Christmas in New Zealand - Queenstown (cont.)

Now that we had been in New Zealand for over one week, we realized we needed to do something to offset the cost of this trip so we headed to Arrowtown which is a small town about 30 minutes away from Queenstown. Arrowtown is on the banks of the Arrow River and is the sight of the New Zealand gold rush which began in 1862. It is a quaint little town that has been very well preserved. Since we knew little about panning for gold we thought we would ask a local...

unfortunately he was not much help. So instead we decided to go to the local museum to learn more about the history of the town and the gold rush. It was a really nice museum in the middle of town and Anna especially liked learning how to use an old telephone operator station.

After visiting the museum we grabbed our shovels and pans and it was off to the river. Here is a picture of Darrell and Anna working hard - while Megan appears to think she can find gold just by looking in the stream. Or maybe the problem is Dad was too cheap to rent three pans:-)
Anna working hard to try and find some gold...

Darrell thinks he has found something, but it turns out to be a shiny rock.

Anna decides to try her luck in the bigger river over the rocks in the background.

After a couple hours of panning all we had to show for our efforts was wet feet. That's OK, though, because it was another beautiful day in New Zealand.

Christmas in New Zealand - Queenstown

The next leg or our journey took us from Te Anau to Queenstown, or should I say back to Queenstown as we had driven through the town earlier in the trip. Queestown sits in the middle of the Remarkables mountain range on the shores of lake Wakatipu. It claim to be the adventure sports capital of the world which includes bungee jumping, para-gliding, jet boating, white water rafting, etc. The Spitzer's enjoyed watching all of these activities but were a little more sedentary in our pursuits.


We stayed at a nice condominium right on Lake Wakatipu...below are a few photos of the view from our balcony
The first day we took the gondola to the top of Bob's peak where we went on a couple of luge rides and took in the breathtaking scenery. The pictures below show the view from the gondola (note the cable included in the picture) and the top of Bob's Peak


The best part about riding the luge is the cool helmets...note at this point Darrell was taking the pictures so there was no proof of him wearing one of these stunning pieces of headgear

Day two in Queenstown was planned as one of the highlights of the trip - a four hour horsetrek through the mountains. While Jo Ann and the girls spend many waking hours on horseback each week, Darrell spends time working to pay for all of the horseback riding. This, however, was going to be the girls first time to see their father on a horse. I think they actually doubted I could ride, but I proved them wrong as I walked, trotted and even cantered my horse up and down mountains and through a mountain stream. It was just the four of us and a young guide - who was born and raised in Finland - and we had a great time. The girls loved the freedom to do what they wanted on a horse in the wide open spaces instead of riding around an arena. Darrell even got high marks from the guide, despite having very little experience. Maybe I have learned something from watching them ride the past three years.

Megan and Anna ready to ride. Again with the headgear...not too flattering but better than what was worn on the luge, although these did include the requirement of wearing a hairnet underneath. I thought we were supposed to get cowboy hats?

Pictures of the mountains and valley that we rode through during the trek.

Lunch at the halfway point included authentic cowboy food such as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, sunmaid raisins and granola bars. Also notice the "canteen" Anna is drinking from.

One last picture from the ride with the whole family. It was truly a wonderful day with perfect weather, beautiful scenery and a chance to get away from it all.

Christmas in New Zealand - Te Anau

On December 22nd we left Lake Tekapo for Te Anau, where we would spend Christmas. As with last year in Australia, Christmas in this hemisphere still seems strange for a bunch of Midwesterners used to cold and snow in December. It is also hard to do the whole "gift opening around the tree" on Christmas morning when there is no tree. We did put up a tree at our house in Singapore and opened gifts the day before we left. The girls both received Ipod Touches which were put to good use on the long plane and car rides during our trip. Anna also had to spend her birthday - Decemeber 19th - packing and flying to New Zealand. At least she got a "birthday cake" on the Singapore Airlines flight as evidenced above.


Te Anau is towards the southwest corner of New Zealand and is considered the gateway to the Fiordlands. We spent five nights here which included an all day bus, boat, bus, boat, bus, boat and bus trip to Doubtful Sound. The scenery was spectacular, although it was rainy and overcast most of the trip - which is typical for the Fiordlands. While on the boat in the actual fjord we saw dolphins and a sea lion colony along with numerous waterfalls. It was a long day, but well worth it.


Looking back across lake Manapouri after finishing our first boat ride on the way to Doubtful Sound.





Our first view of Doubtful Sound.

Jo Ann and me with Doubtful Sound in the background. Notice the multiple layers of clothing as summer in the fiordlands does not usually include shorts and swimsuits. After the heat and humidity of Singapore we loved every minute of it.

A view of Doubtful Sound from the boat cruise.

While in Te Anau we also took a trip to the glow worm caves which included another boat ride across a lake. While the cave was quite small, you ultimately end up in a tiny boat in the center of a pool in the cave in total darkness so you can see the glow worms on the ceiling. They look like stars in the night sky. Christmas Day was spent cooking a very good Christmas Day meal - mainly thanks to Jo Ann and Megan - with the relatively few kitchen supplies at our disposal and spending time together as a family. The remaining day in Te Anau was spent taking a minor hike, exploring the town and I took my first run since the marathon back in early December.

Christmas in New Zealand - Lake Tekapo

One of the benefits of living in Singapore is the opportunity to visit places that are extremely far away from the U.S. New Zealand definitely qualifies - as it was even a nine hour flight from Singapore!! We landed in Christchurch on December 20th and headed to Lake Tekapo for the first stop on our trip around the South Island. As with our trip to Australia last year, one of our priorities was to get away from the hustle and bustle of life in a big city. The South Island of New Zealand has just over one million residents which equates to a population density of about 19 people per square mile – which is a welcome relief from Singpore where the population density is 18,214 per square mile.

We spent two days in Lake Tekapo at a beautiful Chalet at the edge of the lake. The lake is surrounded by mountains – as are most lakes on the South Island – and glacier fed which made it an amazing turquoise blue color. The kids enjoyed skipping rocks in the lake and playing a round of miniature golf while everyone had a good time hiking around the top of Mt. John and taking in the beautiful scenery.

The view from the porch of our Chalet at Lake Tekapo. We ate breakfast each morning outside - what beautiful scenery to wake up to each morning.

Jo Ann, Megan and Anna at the top of Mt. John.

Darrell, Megan and Anna at the top of Mt. John. While you will notice we all had hiking boots on, we must admit we drove to the top and just hiked around.

The four of us in a field of flowers at the base of Mt. John.

Boating in Singapore

One of the fun things we have been able to do in Singapore, thanks to some friends we have met since we have been here, is to go boating in and around Singapore. As some of you may remember, we had a couple different boats while living in Peoria and always enjoyed going skiing on the weekend. While we do not ski here, we do go to a small island off the coast where they have a nice beach - much better than any on the actual island of Singapore - and spend time swimming and hanging out.

The last time we went we took our Golden Retriever Chance as well. He has only been swimming about 3 times in his life and only in pools. While we had to coax him into the water with a ball he seemed to enjoy it after getting used to it.

Despite living on a tropical island, this is the only time we ever go in the water here in Singapore.

Am I Crazy? - Running a marathon in Singapore.

After almost one and one half years I have finally decided to add to this blog, if only to discuss my own personal accomplishments. As anyone reading this probably knows, I set my sights on running the Singapore Marathon back in early 2009. (I figured the more people I told the harder it would be to change my mind.) Despite looking in shape due to my continued inability to gain any weight no matter what I eat, I had not exercised regularly in over 15 years and not run a competitive race since a 10K back 1991 while in graduate school. But at the ripe old age of 42 – that put me in the veteran category – I decided to attempt my first marathon.

So back in around February of this year I hit the treadmill for my first run. I think I did about 2.5 miles and did not feel too bad. After a few weeks of running on a treadmill I decided it was time to attempt an outdoor run and so I headed to the track at the kids’ school. I learned very quickly that running in 85 – 90 degree temperatures with 80% humidity is a lot different than running in the AC at the American Club. Move ahead about 10 months, 500 miles, one pair of shoes, some dodged rats and snakes (including what I am pretty sure was a cobra) and a lot of sweat and I was ready to attempt the marathon.

Race day comes early in Singapore to try and beat the heat for at least a few hours. So I was up at 3:30am to get downtown around 4:30am for the scheduled 5:30am start. About 15,000 people start the full marathon with another 35,000 running the half marathon and 10K race – although I use the term run loosely, but more on that later. When the gun sounded the Kenyan’s took off like lightning and were over a mile into the race before I even reached the starting line 6 minutes and 21 seconds later. Having never run with 15,000 other people before, I spent the first 6 miles concentrating on trying not to run over people or get run over while we ran through the streets of downtown Singapore. By mile six, the pack had spread out and I was on my way out of downtown to the East Coast Park where I had done most of my long training runs. I felt really good for the first 20 miles and was under my goal of 10 minutes per mile. Things got a little harder after that as the temperature continued to rise and then at about mile 23 the full marathon runners merged with the other two races that had started at 6:45am and 8:00am. I had heard about this from others who had run the race but did not anticipate a sea of “runners” all walking to the finish – and since a 10K is only 6.2 miles these people could not even run half the race!! So while I am struggling to just put one foot in front of the other, now I have to concentrate on dodging a mass of Singaporean “runners” our for a Sunday stroll. Needless to say I was a little frustrated and ended up walking for about 100 metres three different times as I struggled to find a path through the crowd. Jo Ann was at the finish and snapped the attached pictures which provided me that extra boost to make it to the end.

When it was all said and done I am glad that I did it and think I might attempt one more in a more normal marathon climate – 45 to 50 degrees is ideal – just to see how much easier it is. I will admit that walking was a painful experience the two days following the race, but by day three I felt fine.

Now for the facts:

Net time: 4 hours 31 minutes and 24 seconds
Finish Position: 1,500 out of 14,255
Finish Position among men: 1,318 out of 12,085
Pace: 10 minutes and 21 seconds per mile
Race day temp: Between 80 and 86 with 80% humidity

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Aboard the USS George Washington

On Tuesday, Darrell, Megan, and Anna had the rare opportunity to tour the USS George Washington aircraft carrier while it was docked in Singapore. (Unfortunately, the tour was limited to 2 or 3 persons per family, so I didn't make the cut.)


The GW is the navy's only permanently forward deployed aircraft carrier. The ship is currently deployed in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans. Here is the navy's official statement regarding it's duties in this part of the world:

"The security environment in the Western Pacific region requires the United States to station the most capable ships forward for deterrence and the best possible response times for maritime and joint force operations. The forward deployment of GW ensures the ability of Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, to fulfill the U.S. Government's commitment to the defense of Japan, and the maintenance of international peace and security in the Far East in support of mutual cooperation and security. This posture also brings our most capable ships with the greatest amount of striking power and operational capability in the timeliest manner."

Here are some amazing facts about the ship:

Commissioned: July 4, 1992

Propulsion: Two nuclear reactors that permit the ship to steam for almost 18 years before refueling.

Speed: More than 30 knots

Length of Flight Deck: 1,092 feet

Width of Flight Deck: 275 feet

Height (keel to mast): 244 feet

Flight Deck Area: 4.5 acres

Combat Load Displacement: 97,000 tons

Number of aircraft with embarked Airwing: About 75

Aircraft Elevators: Four, each 3,880 square feet

Number of Catapults: Four

Number of Propellers: Four, each 22 ft. in diameter, brass, five-bladed and weighing 66,200 pounds each.

Number of Anchors: Two, each weighing about 30 tons

Crew accommodations: 6,250

Length of Flight Deck: 1,092 feet

Meals served daily: 18,000

Number of Compartments and Spaces: 3,360

Daily capacity of Fresh Water Distilling Plants: 400,000 gal., enough to supply 2,000 homes

Length of Wiring and Cable: More than 1,400 miles

Tons of Structural Steel: 60,000

On the flight deck.



Standing next to one of the 30 ton anchors.

Inside.

In the driver's seat.

Not Your Average Pony Ride

My animal-loving girls have fed many animals in their day: giraffes and lory birds in San Diego, penguins at Sea World (thanks to Dad's Cousin Kim), and lots and lots of goats at Tanner's Orchard. However, one species they've never fed, much less ridden, are elephants. Singapore has a wonderful zoo, with great shows and large, open enclosures that allow you a close view of many of the animals. At many places in the zoo, the monkeys are in the trees right above you. One of their daily shows is the elephant show, which demonstrates how the elephants have traditionally helped with manual labor in this part of the world. After the show, you can purchase a basket of fruit (apples, bananas, & carrots) to feed the elephants. They are very good at grasping it with their trunks, the ends of which function kind of like a hand. And then at certain times of the day, you can purchase a ticket to take an elephant ride, which the girls did on Monday. I opted to stay behind and capture the moment on film.

MacRitchie Reservoir Park

Now that we are back in Singapore, we are keeping busy before school starts by doing more exploring of our new home. One unchartered area was the MacRitchie Reservoir Park, one of the nature reserves in the middle of the island that hosts a 250m long, 25m high free-standing suspension bridge. We recently decided to do a family hike to the "tree-top walk." Any type of outdoor activity in Singapore is always a sweaty endeavor and this was no exception. There was plenty of whining from Anna about having to walk 8km, but she loved the suspension bridge (Megan did NOT) and also the monkeys, until they started advancing rapidly towards her in hopes of a handout.


Here is a view of the reservoir at the beginning of our hike:

The girls enjoying a rest in the rain forest.
Two of many monkeys seen on our hike.

Our destination: the suspension bridge.

A large monitor lizard spotted in the leaves.