After we last left you on Sunday, we headed down to a bar near Cathedral Square in Christchurch to meet Ronan's brother Colm and his friend Holly for a drink. Through several e-mail exchanges over the last month or so Colm has helped us with our travels through NZ. Though anyone who has exchanged even a mere hello with Colm would know he's from Ireland, he has been spending an extended period of time in NZ on a work visa. Holly is from the Vancouver Canada region and is doing the same. With three weeks of just the two of us, it was great to have a drink and conversation with others.Bright and early the next morning we headed to the airport. Our plane left at 7:00 am and due to delays in Sydney we didn't actually get to Cairns until around 4:00 pm (which is 6:00 pm NZ time). It was a long day. Cairns is very much a beach / tourist town. Lots of restaurants and bars. After we got settled into our room, happily put on our t-shirts and flip flops, 
we headed out to walk around for a bit. We had dinner at Sushi Xipang. We both love sushi but I had never been in a sushi restaurant like this (Alan had been to a similar dim sum restaurant in San Fran). Basically, they had a little plates of sushi and other goodies that just rotated around on a little conveyor belt in front of your table or counter. Then, when something caught your eye, you just snatched it up. The food was good and in an effort to try things new we tried a jellyfish and shark fin roll. It was suprisingly tasty, although as you might expect, a bit chewy.
we headed out to walk around for a bit. We had dinner at Sushi Xipang. We both love sushi but I had never been in a sushi restaurant like this (Alan had been to a similar dim sum restaurant in San Fran). Basically, they had a little plates of sushi and other goodies that just rotated around on a little conveyor belt in front of your table or counter. Then, when something caught your eye, you just snatched it up. The food was good and in an effort to try things new we tried a jellyfish and shark fin roll. It was suprisingly tasty, although as you might expect, a bit chewy. Today, we are taking it easy, doing laundry, catching up on banking and other chores. We are also going to try to map out a plan for our two weeks in this region today. We'll let you know what we decide.
--Kelly
5 comments:
Love following your travels - what an adventure! The glacier hike must have been incredible. And now back to flip flops - the way life is really meant to be! We don't understand why we didn't see a picture of one of you 'bouncing' over traffic in Wellington!
Keep the wonderful posts & pictures coming!!!
Love, Mary Beth
Glad you're back in flip flops! I was freezing watching you in your long undies. :o) Be safe and keep the trip reports coming! Big HUGz! Jules
Hi Guys,
Thanks so much for sharing your adventures with us. I was thinking you would just about have your book written of your travels through these blogs. But I realize the book that would really sell is "Packing with Kelly". I don't know how you were able to be gone for so long in such extreme climates and not have a ton of suitcases!
Keep the good times rolling!
Love, Janine
Janine: Packing was difficult to say the least. Not only did we have to pack for extreme climates, but some of the airlines we flew on had some pretty serious weight limitations. Basically we had to fit our whole life into 2 suitcases each under 20 kgs / 44 pounds (our bags alone weighted about 12 pounds) plus two carryons (one small backpack and a small dufflebag). The result?- I essentially wear the same thing everyday depending on whether it's warm or cold. Definitely no fashion statements here. -- Kelly
Janine ... that is SO funny! When we go to Jamaica, I have two loaded down suitcases. I'm like you, I cannot imagine packing for such a long trip in such different climates! Luckily once you hit Hawaii, you won't need much. ;) HUGz! Jules
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