So long (for now), NZ

Once we got back to Auckland from Fiji, we had just about a week remaining in NZ. It was a wonderful last week, full to to brim with activity. We stopped in the Waitomo Caves area and took a very cold but very fun inner-tube caving adventure over underground waterfalls and through glow-worm caves. Then continued south with a stop in the funky, art-deco city of Napier (which I took an instant liking to)...

...caught the ferry in Wellington back to the South Island, once more appreciating the seal colonies on the coast near Kaikoura...

...before making our way finally back to Christchurch. There, SR treated me to an amazing birthday extravaganza of all kinds of my favorite things: yoga, chocolate, massage, coffee, sushi, cheesy movie, and more. What a sweetheart.

And we enjoyed time with J & A, our CouchSurfing hosts in Christchurch, who also contributed to the birthday fun with a crisp made with local fruits for dessert.

Finally, it was time to tie up all loose ends in preparation for our flights back to the States, including saying goodbye to the Mint Machine, which despite looking rather worse for the wear, got us full circle on our New Zealand adventure and will hold a special place in my memory.

Then again, this whole trip will hold a special place in my memory. It's been a great adventure to the bottom of the planet...and now back home for some much-anticipated time with family and friends.

I'm signing off of blog-world until July, when (spoiler alert!) you can rejoin me from the emerald green hills of Ireland! and beyond...