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| Mom and I at Tunnel Beach |
This journal entry will have to suffice for two week's worth. My mom leaves today, and I've been focused on her for the past two weeks.
Mom's visit has been book-ended by days in Dunedin, and in the middle of her stay, we took a five day trip south to the Catlins and then further along the Southern Scenic Route to western Southland.
The Dunedin days were filled with what have become typical outings for us: beach trips to Brighton and St. Clair, walks to Allans Beach, Victory Beach and Sandfly Bay, and various explorations of this beautiful city.
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| Allans Beach in the rain. |
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| Brighton Beach. |
The trip south through the Catlins was magic. The Catlins is off the beaten path and contains some of NZ's most pristine coastline: amazing beaches and bays, and rugged points. We had an amazing night of Yellow-eyed Penguin viewing at Curio Bay, saw dolphins at Porpoise Bay, and had incredible hikes to Nugget Point and the Cathedral Caves. Other beaches we visited, and surfed at, were Kaka Point, Tautuku Bay, Porpoise Bay, and Colac Bay. I hope to go back to the Catlins before our time here is over.
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| Mom at Nugget Point |
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| Jen and Ellie at Nugget Point. |
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| Ellie and yellow-eyed penguin |
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| Mom, Ellie and I, Cathedral Caves. |
Moms are dependable. Of all our family, it's only the moms who are coming through with visits. And for my mom travelling isn't a passion, so it's largely about seeing us and our lives here. I've been surprised at how important it feels to have Mom here to witness our lives. It somehow validates the experience. Many things have been said about family. I've learned, with Mom's NZ visit, that your family are those to whom you want, and perhaps need, to show your life (Look here, see what I've done!), and none more so than Mom. Only family knows how far you've come.
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| At Sandfly Bay with sea lions. |
So thanks Mom for making the effort to get down here. We had a great time with you and are sad to see you go.
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