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| Yes, NZ has beaches! |
Now that the kids are long gone out of the house, my parents have totally gotten the travel bug! It started a long, multi-year (3+) stint as a traveling doctor back in 2002. My Dad (with Mom firmly in tow) went around to all sort of countries, states (in the US) and any place that was stable and needed a temporary Doctor. They had such a good time on their 3 year travel extravaganza that they’ve been dreaming about it ever since.
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| All sights from NZ |
Though they visited many, many locations in the 3 years they were doing the traveling Doc gig, their favorite place (by far!) was New Zealand. They often spoke of it, fondly, and said many times that they would emigrate over there if it only wasn’t for us kids in Washington state.
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| I know it looks cold, but they have super warm days too! |
Us kids are extremely thankful that they are holding themselves back from their dreams and sacrificing by living in the oh-so-horrible Pacific Northwest (tongue firmly in cheek). This fall, my Dad surprised my Mom with a 3 month job in New Zealand – he gave her less than 2 weeks to pack and get ready – and they were off the day after Thanksgiving! He turned his medical practice in Olympia, WA over to an extremely competant physcian who was in-between jobs and then it was off to their great adventure.
It’s been difficult for me to have them gone with everything that’s going on with their soon-to-be-born grandson but it is a bit of a consolation prize to continue to get the beautiful photos that they send. My Dad took ALL of these photos himself. He’s a decent photographer with an amazing subject matter and the photographs clearly show that.
They are coming home in one week and we are thrilled to have them home soon. Of course, they are leaving on a sad note – the earthquake in New Zealand has been hard to comprehend. They are terribly saddened by the devastation caused by the earthquake. Though they are safe, it is difficult to see such a beautiful area torn up and so many families torn apart by the natural disaster. It is an odd coincidence that the last 4 countries they visited have had earthquakes while my folks have been there. I feel like I should put out a travel alert whenever they leave U.S. soil since so far, it’s a 100% correlation with that country having an earthquake!
I hope you enjoyed some of the photos that they’ve had in their 3 months in New Zealand. They whole-heartedly endorse the country as a fantastic place to live and a must-visit spot for your Bucket List. =)
pssst: There’s a new SoapQueen.TV tomorrow! I’m posting it to the blog in the afternoon so check back tomorrow to see the soapy fun.
Isn’t that the truth? I am expecting and hoping that they will be VERY active grandparents. They are such amazing parents that I want my little one to be highly influenced by them. =)
My parents are quite adventurous – and I wholly admire them. My Dad had to
find a doctor to run his practice and his clinic while he was gone AND my
mom had to get them all packed and ready to go and deal with all the bill
paying etc… from afar. They’re both amazing people – and all of this
travel keeps them young =)
I visited them there when they were there 10 years ago and it was really beautiful and the people were so warm and friendly. Plus, I took great delight in the fact that there were more sheep in the country than people. =)
Thank goodness; I miss them here and I really want to have them close by the closer this little one gets to delivering. =)
New Zealand is on my “to do” list! Your father is a handy photographer and I think it’s incredible that both your parents have the opportunity to travel so much. They have to get to out of their systems before Baby Faiola arrive! xoxo
This is so great. I mean I don’t think I would be able to pack my bags and move across the world for three months. Although I would consider it a prolonged vacation, but still I think it’s difficult. So I appreciate your parents’ courage. Well, not to mention that I love the photos, especially the 4 ones you put in a group. Great experience. Thanks for sharing.
What great photos! And yay they’re coming back Monday!
The photos are beautiful and I’d love to be there. I’ve never been but it’s a place I hope to visit one day.
They have done a lot of overseas work in different areas. My favorite was when they went to Barbuda, a small island off the coast of Antigua, for a few months. It was incredibly rural and absolutely filled with beauty and natural wonders not seen anywhere else in the world (and more mosquitoes than most places in the word too!). We did a lot of 3rd world traveling when I was younger – me and my Dad primarily – building churches and schools. It was a fantastic life experience.
The scenery is so amazing there that I suspect it’s difficult to take a bad picture but my Dad’s patience does help with that – he is an extremely patient photographer.
LOL re: PNW! Since they’ve been here most of their lives, I suspect the curse is worn off. But Mt. Saint Helens did erupt their 2nd or 3rd weekend here when they moved here when I was younger …
The NZ quake is so sad. I can’t imagine the sadness in the country right now – my heart goes out to them.
My dad did say that the parrot showed up on their car and was INCREDIBLY aggressive – so aggressive that they fed him all the food in the car. =)
A Buzzy Bee? Got it! Awesome! I will totally ask them for that. I have not heard of it but now, our little Bramble Bump definitely needs one. I mean, if Prince William had one … =)
They’re coming home Monday and I can hardly wait. I’ve been keeping in touch with pictures and Skype but it’s just not the same. I can’t wait to have them home.
I visited them there 10 years ago on their last stint and it was AMAZING – so beautiful and the people were incredibly friendly.
Exactly what I was thinking re: them visiting and the country and earthquakes. Of course, for the people there, it’s no laughing matter but I do find the coincidence amusing. My Dad’s photos are amazing – which is funny – because his camera really isn’t that great and he’s never taken classes or anything.
So glad they are safe! I am glad that you are “letting” your folks go….temporarily. Because I know you like to travel too and will not want to hear their protests about you taking your grandson out into 3rd world and dangerous tumultous nations.
It is in a family’s bloodline who travels and who is adventurous.
Both of my parents were world travelers, their parents were world travelers, I am a world traveler, and my 13 year old daughter just informed me two days ago that she wants to go back to Thailand.
Alas….it is quite difficult and stressful to travel when self employed, but SO worth the memories. And with all the technologies today, it’s not as hard as it used to be either.
Your dad looks ECSTATIC, by the way! I am SO glad he got to use his giftings to help others less fortunate……you’ll probably see photos from Africa next…heehee. Some lost tribe with no water digging wells and treating little babies with waterborne illnesses and swollen little bellies…
Hugs!
Great photos, kudos to your Dad. New Zealand was one of my very favorite places, too. The life style is (at least was when I visited in the mid 80’s) slower and reminded me of growing up in a small US town in the 50’s. There is lots of varied scenery in that relatively small country. The earthquake damage is tragic. Do we need to worry when your folks return to the PNW???
You’re parents look so happy! And yep…your Dad takes gooood pics! I love the parrots and the waters. Really pretty.
Thank the Lord they’re safe. The NZ earthquake is truly horrific isn’t it?
Can’t wait for the next soap queen tv!
xx
Fantastic pics! New Zealand is my home country (live in USA now) so seeing these gave me a wee jolt of happy and a wee bit of homesick!. The first bird pic gave me a giggle – thats a Kea, they’re alpine parrots and SUPER destructive – they’ll strip all the weatherstripping/rubber from your car and adore shiny things – major theives!. If you look up Kea’s on youtube you’ll see how intelligent they are and how they’ll work as a team to get to things they want. Really fascinating!.
My hearts breaking this week for the people of Christchurch NZ. It’s pretty devastating the destruction there.
Gorgeous country, so pleased your parents have gotten to experience a good long vacation there. Tell them to go into a toyshop and buy you a “Buzzy Bee” for the upcoming Bramblebaby – it’s the classic NZ baby toy – even Prince William had one!.
We were on vacation in a remote area of MN so I missed the news about the earthquake (just reading it now on your blog). I’m happy to read your parents are ok. The pictures of their vacation are fantastic. Such a beautiful spot!
I am sure they will be happy to come home with the impending arrival of their grandchild. Tick tock tick tock, counting down the minutes. Not too much longer now. Very exciting!!
I love New Zealand! It is absolutely beautiful. How exciting that they get to do travel like that!
Wow, ever since I was little, growing up in the boonies of northern Missouri, I’ve wanted to visit New Zealand. Your Dad did take some beautiful photos of that beautiful country! I know I’ll never get to visit it, but I do love seeing photos of it!! Just wanted to say thanks for sharing them.
As sad as the earthquakes are, it is kinda funny that the last four places your parents visited had earthquakes while they were there. That would start making me wonder if maybe the country should be warned! *giggle*
Deb