Kylie - Jan 12

A wagon ride.

The plane ride was not very fun.  It was due to leave at nine thirty pm. but was delayed untill eleven forty five. pm.  On the plane I did not get any sleep.  We got to New Zealand at 8:30 am.  As soon as we landed in Auckland we grabbed our luggage, got in our rental car and went north to Kerikeri.  Dad rented us a cottage on a farm.  The owners of the farm (the Garretts) raise a rare kind of horse called a Gray Shire.  They raise them because Mr. Garrett's hobby is to drive carriages.  He owns about ten carriages, and most of them are antiques.  This morning he took us on a ride into town on a carriage that he made himself.  The horses are amazingly strong because they had to pull us up hills.  He drives a carriage into town three times a week, and changes the pairs of horses up, so they get exercise.  It was very fun!  Then when we got back we did schoolwork.  I had a really fun time!

Kylie - Jan 9

Kylie - Jan 6

To New Zealand!!!

This morning we slept in and had McDonalds for breakfast. Then we all picked up some beach gear and drove our rental car to Hanauna Bay. Hanauna Bay was a volcano crater next to the ocean that got submerged in water. Now it is a beautiful cove! It is known for its snorkeling. The cove is protected from all the major waves so it is easier to snorkel. Dad rented us snorkels. We floated on a raft while we peered down at all of the sea life. We saw lots of different types of reef fish, crabs, and we even saw a sea turtle! After snorkeling we went back to our hotel room and packed. Tonight we are going on a nine thirty flight to New Zealand!

Kylie - Jan 5

Hawaii

We are in Hawaii!!!!  Yesterday we left Dallas and got to Hawaii around 5:30 Hawaiian time (9:30 Dallas time).  We were STARVING, so we ended up eating dinner at Taco Bell.  The hotel room dad got us was in an old hotel that was built around the1960's.  At least Kylie and I got our own beds.  The hotel is on the main road (next to the beach).  This morning we went to Pearl Harbor.  After going in several museums (and talking to some Pearl Harbor survivors) we watched a documentary about the Pearl Harbor attack.  Then we got on a boat that took us to the USS Arizona memorial.  The USS Arizona was one of the many ships that sunk during the Pearl Harbor attack.  It had the most casualties with more than 1400 dead.  The memorial was built over the Arizona right where it sunk.  We could still see the oil raising up from the sunken ship.  This afternoon Kylie, dad, and I all went to the beach.  I caught lots of hermit crabs and we found an eel in the rocks.  Then we went back to the hotel room, got mom, and then we all went out for sushi!  We went to a small Japanese place where you have to sit down on mats and eat.  It was VERY uncomfortable.