Lombard!

[Thomas]

What part of NZ do you live in? I've never been to your country but my mother went a couple of times and brought back videos of her trip which I've seen. I would really like to visit sometime in the future. It is such a long trip though.

Regards,
Thomas

[Lombard]

Thomas,
I live in Wellington NZ (the capital), which is at the bottom (some say ass) end of the North island.

It is a long way from anywhere, but thats also its advantage. lol
My last direct flight to LAX from Auckland took 11 hours.

This also rules out cruising out of the USA for me as it is expensive just to get there (especially the east coast).

[PapaBill]

In a prior life I was I was a Vice President of the New Zealand Lamb Company here in the US. Our parent company was headquartered in Wellington. We not only had New Zealanders from all over the country working with us , we often hosted the heads of the major meat producing companies, visitors from many NZ Trade organizations and even two Prime Ministers. We had an annual "shout" hosted for our customers at the New Zealand Embassy in Washington DC. Your former PM. Sir Wallace Rawling, was embassador to the US at the time.
It was funny at the time we all cared as much for the success of the All Blacks as we did for the NY Yankees. I got to go for a ride on your Americas Cup winning yacht
(sponsored by Bank Of NZ) with Christopher Reeves (Superman) around NY harbor.
I think you live in one of the most beautiful countries . From the sea shores ,to the mountains, to the grazing areas covered with sheep. It seemed that everyone we knew from Wellington had a sail boat and a love affair with the sea.
With all the travel folks did for our company back and forth I never could justify the economics of just going to look around. Some day. Maybe Thomas and I will come down and visit. Maybe Kuki will organize a Cruisemates Cruise for us.

[Thomas]

If Kuki arranges a CM cruise to NZ I'm there. No questions asked and if Mrs.Thomas objects.........well, she'll just have to understand.

Regards,
Thomas

[Lombard]

Hmmmmmmm !! (hommer impression) Roast Leg of Lamb with mint sauce, roast potatoes, sweet potatoes and graaaaavvvvvy! Hmmmmmmmm!!

That reminds me of my Nanna's home on Sunday's around lunch time.

Thanks PapaBill.

Sir Wallace Rawling passed away years ago, early eighties I think?

There's nothing like a good "SHOUT" Hic!

The "All Blacks" are still kicking A*# all over the world. (no offense intended).
Surprised that no one went to the rugby world sevens in LA not so long ago?

Can you image the laughs when the Americas cup went to a land locked country?
Auckland is now the "City of Sails" which was where the last America's Cup challenge was held.

NZ is a fresh place because it is smallish and has no near neighbors to block the cleansing winds from the sea. It still has it problems environmentally as all countries do but it still seems cleaner than most developed countries.

It is a long trip down here but there are so many places to visit besides NZ.
Fiji, Tahiti, Western/American Samoa, Guam, Tonga, Niue Island (my birth place) and of course Australia.
There's plenty of room on my lounge floor for visitor's.

>>"Maybe Kuki will organize a Cruisemates Cruise for us."
Now that would be a dream come true but I thiiiiiiiiink it'll never happen. Boo Hoo.
Mind you the exchange rate is ok at the mo but has been a lot better in the past. (US$1 = NZ$2)

Thomas. Why was your mother in New Zealand?



Post Edited (04-19-05 02:28)