The pictures say it all.

So we've been here at Pohara Beach for a few days now and it is Christmas Day today. We're a day ahead of you all. We wish you the best holiday and thank you for your e-mails, my space messages and comments here. They really make our trip that much more enjoyable. We miss you and love you!! Thank you for all you have done for us to help make this journey happen.

Luckily the sun decided to come out to let us dry out, again, today. At least for a bit. We actually haven't been up to a whole lot since Chris last wrote his very animated post. We did go to some local springs, but you're not allowed to swim in them anymore because of some evasive algae that is growing in the lake nearby. We thought we were going for a hike for a couple of hours and a swim, but it ended up just being a 20 minute stroll around the spring. Very pretty and I really wish we could have gone in but no. So we stopped at a winery on the way back and ended up buying a bottle of Chardonnay, which doesn't quite taste like the kind we're used to but is good with lunch on the beach. Or should I say was good.

Yesterday we spent the whole day in the tent. We got a bit stir crazy after hour 8 in our 7x7 cell...or how it began to feel after all that time. Luckily we had purchased a blue tarp the day before...and now I can call it our trusty blue tarp. Since our cheap tent doesn't have a real rain fly we we're soaked last downfall. This time we were fairly dry. No puddles inside, just heavy condensation from ourselves and I think some of the moisture coming from the ground. We read alot, talked, sang along with our i-pods....Jimmy Buffet is so uplifting!! ( I think that should have been a secret, whoops) and played cards. The highlight was getting out to make dinner. Whoo hoo!! Oh well.

So being in this area makes me feel like a little kid because of all the names of places. Say them outloud. Lake Takaka....Te Waikoropupu Springs....Wairupipi....and giggle like a school child. I love it!!

So we'll be headed South tomorrow and unfortunately I think there will be more rain in our future. I think we'll have more beach and dry time in Australia. Until later!!