Too Much Sun

After leaving the Wildlife Park we got picked up by our friend Alvin and started the drive down the length of New Zealand to the university city of Dunedin. The drive was about 4 hours and excruciatingly long when you have just flown for what felt like forever. Let me tell you four consecutive airplane meals is no way to live!

After arriving late in the evening we met all the new people we would be staying with Carmen (Cobra), Brian, Josephine and Kelly. We spent the evening doing laundry and playing Rock Band. Still doesn't feel like we are halfway around the world in NEW ZEALAND!!

ps. while we were on our amazing animal adventure we both got burnt, first purchase in Dunedin: Aloe Vera

Christchurch Orana

Since our last post a lot has happened, were gonna take some time to update you and make sure everyone is up to speed on our travels.

Here is our plane, it was so full of people on both floors which was so crazy! While we were running through the airport in Singapore we managed to snap one photo, at least we made our connection and managed to travel 24 hours and what only could be described as bajillions of kilometres.

After arriving in Christchurch, NZ we had some time to kill before our friend Alvin was coming to get us. We decided to do something touristy so we opened up the nearest brochure and chose a page at random. It landed on the Orana Wildlife Park which happened to be about 15 minutes from the airport. 

We took the opportunity to tour the park and saw many animals such as: lions, tigers, giraffes, rhinos, kiwi birds, cheetahs, antelopes, zebras, lemurs, buffalos, gibbons and many native NZ birds. The enclosures were amazing and it was amazing to see so many African animals in NZ. We decided to splurge and buy a ticket to the lion feeding, which is where they put you in a caged car and drive out into the lion den and feed them through the holes in the cage. See for yourself, here are some photos we took of the awesome experience. 

For your viewing pleasure I will put in some other photos of animals that we saw!! 

More to come!!!! xoxoxo

We are alive!

Not to worry everyone, we are alive and well! We left England on Tuesday night and after a 12 hour flight we arrived in Singapore, then a mad dash through the airport to our connection to New Zealand; another 10 hour flight. I (Arden) suffered from mad cabin fever in the last few hours of the last flight, probably alarming everyone around me. We have been with Alvin Low, who has kindly offered us his flat and vehicle. We will post a more thorough blog of our adventures, but we are in the middle of a Dance Central show down with Alvin's flat mates. More soon!

Another Airport Fiasco, and not the good gelato kind

This morning was filled with unpacking and repacking our bags until we managed to fit everything in and still be under the weight limit, we also put in a bid for London 2012 Olympic Packing Team.  After saying goodbye to Montana's mom we headed to the streets where we enjoyed a good ol' English set of fish and chips. We shopped around then hailed a cabby and headed for the airport, we bid adieu to our lovely hotel room and were off on another leg of our adventure. 

London is a multicultural place and sure we don't mind that at all, but when a man with a strong Russian accent who just loves chatting on his phone and has very little driving skills promises to get you to the airport in a jiffy YOU BUCKLE UP. He held his steering wheel a little to tightly for my liking but got us there with time to spare (that almost rhymed!) 

Knowing us travelling there can be no smooth sailing, upon arriving to the airport and getting the right terminal thank goodness. 

But alas that was the least of our problems. Upon arriving at the gate and seeing a checkin attendant they informed us that we must have our flight out of New Zealand booked and paid for and have printed proof.  As young travellers we fully embraced the 'book as you go' philosophy and ended up frantically logging on and booking a flight. Checking in with 6 minutes to spare we convinced them we were going to leave New Zealand in reasonable time. 

After that security was a breeze which was a nice feeling. But I better go, it's time to head to our gate much love from Montana & Arden. 

Defying Gravity

So the afternoon was riddled with napping and afternoon tea. We headed to the The Savoy Hotel for the afternoon high tea which was a first for Arden. They have a selection of over 20 tea's and many tiny finger sandwiches, it was so beautiful and delicious (bonus there were no crusts to worry about).

Afternoon tea was excellent but man was it filling, we proceeded to take a nap (Dear Parents, I take back all those times as a small child when I refused naps with such vigour). Following our naps we went to the Apollo Victoria Theatre to see Wicked. A broadway musical based off of the self-titled novel pre-quelling The Wizard Of Oz. 

After seeing the classic broadway piece we decided to treat ourselves to some Indian food. We had made a reservation but got lost and opened the door to the restaurant just as they were closing. Being courteous they still seated and served us copious amounts of food. 

Off to sleep to rest up for two days of long travel. Here we come New Zealand, we shall bring the ring to rule them all! YES!!

Last Full day in London

So today is our last full day in London, we decided to make it count. We got up early in the morning, despite some technical difficulties which are much due to our failure to understand power conversion.

After prepping ourselves for the day we headed out for a breakfast at Harrods, which was still overwhelming the second time. We had to take a photo in the chocolate room.

After having a nice brunch we bought a new converter (we have already blown through one). Then we headed out to do some sight seeing; we saw Big Ben,Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and that statue out front of Buckingham Palace. You all know the one right, with the lions and stuff, ok heres a photo.

Yes I took more than one photo and I know you all are just dying to see more! Ok, maybe not but this is fun for us too! 

This one's actually a personal favourite! 

The Changing of the Guard happened today and it was quite a big deal because today was the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II throning. (Fun fact for all those reading)

Yup Arden definitely wanted that one to go up! 

Behind the Scenes

Sunday in London as those of you that travel know is very much a 'lazy day'; most of the shops and restaurants open much later than normal. So what better to do than go to a matinee Broadway showing of the THE LION KING

Here are some photo's of the magical production that captured our hearts. 

We then headed to the world famous restaurant at The Savoy Hotel: Presents Gordon Ramsay's The Savoy Grill which was already a wonderful restaurant and a great experience. By strange and lovely chance we were seated by the maitre d' who was ecstatic to find out we were from Canada and spoke French. He then informed us that there would be several surprises for us throughout the meal. Little did we know we would be getting a full tour of Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen and meeting his Head Chef Andy Cook. Of course no story would be complete with out photo's (no pic, no proof). 

One of the restaurant Managers Jean Francois, our lively little French friend!

We were amazed by the hospitality of The Savoy Grill and it's staff, they made a exquisite evening even better.