I promised a run down of Auckland, and I do not want to disappoint, so:
1) The city is small, but is big enough to know its a city. Megan and I walked it a few times and again with Laura and we still managed to find new areas to explore.
2) The food is good (nothing like the italian place in Hobart, but then again, not to many places can measure up to that). We found a good Ramen place and a cafe that can fry up some pretty mean bananas.
3) The amount of people out on the weekends exceeds anything I have ever seen before! When I got up at 4 am to pick Laura up at the airport there were more people out then there was at 10 pm the night before! It really was quite a site.
So the hop-on-hop-off bus tour we are on is insane! We have the option to do so many things and partake in so many activities its nuts!
From Auckland we headed to Mercury Bay where we got to dig our own thermal hot pools on the beach. The water was so hot that it turned the bum of an English girl on our trip the color of a ripe tomato (though I cant laugh too hard because my calfs an back were about the same color).
We were then shipped to Rotorua where we got to go ZORBING!!!!!!!!!!! So for those of you who did not google it as I asked, basically what zorbing is a smaller beach ball filled with hot water and people inside a bigger beach ball. The smaller ball is held in the middle of the bigger one with strings. To get into it you have to take a running dive head first straight into the middle of the small ball. You are then zipped up and told to run at one side of the ball (which faces down the hill). You proceed to roll down the hill, boucing around the ball, giggling like a little school girl! The three of us were in one... and Laura got the bright idea to try and stand up and run... which simply ended in her landing straight on my gut as I was trying not to swallow water... but it was totally worth it!!! That night we got to do a whole Mauri culture dinner and a show type thing which I do have to say was one of the most interesting things I have ever seen. We got to learn about the culture and eat lots and lots of food. I would not trade this day for anything!
From Rotorua we headed to Waitomo where we got to go Black Water Rafting. We repelled 50 meters down into a cave, took a zipline even further in, jumped into freezing water, and climbed up two waterfalls to get out. I have never in my life done something so amazing (I do not want to sound redundent, but I'm still at a lose for words)! That was this morning and I still havent recovered.
We are now in Taupo. We got in around 4 this afternoon so we havent done anything yet, but I think we are staying here for 2 days, so I'm sure there will be something!!!
Hope all is well! Cheers!
(Pictures and USB ports are hard to come by... sorry!!!)
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22 comments:
Did they tell you that Rotorura is a volcano? It looks like you have far exceeded your Fun Quotent for this lifetime. One more gasp of exhilaration or giggle of delight or peel of laughter and you'll cause a Kafkaesque monochromatic tuneless pall to set-in worldwide as Grim Reality demands it's due. Careful!
Geeze -- This Uncle Skip uses "BIG" words. Pretty impressive to himself, I believe, but making others feel like what in the heck is he talking about!!??!! A reality check for himself is way overdue.
This day sounds just amazing - things I'd love to do. I think I'll just copy your itinerary for my trip over there. Think David will go for it all? Keep on having fun & living to tell about it.
Love
Bev
Oh as I sit here reading, wishing I were somewhere else but no I am at work, working, well actually responding to this, I would rather do this than work, but enough about me, what do you think about me? So excuse the self induldgence before I say, WOW, fun, fun, fun, till your daddy takes the credit card away. the cave experience sounded like mucho fun. Mom and I go to Pismo on Sunday, I will have a steak in your honor, maybe even a water pour, at McLintocks, no Lemon Drop. keep on blogging, we love it.
I hear the weather is a bit Tumultuous, stay dry, keep having fun
I see a battle of the words coming between Uncle Skip and anonymous, When I use big words, i just increase the font
Hi guys, I've been plugging away at work with no time to blog until today. What a fantastic trip. Carlos and I just got back from Pismo this afternoon - very short trip 1/2 a day and a night, but it was beautiful. I would like to come back as a pelican. I would glide over the pacific with my buddies, squat on rocks and poop. Who could ask for anything more? Keep on keeping on. Love and kisses, mom & auntie mary
This last segment sounds the most amazing of all. Did not realize you all are such athletes. Rapelling even. OMG. Almost like you are speaking a different language or went to Mars or someting. Have to concur with anonymous, but I think it's simply because Uncle Skip is so envious of someone having escaped on such an exotic adventure, he wanted one for himself and the only one available was Digitopolis.
Well, I must correct myself. I really hate that. Of course I meant Dictionopolis. What a stupid ass am I.
Ben: May or may not happen -- KG to LA for Odum and Bynum. Owners have talked -- now Mitch and McHale talking but McHale is not happy, according to ESPN. Kobe still a fathead ass. Will keep you posted.
Oooka
rosanne said
sounds like you guys are haveing
a great time. the 4th is next week
i guess it will be another day
there, i'am sure you guys will do
something to celebrate, nothing new
on the home front, except dad and i
get to move meg out of her apartment
on saturday, boy was that great plannig on megs part. we will let
you know how that turns out
lots of love to you guys and
don't tell me anythinbg until
after you survive your next
adventure
love you
mom and aunt
DEERFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Although Kobe Bryant apparently would like to join the Bulls, Chicago general manager John Paxson sent a message to the Los Angeles Lakers' superstar on Monday: Don't count on it.
Paxson said he has had no discussions with the Lakers and a deal would be difficult to complete.
"What we would have to give up — unless that franchise would ever have a change of heart and had to do something — I don't know how that would work," he said. "They've got one of the top, maybe the top, talents in the league. What we would have to do to get there, I don't even know what it would be. It would be significant. And then, are we better?"
Bryant has waffled this offseason, saying he wants to be dealt and then rescinding those comments. Although he has a no-trade clause, The Riverside (Calif.) Press-Enterprise reported the Bulls are on his three-team wish list.
Paxson is reluctant to gut a young, but experienced, team that has made three straight playoff appearances and reached the second round for the first time since 1998.
"There's nothing going on — that's just the reality of it," Paxson said.
The Los Angeles Lakers are aggressively pursuing trades — and their main target reportedly is Kevin Garnett in what would be a clear attempt to placate a disgruntled Kobe Bryant.
Is KG going to L.A.?
FOXSports.com hoops analyst Marques Johnson discusses the potential trade that would send Kevin Garnett to the Lakers.
The Lakers' proposal, according to the Los Angeles Times, includes forward Lamar Odom and center Andrew Bynum. But that might not be enough to acquire the 31-year-old Garnett, one of the NBA's most talented and versatile big men.
Fact is, considering the Lakers are all the way down at No. 19 in the first round of Thursday's draft, they might not have what it takes to acquire the 10-time All-Star. Garnett averaged 22.4 points, 12.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.7 blocked shots for a team that went 32-50 last season.
Lakers spokesman John Black declined comment Tuesday, and Timberwolves general manager Kevin McHale has done the same through team spokesman Mike Cristaldi.
"We felt the team underachieved last year," Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said last week. "We could stick with the group as it is today, or we can look to be aggressive and try to get to that next level. Either way, we think we'll be a talented team next year."
Bryant, the NBA's leading scorer the past two seasons, complained about a lack of talent around him at season's end, and later said he wanted to be traded, adding nothing could change his mind.
Despite that request, the Lakers have made clear that trading Bryant isn't in their plans. Bryant is owned $88.6 million over the next four seasons, but could terminate his contract in two years.
Garnett is under contract for two more years at $22 million next season and $23 million the following year, but he could opt out next summer — a development that could spur the Timberwolves to action.
It was first reported the Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics were involved in four-team negotiations with the Lakers and Timberwolves, but those talks broke down, leaving Los Angeles and Minnesota alone in the discussions.
The 27-year-old Odom will earn $13.5 million next season and $14.6 million in 2008-09 — the final year of his contract. The 19-year-old Bynum, taken with the 10th overall pick in the 2005 draft, is due $2.2 million next season.
Lakers center Kwame Brown, owed $9.1 next season in the final year of his contract, also could be involved, as could Minnesota guards Troy Hudson and/or Marko Jaric. Hudson has three years left on his contract and Jaric four.
Kupchak has said the Lakers are looking for a veteran ball-handling guard.
Odom and Brown both underwent surgery last month, but Kupchak believes both will be ready to go when training camp begins in October.
McHale said last week he has always listened to trade proposals involving Garnett, adding: "Nothing has changed. You always listen. You listen, and it doesn't go very far and it hasn't gone very far now."
That was last week. Perhaps that's changed.
The Lakers and Timberwolves were Western Conference finalists following the 2003-04 season, but neither has been close in the last three years.
The Lakers traded Shaquille O'Neal to Miami after that season, and after missing the playoffs in 2005, they were eliminated in the first round by Phoenix each of the last two years. The Timberwolves haven't made the playoffs since 2004.
While he's expressed the hope of improving the Lakers, Kupchak knows how difficult making a major trade can be for several reasons.
"I can't say that until a deal is made," he said. "They change on a hairpin."
Lakers in trade talks to get Garnett
They continue talks with Minnesota over a deal that could include Odom and Bynum. A four-team trade is dismissed by Boston.
By Mike Bresnahan and Mark Heisler, Times Staff Writers
June 26, 2007
Trade talks continued Monday between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Lakers after a four-team proposal that would have sent All-Star forward Kevin Garnett to the Lakers collapsed.
Minnesota owner Glen Taylor was expected to be in the Timberwolves' offices this morning before departing for a honeymoon in China. His appearance at team headquarters suggested a quick resolution on the Lakers' proposal, which includes forward Lamar Odom and center Andrew Bynum.
However, sources said that Kevin McHale, the Timberwolves' vice president of basketball operations, wasn't keen on the Lakers' offer.
Another topsy-turvy day — a phrase used often to describe daily happenings during the Lakers' off-season — began Monday with prospects of a four-team trade and ended with the Lakers and Timberwolves still having the same rosters.
Taylor and Lakers owner Jerry Buss began the groundwork for trade talks with a 20-minute chat on Friday. That conversation expanded Monday into discussions about a deal involving the Lakers, Minnesota, Indiana and Boston, in which the Lakers would have received Garnett. However, the deal broke down, reportedly because the Celtics didn't like what they would have gotten, ending the four-way negotiations.
The Lakers are now back to direct talks with the Timberwolves. Although the 19-year-old Bynum would satisfy one need, the fact that the Lakers have the 19th pick in Thursday's draft isn't high enough for the Timberwolves' tastes.
In another scenario, the Lakers could include center Kwame Brown in the deal and also acquire Troy Hudson or Marko Jaric to address a need for a ballhandling guard while lifting an unfavorable contract off the Timberwolves' books.
Lakers officials declined to comment Monday.
Acquiring Garnett could address the concerns of Kobe Bryant, who demanded to be traded four weeks ago.
Bryant met with Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak for about an hour on Friday, a day after Garnett rejected a trade that would have sent him to Boston.
Bryant did not step down from his desire to be traded at that meeting, although Kupchak, Buss and Lakers Coach Phil Jackson met later that day to discuss options based on the assumption they would still have Bryant, The Times has learned.
Garnett, 31, has never formally asked for a trade while signaling his distress in recent years as the Timberwolves fell from top-notch status. The No. 1-seeded team in the Western Conference in 2004, they lost to the Lakers in the conference finals and haven't made the playoffs since then.
The Timberwolves finished 33-49 in 2005-06 and 32-50 last season, tied for 12th in the West with Portland.
Garnett can opt out of his contract after next season. He wants an extension, which Buss reportedly told Taylor he was willing to offer. Garnett is due to earn $22 million next season and $23 million in 2008-09, the last year of his contract.
Garnett, a 10-time All-Star and the 2004 league most valuable player, averaged 22.4 points, 12.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.7 blocked shots last season while showing few signs of slowing down, other than spending the last five games of the season in Los Angeles — he has a home in Malibu — to rest a sore right quadriceps.
Bynum, 19, started his second NBA season with a flurry, including a memorable game against Minnesota in which he had 20 points, 14 rebounds and three blocked shots last November.
But Bynum struggled during the second half of the season and finished with averages of 7.8 points and 5.9 rebounds a game. The Lakers have been criticized by Bryant for not trading Bynum at the February trade deadline in order to get Jason Kidd from New Jersey.
Odom, 27, was acquired three years ago as part of the trade that sent Shaquille O'Neal to Miami.
He averaged 15.9 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists last season and sat out 26 games because of knee and shoulder injuries. He had a torn labrum in his left shoulder repaired last month and is expected to return in time for training camp in October.
Hudson, 31, has three years and $18.9 million left on his contract. He averaged 5.9 points and 2.1 assists in 34 games in an injury-marred season. He recently requested a trade.
Jaric, 28, has four years and $27.4 million left on his contract. The former Clippers guard averaged 5.3 points and 2.1 assists in 70 games last season.
He has been a disappointment since signing a six-year contract as a free agent two years ago, although his 6-foot-7 body would be a plus for Jackson, who favors taller guards in the triangle offense. Hudson is listed at 6 feet 1 and is more of a push-the-pace type.
mike.bresnahan@latimes.com
mark.heisler@latimes.com
Ben: You and I have always said that KG is a total team player. I sure do wish he comes to LA. If I see anymore interesting articles, I'll send them along but that's about it with the rumors regarding the Lakers. I'll have to make sure I touch bases with Colette and John Dishman so that we can go to a Laker game this coming season. It should really be interesting, don't you think?
On a separate note, I am so envious of all of your travels in New Zealand and Australia. I can't wait until the three of you get home so that we can see all of the fantastic photos you have been taking.
Nothing much going on with us but I will have to report on how much we enjoyed Boston!
Tim and Ebony are fine. They are up in Valencia today picking plums off the plum tree.
Talk to you soon!
Oooka
Hey guys, just finished reading about zorbing and blk h20 rafting and what turned into a Sports Illustrated column. Well, at least I know as much as anybody else in the Laker front office.
Just take care in your adventures, OK? luv, all of us at home.
SueSue is standing at my shoulder watching my every move. Can't talk now. Remember, we are operating under Moscow Rules. Code everything. Nothing can be sent in the open. SHE is watching!!!!
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) - In between all the phone calls discussing potential trades, Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak and his staff also have been preparing for Thursday's NBA draft.
While all the trade talk in the world might not result in any deals, the draft could be an important element in the Lakers' future.
"Right now, we're preparing to make all three choices," Kupchak said, referring to the team's 19th, 40th and 48th overall selections.
But he doesn't expect all three to be with the Lakers next season. Rather, one or two could be playing in the Development League or somewhere else.
The Lakers have an unhappy superstar in Kobe Bryant, who has said he wants out, and starters Lamar Odom and Kwame Brown have had offseason operations, leaving their status in question although Kupchak said he expects both to be ready when training camp begins.
Also...
Report: KG talks losing steam
The No. 1 need appears to be a ball-handling guard, but it's unlikely the Lakers will go in that direction with the No. 19 pick since they already have a young player who fills that role in Jordan Farmar.
"We like Jordan Farmar, we think he has a bright future in this league," Kupchak said of the former UCLA star who was the Lakers' first-round choice last June. "That being said, we probably need another ball-handling guard in addition to Jordan Farmar."
That means the Lakers will pursue that need via a trade or free agency. Kupchak said neither Smush Parker nor Aaron McKie, a pair of guards who played for the Lakers the past two years, will return next season. Since they're over the salary cap, the Lakers can't pursue high-priced free agents, but they have the midlevel and minimum exceptions.
Kupchak said the Lakers hope to re-sign free agent forward Luke Walton, and might be interested in doing the same with center Chris Mihm, who didn't play last season after undergoing ankle surgery.
This draft is considered one of the deepest in years, but Kupchak is uncertain whether the Lakers can take a player with the 19th pick who can make a significant contribution next season.
"Normally, your first-round picks in the 20s, even in the teens, don't make an impact in year one," he said. "You'll see a lot of quality big men in the first 10 picks, which is unusual. It's a strong draft."
The Lakers began last season by winning 26 of their first 39 games, but lost 27 of their last 43 to finish 42-40 before being eliminated by Phoenix in the first round of the playoffs for the second straight year.
That prompted Bryant to demand changes, ultimately leading to the trade request. The NBA's leading scorer the past two seasons is under contract for the next four years at $88.6 million, but can terminate the contract after the 2008-09 season.
Nevertheless, Kupchak indicated he wasn't panicking.
"There are no guarantees, there's no magic wand," Kupchak said. "Confidence and chemistry play a big role. We did not have that in the last six weeks of the season. We felt the team underachieved. Come February, we hit the skids and went the other way.
"We could stick with the group as it is today or we can look to be aggressive and try to get to that next level. Either way, we think we'll be a talented team next year."
I THOUGHT YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ THIS ARTICLE BECAUSE IT MENTIONED JORDAN FARMAR.
Haven't heard from you guys in a while. Is all okay?
Take care,
Oooka
Hello to the down-under-chaps
do they call you guys chaps? or blokes or what? Anyway, Ben we received your postcard, and your wish for an Alpaca, I agree they are nice, in fact I have one in a drawer, i refer to it as alpaca the sweater.
Stay warm, stay dry, stay the course, stay on the right side of the law, and if arrested, call Bill.
Oh what are you all going to do for the fourth of July??
Ok Ok, It's safe to talk now... I just met with my people at Langley and their sources confirmend that a "mole" is on the ground at your location. All they could give me was the fact that she's female, and her last name is "Gorman". This could compromise your entire mission of restoring the Old Zeland government. Look, I've sent "Bourne" to hit the "delete" key on both of them. Then, you continue with your mission as if nothing happened. We are counting on you. After this you will be sent to restore Old York, Old Jersey, Old Hampshire, and they will fly the flag of Old England. By the by, rumor has it that a New Mexico has been established. I'll look into it.
regards
tim
Sheesh on all the sportstalk already. I think Oooka is in the wrong business.
Dear BLM, almost sounds like a sandwich. Tim is spending way too much time in the garage. Sylvia, Buster is with Tim and Ebony most of the time, and Tim feeds him on top of the garbage cans so Ebony can't scarf up the cat food. Cozy little threesome. Very cute. BL&M, I hope each one of you is having a super time. I love you guys. kisses, Mom & Auntie Mary
Anonymous, the dictionary is your friend. Just sayin'... ;-)
Reach and grow a little, its good for your soul.
july 20th?
you're killing me smalls!
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