Post New Zealand Blues, Remedy #1

There is a winter storm warning on today, and Emmett and his mom are trapped inside as the snow falls. This does not help Emmett's post New Zealand blues. In an effort to pull themselves out of it, Emmett and his mom played a new game...for several hours.

Post New Zealand Blues

Emmett's dad had to return to work today after a month off. Leaving for work was pretty tough, especially after having a great adventure and getting to spend so much time together.

Last night, Emmett offered to accompany his dad to work, to make the transition a little easier, but this morning, he was still asleep at 8:00am when dad had to leave. (Jet lag can be brutal).

When he did finally get up, it was obvious that Emmett is going through some withdrawal too...he woke up babbling "da da da da da da da".

Kiwi fate temptation

Material to add to Emmett's list of death-defying feats in New Zealand:

Driving the craziest road yet, Queen Charlotte Drive coming into the Picton ferry terminal. The only photo that does it justice is the map. And the map doesn't lie. High five, still alive.

The closest he's come to scaling a cliff -- getting pushed up a particularly steep path to the Dominion Observatory in Wellington.

Shortly thereafter, lollygagging around the muzzle of the Krupp Gun. Knowing the potential wrath of Gramma, this is likely a riskier activity for Emmett's dad. It's okay, Gramma, he's wearing protective eye wear.

And the riskiest activity yet, introducing Emmett to New Zealand's national sport. Here he is with his mom in his first-ever scrum on the rugby pitch at Hari Hari. Perhaps Grandpa can teach Emmett the safe way to play rugby. If that exists.

Ban 1080

On New Zealand's South Island, the government's use of a pesticide known as 1080 is contentious. Like, really contentious. Seeking to contribute to a less controversial solution, Emmett's mom tried desperately to nail a possum or two with the car on the drive back to Nelson from Takaka last night. Alas, she was not successful.

Incidentally, Emmett discovered that prior to the implementation of 1080, the NZ Department of Conservation used a deterrent known as 'Farex'.

While ineffective against possums, it has an undeniable negative effect on Emmettilius stranmccannii.



Hoping the dust in the northern hemisphere settles in the next week or so, StranMcCann catches the interisland ferry from Picton to Wellington on Saturday morning.

White knuckle-pa-looza

After driving the road to Arthur's Pass, Milford Road, and the road across Cardrona Summit (and everything in between), Emmett's parents are in agreement: the folks in the New Zealand highway design department either have a great sense of humour, or they're completely insane. Either way, driving in New Zealand is a treat.

Fiddling with the radio or a cup of flat white doesn't help. Rabbits and possums who aren't afraid of cars are further obstacles to safe driving. What does help? Both hands firmly gripping the wheel at all times, a Toyota Corolla with a 6-speed manual transmission, and arrows reminding tourists like us that yes, you're still correct driving on the left side of the road.

Leaving Wanaka today for the west coast and Fox Glacier. Oh yeah, and Emmett's tiger-in-the-grass routine is good to go. Take a peek.