Since our return from holidays, Mom and Dad were moping around, except when they visited the kittens on line. Finally they were lucky enough to be the first ones to the store, and I’m proud to say on March 16, 2010 they brought home a new pal for me …. Wellington.

He’s quite young and energetic now. So until he figures out the computer, I’ll probably give him a hand to update his blog. And I’m sure I’ll get to take holidays on his behalf.

On the plus side, instead of being placed back on top of knickknack box, I had the privilege of keeping Mom company while she slept. I know I’m not as big as Timbit and I can’t keep her feet warm, but maybe I can fill part of the void in her heart until Wellington creates a new piece.

The vacation was great. Mom says she’s going to scrub me up in the washing machine to get me all clean. I do still smell that elk’s tongue on my face, and the road rash is still on my knees and feet. There’s even some on my belly. But all in all a memorable trip for a memorable pal.

Timmy II, signing off for now.

In the end, we wandered around Queenstown for a while, along the lake, taking photos. I even got to be in some of them as they discovered animal statues in the centre of town. We saw Peter and Kerri from the Milford Track. They waved at me but tried to pass by with their hands covering their faces but Dad noticed.

Then we had lunch in a mall. I didn’t get to eat any, but Dad seemed to really enjoy it. Mom was fascinated with the whole concept of “The Roast” fast food. The guy cooks two roasts every morning: pork and lamb and pre-cooks roast potatoes and kumara. When you order your sandwich he picks up the roast, carves off a few slices, then dices them up and assembles your sandwich. Dad had lamb with mint sauce and gravy. Mom had a ham and cheese with onion toasted sandwich. Simple, like a home cooked meal is what they both said.

After that we walked up to the Skyline Gondola. As Dad was buying the tickets for the gondola and luge, we saw two more of the guys from the track: Derek and Winnie. Seems like there was a bit of a competition between Dad and Derek. The five of us did the luge together.

The first run has to be down the “scenic” aka baby route. Once you’ve done that one you’re allowed on the advanced course. Mom went down ahead of Dad so that he could take a video. She took the first corner so hard I flew out the side and was dragged down the track. You should see my road rash!

Anyhow, I hope you enjoy the video:

We were on a boat for about an hour and a half. Me and Dad played Titanic on the upper level. Big mountains surrounded us, and people took lots of photos. Not sure how many I was in. Some passengers even smiled at me. Then Dad shoved me into his pocket and he walked for about twenty minutes.

I was thrown onto a bed, where Mom took my photo before we set off on a “nature” walk. The forest path wasn’t very wide and water kept dropping on me as Mom pushed through the bush. I saw a Bush Robin. He looked plump and juicy with his round body on spindly legs. I’m sure my old pal Timbit would have had no problem catching one of those.

Later that evening we attend a nice dinner with about 50 people. Everybody sat at round tables and tried to make friends. I was attached to the camera bag and didn’t get to see much, except for peoples legs and feet. But I did learn that somebody named Melissa is from Whakatane. I love to say that word. It sounds like: F*!K a tonne, eh? (Tee hee hee).

The next day I rode along with the camera bag while Mom  carried a big backpack. Dad carried a smaller one. Hardly seemed fair. I saw lots of those plump and juicy birds and got to work on my tan at a “swimming hole”. Mom and Dad and some of their new friends decided to swim in the water. Some even swam out to the big rock under the water, while others ventured all the way to the waterfall. I was very proud of my Mom and Dad, but they did scream a lot when they first went in.  We traveled 16 km that day.

In the evening we ate with the other 50 people, but this time at a different hut. People also started talking more to each other. Dad said they were sharing “war stories” about the swimming hole. Dad did his own laundry that evening and tried to put me through the wringer. Didn’t enjoy that!

In the morning, I was put back in the ziploc bag. Mom finally explained it was to keep me dry. I could feel the pressure build in my ears as Mom climbed up and up. Every once in a while she would take a “photo break”. But I didn’t hear the shutter every time. Finally we reached what I thought was the top, and she brought me out to show me the view. It was amazing. We posed for a photo in front of a monument and then back into the ziploc I went. It was okay though because I like to sleep a lot anyways. Later I learned we had crossed over the Mackinnon Pass. Everybody was exchanging war stories that evening again. Dinner was at rectangular tables that evening. It smelled wonderful. I even got to poke my nose at the dessert.

The next morning we left early. I was in the ziploc again, but happy because it was raining pretty hard. I could feel the dampness coming through the backpack. I spent six long hours in the backpack, before Mom brought me out for a photo at Sandfly Point. There was a big sign that said 33.5 miles.

We’d done it … the Milford Track. I had a great evening celebrating with everyone. Mom and Dad got certificates and stayed up late because the lights didn’t go out at 10 p.m. like at the other lodges. One nice man even played the piano.

In the morning I was put in the ziploc bag again. Mom said she wanted me to see Milford Sound on the boat, but Dad said no because he was tired of carrying his backpack. So I was thrown in the cargo hold of the bus while they rode in the comfy seats.

We’re back at the same motel but in a bigger room. The rain has finally stopped, and I’m all caught up on my Olympics news. Good on you Canadians for pulling it off at the end of the events (again). And Sidney Crosby, you’re my hero.

I know that holidays are coming to an end because Dad has that look on his face. But I’ll remind them to bring me with them to find Wellington when we get home.  You can have a look for me in Mom and Dad’s photos too.

Maybe more before we get home. We’ll see if I can squeeze in another adventure!

Me and the bevvies in Wanaka

Mom seemed really thirsty. She had four big drinks and started talking like Dad does with his parents. Then she suddenly realized they were late for an appointment, and into the purse I went. It felt like she was running for about 10 minutes. When we finally stopped she was breathing fast and seemed eager to sit down.

We walked up to the top of the stairs and Mom and Dad took a seat. Then the lights went out and a moving picture appeared on the wall. It turns out we were at a cinema. I’d never been to a cinema before, and Mom said this one was special because there were couches and old cars, and they even had “intermission” with food.

After the movie was over, we stopped at a bar for Mom and Dad to have another drink. That’s where I met Thomas, my new friend from France. He thought I was cute and cuddly too.

Me and Thomas (pronounce it with a French accent)

I’ve checked what’s on the agenda for the next few days. It looks like I’ll be cooped up again during the day since we’re going tramping in Milford.  Maybe I’ll get to go bed hopping again!

We also visited the theatre, which was refurbished and only reopened a year ago. Operas are now held there, and it was quite posh for such a small town.

After dinner, Mom, Dad and  I went to see the blue penguins. It was quite chilly sitting in the amphitheatre waiting for the rafts of 10-15 penguins swim back to shore to their nests. They’re not much bigger than I am.

Most of them live in nests made by people, who study them and make sure they are healthy. I learned a lot: they mate in June and lay two eggs. About 90 percent of the eggs are hatched. After eight weeks the baby penguins are left to fend for themselves. Instinct is all they have, and as a result only 40 percent survive this life phase.

Today was a leisurely drive to Dunedin. We extended what should have been an hour and a half drive into about four hours by stopping at the elephant rocks, Boulder Beach and Shag Point. In the parking lot for the beach, Mom stuck me in front of these large animals that looked like deer, but Dad said they were a cross between deer and elk. Mom kept calling them venison. Anyways, one of them licked my face … GROSS!

Me and Dad at the Pancake Rocks

Yesterday was another long day of driving in the car. Mom and Dad broke it up with a stop at Pancake Rocks. At first I thought I’d be getting to lick their plates of syrup remnants. But the pancakes were really hard and dry, except when big waves splashed up on them.

Then we drove on some really twisted roads up and over mountains. I had to old on tight to the door armrest so I wouldn’t go flying. Dad had to slam on the brakes once, when Mom said she wanted to stop at some waterfalls. The road wasn’t busy, so he backed up and parked beside the other two cars that were on the side of the road.

Mom and Timmy II by the waterfalls on the way to Hanmer Springs

They carried me with them, up and up and up. Is there any other direction in this country. We saw some small waterfalls, but kept going until we reached the really big ones. Then Mom jumped across the water and posed with me for a photo.

Now we’re here at Hanmer Springs. I think they’re going hiking today, then off to the “hot springs” this evening. I don’t think I’ll join them this evening. I don’t have any swimming trunks and am a bit too modest to go in the nude.

I”ll let you know about the scenery in my next post.

Today Mom and Dad took me up to the top of one of the hills on the outskirts of Nelson. There was a big sign that explained it was the geographical centre of New Zealand. The views were pretty good too.

Then we walked around town for a bit, including a stop in the Queen’s Gardens where Dad tried to feed me to the ducks. Apparently they don’t eat bear. I wasn’t scared though. I told myself I was bungy jumping. After that, we visited a few shops, had some lunch, and packed up the beach gear into the car. We drove for about 20 minutes and crossed a bridge to an island. I think they called it Rabbit Island, but I didn’t see any rabbits.

I did see lots and lots of sand. There was so much sand that even though there were a lot of people on the beach we had no problem having our own little spot. Mom set me up in one of her sandals for suntanning. Something about I need to have a tan line so I could show my friends when we get back.

Then she went in to play with the waves, jumping over some and riding others. When she came back, Dad took his turn. Meanwhile, I started to get a bit hot, so I moved to the frisbee and then pulled Mom’s hat over my head to get some shade.

It was a pretty neat day, relaxing and people watching, especially when Mom and Dad decided to use the frisbee. At least they moved me to the towel. And I had a great view of them trying to throw it into the wind.

Can’t wait for tomorrow’s adventures!

Me with Mom and Dad

Mom tied me to her backpack to bring me along on the tramp. It wasn’t very comfortable at first because she velcroed me in by my neck at first. Then other campers complained so she put me in the side pocket. It was much more comfortable there, and I could look up and down the trail and along the side too.

We visited loads of beaches. I couldn’t believe all the sand, some were soooo big. Timbit would have loved to dig and scratch in some of those, especially if he’d found a crab. The sand at some beaches was soft and powdery, and at others it was quite coarse. In one estuary it was loaded with tiny seashells.

Me and Mom waiting for the boat to pick us up from the beach.

The last day of  hiking wasn’t so good because my view suddenly went all orange. Then I felt all damp. It lasted for about three hours and then magically we were back at a beach and it was sunny. It was fun taking the boat back to the bus too. We sat on top and watched islands and beaches go past.

Mom and Dad went to be early each night of the tramp, which meant I got extra cuddles with them. They even brought me down to the living rooms of the homesteads so that I could meet all the other trampers, who thought I was a pretty special bear.

We’re going to be in Nelson for a few more nights. I’ll let you know what I found out about it.