“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.” – Unknown
AH! Where do I begin?! What an absolute whirlwind the last month and a half have been! I went to Toronto and had a fabulous week & then was off to New Zealand! Jim (…my now FIANCE`…feels so cool saying that) is originally from New Zealand, so we do travel back often. I have a few mixed emotions about returning, because it is where dad passed away, but it is such a beautiful place filled with lovely people, that it is hard not to!
Jim took my friend Meg (from Ram Head Outfitters) Tahr hunting the first few days, while I did some catching up with friends. I got to spend the night with Liz and have a look around the farm. Nothing like a jumping photo at the top of the “hill”.
After that Meg, Leah and I rented a camper van and hit the road!
I couldn’t have asked for better girls to share the trip with! Between the laughs and wine tastings, I managed to snap a few pics!
It was so cool to have a touristy look around the south island. One of my favourite parts of the road trip was swimming with the wild dolphins! (Meg may disagree….haha) Thanks to Kaikoura Dolphin Encounter for putting us among the action with these frisky guys…
AND as an added bonus we saw 2 Orcas as we headed back to shore.
I absolutely LOVE my friends, and how easy they are to get along with. I seriously think the laughter counterbalanced the meat pies and mochas!…well sort of.
A few wines and gorgeous sunsets later & it was time to say bye to the girls. It was a sad day, although we saw each other only a few short days later! 🙂
Jim and I spent a day with some of our best friend’s (Nev, Nicole & family) then headed back to his home place Barcaldine. He asked me to go for a hike to the top of a mountain on their place to look for Chamois & catch the sunset. It turned out to be a gorgeous evening and I had NO idea what he had planned! …it turns out I said yes on the top of the mountain just as the sun went down. We then enjoyed a bottle of wine & watched as one bright star popped out. We both took it as a sign that dad approved 😉 I couldn’t stop smiling and laughing all night!
A few more days with my soon to be in-laws, family & friends …then it was time to head home. It was hard to say bye, but I was so stoked to get home to my mom, friends & El!
SOOOO…. now I guess we will have to start planning the big day! Anyone who personally knows Jim & I could tell you that we are not the best planners when it comes to our personal lives, so this may be a task… but we are excited none the less.
Stay tuned for planning updates – I may need some help 😉
I hope this finds you all well & warm – thanks so much for your patience this last month has been a crazy one!
**I would also like to dedicate this post to my Grampchuk, who passed while I was away. I will never forget your kind heart, gentle smile, and great sense of humour.
XO
Ang
