Anne you had me laughing - literally giggling Lisa (the only other soul in the office) came in and asked me what was going on.

The West Coast is the New Zealand of OLD and in many ways has no resemblence to the rest of the country. As you are discovering. If anyone is thinking of going to the West Coast I always warn them and try to explain what this area of New Zealand is like. Breathtaking beauty but about 40 years behind the times. This is charming for some, irritating for others.

The picture of the tour in the fog, then the wine bottle breaking on the floor, pounding rain on those awful tin roofs that are so prevelant in "old" New Zealand, toast burning and the smoke alarm going off, these are memories you will never forget. Great story telling at dinner on a cruise ship!

Life is so much simpler - amazing to leave at 9.00 for a 9.40am flight but really that would work! In this Fiordland area of N.Z. is where I left my bag(with passports) behind in town. The airstrip was about 20 minutes from the Downtown area. I realised this as we were taking off. I was told "no worries" we will get it. The plane landed in a field in town and a truck pulled up along side the plane, the driver of the truck threw the bag into the cockpit. The plane never stopped we just took off again - simply amazing. We were on a regularly scheduled flight a plane with about 20 people and everyone got into the situation and were cheering. Made for a fun trip.

When things constantly go wrong I always see the humurous side of the situation, thankfully so does Ken. A small thing I might find irritating but when it continues to develop what can you do but laugh!

Auckland should be warm and sunny - far more upscale with the appropriate traffic jams you will feel right at home.