This is my view as I update the website. It is extremely peaceful here, in the beach town of Mount Maunganui, located on a sand bar connecting an extinct volcanic peak (Mount Maunganui) with the mainland city of Tauranga. This was our first stop on our way East across the Bay of Plenty (large bay on the northern coast of New Zealand east of Auckland).
The town is a couple of blocks wide, with an ocean beach on one side with large waves and good surf, and a harbor on the other side with calm protected waters. I went for a swim yesterday on the ocean side. It was extremely cold.
With Sheryl along for the ride, we have been eating good food and staying at nice places – quite different from our usual sandwiches and van-stay.
I’ve got you spotted on my map. (Maybe this will be like the night Peggy and Jeff and friends were driving from south-central Missouri to Detroit. Peggy was online with Martha, Louise and me. We claimed we could see her spread eagle on the top of their white van. OK, we had visions of the O.J. Simpson chase! Anyway, we’re tracking the red Toyota van as it makes its way from northern to southern New Zealand.
It’s nice to see Sheryl in the back door of the van. I’ve not met her but think she’s the woman (in red sweater) sitting beside Hal in the photo from your NCSU graduation party. And, as you said, it’s nice for you to have her with you for the upgrade in food and accommodations–and a little variety in entertainment and conversation.
Enjoy the rest of the drive. I assume you take a ferry from Wellington to the South Island.
I, too, have you on my map. (How well I remember that Missouri to Detroit trip, Clara, and you all encouraging us on through Chicago traffic. ) Wow, a swim in the ocean *there.* When you think back on life experiences, you’ll never regret the being cold! The photo is beautiful. I love it that you found such a peaceful place to stay (and that Sheryl help you afford it! Give her a big thank-you hug from Dad and me! ) And I love it that you enjoy the peacefulness. Nice quality. XOXOX
Oh, I forgot to mention, Clara, that Josh didn’t know Beth at the time of his NCSU graduation. Or at least they weren’t dating yet. BTW, I always love reading your posts, too. And how you’re following Josh’s travels so avidly. Just really fun and neat for me, too.
I don’t know anything about this Detroit to Missouri trip, but it sounds intresting. I like the comparisons of my mother to OJ . Oh and by the way, I got this modem thing so I can have wireless internet connection anywhere that there is cell phone reception. I am using it now. It helps keep my mind at ease knowing the internet is always there for me.
Here is a better picture of mount Maunganui and the water I swam in. I thought about making this it’s own entry, but decided against it because I have too much other cool stuff to post.
Modems . . . wireless internet . . . anywhere there’s cell phone reception . . . way, way, way out in east NZ. Pretty wild. I’m glad you didn’t take this trip five years ago! Think of all we’d miss! Plus the whole mind at ease aspect. I can imagine! Hey, whereabouts in the photo were you swimming? Did it get deep pretty quickly? TTYL
7 Comments »
Comment by josh — May 11, 2007 @ 10:37 am
This is my view as I update the website. It is extremely peaceful here, in the beach town of Mount Maunganui, located on a sand bar connecting an extinct volcanic peak (Mount Maunganui) with the mainland city of Tauranga. This was our first stop on our way East across the Bay of Plenty (large bay on the northern coast of New Zealand east of Auckland).
The town is a couple of blocks wide, with an ocean beach on one side with large waves and good surf, and a harbor on the other side with calm protected waters. I went for a swim yesterday on the ocean side. It was extremely cold.
With Sheryl along for the ride, we have been eating good food and staying at nice places – quite different from our usual sandwiches and van-stay.
Comment by Clara — May 11, 2007 @ 4:45 pm
I’ve got you spotted on my map. (Maybe this will be like the night Peggy and Jeff and friends were driving from south-central Missouri to Detroit. Peggy was online with Martha, Louise and me. We claimed we could see her spread eagle on the top of their white van. OK, we had visions of the O.J. Simpson chase! Anyway, we’re tracking the red Toyota van as it makes its way from northern to southern New Zealand.
It’s nice to see Sheryl in the back door of the van. I’ve not met her but think she’s the woman (in red sweater) sitting beside Hal in the photo from your NCSU graduation party. And, as you said, it’s nice for you to have her with you for the upgrade in food and accommodations–and a little variety in entertainment and conversation.
Enjoy the rest of the drive. I assume you take a ferry from Wellington to the South Island.
Comment by Peg Moore — May 12, 2007 @ 4:59 am
I, too, have you on my map. (How well I remember that Missouri to Detroit trip, Clara, and you all encouraging us on through Chicago traffic.
) Wow, a swim in the ocean *there.* When you think back on life experiences, you’ll never regret the being cold! The photo is beautiful. I love it that you found such a peaceful place to stay (and that Sheryl help you afford it! 
Give her a big thank-you hug from Dad and me! 
) And I love it that you enjoy the peacefulness. Nice quality. XOXOX
Comment by Peg Moore — May 12, 2007 @ 5:02 am
Oh, I forgot to mention, Clara, that Josh didn’t know Beth at the time of his NCSU graduation. Or at least they weren’t dating yet. BTW, I always love reading your posts, too. And how you’re following Josh’s travels so avidly. Just really fun and neat for me, too.
Comment by josh — May 12, 2007 @ 11:42 pm
I don’t know anything about this Detroit to Missouri trip, but it sounds intresting. I like the comparisons of my mother to OJ
. Oh and by the way, I got this modem thing so I can have wireless internet connection anywhere that there is cell phone reception. I am using it now. It helps keep my mind at ease knowing the internet is always there for me.
Here is a better picture of mount Maunganui and the water I swam in. I thought about making this it’s own entry, but decided against it because I have too much other cool stuff to post.
Comment by Peg Moore — May 13, 2007 @ 6:25 pm
Modems . . . wireless internet . . . anywhere there’s cell phone reception . . . way, way, way out in east NZ. Pretty wild. I’m glad you didn’t take this trip five years ago! Think of all we’d miss! Plus the whole mind at ease aspect. I can imagine! Hey, whereabouts in the photo were you swimming? Did it get deep pretty quickly? TTYL
Comment by josh — May 15, 2007 @ 5:36 pm
I was swimming just in front and to the left of the picture. It was really cold. Got deep gradually.
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