Christchurch – The Recovery

Our last few days in “Raro” were filled with unforgettable experiences. Appropriately enough we were staying at “Mac’s Shack” (my wife’s nickname is Linda Mac). Our two bedroom bungalow was within 50 yards from one of the finest snorkeling and swimming lagoons, perhaps in the world. We tasted both the local food and entertainment at an island night hosted by one of the area resorts. The billfish (swordfish) and New Zealand green mussels were outstanding. The wardrobe, drums, and dancing of the local entertainers was remarkable. And yes – there was some fishing as I was introduced to the beautiful blue trevally, while casting from the surf at the edge of the lagoon. I can report landing one of these behemoths which I’d estimate to be around 15 lbs, while losing two others which (of course) were far bigger as they broke off after several minutes of fighting. These extraordinary hunters could be seen in the crystal clear Pacific Ocean cruising in and out of the surf while hunting its prey.

After taking the all-night flight from Rarotonga, we crossed the International Date Line arriving early morning in Christchurch. We were greeted by our new friend Tony Daveys at the airport. As we moved down the escalator to claim our bags, there was Tony smiling and holding a sign labeled “Gallagher Family”. His small gesture put all of us at ease as we entered the wonderful land of New Zealand. We stayed the next four days with Tony, Helen, and their twin boys Thomas and Lochland, in a cottage adjacent to their home situated on a small farm in the outskirts of Christchurch. Tony rents SUVs with specialized equipment complete with camping gear for individuals looking to begin an outdoor adventure. He also leads backcountry 4wd expeditions.

Tony and Helen are great people. We did our best helping contribute to the household chores while staying with this busy kiwi household. Maddy cared for the animals by feeding dogs, cats, sheep, ducks, chickens, while collecting eggs. Linda was a rockstar in the vegetable garden weeding and digging potatoes, while I repaired a screen door. We loved our stay and feel indebted to Tony and Helen for their generosity and hospitality. I’m hopeful to have the pleasure of fishing with Tony at some point in the future, whether it here in NZ, Montana, the Baja, or even Alaska!
We took care of some important busy while in Christchurch by opening a bank account and buying a car. The NZ car market seems to be flooded with late model Japanese vehicles. After sorting through the “Trade Me” (Ebay/Craigslist of NZ) ads and test driving a couple of vehicles, we settled on a 96 Subaru Legacy with an odometer reading of 120k. I negotiated a pair of new tires and we walked away with what we hope to be a solid vehicle for $3k NZ.

Our last afternoon, we toured the Christchurch central city. This area was recently the epicenter of several large earthquakes. The damage, death, and destruction were severe to New Zealand’s second largest city. Some areas looked like a war zone as large skyscrapers were gyrated at their foundations. The construction is ongoing as buildings today are being demolished and replaced. One area of the central city is self-labeled “Container City” as it has built a downtown of retail stores, restaurants, banks, and business out of railway storage containers. This trending area is now a tourist attraction telling the tale of this catastrophic event. A town square/marketplace provides a venue for local events and entertainers.

Mrs. Reeves Fifth-Grade Class at Missoula’s Lewis & Clark Elementary School was treated to a first-hand account of the earthquake from Tony (thank you Skype). He described what it was like to be at the epicenter of an earthquake and how it impacted his family. Maddy provided a slide show consisting of a fact sheet and photos from our tour. She also had a few minutes to reconnect with her old friends in Missoula!

Welcome to the Cook Islands

We arrived safely in Rarotonga early Monday morning. Rarotonga is one of the 15 Cook Islands in the South Pacific. Although they are closely affiliated with New Zealand, they are in a number of fashions their own independent country. Torrential rains greeted us on Tuesday and Wednesday. They were tough days for all as we were cabin-bound at Mac’s Shack. Thursday the sunshine returned and we had a great day of snorkeling followed by an evening at the local theater to watch the animated American film “Rise of The Guardians” and eat real vanilla “ice cream”.

Kia Orana "may you live long"

 

2013 The Start of Our Great Adventure

This morning we left the comforting settings of our home, our friends, and the single degree Fahrenheit temperatures of a snowy Missoula winter to begin our great adventure to the Southern Hemisphere. With the Christmas Season, Maddy's Birthday, and the New Year, our last three weeks have consisted of a flurry of winter activities and celebrations. Particularly memorable was a weekend stay at a forest service cabin with my good friend Joe. Logan and Maddy each brought a friend. Our group of two Dads and four fifth graders spent the night at the foot of the Continental Divide in the Bitterroot drainage on the fringe of the Pintlar Wilderness Area. The warmth of a pot-belly wood stove, board games, and popcorn brought smiles and laughter to this raucous group. The next morning we were treated with a sunny day of skiing at Lost Trail Pass. This past Friday we were treated a farewell celebration at a local pub. How fortunate we are to have so many wonderful friends. What a charmed life we lead in these Rocky Mountains of North America.

The mood today is quite different. I see apprehension in the faces of my girls as they look ahead to what life will bestow upon them. The act of packing all of our life belongings for the next six months into 4 large duffel bags was a task of herculean proportions. What will the future hold for the three of us?

I've posted a photo taken during winter solstice from the back deck of our home. Snow Bowl Ski and the rugged peaks of the Rattlesnake Wilderness are common landmarks to us Missoulians. These are memories to take with us.

Peace and Good Health to all in 2013.