It sure was fun!

As you can see we were hard on our belongings as we tramped around and saw just about as much as we could.
These are my sunglasses held together with elastoplast (no duct tape). We did no shopping and had no time to buy such things when plaster would do. Think I have started a fashion craze.

Some thoughts about the holiday:
I think we were so lucky to have had this opportunity and to have been able to take advantage of it.
Although a little chill at night and the days slightly shorter it was a great time to travel. No crowds, no insects, brilliant days and great for hiking and doing things.
Mick did a fantastic job or organizing and arranging this all in such a short time. Everything went according to plan and smoothly. He is not taking orders I might add - I've already asked him to work on the South American trip - poor man!

Australia:
Australians seem very comfortable in their own skins. no aires or graces about them.
It is a country 'on the move'
They are direct, blunt, a little crass maybe but warm and generous and quite law abiding.
Since the Olympics there is a surging National Pride
They like shortening words. fert= fertilizer; hazchem = hazardous chemicals etc
A great varied and interesting place to visit.

New Zealand:
More people (adults and children) go barefoot than I have ever seen except in Africa.
The land is phenomenally beautiful
They are not good at road signs and directions
It's a windy place - They grow hedges as high as telphone poles to protect against it.
They like to 'farewell' you
The Maori settlements looks a lot like our First Nations ones
Seems much poorer than Australia and is primarily rural.
They herd cattle and sheep with motorbikes and helicopters.

Sorry the last entries were so rushed but thanks for your positive feedback.
Now to prepare for Guyana.!