Hello Everyone,

To my parents: I made it to New Zealand and everything is ok!!! (I’m sure they have been worried sick since I was not about to connect through WIFI in Nadi to check in.) I love you and will miss you while I am gone. Thank you sincerely for all your help in preparing for this trip and for supporting me in all my Adventures wherever they may take me!

 
On the trip over we made some discoveries as to how interesting the places in between Holbrook, AZ and Los Angeles, CA could be. Seligman, AZ was definitely top of the list with its snow cone shack and Road Kill café.

Here is pictures from the Snow Cap Cafe in Seligimen, AZ.

 Here we have a Powerhouse train museum and visitor center with an adorable 50's cafe next to it as well. It looked very cute and tasty however we were not ready to eat yet. Below there is a house shaped like a golf ball! it looks small in this picture from the road but it is actually enormous!
 On the trip over we made some discoveries as to how interesting the places in between Holbrook, AZ and Los Angeles, CA could be. Seligman, AZ was definitely top of the list with its snow cone shack and Road Kill café.

The giant fire hat is a memorial for all the New York Firefighters that died during 9-11. It was a neat way to commemorate those men and women who died trying to help and protect us in their line of duty.

 While we were in Los Angeles we took a little trip through "harry potter land" their little mini version of Diagon Alley! The hostess even spoke in a British accent and they had everything you could think of from wizard wardrobe to butter-beer and an actual alley leading to the ballroom where they can host parties! It was adorable and definitely a neat place for any Harry Potter fan!

While in LA we drove by and saw Hollywood Blvd and all its various shops as well as some of the "Stars" marks of stardome there on the sidewalk~!

 In Santa Monica Beach we took pictures and put our feet in the sand and sun for a bit.... we joked that in the last month or two we have touched the beach from "sea to shining sea" from them picking me up in Virginia to our trip to drop me off here is California.

 
 Route 66 goes across most of the United states and during the last month or two we have actually been to all of the states along the trail so i found this photo particularly fitting for our journey!

We enjoyed some tasty fish tacos there on the pier and while we were eating a super cute lifeguard was resting during (presumably) his lunch break and we were (well maybe just me) admiring his gorgeous physique! I jokingly took a picture of my parents just so that i could get a picture of him. Kinda Sneaky but i had to show my best friend before i left the states! ;)

The Airport was enormous there in LA and this is just the sign for it. For some reason it seems like LA has a "thing" with making larger than life letters to spell out their places and putting them outside as you can tell from the multiple examples! haha.




 On September 26, 2013 I boarded a plane in Los Angeles, CA headed for Nadi, Fiji then on to New Zealand! After I spent the day with my parents in LA exploring Hollywood and Santa Monica Beach, we ate and they sent me off on Fiji Air. I had a new experience already before I even arrived at the plane because instead of boarding strait onto the plane from the boarding dock, we had to take a series of buses which carted all of us to another building where we were able to get onto this enormous plane! There were 10 seats in each row and at least 3 cabins of probably 20 rows in each. That is the biggest plane I have ever been on but it was still a unique experience to have to bus to even get to the plane.  The flight itself was scheduled 10 and 10 minutes to Fiji and they fed us two meals. I slept most of the time; luckily there was an extra seat not taken next to me where I could spread out a little! The meals they provided were delicious even though they were of course prepackaged simple meals they still were very tasty. For dinner it was chicken, rice and some kind of green paste stuff (presumably a vegetable that was not my favorite) with a dinner roll, salad, fruit, and dessert. Then 2 hours before landing we were woken up with a refreshing towel and egg sandwich breakfast.  After landing I went through security in the Nadi airport and waited for my connecting flight into Auckland to board. As I was waiting I had the opportunity to talk with quite a few people. A Indian woman from Australia was very kind and told me all about her grandchildren while we waited for our food at the lobby restaurant and while in line 3 New Zealand girls and I chatted about their home country and where I was from asking me this and that about America and Arizona. I ordered a “toasted” chicken/cheese sandwich. Yes I said toasted not grilled. It was funny when I ordered because she didn’t know what I meant at first when I called it a “grilled cheese”. It’s so interesting to see how language/word usage changes in different places around the globe.

        Finally, here I am sitting here on the flight to Auckland in between two fine elderly gentlemen. They have been exceptionally nice and told me many little tidbits about New Zealand as well as other travels they have been on. Interestingly enough they were actually on a business trip here together so they bantered back and forth which was quite entertaining (reminds me of the British shows my dad watches). Surprisingly enough we were also served breakfast here on this plane as well so needless to say I have been well fed and nourished on my flight over thankfully. For those who know me well, they know I get kind of grumpy when I don’t eat!

In all the people I have talked to on my trip, they each have mentioned that I must see the south island of New Zealand, for it is the most beautiful, exciting place on the bunch of islands that makeup New Zealand. One of the girls said, “Auckland is like a mini version of LA which is why she doesn’t like it,” but we will see. I’m sure I will still have some great times no matter where I am.

One interesting thing that I noticed on these international flights is that you are asked to fill out immigration forms on the flight so that they know you are entering the country and for how long, etc. It is interesting because they ask in great detail what you are bringing into the country. Islands such as New Zealand, Fiji, Australia, etc. have very sensitive ecosystems due to the fact that they are an island, therefore you are not allowed to bring any items of food, animal product, or farming/hiking equipment that has been used outside in the “wild”(other areas) of another country since diseases and other pathogens that could destroy their way of life could be traveling in the water and other items. I didn’t realize how extensive their questions were until I was filling out the paperwork. They ask where you have lived, when the last time you were hiking and all activities outside within the last 30 days regarding the items in your luggage. It was so interesting to hear the different language used as well as the accents that these various passengers have. On other flights I have been on, there is usually a variety of people but since I was in the international section there was such a diverse populous of people it amazed me to hear all the stories, accents, etc. from these people. It is always intriguing to me to ask people where they came from and why they do what they do, which probably explains my fascination with people watching!

While we were in the airport these three gentlemen wearing traditional, what we think of as “Hawaiian” shirts and garb performed music and sang in their native tongue to the awaiting passengers. It was wonderful to see how calm the babies and people got once the music started. Music, I feel, is a powerful tool. It can touch peoples’ hearts in a way that nothing else can as well as bring joy to our souls or make us feel at home wherever we are. During the flight to Nadi, I was sitting next to an older lady who was coming home from visiting her grandbabies in TX. She was a very happy woman and during the flight she listened to the radio station broadcast from Fiji. She sang along to the words and made me smile a whole lot as she explained you simply must sing along to the music because it just makes you feel so happy! Overall my flight experience with Fiji airways was fabulous and I enjoyed my trip into New Zealand. I am of course getting anxious to meet my host family but the time is flying by and I’m sure we will be landing before I know it!

Here are a few views of New Zealand from the air just before we landed. I couldn't tell you which names of which island they are but it was cool to be able to see a view seems from the top of the sky! Amazing to see above the clouds isn't it?

Also a Little farther down there is a picture of the airport when i got off the plane in New Zealand. They have made the inside quite unique with wonderful entryways and statues inside the building as you pass through to go to customs.

 One last tidbit that was odd for me while traveling is realizing that it is already yesterday when it is your today over there in the western-world of America. Due to the time difference, It is already tomorrow for me when it is your today all you east coasters and buddies in Arizona and Utah! Here is a shout out to all my American friends: I hope all is well for you guys and that life treats you well! Enjoy each moment because we always have an opportunity to make each passing minute great! And wherever you are located know that I am thinking about you and praying that you and your families are blessed. Thank you so much for all your support and love throughout the years and for making me into the person I am today!

With love to all who read,

Thank you!

-Kelcee Moore