Although we've had a couple of drizzly days while in New Zealand, we haven't yet had anything approaching what you'd call BAD weather...until today. Good thing we moved yesterday, eh? What can only be called torrents of rain have been blowing past our balcony all day. Apparently, there's a big sub-tropical storm moving through. Sherry made some delicious blueberry muffins for breakfast, then left Mark and Ro to entertain themselves while she ventured out in the squall to do some shopping.
View from our balcony of a cargo ship leaving port
Ro's cabin fever was reaching fever pitch by the time Sherry returned, so Ro convinced her to take him to the jacuzzi next to the pool - outdoors, mind you. Figuring she was going to get wet anyway, she reluctantly agreed; meanwhile, Mark set about trying to connect his computer to The Anchorage's wireless network. The lady at the front desk was obliging, but not all that helpful other than giving Mark the name of an IT professional who lives a few doors down the hall from us...unfortunately he wasn't home. After altering nearly every conceivable variable in the laptop's internet settings in a true "exercise in frustration," changing an IP address setting buried deep in the list of choices finally got us back online! Woo-Hoo! You don't realize how much you take something for granted until you don't have it anymore.
Although Ro had fun in the jacuzzi, it didn't give him a chance to burn off much energy, so Sherry took another one for the team, dressed herself and the little guy in rain gear, and headed for the beach to watch the surfers out to catch the epic storm waves.
Normally, the short walk to Marine Parade and the beach is just that - a walk. Today, the rain was coming in sheets head-on at a 45 degree angle, straight into your face. Mind you, it wasn't cold...a little cool, but not bad at all. There was no one else walking those four lonely blocks to the beach through a normally bustling downtown, prompting Ronan to ask Sherry, "Why are we the only ones walking, mama?" Once at the beach, however, there were other folks out beachcombing and a few hardcore surfer dudes out in the maelstrom. The tide was incredibly high, and the seaweed, shells, and jellies (Portuguese men-of-war!) strewn about were a true testament to the severe weather. Ronan insisted on jumping knee-high waves, and what little bit of dry fabric that was left on his shorts succumbed during these moments; but, amazingly he kept his raincoat dry. They hiked out to the overlook on Moturiki Island, passing more than a few other curious looky-loos out to watch the seawater surge impressively against the boulder outcroppings at the furthest point.
Ro weathering the storm. Motuotau Island in background
Leaving Moturiki, Ronan could not resist puddle-jumping some rather impressive pools of water located along the trail, thus sealing the deal and thoroughly water-logging him and his rain gear. Sherry encouraged him along with promises of a "fluffy" from the local coffee shop, which is just steamed milk with some flavoring, and the little guy trudged on toward their goal. Once back at the apartment, all was set right with a hot shower and dinner. Sherry (a reformed vegetarian) tried pan-frying chicken for the first time in her life, and although it was seasoned well, Ro exclaimed it was "chewy," or as Mark put it, "medium rare." Nothing a few extra minutes under the broiler couldn't fix, right? In Sherry's own words, "who figured a southern girl couldn't fry chicken?"
Ro splashing around on Moturiki Island
A soggy Ro & Sherry quarantined in the bathroom to dry off
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