Merry, Merry Christmas

Last but not least: Tonga and Air New Zealand

On my way home, I spent an hour layover in Tonga. Tonga is a country in the South Pacific. I would really like to go back someday. It's a kingdom, with a King and nobles, yet the King just decided to try out the whole democracy thing, allowing the people to elect their representatives. And it seems to be going well.




Finally, a word about Air New Zealand. They are the best airline ever. I would rather fly coach class on Air New Zealand over business class on ANY U.S. carrier. Why is that? The service. Smiling, caring, competent flight attendants who actually try to make you feel comfortable and at home. Plus, what other airline has a safety briefing that causes the passengers on the plane to laugh and cheer?

South Pacific Christmas

I came across this tropical themed Nativity while in Samoa:


Instead of straw and snow, palm fronds and leis decorated the stable.

Samoa Samoa

Samoa was wonderful. The country is beautiful and verdant, just like you would imagine a tropical island paradise in the South Pacific to be (The Polynesian hotel at Disney kinda got it right!):

The little beach at my resort. Unfortunately, I went to Samoa for work and didn't have a chance to spend much time here.

The ocean seemed to change color depending on the time of day.

The walkway leading to my room.

Coconut trees were everywhere. What's more, over 100 different kinds of bananas grow on Samoa. And oh yeah, there is also lots of fresh pineapple, Samoan lobster, and giant shrimp. Speaking of pineapple. . .

My virgin pina colada, and a toast to my dear husband on our 8th anniversary. Hopefully next year we won't be apart!

Pohutukawa

In New Zealand, the pohutukawa tree blooms at Christmas-time and the flowers look just like ornaments.

Tasman Sea

Hiking in Tawa

Earlier in the week, I had the chance to go hiking in one of Wellington's suburbs, called Tawa. Never mind that I have had a horrible cough for the past two weeks, I wasn't going to let a virus stand in my way of getting out and seeing New Zealand's famous countryside. And it was well worth the windy trek.


We hiked through a dense forest, so filled with primeval ferns and plants and trees that the air seemed positively charged with oxygen. Finally, after close to a hour of uphill trudging, we emerged into the light.


There were foxgloves blooming everywhere.


Standing at the top of the hill, the wind was blowing so strongly, you could almost lean against it.


Did you know that New Zealand has no poisonous spiders or snakes? (Truly my version of heaven!) Above, the fearsome nettle lies in wait for unsuspecting passerby.


There was a 360 degrees perfect panorama and I could not stop taking photographs.


Finally, no trip to New Zealand would be complete without an encounter with the ubiquitous sheep. New Zealand has a population of about 4 million people. However, it can boast of a population of 40 million sheep. That's ten sheep per person. These two were so cute, I'm sure the Kiwis wouldn't mind if I brought them back to the United States with me.

I am currently in airport purgatory waiting for my 12 hour flight from Auckland to Los Angeles. It has been a long day--I started my morning in Samoa and had an hour layover in Tonga on my way back to NZ. I bet you'd have a tough time finding those countries on a map!

This has been an amazing trip; but I have missed my family so very, very, VERY much. I am aching to hug my sweet little girls. All I want is to be home with them and my dear husband.

Wellington, New Zealand

Wellington harbor on a beautiful Saturday morning. The water was as smooth as glass.


There were snippets of prose hidden in the most unlikely of places, delighting my English major soul.



I thought about commandeering a boat, but knew the police would be on me in a second.

I'm dreaming of white Christmas, but around here, folks are hoping for warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine.

Auckland at Sunset

New Zealand is fantastic. If only it weren't so far away from my husband and kiddies!