I can't believe it's been nearly 3 weeks since I took these photos and I'm finally getting to share them with you!
Sheep! Sheep everywhere - and I loved every sheep traffic jam that we encountered -
This one was on our bus adventure - a two hour ride down to Milford Sound where we boarded a vessel and sailed out through wondrous mountains dotted with amazing waterfalls.
But as to those sheep? They were not impressed with our bus on the road. It took a couple of hardworking dogs to get them on up and into the next paddock -
Oh how I love my Aussie Kelpie reject. LOL!
But I digress -
Wow. Just wow.
I took so many photos - but the best by far are the ones NOT taken through a bus window, so hopefully this narrows it down.
Yes, that is snow at the top of those mountains. And January is July down under.
Beyond incredible.
More from the bus:
15 hours of deep sleep had me ready for all of this.
Selfie with Xenia in front of our Milford Mariner
Our Kiwi Guide Justin - what a hoot of a guy! We loved him!
And Don - photographer extraordinaire and hubby to Pam.
We had two hubby/wife couples with us and the menfolk added so much fun to our tour. I love it when the guys want to come along - even on the quilt shop stops.
Another tour coming back to dock.
Leaving the dock - everywhere you look is another great photo op. It had poured the day before - we were lucky to have blue skies and a few clouds added for drama.
Selfie to send on to my Dad -
I would video chat with him every morning before we started our day and fill him in on what we were doing that day so he could look things up on YouTube to know what we were doing.
Sunshine & sunscreen! Check!
Check out this YouTube video I found so you can experience this from the comfort of your easy chair:
They got as as close as they could to the many waterfalls.
This one takes the cake - we went in head first!
Could it be this event that started the chill that caused the bronchitis? Was it worth it? YES!
I honestly have no more words.
This place will make you feel so small in such a grand way.
This boat was just heading into the mist.
They say if you are kissed by the mist you will have good luck all year. I call it bronchitis. LOL!
This is majesty.
And I'm so glad I got to share this trip with amazing friends!
I prefer to take photos horizontally -
But sometimes things only can be captured vertically!
This was absolutely priceless!
Yesterday was a do-nothing day. A complete wash out, which is what I needed. I went back to bed at 10:30am and awoke at 3pm.
The house was devoid of fresh veggies (of course it was after 2 1/2 weeks gone!) and I needed a grocery run in the worst way so we headed off to town in the rudeness of 35 degrees (and windy) to get the heinous job done.
Coming back to snow and cold and wind after being in summer is just rude.
This morning I am happy to have my own coffee with my own half-n-half and I'm feeling much more human.
Exciting things begin today - we've got floor refinishers showing up to redo the Quilting Quarters floor! YAY! We hoped they could fit us in in January - or else we were looking at the next time the inn has a couple weeks break while I take a Craftours group to Ireland/Scotland in June.
Yes there is still room for you to join me! And yes, spouses, friends, siblings, adult children are all welcome.
I'm aching to get back to my quilting projects - and I will - as soon as I get the orders out that have been waiting since I left for New Zealand.
Clear the decks! Bonnie wants to sew! (I have so many ideas I can't stand it.)
What's on your own to-do list today? Did you finish Indigo Way?
I have been peeking in on our Quiltville’s Open Studio group on Facebook and the finishes shared there are amazing! I am so proud of you all.
Okay - time to get this day started -
Quiltville Quote of the Day -
There are days when I just want life to slow down. I'm tired of pacing in front of the microwave because it doesn't cook fast enough.
I long for a slower, more meaningful pace. Are you with me?
Today I slow down and live in the moment.
Okay, who am I fooling?
Maybe today is the day I take it one thing at a time instead of multi-tasking.
That I can do!
Breathtakingly beautiful, Bonnie. I'm so glad you have shared your journey! Roxanna Owen~QuiddityRox
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about joining you on the trip to Ireland when I got the news my Granddaughters graduation is June 7th.
ReplyDeletePlease tell me that there are plans for a second Crafts trip to New Zealand. Seeing this makes me want to go!
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis January I have been diligently working on projects that I left dangling from early 2023. So, unfortunately my Indigo Way is waiting for it's turn. I do have all the parts finished and I have sorted and stacked all of the parts into each of blocks...just have to sew them together.
I live vicariously through your Trips. You go to places I dare not imagine to go. It would be a dream to go with you to England. I think of my Grandmas born there. Dowton Abby, so tempting. But it would be a logistical mess of flights for me to think about. "Calgon, take me Away!"
ReplyDeleteOh my! New Zealand is beautiful!! Take care of that cough! Zoey cracks me up!
ReplyDeleteWOW! It is all so beautiful. thank you for taking all the time it takes to share your pictures while showing us the world! Welcome home, take good care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteI've loved seeing your post on FB and look forward to more of them now that you are home safe and sound. Take care of the bronchitis and put the multi-tasking aside for a bit.
ReplyDeleteMaryAnn in Oregon
What an awesome trip. I felt like I was there with you! Wish I could go on one of your trips. but being 82 and have a walking issue I can go through your pictures :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the photos of Milford Sound cruise. Heavy rain and dense fog during our cruise some years ago meant we saw absolutely nothing! Thank you for sharing what we missed - absolutely beautiful!!! Welcome home!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos and videos! Looks like a great trip start in New Zealand. Love following along on your blog. Maybe I'll take another trip with you someday, I. The mean time I'll travel along on the blog
ReplyDeleteMy Indigo Way blocks are just about done. I’ve had to side step to finish up another UFO occupies the design wall so I can lay out Indigo blocks. I’m actually finishing the last few blocks as leaders and Enders while I finish up the UFO on the wall. Fran in Pa
ReplyDeleteI'm curious...is there any difference between quilt shops in the US and other countries? Charlotte M.
ReplyDeletePricing! We can get a great selection, may need to visit / browse different locations, but succeed eventually. When I needed / wanted American fabrics, that was hard, but eventually found just what i had in mind, often in sale bins! We do have fun searches, but thrift stores are expensive these days (what isn't) and almost a last resort. I love looking at quilts from overseas and see familiar fabrics. I wonder how Bonnie got on, hopefully we find out.
DeleteCheers, Dot, NZ.
Loved following your tour as we will fly to Christchurch in feb for a 5 week stay. We will trace your path through invercargill, te anau, doubtful sound and queenstown in our first week before settling in Christchurch for a month of work.
ReplyDeleteWow!!! I need to slow down and take all nature’s beauty. Pictures are glorious. So appreciate your daily quotes
ReplyDeleteAmy in NJ