This time in two weeks

Our departure date seemed so far away just a few short months ago; now, it's breathing down our necks like the Roaring Forties. This time on February 2, we'll be wheels up over LAX, heading west. In a little over twelve hours, we'll travel over 6,700 miles in three calendar days, landing in Auckland on February 4.

From New Zealand Prep

We've been prepping, reading and planning for an eternity. Finally, this weekend, we'll start packing our bags for a three-week trip through the North and South islands of New Zealand. Once we land, we'll spend a few days in the North, gathering our bearings while sea kayaking and hiking on the Coromandel peninsula, taking in a traditional Maori hangi meal in Rotorua, of course, stopping at Hobbiton on the way before flying to the South Island.

There, we'll visit the Marlborough wine region to savor the world's best Sauvignon Blanc, whale-watch in Kaikoura, hike in Arthur's pass and catch a sunset at the pancake rocks in Punakaiki before catching an overnight cruise in through the remote wilderness of Doubtful Sound. Whew.

But it's still two weeks away. You can be sure we're counting down the hours.