Do Not Pass Otago (1/2/2006)

Hi Everyone:

All wasn't quiet on New Year's Day. Or Eve, for that matter. In perhaps the sauciest of Commonwealth celebrations, Chuck and I rang out 2005 with the Commonwealth's most esteemed sporting pastime, one which would likely cause wars were its participants all not subjects of Her Esteemed Majesty.

Black Caps vs. Sri Lanka. You got it: cricket.

And we understood everything. Here we were, two Yanks (yes, we suck) that get cricket. Never thought I'd be able to say that.

The 7-hour affair, a shortie even for one-day standards (most test matches stretch over 2-3 days), was thoroughly engaging. Even as the sun scorched us, the Caps and Ceylonites bowled, batted, ran, stood idly, screamed to umpires, and took the requisite tea break. And there we sat, enraptured. Cherrio, blokes.

Queenstown is NZ's party depot, a tiny town that goes positively bonkers for any occasion (I presume even Guy Fawkes Day). Since NZ is the first country to greet the new year (meaning, technically, my 2006 will be longer than yours), the Kiwis have a particular affection for the holiday. And so, on the beaches of Lake Wakatipu, with fireworks so close that ash fell on our shoulders, we rang in 2K6 Kiwi-style, slept, and THEN watched all the subsequent celebrations in Europe, Australia, and North America. Been there, done that, old news.

Before Queenstown, we explored the southwestern South Island thoroughly, and area whose luscious greenery is protected by UN dollars (meaning, technically, you're paying for it.) We took a morning cruise in the pristine Milford Sound; peered into kettle lakes that reflected mountains towering above them; pausted to stare at long, white carpets sweeping down glacial valleys; chilled with sea lions in forgotten coves; witnessed parts of a manhunt for asylum-seekers; and chatted nights away with numerous Kiwis and other worldly folk.

So today, it's back to the Southern Alps, skirting the mountains until the plains of Canterbury and Christchurch, our last hurrah in NZ. As always, the road goes ever on and on.

Matt