9:42AM – 14 March 2013
I just want to start this post off with HUGE Thank You to everyone back home, and around the world who has been sending me some incredible messages – you have no idea how much that means; especially when I am 10,000 miles away from those I love! Honestly, they bring a tear to my eye, and from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU. This mission is about doing whatever it takes to help families in need, and to be inspired to ‘dig deep down’ in life to push through anything that tears you down – THERE IS NOTHING YOU CANNOT ACCOMPLISH!
Sure, sometimes it hurts, but you know what, you’ll get through it – just believe! Smile through the pain – you’ll be glad you did!!
Yesterday was absolutely beautiful outside, so we were able to get in around 2 hours in the water (45-minute swim, 1:15 acclimatization). The water temperature was holding around 62, and the air temperature was around 75 – would love for it to stay that way! It is supposed to rain over the weekend prior to our swim, so we will have to keep posted with Philip about our starting arrangements. At this point, we have no idea as to when we might be going, but know it will be between 18-24 March (17-23 March back home!)
We swam in Oriental Bay (check out our latest two videos via YouTube, or on my Facebook pages!) which was packed with people running, cycling and bathing in the sun. There were plenty of kayakers, crew boats and ship traffic throughout the harbor. The water was a beautiful shade of green, and was fairly clear to see down to the bottom – until we got out too deep.
After a good swim, we hit up New World, which is a ‘giant supermarket’ in Wellington. We purchased about NZ$400 worth of food for the remainder of our trip, and since we have a beautiful kitchen in our place, we have no problem grilling and cooking! May, Craig’s wife, is an awesome cook and she has been making some delicious food thus far!
It has been very interesting to drive on the left side of the road – Craig has been constantly reminding me to, “Keep left!”, as sometimes it can be a little crazy! Everyone has been very friendly and helpful no matter what request we have. I cannot say enough positive things about this country! I badly want to go exploring after our swim – I’m sure it is so much more beautiful way outside of the city!
After unloading our food back at the townhouse, we drove out along Happy Valley Road (PENN STATE!) which is dirt, rough patch of road heading out along the southern coast of the North Island. Craig said he was all about the off-roading since it was my rental and insurance on the vehicle! Ha… It got pretty rough a few times, but you know, adventure isn’t always about being smart and safe 😉 I held my breath several times as I thought we might bottom out along the rocks, or get stuck in the sand! We slowly navigated the rough road out a few miles along the coast, and stopped frequently to take pictures. We encountered a large seal sunning himself/herself on a large rock just out of the way of the water. Don’t worry; we will not be swimming around the seal sanctuary for several reasons!
We took some beautiful pictures out along the coast, and then headed back to the hotel to make some dinner. Craig and May’s friend Kathy came over and celebrated her finding a job in New Zealand (she recently moved down from Denver, CO) so we had dinner and a toast of champagne! It was then time for bed, and we passed out around midnight…
“May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.”
LOVE, RESPECT AND GRATITUDE FROM NEW ZEALAND!