Excuse me while I go throw up!

Odd title for a “We’re Here” post. Well, I’m all about giving you guys the real nitty gritty. I’m not sugar coating a thing. Nope. I want you to feel the good and the bad with us. So here it is…

Good: We had a smooth flight from Alice Springs to Sydney and drive to hotel (very short).

Bad: The first restaurant we chose for dinner in Sydney had no kids menu, a very busy happy hour and a Barcardi poster with two chicks touching tongues. We split quicker than most people can say “tongue touch” but not before Brady and Grace noticed and made a few choice comments.

Good: We actually made the airport shuttle on time, got seats (they thought it would be full) and arrived close to 2 hours early at the airport to get checked in and eat breakfast (they have a Krispie Kreme in the international terminal – woohoo!)

Bad: Missed the Krispie Kremes and almost missed our flight because Qantas couldn’t figure out how to process an entire family on government orders.

Good: We did make the flight to New Zealand.

Bad: To make said flight, we had to run full speed to the gate, screaming like mad men while they announced all five of our names over the loud speaker. Then we had to endure the “looks” from fellow passengers who actually made it on time. To top it all off, our very hungry children were rewarded for their sprinting prowess with breakfast an hour later consisting of cold bread, scrambled eggs with green flecks and beans.

Good: New Zealand is one gorgeous place.

Bad: Apollo took about an hour to process our campervan. By 3:30 when we drove out, everyone was starving and grumpy. Didn’t get to shop for groceries. Ever try to park a 6 Berth campervan?

Good: Campervans are way cool. Ours is even cooler because we're in it.

Bad: A campervan smells after a few hours with a stressed family of five who have been eating junk…well, who have just been eating anything for a couple of days. You can see how they lose their luster!

Good: We made it safe and sound!


After we picked up the wheels, we headed out to Kaikoura. It’s about a 3 hour drive. Since we weren’t going to arrive until after dark and we weren’t quite sure how to hook up the electricity on the campervan, we didn’t stop to take photos. But never fear! I would never forget you, my loyal fan base of 3, maybe 4 people. I took all of these photos through the window just to give you an idea of the beauty of the place. With the exception, of course, of the first few where the kids decided to take photos of each other in the hotel room last night.

You will notice that there is a break between the last few pictures where it suddenly goes from light out to dark, blurry and on the sea. That’s because in-between I couldn’t unclench my jaw or my fists enough to even consider taking pics. We drove up and down some of the most beautiful mountainsides…….with narrow winding roads and absolutely no guardrail. I feared for our lives. But my man of all men got us here safely…despite my bitching and constant warnings to slow down.

But, as I told Jason, if either Lindy or Cheryl were with us, we probably would have needed to have an ambulance meet us in Kaikoura! No offense ladies, but I pride myself on the fact that I was less of a wreck than the two of you would have been…kind of.

And just think – we get to drive it all over again tomorrow!!!!

Excuse me while I go throw up.
A