Christchurch by day

How awesome to wake up with this outside the window!
We took a stroll along the Avon river.
I LOVE this place!
Just another amazing brick building...

So European!

New Zealand and back...

I just got back from New Zealand tonight. We almost didn't get to go. In fact, we checked in, went through customs and security in Melbourne and then as we were walking through Duty Free, Becky got a call. It turns out, the gal at the ticket counter gave NZ the wrong info regarding Becky's passport and we had to be escorted back through customs to sort it out.

This was not fun! I was "randomly" selected to be searched and patted down both times (within 20 mins) and Becky thought she was going to be deported!!! After all was said and done, we toasted with bubbly in the airport and were super happy to be on the plane!

We had no idea how AMAZING New Zealand was going to be. Here are a few photos of the night we arrived...(they don't even begin to do the city justice)
Christchurch, New Zealand!!!! This was the view from our hotel room...BAM!
The front of the church...
FINALLY here!!!
One of the many awesome sculptures that grace the city.

More pics to come...

Yet another Wine Adventure

Our first stop was Lyre Bird Hill...


Cheers to late harvest Sauvignon Blanc...not too sweet, not too dry, Just Right!
I wasn't to sure of this place...we interrupted the footy game and the guy did not want to miss the game, but we wanted more vino!!

Becky enjoying a glass in a beautiful garden.
Kane smiling for the camera, being a good sport!
Aussie vines

This is a perfect picture to describe the afternoon!!!

Inverloch Ocean Time

We took a drive to the coast and stopped at Eagle's Nest and played in the sand and climbed on the rocks.
Here are the lovebirds walking along the beach...
Here we are trying to have a best friend moment and Kane had to sneak into the shot...
I love the ocean!

Another breathtaking coast!

Weekend in the Aussie Countryside

We set out Friday night to Kane's dad's place. They live in Leongatha, a cute country town in Southern Victoria. Becky and I began the adventure with a toast!
This is the farm we stayed at. There are vineyards, Shetland ponies, a pig, chickens, a dam with eels and ducks...very country...very relaxing!
This is their back patio. It is equipped with a spa and a bar.
When the weather is warmer, this dam is used for swimming and kayaking. They also fish out of it.
We took a drive and this is another view of the farm. It was nice to get away and meet Kane's family.

Here are just a few more pictures of the amazing landscaping around the house...
This is a tree fern, they are abundant over here. In some parts they are as big as a palm tree.

The water is clearer on the other side...

We took a road trip on the Great Ocean Highway yesterday. Our tour guide was Becky's friend Casey.
I could not believe the clarity of the water. The colors were so intense. Even the waves seemed more aqua and magnificent.
Our destination was the Twelve Apostles. What we thought would be a 2 hour drive, turned out taking us 5 hours. The drive was well worth it. I was able to see a lot of the coast.
I also got to put my feet in a different ocean!

This was another beautiful sunset for a perfect ocean day. This has been my favorite Aussie experience!!

Sunset Down Under

Last night we went out to watch the sunset and drink some beer. The colors were bright and magnificent. We also got to see a platypus swimming in the water. I loved the silhouette of the gum trees in the sunset...breathtaking!

Not in Kansas anymore...

Some things are different over here. There are kangaroos in the vineyards...
Trash is called Rubbish
Burger King is called Hungry Jacks
and you can see through the money!

Aussie Wine Tasting

I went wine tasting in Australia today! My favorite was a reserve brut at Riverstone Winery. We also tasted some Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
The Yarra Valley rocks!
Look! Aussie vines look like America vines!
The vista from where we drank our bottle of bubbly.
And to think, we met at Lucerne Christian Conference Center...
Love me some vino!
So does Becky!
Cheese platter from heaven...
My amazing hosts!