Hello

Hello everyone, we are just about to check out of our hotel and start making (slowly) our way to the airport. I am also just about to show Mike around the famous Chch Arts Centre.

The drive down from Awaroa Lodge went quite fast apart from getting caught in a huge hail storm while travelling down the side of the mountain - needless to say Mikey was a bit of a wuss and did not trust my driving at all (Karen was hell bent on killing us, i'm sure) He doesn't know what he is talking about ;-) Mike actually was not much better in the driving department - collecting a little tropical bird in the front fender and not realising it was slowly getting sucked into the engine. When we found it we both nearly retched!! It was disgusting! Then Mikey hit a huge rock while trying to park!! Only a little scratch but I am enjoying teasing him about it!!

As soon as we got back we went out on the town and feeling extremely sorry for myself this morning! Caught up with some old friends which was awesome! So much for making sure we were in bed by 11!!

Next stop - Vegas Baby!!!! We are very excited and Mike is bouncing around like Tigger!!

We love getting all your messages, so please keep them coming. When we get to Vegas we will try and find a place that we can upload the photos on the website. We have some beautiful shots - and some very interesting ones!! (No, not that kind!!!)

We love you all and think about you often. Anyway we better go and check out of the hotel and have some breakfast before we pass out. We will write another message to you all and reply to the messages we have received so far when we get to the States.

Ciao for now!

Luv
Karen & Mikey

Hello all

We are currently sunning ourselves in the most beautiful Awaroa Lodge. We have never been anywhere that is so remote, relaxing, peaceful. And we are getting completely spoiled; we even had dinner personally made for us by the General Manager (aka my stepbrother Allan). This place is so remote that we had to take an hour and a half boat ride just to get here - but well worth it - going through the Marlborough Sounds, exploring the seal colonies etc. You would all love it up here!

We did have a bit of drama driving up here. It is a 6 hour drive and about 3 hours before we hit the lodge we stopped to get something to eat. I then proceeded to leave my purse (with all our NZ money in it) on the table of the cafe and drove off!!! We didn't realise it was missing until we got here. Thankfully, after nearly throwing up with fear etc, we found out that someone handed it in, with cash and all!! We will pick it up on Saturday!! Not a great way to start the trip!!! We will just have to drink to take away our worries (what a shame!!)

It is only 1pm here and the most exercise we have done is get out of bed!! Our plans for the rest of the day are go have lunch, walk around one of the trails here, go back and take a nap, have a glass of wine with our books, take another nap, have dinner, play some poker, go back read our books with another glass of wine and then sleep - personally we could really get used to all this!

Believe it or not we do miss everyone over there, and think of you often while we are being luxurious and relaxed (and yes, quite tiddly from the copious amounts of wine we are drinking!!)

We are back to Christchurch tomorrow morning and then have plans to go out on the town with Michelle Barrow - which we are really looking forward to!

We will update again when we get to Vegas - which is on Sunday!!

Take care, and please drop us a line when you can! We would love to hear from you!!

Luv
Karen & Mikey

We are now in Christchurch and surprisingly enough the weather is not too bad - although still have to wear jumpers!

Mike thinks it is a quaint little town, and I just keep thinking that I am so glad I don't live here anymore!!

We finally got into our apartment at 2am this morning and then up again at 7.30 - which is 4.30am Aus time (and you all know what I am like with mornings!!!) We are definitely feeling tired but very excited.

We have already done some shopping - this place is awesome for Bartercard; we have not spent any cash whatsoever! And great for buying gifts!

Anyway, this was just a hello from overseas blog, so will sign off now. Photos will be uploaded soon.

Take care, and don't forget to send us messages! Even email us at klgrosvenor@hotmail.com

Ciao for now.

Mikey and Karen Thomas (sorry, had to write it!!!)

This is a test....we are dummies with this!!!