Beach House

Here we are in Ahipara. It is beautiful. We were originally going to stay here two nights and then head to Helensville for one, but plans changed right when we walked up the front walk.We added an extra night. We are in an old house, about 6 bedrooms upstairs (two doubles and two dorms) and there's a family room downstairs. The owners live downstairs, which is nice cause they are always around to help. The backyard is full of herbs (that we can use to cook...) and cacti and a gorgeous deck with vines and a drying line. The front yard is the OCEAN. all we have to do is walk across the road and we are on the beach. It is raining tonight, but we have had two great days of good old Super UV Crazy sun, as the air is much clearer and burn times are therefore cut in HALF. I found that out the hard way, and Ryan tried. I am red on most of my back, shoulders and back of my legs, got the front ofmy legs in today too. All I need is a good belly burn... YEAH RIGHT!

We toured up Cape Reinga today, almost the north most point of the country. Another bluff, with no road, is 7 kM farther out, but this one has a lighthouse and roads etc so it is the big tourist spot. The tour included a stop at a Kauri (big freakin tree) shop, the lighthouse, lunch on a beach, driving down a stream, 90 mile beach, and sand dune tobaganning. (not as good as snow, sand slows you down faster!!)
It will be great to sleep in tommorrow, as it has been a long time of 10 am check outs and 7-8 am öther people awake and wrecking our vacation" wake up calls.
Well, I leave you with some Christmas present wishes, if only as a comedy break!

Brittany (this list was designed so that everyone can get me the same thing and I will have no two things alike... well almost...)
1. Socks. Always a good choice, the crazier the better. Short not long will ensure weekly wear.
2. CDs. I want you people to burn me some CDs of music that you love that you think I will like. You've all got (fairly) good taste, and I want you to spread the love.
3. Recipes. A card with an index card recipe would be great, an accompanying sample would be better. (Kyla, thats you... you make wicked cookies!)
4. Cross country ski equipment. This is one of those non repeatable ones, but anything, even a lead on someone who has some second hand stuff to get rid of, would be appreciated. This is my new drug of choice!
5. Jewelry. I'm a girl, I like earrings, and necklaces, and other shiny things, what can I say...

Ryan. As second hand info, I will try to remember everything... wait it's SUPER SHORT.
1. ANYTHING MEC. Ryan wants to start hiking and climbing and camping more, so anything you would want to have with you on the west coast trail or in random mountainous Alberta will do. Clothing included.
Thats it. Thats all I got out of him.

We're on other computers so no pics... sorry...

Internet is like 2 bucks for 20 minutes as a general rule, so we will see what we can do for a couple more posts before we are home... SEE YOU SOON!
oh, and it looks like NY NY will be the first week of January... so no "finals"or "christmas"excuses people!