Since we are planning on going to the picnic in Greece, I thought it would be good to go to NZ for a short visit for a couple of weeks to see all our friends that were not going to Greece for the picnic since we hadn't seen them for a year. Since it was going to be a short/quick visit and it is a long trip, Pat decided not to go since she would be seeing many of our friends in Greece at the AGP.
As usual, I was flying stand-by on an airline pass but was lucky to get a last minute seat on a Qantas flight from Los Angeles to Auckland. However being boarded at the last minute, my bag didn't get put on the flight. It caused a bit of a hassle at the Auckland airport but it came the next day to Hamilton where I was staying with friends and I was able to pick it up at the Hamilton airport thanks to a good friend, John, who took me to the airport to fetch it.
Needless to say I had a wonderful time visiting with everyone. Although I was there for 16 days the time just flew by and seemed way too short. It will be good to see some of the friends again in Greece and those that I didn't get to see in NZ that will be at the picnic there. I was lucky to get a seat on the flight back when I checked in since the flight wasn't full so I didn't have to wait until the last minute to board. Since the flight wasn't full it was nice to have a bit of room on the aircraft as well.
I want to thank all of my wonderful friends for their hospitality and generosity. Thank you for providing accommodation, hosting dinners for me, spending time at beach Bach's, lunch gatherings, morning and afternoon teas, "G and T" times, chauffeur service, and the special events we attended.
It is great to have such wonderful friends!
Bryan's wonderful garden outside my bedroom window
On the deck at Peter and Bryan's bach in Raglan
Breakfast alfresco on the deck at Raglan
A walk on ocean beach at Raglan with John, Bryan, Peter, and Richard
My NZ Mum, Zoe, with her adopted sons Lee and Richard, and her son Bryan far right
The guys with the tee shirts I brought them from our trip to Carmel
BBQ dinner hosted by Richard
Zealong's Gordonton Tea Estate outside of Hamilton
Afternoon tea at Zealong's
Lunch with Jo, Geoff, and John who is taking the picture
Ocean view from Mark's bach at Whanarua Bay
The beach at Whanarua Bay
A stop to see Agnus, Stephen's Mum
Dinner with Craig's family - Ann, Craig, and Mark
City view of Auckland and the Sky Tower from the viaduct
The new pedestrian draw bridge at the viaduct
Dinner with friends at the Merchant of Venice in Auckland at the viaduct
Our walk along the waterfront after dinner at the Merchant of Venice
Thank you everyone for a wonderful visit and your warm hospitality. Can't wait to see everyone again.
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