New Zealand

A typical road hazard in NZ. Do you know NZ has more sheep than people? It's true!!!!

Where in the world are we?

Milford Sound New Zealand

Joe in front of the Kea Campervan!

This was at about 5:30 AM at Curio Bay, home of the yellow eyed penguins. We woke up early to see the penguins in the natural habitat. They didn't let us down! Discovered something new about Joe after 22 years (He loves Penguins!) So we did a lot of penguin watching in NZ....it was quite fun.

New Zealand May 2006

Marc and Sarina, South Isaland New Zealand.

A typical sign in New Zealand

They don't mean us do they?

After a day of wine tasting!

We went wine tasting all over New Zealand! We spent about 5 days on the North Island and then took the overnight ferry from Wellington to South Island (we toured the South Island for about 10 days). We ended up spending a few hours sleeping in the campervan in the parking lot of the information bureau. As soon as they opened we got our wine map of the Marlborough region and hit the ground running!!!

Franz Josef Glacier

Joe, Sarina and Marc at Franz Josef Glacier on the South Island of New Zealand.

Nelson New Zealand

Marc and Sarina at the famous Nelson Bead Gallery!

Auckland New Zealand

At the home of our new friends Jill, Greg, Owen and Evan Brown. We met them in Fiji a few weeks earlier! We had a wonderful breakfast together in Auckland!

North Island New Zealand

At the Volcanic thermal pools

Rotorua New Zealand

At the thermal waters on the North Island of New Zealand.

Sarina and Marc in New Zealand

Baby Clemence

Sandy and Sarina feeding baby Clemence - the new little French girl born to Adam and Anne!

Marc's Birthday Party at Lizzie's

Sarina at horse camp - Moore Park Stables Equestrian Club at Centennial Park in Sydney!

Laura and the girls visit us in Aussie!

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Marc had a fun time with the girls. He went to an Ice bar with them and then the next day took Surfin lessons with them in Manly!

Marc, Sarina and Yia Yia Bessie at Church!

Marcus Arrives!

Sandy, Sarina and Marc at Easter!

Baratta's go to Fiji

Since we needed to renew our Austalian Visa we decided to take a quick jaunt to Fiji! We had a wonderful time there. We spent 9 days total and 4 of the days we went on a cruise to the Yassawi Islands. We had a fantastic time!

Fiji Blue Lagoon Cruise

This is the Mystique Princess cruise ship docked at the Blue Lagoon 's private island. We spent a beautiful day there, snorkeling, doing lots of swimming and water activities!

On our way to go to snorkeling from the cruise ship

Sunrise on the Yasawwa Islands in Fiji

This was the view on the way to the 6AM swim from the Blue Lagoon cruise we went on. This was a intimate ship cruise with only 27 passengers. Every morning we would arrive at another island and anyone who wanted to get up at 5:45 could go on the morning swim. It was a wonderful way to start the day!

Sarina snorkeling in Fiji

She is a real professional!

Dinner in Fiji

Had a wonderful dinner at the New Westin that just opened in Fiji!

Sarina with Evan and Owen from New Zealand

We met a wonderful family from the US who now live in Auckland New Zealand. They are Greg and Jill Brown and their sons Evan and Owen. The kids had a great time together in Fiji. A few weeks later we met them in Auckland and had a wonderful breakfast together!

Sarina at school

She had to disect a fish and label the parts! 

Sarina on the balcony in her school uniform!

 

A typical evening at our place!

Joe pouring another glass of Aussie wine!!!

Joe has been frequenting the fish market and cooking some outstanding meals!!!!! 

The famous couple - Lizzie and Jim!

 

Sarina with Uncle Ray and JIm

 

LIz and Bessie Coplin at an evening at our place!

 

Our apartment building - The Altair

 

The pool where Sandy spends most of her time doing laps!

 

Sarina in the hot tub at our place

 

Another view from our place!

 

Sarina at the apartment just after a shower

 

Dinner at Terroir in Hunter Valley

We spent a wonderful weekend in Hunter Valley with our French winemaker friends. Along the way we met the wine maker from Peacock Hill who invited us to join him and the winemaker from Lakes Folley and their wives for a wonderful dinner. We drank and ate for hours!