The Last Chapter

     

"Yesterday was History.  Tommorrow is a Mystery.  Today is a Gift, and that is why we call it the Present"      

          This quote was from "The Mindful Groups" on Fridays with Dr. Samir Heble.  It has been hard to live in the moment with packing and planning our trip back home.   However, our checklists were getting smaller.  The suitcases and boxes were mostly  packed.   Al completed his last day at Taranki District Base Hospital, last week.  Gabe will go one more time to class at New Plymouth Boy's High School on Tuesday.  It has come down to those final moments. 

       We had magic times-- tramps, climbed a volcano, Fiji, Australia, glow worms, rappelling, new friends, high school, surfing and diving (to name a few).  However, it's time. The last leg of our journey thru Asia will begin on Thurs. May 6, 2010.   It will be living out of suitcases for three weeks in Thailand, Hong Kong, and China.   Touch down is scheduled for May 27 in the States.   

         We hope that you were entertained and inspired by our story.  It's been fun reading your comments (here is you last chance) and sharing our highlights.  Thanks to many people includingAlec, Emily, and grandpa/grandma for making this trip a possibility.   Rachel, Dennis, Connie and the gang at CR Psychiatry were great during our leave.   Hats off to our Kiwi neighbors, T.D.B.H. coworkers,  and many friends from the States that supported us.  Here's to livin'  the dream.

 A few of the Kiwi treasures:

Chili chocoalate, good wine, and feijoas from the local vineyard

   The name that says you're proud.

-Barbwire: Taranaki Farm Land

-Stars: Southern Cross

-Wings of Freedom:  Its a style of life

-Cog: oil and engineering

-Mountain and Surf: Ours to Treasure 

Mount Taranaki in Oct. 2009--covered with snow

An upclose look at Charlie and Jo's favorite wines. Otago on South Island has good Pinot Noir grapes.  Tastes good with blue oysters from Invercrgill.

Charlie, Jo, Al, and I waiting for dinner at Butler's Reef