Southern Cross

When you see the Southern Cross for the first time,

You understand why now you came this way.

We decided to take the Diamonds on a little road trip to Christchurch, the biggest city on the South Island. As odd luck would have it, Crosby, Stills, and Nash were playing on the same night we were to arrive. Tickets were pretty available and we bought the best ones..10th row center.

By some amazing coincidence, the boys were staying at the same hotel as us and we saw them relaxing in the bar.

Nobody recognized them...nobody but us. Pretty cool!

So we sat within 10 feet and plotted how to get a photo without looking like a bunch of old stupid fans.

(H comments) -"Actually, Michael has about 85% of the story correct. Kimberly and I already knew the only way to get a picture was for Kimberly to say hi, and drag me over. We unanimously made Michael staff photographer and when the moment was right, Kimberly sprung into action. I went over and chatted briefly with Graham and thanked him for coming to NZ. He told me the concert was going to be a great show. Meanwhile, Kimberly got Graham to stand next to her and I moved up on the other side. When Michael was ready, Kimberly looked over at David Crosby and literally pulled him over to join our group. He came easily and leaned over to Kimberly, after briefly glancing at Mike and said, "your much nicer than him". How impressive and intuitive Mr. Crosby is...must be the new liver or something...anyway, the picture tells the story and it was a fantastic concert. Especially, Stills impressive guitar solo's. Wooden Ships, and For What It's Worth were very well received. Teach Your Children was the encore and fans were up and dancing... The group really performed Woodstock like it was yesterday. This was an afterthought worth mentioning." (end H remarks...)

The concert was fabulous and Crosby kept complementing New Zealand on their beauty and politics.

Here is the review: http://www.stuff.co.nz/4290814a13335.html

From there it was all shopping and sightseeing and eating. Mr.Diamond did not disappoint in the latter category. His stomach must have felt like it was attached to a food funnel. "How easy to throw forks at your guests..must be a New Zealand thing...h-again.."

Throw forks? The man uses them not...hands are faster, even for soup.

Any time we stopped the car, or even slowed down going through intersections, Howard would leap out and follow his nose to a bakery where he would emerge laden down with crap.. burgers, fries, ice cream, soda... The car gained 5 pounds just from what fell onto the floor and seats.

Back in Nelson, Jack and H needed to do a little souvenir shopping and take one last look at the Subway sandwich store. Oddly, I never realized we had a Subway here and Mr. Diamond has already received a free sub on his frequent eater card.

"Mickey, you are right...what a schmuck Michael can be...but we all still love him.." (H..again)

Visiting NZ for the first time was a real treat. Especially, coming from the Alaskan winter. Kimberly and Michael couldn't have been any nicer and showed us the time of our lives...except for the time Rick introduced me to his Portland dancer friend...that's another story for another time...

Thank you Mike and Kimberly and anyone who ever wanted to visit NZ or even realized it was a country, should give it a go..as they say...