we made it!

after 25 hours and 4 flights we're in new zealand. today is our second full day here and so far it's been absolutely delightful! we heart kiwis (as in the people, not the fruit or the bird although those seem nice as well). yesterday we shopped, ate, toured cathedrals, meandered about the city, and were amazed at the uses these people find for possum fur. seriously.... sweaters, gloves, nipple warmers, you name it. then in the evening we took a gondola up to a lookout over the city. today was a bit more exotic.... we went to the wildlife park and went on the lion encounter that many of you may have heard us talking about for a while now. for an idea of what this is check out this link: http://www.oranawildlifepark.co.nz/lions.htm . yeah, we were inside the truck. lions were on top. and hanging off the side. it was awesome! we have pictures and video snippets that will make it up here at some point. anna's a brave one. i got a bit nervous..... mostly about getting peed on but all was well.

tomorrow we're headed to queenstown in search of zorbing adventures. queenstown is one of the centers for adventure sports in the world so should we feel the need to jump off a bridge, white water raft without a raft or ice climb, we'll be in the right place.

quote of the day: "if one of these guys gets out of here, i don't want to be around. this mesh keeps me alive." the lion trainer leading our tour. (makes one feel very secure.)

we're happy. we're sun kissed. and we still like each other. all is well.