Sydney

Before our return to the US, we splurged on a week in Australia: we flew Arab Emirates out of Auckland into Sydney (by chance - it was the cheapest fare on kayak!). That was the only flight I have ever taken that I can say that I actually enjoyed.
Our seven days in Sydeny were pretty redundant: hike in the afternoon, go to the Sydeny Opera House in the evening, and treat ourselves to Gelato at night - wake up and repeat . . .
We saw four Opera's (The Magic Flute, Werther, Lady Macbeth of Minsk, and Madama Buterrfly) and a Tom Stoppard play (Travesties) in six days. Pure Ecstasy.








This was a popular day hike along Bondi Beach





Another hike near the North Head outside of Manly, near the entrance of the massive Sydney Harbour

New Zealand

Post Ice Leslie and I had a few weeks in everyone's favorite country. Not that we could forget, but we were once again reminded why NZ is such an easy and wonderful place to travel.
We started out with a hike up to the Mueller Hut, overlooking Mount Cook. After a full season of walking on only the flat white plateau, a six hour vertical scramble up to the hut proved to be a serious challenge. But I waddled up before the sun set and was rewared for my efforts . . .



















Another highlight of our trip was a climbing trip near Wanaka. My friends Aric and Sarah were kind enough to take take a wreckless newbie under their wing and save my life on multiple occasions . . .








Ammo belt of snickers?