MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM NEW ZEALAND!!

HO HO HO!

YES, AND A VERY DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS IT IS!!

The days are a balmy and in the 70's and the flowers are profuse and as beautiful as can be. No hint of snow and we chuckle at the words of many carols! They simply do not apply here!

Our little 3 foot Christmas tree pictured above sits in the warm sunshine and we took this picture of us at the Hamilton Gardens. At least the colors seemed Christmasy!

 For Elder Brown's Christmas present, we went flying! Without a license in NZ we needed to take an instructor, so I sat in the back taking as many pictures of Orewa Bay as I could...the plexiglass made for some fogging, but it was a beautiful day nonetheless!

 There are probably more sailboats here than cars...and that is saying a lot as the motorway is always congested! Sailing is the national sport!

 The Bougainvillea above and the Bottle Brush tree below bloom in December. Nature is doing it's best to shout Merry Christmas!!

We were able to make a trip down to the temple and thought the contrast to the Lights on Temple Square with all the flowers in bloom here was stunning. Although next week the Hamilton Temple will have their lights on and we hope to get down in the evening to see them!

 After our session at the temple we went over to the Hamilton Gardens, where there are many acres of beautiful themed gardens and also open parkland. This is the Italian Garden below.

 Well kept and interesting Gardens...too many to add pictures here....you will have to come and see them yourself!

 The Indian Garden was also lovely and the flowers were so colorful.

 These guys looked a bit too serious. Whether Egyptian guards or gods, they needed a little lightening up!

 These frightening fellows line the perimeter of the Maori Gardens. Very austere and severe in their artwork, but warm and friendly people!

Thought you might enjoy seeing this cruise ship pull out of our harbor. Certainly does dwarf the skyline...we see cruise ships here in the port about three times a week in the summer! Happy New Year!