New Slide Shows

I posted three new slide shows on our blog: Fiji, North Island of NZ and South Island of NZ. Check them out!

Sheep World

Once in a while you go to a tourist trap and find out its worth it. Sheep World was such a place for us!

Historically, the sheep industry has been a huge part of New Zealand's culture, image and GDP. In the past quarter century, the dairy industry has taken over top title. However with only 4 million people and 40 million sheep living here, the ratio makes them highly visible and a lasting symbol of Kiwi life. At Sheep World, this agricultural icon was brought to life.

A sheep dog confronts the befuddled herd.

We learned that sheep dogs have different jobs based on their natural abilities and the farmers' needs. One dog's job is to gather the sheep by chasing them together into a pack while another directs them by simply barking incessently. In demonstrating their talents, you could see and feel the intensity and determination ingrained in these working dogs.



Bear helps shear a sheep.

Once gathered, shearing can begin. Sheep are sheared annually for their wool, sometimes twice. The going rate for a sheep-shearing is $1.40 per sheep. A professional shearer can shear a sheep in less than a minute. Do the math. Tough way to make a living, especially when you consider the toll it takes on your body to wrangle a 150 pound sheep around on the ground while shaving her. In the demonstration at Sheep World, the sheep appeared drugged as soon as the shearer put her on her back. She was so relaxed that he could move her like a ragdoll. It was amazing.


Bear feeds a ten day old lamb.

When newly sheared mom was put away, the babies were released. We were given bottle of milk and a dozen lambs poured into the barn. The smallest one made it to our bottle and nursed hungrily. They were so cute!

Pink Sheep?

Driving by Sheep World, you do a double take upon seeing pink sheep in the field. So what's with the color? One word: marketing. It started as a joke when the caretakers painted the sheep the colors of opposing football teams before a big game. The sheep got so much notice, they became a tourist attraction and increased Sheep World's business and became a local mainstay.

Going to Kiwi School (by Bear)

Yesterday I went to a Kiwi school with some new friends in New Zealand. The school was very big. I'm guessing there was thirty buildings. But most of them were pretty small. There were around 27 kids in the class I was in. It was my new friend's class. He is in the third grade but his class also had fourth graders in it. Most of the kids were very friendly and the teacher was nice. My friend introduced me to the class then I told about myself and the kids asked questions. I liked that part. We had computer time, game time and reading/writing. The day went very fast. I asked if I could go back the next day but I couldn't because we had to go home. I really liked going to a Kiwi school.

South Island

The last two weeks of November we spent traveling around New Zealand's South Island in a campervan, seeing the sights and getting to know the Kiwis. We found the scenery to be spectacular and the people to be charming.

Mount Cook

Our good friends, Andy and Liz Barrow, came from Mexico to tour with us. Even though the days were long from driving, the evenings at the campsites were filled with wine, good eats and laughs.

We had the fortunate opportunity to visit the sheep farm of the brother of our good friend, Andrew Parr (s/v Mulan). Michael and Jill welcomed us into their home with a great meal and tour of the working farm. Their front lawn made for a great campervan park for the night.

The Parr Family Farmhouse

We had two occassions to celebrate: Liz's birthday....




And Thanksgiving, which we ate at a Turkish restaurant....

The oddest Thanksgiving meal ever!

Highlights of the adventure included a full day cruising in Doubtful Sound where we saw penguins in the wild, a trip into a glow worm cave, a jet boat ride on the river, hiking on Fox Glacier, mud pools, hiking in the rainforest and mountains, and sightseeing tourists stuff!  All-in-all, a great trip!

Hiking on Fox Glacier