Dad came up for the most challenging concert of the year here in Auckland: The New Zealand premier of Strauss's opera Elektra. It was a great success - the first full standing ovation I've witnessed in the three years I've been here! Read the review here. During the applause, the Maestro gave his big bouquet to the Principal Oboe player, who later gave it to Camille who gave it to me who gave it to Dad. Immediately following the concert was a fancy reception to celebrate the APO's 30th anniversary - so Dad was forced to show off his bouquet mingling with all the divas and donors!
Back at home showing off the flowers and a soloist's smile:
The next day Todd and Dad and I hit the road north for a weekend roadtrip. After a few hours we got a flat:
When we finally got to the Kauri forest the rain was pouring down in sheets:
But when you're soaked to the skin you can't get any wetter! We still had a grand time visiting these amazing 2,000 year old monster trees:
The next day we went on a Dolphin cruise in the Bay of Islands. Unfortunately we managed to defy the 97% odds of seeing something. We still had a great time on the boat - it wasn't even raining!
We stopped on an island and saw an ancient Pa site and of course some baby lambs.
We visited the Waitangi Treaty grounds and inspected an extremely large canoe:
And how could we pass on a pitstop at the world famous Kawakawa toilets. The most photographed toilets in New Zealand! I've been forbidden to post an action shot I took from inside, so here is the entrance:
Thanks for the trip Dad and Todd!
-Carl
3 comments:
So FUnny! I love reading you guys' blog.
Mom
It was a great trip with you guys. I had never seen a tree that looked like a cliff before. The conductor's flowers are still in a vase on the table down here.
Dad
Nice blog. Great to hear and see what you guys have been up to.
Chris Cole
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