Sunday Evening

The weather did improve as the day progressed, we are happy to say.  Rebecca, Lillian, Susan and I did head out to the Albatross Center out at the end of the peninsula.  There were a couple ways to go, and we took the high road, with emphasis on the word "high".  Guard rails?  Nah, who needs guardrails!  And who needs room for two lanes when one lane works most of the time?  Add lots of twisting, turning curves, with spectacular scenery of the coast and you will get the idea. Here's a couple pictures:

As you can tell from the girl's expressions, it was just a wee bit windy on top of hills above the beach.  Perfect albatross weather, though.  

The picture above was taken at the very end of the peninsula, where there has been an albatross conservation center for many years.  There are only two places in the world where albatross will nest on a large land mass, this point of land being one of them.  They also nest on small, remote islands.  They are a spectacular bird, with immense wing spans, and have a second joint in their wings so they will fold up properly next to their body.  We took a one hour guided tour, and enjoyed it very much.

After returning to the hotel Rebecca and I went out to the airport to meet Claira and Scott, and they did arrive right on time.  

So now the NZ gang is all here.  Simon, Jessica, and Julian also arrived in the late afternoon.  We enjoyed dinner with them at a nearby pizza joint.  The weary travelers have gone to bed, and that's where I'm heading, too.  All this fresh air makes for good sleeping.  And, oh yes, the weather has cleared up, it's turned warmer, and there were even a few people swimming out in the ocean.  Yes, they were young people, who obviously don't know any better!  Jim