EpiBlogue...

We are home...still thinking of our wonderful New Zealand adventures as we come back to reality. We would like give our heartfelt thanks to Neil Pollett, New Zealand Luxury , for sponsoring the Untouched World Charity Trust auction and for all the help and support before and throughout the trip to be sure everything was working and we were having a great time.
Also a very special thanks to all the New Zealand Luxury Members  for your kindness, hospitality, and overwhelming generosity. Thank you for making us feel so welcome and making our dream exceed all expectations. Cheers...
Kind regards always,
Terry and Diane

Check out the press release from our interview with Shona Cobham of Tourism New Zealand at the link below...

Tourism New Zealand press release

Also thanks for all the emails from everyone following the Flight of the Cowmans' , glad you enjoyed it.
Our recommendation...Visit New Zealand!

End of the Flight...

Turning in our Nissan Sunny...after 28 days, 4,795 kilometers (2979 miles), one flat tire, one slow leak, a jump start on the ferry...and two $1 pillows to sit on from The Sally...(Salvation Army).

Turn out the Speights, the party's...

at the airport...well for a few minutes

second security check and pat downs await...

down the runway...

a few parting shots...

A final tip of the wing to one of

the most beautiful places in the world,

until next time NZed...

Next...Epilogue or Jet Lag Finale...

what day is it anyway?

Last night on "The Jewel of the Gulf"

Relaxing on the patio before canapes...

Arlene with Di and...

...John, our new friends from Canada

 a little morning shower...

the infinity pool...

beautiful gardens...

inside and out?

Executive Chef, Aaron Smith...

Thank you Aaron, incredibly delicious canapes, breakfasts, and wines...

Also our thanks to Roselyn Barnett-Storey, General Manager, for arranging our stay and all your help.

Delamore Lodge is a jewel!

After breakfast, we head to the airport and home...

Island, Olives, and Wine....Pt 2

The Rooster Compound

relaxing on the beach...

starting to ripen so covered with netting to keep out the birds...

Maire, Kennedy Point Wines , giving us a tasting of their superb wines.

In the background, 600+ year old pohutukawa trees,

aka New Zealand Christmas Trees

Auckland skyline in the background...

the views are this big!!!

grape press?

Di and Wayne, Ananda Tours ...Thank you for a great tour and some history of Waiheke Island.

Also our thanks to Craig and Patricia Armstrong, Cruise New Zealand , for setting this up with Neil, New Zealand Luxury ,  and Jenny, Ananda Tours .

Then our final night in New Zealand...

for this trip...

Island, Olives, and Wine... Pt 1

just a little fruit for breakfast...

waiting on the balcony...

another beautiful island harbor...

a visit to Rangihoua Estate , olive oil growers and producers of extra virgin olive oil

not ready yet...

Taking a break on a 30,000 year old piece of swamp wood bench...

the end the olive oil comes out...

Claire, Rangihoua Estate ,

Thank you for the tour and tasting...so delicious we'll take some home.

An island paradise...

Entering Delamore Lodge ...

to our room the...

Motu Suite

meaning "island"...

from the patio...

bath with a view and open rain shower to the right...

courtyard from our doorway and...

and our room with a view...

tomorrow a Waiheke Island tour and more....

Shoving off to Waiheke Island

We made it just in time...

coming up to enjoy the view...

leaving the landing, nice....

tides out, time to fish...

got a wee bit chilly so we came in to relax, but...

this sailor braves the seas and weather...

arriving at Kennedy Point, Waiheke Island..

now to Delamore Lodge