Romans Ramble

 Zane is still in recovery mode today but generated enough strength to go on the Driving Creek Railway for a few hours. It's only a 5min drive from Shelly Beach where we are staying. So around 10 am we headed out as our tickets were for the 10:30 train.  Zane struggling for a smile. The Driving Creek Railway   ( map ) is a narrow gauge track two car train that zigzags its way up the hillside through a series of bridges, tunnels, switchbacks and stunning views of the countryside. All of what you see was designed and mostly built by Barry Bickell, who apparently was one of New Zealand's foremost potters. Judging by what I've seen and heard on his grounds he was much much more. The "train station" also includes a full classroom full of potters wheels dedicated to teaching the art. Across from that it appears he built all the necessary machinery to pulverize rock minerals to mix with clay from which he made ceramic by firing it in his homemade kilns. Past that is a wo...

It seems today we woke without much jet lag or even any significant effects from the vaccinations, but my arm is a little sore. Again, Zane immediately wanted to jump on the giant pillow outside but it wasn't inflated until 9am. Probably best because he can't stop laughing when he's on it.  Today we spent a few hours at Waterworks Park  ( map ) and did two small hikes, one to a waterfall another to see giant Kauri trees. All of these are on the same road and only a few minutes drive from each other. Before Waterworks we stopped at Waiau Falls and hiked around the falls and down the creek a little. Then Zane lead a bushwhacking party right through the jungle back to the main trail. That boy has got a sense of adventure and direction, way to go big Z that was fun. The hike to the waterfall from the road was less than 5min but that part didn't require any bushwhacking, it's a well kept path.  Waterworks Park was a lot of fun for all of us. There were signboards ...

I went to Scripps travel doctor 9 months before our trip to consult about travel vaccines. The travel clinic fee schedule recommend in USD:  Japanese encephalitis vaccine, which is a two-shot series: $602 * 2 * 3  = $3,612 The rabies vaccine which is a two-shot series: $735 * 2 * 3 = $4,410 The typhoid vaccine: $149 * 3 = $447  The cholera vaccine:$473 * 3 = $1419 Total: $9,888 In New Zealand in New Zealand dollars out  Japanese encephalitis is a one shot series of 450 * 3 = $1,350 Rabies is a 2 series dose at 195 * 2 * 3 = $1,170 Typhoid is $100 * 3 = $300 Total: $2,820 = $1,661 Why is USA healthcare so expensive! It's not subsidized here!  It was easy to make the appointment here as everybody emails a response within 24 hours and it's easy to find everybody's email address.  Also, another interesting thing, they don't use a alcohol wipe before administering a vaccine for the last 10 years here.  I ran this by my nurse friend in the United States and ...

 Hello to all who read this! Nicole, Zane and I have begun another great Roman family adventure, this time it's kind of a big deal for us. The plan over the next 6-7 months is to visit New Zealand (both north and south islands), Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Japan. Thanks to Nicole's hard work planning over the past year we have most everything already booked. Great work Nicole, I love you! We are also very thankful for the recommendations given by family and friends. Also, sorry to all the random people we accosted once we overheard them talking about a place on our list. I'm attempting to document our trip for our future selves and for others looking for ideas or tips as we find them. Please bear with me concerning the level of detail, I'm an engineer.  If something is lacking please comment and I will try to elaborate. Here we are just before ditching our bags at the Delta counter at LAX. We rented a car and drove up from San Diego. Fligh...