Two weeks in New Zealand is not enough and yes I did consider losing my passport. Okay it was a long two weeks so let me break it down:

Before the trip: I always forget things when I go on trips, even the smallest trips. Once I drove to Wal-mart and I forgot my money. I went to the mall with Pipes and I forgot her diaper bag. Victoria Secret and I forgot my gift card for Victoria’s Secret. For my trip to New Zealand I started packing three days before. This was a great thing because for the first time in my life I didn’t forget anything on this trip!!! After I packed for myself I had to pack Piper’s stuff. It was rough. Piper decided she was going to help though. Her job was to hand me the hangers I had just taken the clothes off of. Then she started handing me random things from around the living room to put into her suitcase. When my mom got to our house to pick up Piper I have to admit I did take my time so they didn’t have to leave sooner. At one point though there was nothing else I could use to stall, her car seat was strapped in, her clothes were packed and loaded into the car and Bonnie Bear was waiting for her in the car. I had to see good-bye to my stinky toddler. She was sleepy so I don’t think she realized she was leaving. Every time I have to go somewhere she cries because she doesn’t want me to leave. It breaks my heart every time. 

Now the flight: from Virginia to the airport 1hour 40 minutes 

From Virginia to LA 6 hours (just for the record this is where I met Kevin Sorbo!!!!)

LA to Auckland 11 hours 40minutes

Wow....Once we got to Auckland, we met Michael Winslow and his wife. (Very nice.) We got to the hotel at 5am. At 9am we had TV interviews. Then radio interviews. Once we were done with all that Jon and I decided to go see some of Auckland. We took the ferry to an island off the coast and explored with the red hat society. The beach was perfect. The seashells were perfect and the food was easily some of the greatest I’ve ever had. Then we had to hurry back to catch our flight to Christchurch. 

Christchurch: the city of Gardens. Christchurch is the most beautiful city in the world. If there is a space, they put a tree or a flower there. It was love at first sight. I was a little worried about all the other people that were going to the convention. I didn’t want them to be all douche baggy. But everyone was awesome!!! Kevin Sorbo, Michael Hurst, Michael Winslow and of course Darick Robertson and Chad. We met Darick and Chad in the elevator on the way to Sushi. They started talking to us and I didn’t want to be mean so I invited them to come with us. Have you ever met someone and felt like you had known them for years? This is how Jon and I felt about Chad and Darick. Chad is a graphic designer and Darick is the comic book guy. He does the comic ‘The Boys’ and ‘Transmetropolitan’. 

I have to say Kevin Sorbo....oh Kevin...He is my ultimate celebrity crush.... and If I wasn’t married and if he wasn’t married because I respect the bonds of marriage...so if we were both single the things I would have done to that man...and I’m going to leave it at that...mmmm....He is a really nice guy too.

When the convention was over in Christchurch we had five days to do whatever we wanted. This is where the adventure really began. Chad, Darick, Jon and I rented a car and decided to drive down to Queenstown and then up the West coast of the South Island to Piccton. In Piccton we would catch the ferry across to the North Island and land in Wellington. When we got the rental car Chad decided to drive. It was weird because they drive on the opposite side of the road. I’m beginning to think that the USA is the odd one out because every time I go somewhere I end up on the other side of the road to drive. humm...but anyway Chad and I had to get the car to the hotel. We got about one block away from the rental place when we heard a loud banging. My theory was we broke the car already but no, Chad had left the parking brake on...oh Chad. In New Zealand they didn’t really care about sidewalks. They just drive up and park on them. When we pulled up in front of the hotel this is what we did. After we got our stuff in the car Jon and Darick showed back up. Now the problem was getting the car off the sidewalk and back onto the road. Another issue was they kept giving me the directions on how to drive not Chad who was in fact behind the wheel because I was in the passenger seat which in America is the drive’s sit. This made things even more confusing. Finally we got off the sidewalk and on the road. 

I know the birth of my daughter was a great day. My wedding was awesome but those five days driving around New Zealand were easily the best days of my life so far. Every day was perfect. Everything worked out for the best. We stayed in the coolest hotels with incredible views. Darick, Chad and I went skydiving. We drank absinth. I never had one bad meal the entire time. But the one thing I will always remember is the air. I can’t put into words what it was like but I’ll try. It was the cleanest, freshest air that has ever been in my body. One time we stopped because someone had to pee and it was raining slightly on the mountain we were on. I remember the smell of the trees. It felt like the air was cleansing your body. It was one of those moments when you are speechless when you breath in and look at what is around you. We also stopped at this lake to take photos. The beach so nothing but white rock and the water was the perfect aqua and the mountain on the other side of the lake made for a gorgeous backdrop. I know when I die that is where I’m going to end up. That was some place that I can have stayed forever. 

We made it to Wellington. We went to the convention. I had dinner with Kevin Sorbo, Michael Hurst, Sam Jones and his son. I could sit for days listening to Michael Hurst talk and tell stories. He is the most interesting person I've ever met. But after these short few days in Windy Wellington, we had to go. Like I said I did seriously consider losing my passport. No joke. I always said that one day when I’m old I would disappear and end up in Bora Bora but now you may have to go to New Zealand to find me in my old age. And just remember...New Zealand is better then Old Zeeland.