MERRY CHRISTMAS TO MY NEWEST FAMILY MEMBER

My sister is having a baby!!! I am going to be an auntie! Aunt Panda... I like the sound of that...

Chrismas Dinner at Driving Creek

We spent the night before Christmas at New Chums beach... Caroline and I went to town for Christmas Mass at the tiniest country Catholic Church... then back to the cafe, for coffee and a little arm wrestling between Cora and Caroline:

And I sipped on a mocha while I watched...
We took a short trip to the beach and about a 15 min swim to a small island, laid on the volcanic rock in the sun and soaked in Christmas...
Then back to the kitchen where I made from scratch, my famous Potato Pot Pie... first time ever HOMEMADE crust! Success! Look:
Our fantastic spread of foods, everyone made something : Potato Pot Pie (Me) Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread and Sangria (Caroline) Lemon Meringue Pie (Rayne) Cabbage, baked veggies and Leafy Salad (Cora) German Pasta Salad (Celina) and Cinnamon Cookies (Chris) YUM YUM YUM YUM

YAKI

The cafe cat... my friend!

Christmas Eve in New Zealand...

Cora took us to a waterfall...

A M A Z I N G

BEACH DAZE

Wow! We found New Chums beach, and what an adventure, seriously, to get there! Caroline (fellow American) and I hitched a ride "over the hill" from Coromandel Town to the East side, We arrived at this beach:



But this was just the beginning!
We hiked down the beach, THROUGH THE WATER, with our shoes in our bags, which were on our heads, and then over a field of stones:




Then we found a little path, through the BUSH- pushing back leaves and ferns, following a narrow path, over roots and trees... until...




...this beach was only accessible through this hike! And this photo does no justice! Around the corner was an enormous cliff and rocks... and the water was crystal clear- I was up to my neck and could see my toes!!!!!!!



(By the way, we decided that we are now a band called "Bikini Tramp" since we tramped literally through the bush in our bikinis...)

Another Day in Paradise!!

OK... THE CAFE

GOOD-BYE AUCKLAND! The ferry is off to Coromandel Town!!!
WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE I'M ON A BOAT! Check out my new kissy sunnies!!!!!
WOWOWOW What a great ride!! And a great DAY!!!!
Arrived at the Cafe! WOW! More amazing than I could have guessed!!! Two fellow WWOOFers, Chris (Swiss) and Celina (German) and their BEAUTIFUL salad, complete w/ edible flowers!!
My home for the next month: A hut in the backyard! Its my very own sanctuary. No power, no heat, no air, no problem! I love it, it suits me just fine!!!!
A peek inside:
And we had a simple walk on the beach to kick of the first day right. Aaaahhh..... new friends forever! ;)

Lunch in Devonport

My fellow American, Laura, a Cali gal, picked me up and took me away to Devonport, a little town outside of Auckland..
Duders Avenue... No Exit
HELLO SALIBOATS!!!
HELLO WATER!!!
LUNCH! An E.L.T. and a Coca-Cola... mmmm our American moment

A Walk Thru Auckland

Western Park, Off Ponsonby Road

An interesting Orange Cardboard barricade wall at ARTSPACE on K-Road

Lunch on K-Road at Hari Krishna Veg Restaurant. Only $5 NZD!!
Pahutukawa: NZ Christmas Tree

MY RUIN: COCOA COLA IS PRICEY!!!!

Murals on Ponsonby Road

Lion's Rock, Piha

A great shot of Lion's Rock... from the same day as before!

Day w/ Kate

The lovely Miss Kate picked me up and showed me the most wonderful time!
Gorgeous Lunch!!!



The view from One Tree Hill:



At Piha Beach, Lion's Rock...



And frightening Sheep!!!!

I made it!

Here I am, on a walk in Auckland...

Packing to Leave...

How Exciting!!! I am packing to leave for New Zealand. I leave the US in one week, and today, I leave Chattanooga, which has been my temporary home for the last 3 months. This will hopefully be a medium that I can use for documenting my travels... Look forward to some new sights from the other side of the world, across the oceans! What a journey I have travelled just to get to the point of leaving for this next one! Here I come, NZ!

:Thought:

How much is too much, and where do we draw the line?

Twitter Graphics

...So cute!...

In My Backyard, Part 2

Out of the corner of my eye...Deer! 2 Babies munchin on my neighbors lawn! Sweetness...

In My Backyard...

Mushrooms Discovered!

I am trying to figure out what they are...

Amanita Caesarea?

If Only I had a Baby to Dress for Halloween!

Ellen was RIGHT! The BEST reason to have a baby is to dress them up!

Bangers Ball Chattatown

New Logo ideas for Chattanoogas hot hot dance party. Banger's Ball crazy ness:



(a bit marimekko inspired...)

LUCKY!

Lucky the turtle has plastic coasters to replace his lost front limbs! I can't take this, its so cute!!


Read his story @ http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/32894066/ns/today-today_pets_and_animals/