some camp food and hopped on the little ferry heading out to the tiny bump of land poking out from the sea.  Arrival at the island starts with a thorough pack and bag check at the Rat House and an introduction to the island's history by the care takers.  Callie received the clean tent award from the ranger.  They're actually looking for dirt, seeds, or vermin - not illegal substances.  The island has served as a home to the Maori, as an animal quarantine station and is now a historic reserve.

Our camp ground was located in one of the paddocks on top of the island.  We were in a good neighbourhood with a couple of ducks and a herd of sheep next door.  The island has a track around its crown that is the main attraction which can be walked leisurely in about an hour.  Along the way we saw Red-Crowned Parakeets, Skinks and Weta.

I also spotted my favorite, the rare Wellington Wilhoit

The coast around the island is quite beautiful with lots of rocky beaches and little coves.  The beach is protected as nesting grounds for the various birds of the island including Little Blue Penguins.

The island closes to visitors at 5pm. Those staying on the island can continue to wander around seeing the sights.  We were then off around the island for a night walk which definitely paid off.  A beautiful view of the coolest little capital in the world lit up at night was just the start.  Further around the track we came across some of New Zealand's infamous little blue penguins that had climbed up the steep cliffs for a good nights sleep.  We stood there for the better part of half an hour watching them about five feet away as they looked around trying to find us all while chatting with the other little penguins getting ready to make their own nests for the night.

After a good nights camp and another ferry ride back to civilization we returned home having seen a bit more of what the neighbourhood has to offer.

In the Land of Pies

Pie shops on every corner is a good way to describe quick cuisine in New Zealand. Of course if you are looking for an apple pie or a pumpkin pie you may be quite surprised to find that the pies around here are, in fact, meat pies that come in such flavours as mince, steak, and even sometimes delicious cranberry chicken brie. Callie and I looked to mix the delicious tradition down here with a more traditional American pie. Enter the single serve chicken pot pie.

The filling consisted of every delicious vegetable you could imagine in a Chicken Pot Pie. The strangely delicious New Zealand carrots, chicken, peas, and more made for the tasty (and healthier than most ) filling for the pies.

The "Texas" muffin tin made for the perfect size pies making device. Any local home store sells a george forman-like pie press but I dont think we are going to be eating that many pies anytime soon.Callie's pastry skills even give them their little cross hatched lids completed the top

The finished product came out delicious in more ways then one. The New Zealand personal pie achieved and a little bit of home all in an hours work. One version with Savory pastry, another with puff just for giggles. The savory definetely won me over but the pies seemed to disapper just as quickly.

Cheers for a tasty new tradition if I have anything to say about it. It will be hard making a chicken pot pie another way again!

Thirty, Flirty, and Flying

Here lies my childhood, may it rest in peace.

Within a week of returning to Wellington from our vacation in the States I was fortunate to make the transition from a twenty-something to an actual adult at the right old age of thirty. Instead of sinking down to put one foot in the grave, I took to the skies. We celebrated on the actual day with a trip to the rock wall at Ferg's Kayaks. While certainly not expert climbers, I think we gave the wippersnappers a run for their money on the wall. We started with the easiest walls and then set our sights on some climbs with more bumps and hangs. My favorite part of climbing might actually be the free-fall ride down.

Having worked up an appetite on the rock walls, we headed next door to One Red Dog for pizza. Adam enjoyed an extra side of bacon with his bite of salad.

The real celebration of turning thirty was planned for the next week. My amazing husband somehow managed to plan the perfect surprise getaway weekend. Knowing that we both had to work on Friday and the next Monday, he gave me an overnight trip to Sydney. It was one of the most memorable and lovely weekends I've ever had.

While I worked late Friday at the Studios, Adam slaved away to clean the house and do laundry so that everything was set to go for a very early wake-up call on Saturday morning (did I mention I have the perfect husband?). We took a seven o'clock flight out of Wellington direct to Sydney, so that we were through customs and at our hotel in Sydney before 11:00 in the morning. Our hotel was situated in a great part of town; right across the street from Paddy's Market and a few minutes walk to the central train and bus stations.

Our first order of business was, of course, to find brunch. The nearest market was a great resource for many tasty options. We finally settled on a Turkish food stall for an ENORMOUS kebab and grilled cheese Gozleme.



Then it was out and about to explore Sydney. Knowing we had so few hours inspired us to make the most of every second. We started with a walk on the waterfront past the Sydney Olympic statues and Maritime Museum. Fortunate that the weather was cooperative and didn't rain as forecast, we took the ferry across the harbor towards the Opera House. What a GORGEOUS mode of public transportation. That's a commute I could become accustomed to.




The Sydney Opera House did not disappoint. What a gorgeous example of architecture and appreciation for the arts. I felt my inner Diva emerging just walking up the front steps.


Leaving the Opera House until later that evening, we wandered over to the old section of Sydney, The Rocks. Since it was Saturday, the artisans market was out in full swing. As Adam noted, this was our first time visiting a high fashion farmers market. We found a few bits and bobbles and memorable trinkets - and of course a bite or two of some lovely Aussie morsels.


The happy wanderers took the train back towards town, but got off a few stops early so that we could take a trip up the Sydney tower to get the birds eye view of Sydney. The city really is gorgeous with all of the bridges and boat traffic. We skipped shopping in the tower since Gucci was at the slummy end of the price range of shops in the mall. We opted instead for a quick change of clothes at the hotel and a lovely seafood dinner outside on the wharf.



We worked a bit of the delicious dinner off with a sprint to the ferry dock to complete the circle back to the Opera House. Adam scored us amazing seats to Puccini's La Boehme. The production was stunning. Unfortunately drama was found both on stage and in the seats behind us where a fellow opera patron had a sort of fit in the middle of Musetta's Waltz. The paramedics eventually arrived and after an extended intermission the show continued as planned. Rodolfo stole the show, though the entire cast was accomplished and memorable.


The dream weekend came to an end all too quickly. Our shuttle to the airport picked us up right on time and we whisked our way back to New Zealand. The sigh that escaped my lips when we touched down in Wellington was laden with dual meanings. It was sad to realize that our fairy tale weekend away was over but so lovely to have made it back to our adopted city in plenty of time to prepare responsibly for the week ahead. Adam really had thought of EVERYTHING.

You know, I thought turning thirty was going to be really tough. Quite frankly I enjoyed my terrific twenties and wasn't excited to see them go. But with family and friends like mine (and helicopter rides on the horizon), my life really looks like it really will be thirty, flirty, and flying.

Worth the Wait

May 28...the date of our last blog post. Please accept my sincerest apologies for the break in blog entries. In some ways it feels as if there wasn't much to write about and in others it's as if there is just so much to tell that it's too overwhelming to start. One theme remains constant - Adam and Callie Wilhoit have SO MUCH to be grateful for and hope that this long awaited soliloquy is worth the wait. Please view this post as a somewhat pointillistic representation of our last few months. It won't include everything, but it will hopefully give an overarching glimpse of why we are just so lucky.

To begin, some may have done the math and be concerned that Adam and I are due for deportation. Yes, we arrived in beautiful Wellington on the 20th of August 2010 for a year long adventure in the lands down under with equally as long Working Holiday Visas. Fate, however, just isn't ready to return us back to the States. In April Adam finally received a much sought after and prayed for skilled-migrant Visa complete with a partners open work permit for me that is good until well into 2013. Thus, Adam is able to continue padding his resume with new skills and certifications from his employment with FX Networks while I am able to pursue this crazy movie world with the hobbits. While this may sound like it was an easy feat, my under-practiced blogging skills can not begin to sufficiently express the relief that came with the receipt of those Visas. The peace with which one is able to doze off at night knowing that something so bureaucratically uncontrollable is accomplished is indescribable.

Once we knew with certainty that we would be allowed back into the country, we set our sights homeward for a much needed visit back to see loved ones. Our simple plan turned into a whirlwind return back home for an unbelievable reunion with friends and family. Thus, while this blog generally depicts our adventures in Kiwiland, I hope that its Wandering Wilhoit title will justify the following account of our adventure home. Warning: our travels took us on a combined total of 25 flights, so beware jet lag resulting from viewing.

Steve and Linda, Adam's parents, kindly picked us up from the SeaTac airport and promptly shuttled us to the most convenient Wendy's Hamburger Restaurant for Adam's requested first meal back. Thankfully, our culinary trip only improved from there :) We had a wonderful few days in Anacortes exploring the beautiful island and catching up with some Skagit Valley friends. The Wilhoit Bed and Breakfast is always a favourite retreat and we couldn't think of a better place to reset our internal clocks.




Leaving gorgeous Fidalgo island at a quarter to five in the morning wasn't restful, but it was with eager hearts that we pointed our little VW southward to take on a very long "to-do" list for the Puyallup area. Over the course of a single morning we were able to take care of everything from renewing my drivers license to ensuring that our condo and storage units were properly sorted for yet another year without us. We met up for a lovely brunch with the music teacher folk in Puyallup followed by a fun trip to the Woodland Park Zoo and dinner with PLU friends. The next day brought us back in touch with Adam's colleagues from the Puyallup ITC as well as his mates from Kent. It's amazing to see how many wonderful life changes that can happen within a year.




Following another very early morning wake up call and a memorably surprising limousine ride later, we were back at SeaTac and on our way to St. George, Utah.

My sister, Kara, and her beautiful family moved to St. George the same week that Adam and I moved to Wellington, so this was our first time visiting their new home and adopted city. In case anyone was wondering, St. George is HOT in July. It was only with a lot of perseverance, perspiration, and well working air conditioning that Adam managed to survive his visit. Playing with the Wheelers was WELL worth the sizzle. We ventured all over the area including swims at the pool, splashes at the splash pad, and a wonderful 15 mile hike in Zions National Park. Considering the desert climate is inhospitable to anything that sets off Adam's allergies, I know that we will be back in St. George as often as possible to enjoy the respite from sniffles and sneezes as well as to enjoy the amazing company and natural environment.




I couldn't believe it when I found my own husband in bed with another woman!

Almost as exciting as playing with the Wheelers was the moment Papa Kay arrived from Omaha with a precious little package in tow...ZOE!!! Oh it was a beautiful reunion. We sniffed and snuggled, wagged and wiggled as a whole family for hours. She's become a great companion to her Papa Kay. He and Nomi Ann have taken wonderful care of our little puggy. She's all the happier and healthier for her time in the Midwestern air - though perhaps a bit grayer for the months that have passed. Now she looks like a wise, old, happy puppy.

Leaving Papa Kay and Zoe to drive from St. George to Omaha with the three youngsters and Kara, Adam and I returned to the airport once again to board a plane to Helena, Montana for the most momentous occasion of our trip. Adam's sister was married in a gorgeous Renaissance ceremony. While we've been asked not to report much online, please know that it was a wonderful occasion to celebrate with family and friends from all over the world. The bride was beautiful, the groom dashing, the weather perfect, and the costumes regal.



It was with a very heavy heart that I put Adam on a plane the day after the wedding to start his solo journey back towards New Zealand. Reality dictated that he needed to get back to the real world of work and responsibility while I was blessed to hide my head in the sand for a little while longer by heading home to the Midwest with my mom to Omaha.

My summer weeks in Omaha were largely spent inside since the country was seized by a record setting heatwave throughout my visit. Going to Omaha is always a chance for me to "go home" again. This time, however, it was made particularly special because Kara and the kids were also in Omaha for a full three weeks. I think I love hanging with my nieces and nephew most because I get to experience the world through their eyes and with their energy. Kids are a great excuse to pull out the slip n' slide, go to the zoo, play at the children's museum, and dance with reckless abandon at Jazz on the Green. To be fair, it's all the more fun since the kids I get to hang out with happen to be the absolute cutest in the world. Eli is a snuggler, Talia bursts with love and enthusiasm, and Brooklyn is turning into a beautifully mature young lady. I'm so proud to be related to such a cool family.

Alas, the sad day came when the Wheelers needed to return to their desert homeland. Jason was able to steal away from his work as an architect just long enough to fly out to meet up with Kara and the kids and help them drive the many hours home to Utah. It was great to have 9 out of 10 of the family together for a day, but Uncle Adam was dearly missed by kindred and canine alike.

Thus, while I can't deny that it was difficult to part ways with my daughter and parents at the Omaha Airport for what will undoubtedly be another long period of time, I must admit that it was oh so sweet to arrive back "home" in Wellington on a gorgeous winter day with the cutest husband ever eagerly waiting at the airport.

It is often commented to us that it must be very difficult living away from friends and family for so far and for so long. The truth is that we are living the best of every world. We have multiple cities and even countries that we genuinely call "home." With such amazing support systems behind us in every hemisphere it's nearly impossible to feel isolated. Besides, considering I promised my mother grandchildren in exchange for long term puppy sitting, here's hoping that the extra year abroad will eventually bring about a future family that is Well Worth the Wait.