Imagine you live in New Zealand. Your home is located on an island in The Bay Of Islands. Let's pretend this it it.
Since your home is the only one on the island, you need a boat. You won't want to leave often. There are 2 lagoons and clear green ocean, all sorts of dolphin, seals and other gorgeous scenery. Here's one of your boats.
On your way into town, you might want to cruise thru the Hole In The Rock.
Excuse Steve for a few moments while he pops into the head. That's a toilet on the boat.
You finally reach Paihia. That's the closest town. You are walking thru town and you spot a real, live signwriter named Josh. He's actually painting on a wall for money! Lots of paint still being slung here in New Zealand.
Told Josh all about Letterville and left him with a card. Hope he shows up.
What a cool dream. We got to live it for a couple days.
On Friday we drove South from Auckland to Palmerston North. It's a 6 hour drive. Along the way we saw crystal clear lakes. The largest lake was Taupo Lake. We also saw a gorgeous waterfall called Huka Falls. Spectacular!
South of the lake, we drove thru a desert. Our first desert! It looked like the scenery outside Las Vegas, but this desert featured a huge snow capped vocano that is still active. I had to pinch myself.
We're now staying with one of Steve's Karaoke pals. Teina was born in the Cook Islands, but now resides here in Palmerston North. She was in an auto accident back in the 70's that left her in a wheelchair, but that don't slow this woman down.
Shes a smart gal with money. If you want to rent a house in the Cook Islands just see Teina. She has 3! She wants 2 grand a week, but mention our name and she'll give you a special deal.
From here we travel north along the east coast of NZ to Napier, home of this year's Letterhead Meet. Napier was destroyed by an earthquake back in 1938. The rebuilt Napier is an Art Deco lover's dream. You reading this Gary Anderson?
That's all for now. Wish we had all of you with us. This is truely a dream come true.
[ September 30, 2006, 10:06 PM: Message edited by: Barb. Shortreed ]
Posted by J & N Signs (Member # 901) on :
Don't ya want to live there????????
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Steve and Barb..It looks beautiful!!!
Keep on having the vacation of a lifetime!!!
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
Glad you're having a good time! I remember a Kiwi called Josh back in 2000 at the letterheadsOz at Rick & Ros Hayman's place near Bendigo, Vic. I wonder if he's the same Josh?! (good bloke, he was...)
Posted by Jill Marie Welsh (Member # 1912) on :
....did Steve "embellish" the head? I am so happy for you both to have realized a dream. I can't think of another couple who deserves it more than yins. Love...Jill PS Tell Elvis I said Hi! Julian too. And of course Jordo.
Posted by Serge (Member # 3645) on :
Barb, Steve, I am very happy for you guys and please keep on posting pics and your impressions!
Seems like NZ is everything I heard about it, beautiful country!
Posted by Deri Russell (Member # 119) on :
Gorgeous Place!!!! Wow!!!! I can see you two are just bored stiff and want to come home A.S.A.P!!! Posted by Gail & Dave Beattie (Member # 572) on :
Hey Ian, did you get a picture of Josh at Ric's meeting? I had a quick look through my shots but can't seem to find him
I remember we were all standing outside around the fire on the sunday evening... But you are right the bloke in Steve's pic does look sorta familiar
wow the pics of NZ do make a body homesick for the land of the long white whatsit
like everyone else I am thrilled that Steve and Barb are finaly geting to do what has been in their hearts for so long... visit far flung places and see face to face the folk they have collected into their letterhead family
I can't wait till they get up our way in a few weeks!
cheers gail
Posted by Michael R. Bendel (Member # 5847) on :
Thanks for the pics! Looks like paradise.
Posted by Duncan Wilkie (Member # 132) on :
Good for you guys!!!! Soak it up and enjoy. More pics please.
Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
We wish you had all of us with you, too.
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
NO Gail, I didn't get any people photos that weekend, just panel photos. It was a good evening though- Devo must have run out of crackers
( and I can still hear Josh saying " Ah only live jist icraws the dutch! " with a strong NZ accent!)
[ October 02, 2006, 03:02 AM: Message edited by: Ian Stewart-Koster ]
Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
WOW ... I'm jealous!!!
That is spectacular, and you both looks terrific in that setting!
Soak up every second! ~nettie
Posted by Monte Jumper (Member # 1106) on :
Man oh man what a lucky couple.
Before you dig in too deep Steve ...remember there is no hockey there.
Looks like your up to your ears in paradise...ENJOY ENJOY ENJOY!
Posted by bill riedel (Member # 607) on :
Now here is my kind of people, not just thinking about it, but doing it now, not when it is too late. Like every one agrees, you are the one couple who really deserves to have the best of times.
Posted by Norman Biss (Member # 335) on :
Hey Monte..!! We do have hockey here..maybe a differant type but both the womens and mens hockey teams have made the Olympics.. They are known as the "Black Sticks" I don't know how Steve & Barb are doing at the moment as we are having some dreadful weather at the moment....however it will be fine when we all meet up in Napier this weekend.
Posted by Nancie W. Phillips (Member # 3484) on :
Man! If it only took God 6 days to conjure up THAT PLACE just imagine what we're in for later!I'm with Sonny... Wish we could all be there.
Posted by Dave Draper (Member # 102) on :
Nice dream! Got room in that dream for a couple more?
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Good for you guys!!!!![[Wink]](wink.gif)