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Hi Sweetie 12/01/2000? (sent 12/16/200
It's 3:00 in the afternoon and I'm in the chalet and Win just came in
from a hike on the mountain. The rest are still out there but should be
back soon. Yesterday the drive from Christchurch to here was beautiful.
Everyone else did some riding ranging in distance from 45 to 65
kilometers. When we got to the high country we drove along 2 lakes that
had the prettiest blue/green water I've ever seen. Just out of
Christchurch we began to see the snow capped mountains but when we got
to the range that has Mt Cook at its crest there was a noticeable
difference Mt Cook village is just that; a tourist village at the
base of Mt Cook. There are several restaurants, hotel/motels, gift
shops, information centers, tour booking stores, etc. No bank or ATMs
though. When I got here yesterday I was almost broke so when we went to
dinner last night I paid for everyone's dinner on my visa and they paid
me in cash.
Yesterday I spent NZ $160.00 on gifts for Caitlin and mailed it this
morning from here. If you want any gifts for Christmas for anyone I
might remind you this is the last country I'll be in before returning
home. Wool or even artificial fleece jackets, sweaters, or pullovers are
expensive here. I may find them cheaper in Queenstown although we have
been told that things are more expensive there. I need a warm jacket and
I shopped for one in Christchurch but found them too costly. I
think things may not be as expensive as they would seem if I was coming
from the US to New Zealand. Coming from Asia and eight dollar robes and
twenty-five cent beers makes adjusting difficult.
Tomorrow we drive to Queenstown and I had hoped to ride my bike, but Win
just told me that heavy rains are predicted for tomorrow. Good thing we
have the vehicles to sag in. I could have ridden yesterday but it was
cool and I knew if the clouds blocked the sun it would get extremely
cool. They didn't and it turned into one of those days. A scenic
sun-warm, air-cool, wide-mouth full-grin day. I enjoyed driving the camper
van by myself though and stopped several times to take pictures.
When we went to check in yesterday we ran into JT. a former O2Ker. He had bought a bus ticket for NZ$260.00 that went to all
the touristy places in NZ and drops you off. You can stay as long as you
want, the tickets last for three months. There is a bus that comes by
everyday so you can stay as long as you want in any one place and just
book the bus when you're ready to leave. The only restriction is that
the bus goes only in one direction, but you can bypass places you don't
want to see. Sounds like a great way for us to see NZ. We can rent bikes
almost everywhere and there are guided tours. In Wanaka there is a tour
company that will drive or helicopter you to the top of a mountain and
guide you back down on mountain bikes. I may do that if it's not raining.
I'll see if I can connect now and send this. ..................just
for me
Love Randal
Hi Sweetie
The pictures are from Lake Tekapo, located on the road between
Christchurch and Mt Cook. The second picture is of Win, Margherita,
and myself after we had climbed a trail above Mt Cook Village.
 
Hi Sweetie 12/0?/2000 (sent 12/16/2000)
I drove here with Win, Dave, and Margherita
though it was a sunny day. This morning we hiked to the Franz Josef
Glacier. (Picture.) We're staying at the Alpine Lodge and there is a
telephone so I'll try to connect. In one week I'll be home. I can't
wait to see everyone and see myself respond to the questions they'll
have for me. I wonder how hard it will be to rejoin society and resume
a normal lifestyle.
Hi Sweetie 12/05/2000 Hi Ruthie 12/05/2000 Hi Sweetie 12/08/2000 Hi Sweetie 12/08/2000 Hi Sweetie
Sun. Dec 10 8:46 AM
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