New Zealand Day 8 (last day)

I woke up feeling a bit depressed. Knowing I would be heading back to the states and not being able to enjoy this country any longer left me feeling a bit empty inside. For those that know me well understand that there really is no other place than the good ol' USA for me...until now.
Instead of being down I decided I would try to get in every last bit of NZ before my flight later that day.
After I visiting the temple I changed clothes, got my hiking shoes on, back pack situated, water bottle filled, and I was off.


One of the hot spots that was listed in my NZ traveler book as well as on my map was Bridal Veil Falls, South Raglan. It was about an hour drive and then I hoofed it. This picture is at the entrance to the path.

Once I got to the falls, which wasn't long, I took a picture from the top. Beautiful!!

Then the path wraps around to the side for this magnificent view. A nice American man was there and offered to take my photo.

If you look close at the photo of just the falls looking down you can see the bridge. The following two are me on that bridge, at the bottom. Cool right?! While I was down there I met Terry, Kiwi, photographer who's work has been published in National Geographic, who was taking photos for his niece's wedding. The falls were going to be back drop silhouettes.

I loved this tree. I tried to jump up in between the two tress in time for the timer a few times but I just wasn't quick enough. RATS!

I was starting to get hungry and everyone told me you can't go to NZ without getting fish-n-chips. I went to the town of Raglan (like a very small Santa Cruz) and had my first experience. There is no such thing like half orders or for "one". It is what it is...I got enough food for three but it was pretty cheap, $6.50. Interesting...they wrap it up in three layers of newspaper...due to the oil I'm sure.

Then I went next door for a milk shake. What they do is add flavor to vanilla ice cream (that's the bomb!) so I chose the flavor,Hokey Poky.

I went to a small remote area in Raglan for my last lunch in NZ. What a way to end it too, about 2,500 calories later...
The sand is black here due to the iron that in it. Cool huh?

Lo and behold guess who I see pull up...Terry from the falls. He bought some lunch as well and so I waved him over to come sit with me. He shared that he works about 5 months out of the year. Then he travels and visits family the rest of the time. He said it was easy to live like that in NZ. He was telling me more people need to live outside the box. As he said that I had an ah-huh moment. You realize it's not about how much money you make or what kind of car you drive or where am I going to get my nails done...not there. There, YOU LIVE!!

After I said good bye to Terry I was on my way to Auckland for my flight home.

I was in line for my boarding pass for about 30 min and I accidental spilled a bit of water on the floor and was looking around for someone I could tell. The man behind me, American, said don't worry about it...it's not our country. I wanted to deck him square in the eyes! These people have been so kind, loving, joyful to be around and here's this J/A telling me to be a selfish American. All I could say to him was, WOW.

Upon boarding I met the sweetest older Kiwi man. He sat at the aisle as I was window (nobody between us). He told me he has been doing some genealogy and found some relatives in San Francisco and Oregon. He was on his way to visit them. I loved seeing the excitement in his face.

He's originally from Christchurch and kept telling me how much I need to visit the South Island. I told him that was next on my list of "things to do".

I can not describe in words how much I enjoyed my stay in NZ. I honestly can't. Like I've told a few, all the wonderful things God has made (including people) he put it all into one country, New Zealand.

New Zealand, you haven't seen the last of me.