Return to Index       Well Hong Kong after a fraught escape from the snow, was not as changed as

                                            expected.

                                            The new airport, once an island for refugee boat people, was very swish & the

                                            numerous bridges were elegant.

                                            Try the BP International Hotel, if you are going to HK - at SCOUTING rates!

                                              Foyer - BP International Hotel                               "Grasshoppers" 6 - 8s in H.K. Scouting                                                    

                                        Apologies, especially to those Beaver Leaders who were looking forward to reading about Mervyn the beaver's

                                        escapades on tour. Unfortunately, we tried to get an entry visa for him, but not being a native animal (NZ is

                                        very strict about this) permission was refused! Mind you, that could just be my excuse for forgetting him in the

                                        anxiety of having to leave early in the snow, carrying our own suitcases, until we reached a point where the car

                                        to Heathrow could pick us up!! I just hope he's not causing havoc at home.

                                        All is not lost however, Mervyn has a stand-in (And he is hoping to get in to the UK with us - I hope he's not

                                        turned back as an illegal immigrant, he just wants a visitor's visa!) His name is Kevin & he is a KEA, no, not a

                                        Kiwi & that is what young NZ Scouts are called. Here is his passport photo

Yet more apologies - "Kev" has been quite tired out - trekking up to both the Fox and Franz Joseph glaciers,

trudging the length of Farewell Spit and all that after checking out the Punakaiki Rocks and all the Fur Seals.

then it was off to Picton for a scenic journey by ferry to Wellington.

He thought he might be seasick, but it was a calm journey, but he reckons that he needs time to rest after all the excitement!

"Kev" on the Ferry - but he needed his wing held!

Kev below, in his element - in the Rain Forest.

                          Can you find him watching the waterfall?             Kev sitting on a Weta nursery - Wetas are insects only found in NZ

I really enjoyed the rain forest, after all I usually live in one near the fiords in South Island. This was nearly as good, but the road went

up and down and round so many bends, I began to feel quite dizzy - just as well the car is a bit of a rent-a-dent, it is really dirty!

Kev at East Cape - the 1st. mainland point where the sun rises, in the world!

Can you see the lighthouse just above his head?

                        Kev sunbathing!                                  Kev checking that Captain Cook got his readings correct!!

Cooks Bay

Waihi Beach - Kev Surfboarding

March & our departure is getting closer - Kev apologises for non-appearance, but he's met a friend & is out in Auckland enjoying himself!

Kev won't come anywhere near the beach at the moment - we did keep away on Sunday because of the tsunami warning - but he's still worried!

Kev introducing "Dizzy," his new friend (And a giant Kiwi!)

Why Dizzy, well if you look at him closely, you will see - but just wait until you hear him!

Kev looking in awe at "Tane Mahuta," a 2,000 year old Kauri Pine tree -

Dizzy didn't appear because he's a Night Bird!

Dizzy looking forward to his midnight flight (Kev was tucked up and fast asleep)

Birds on strike - both refused to go out to see Shanghai, claiming that it was too cold after Auckland!

Well, we can't blame them, it was snowing!!

Well, we got them to the airport - both were fit and healthy, so passed their health checks, so we were on our way home!

BUT Dizzy complained like mad - it was a 13 hour daylight flight leaving at 11.30 am & when we got back into Heathrow,

it was still afternoon AND the sun was shining (Kev had been prepared for the worst!!)

However - both are exhausted, despite the relief of getting their visitor visas,

So, please be quiet!