All attempts to influence a new swim suit fashion trend in French Polynesia failed ….

So maybe I was going for something more retro - pick a decade … or maybe a century?…. In any case, all the women sporting their thongs and working on their suntans clearly thought I was crazy (or from a different planet :). But it only took a few bottles of ++ sunscreen, an extra wide brim hat (I only walked into a coconut palm twice wearing it), a full face gator, and my super snazzy “swim suit”, and I achieved my goal of leaving FP with zero tan lines. Trying real hard to avoid going to see some guy in a bamboo hut in the middle of nowhere who calls himself a dermatologist before this trip is over….

So we spent a few days in Christchurch… what a beautiful city! We took the tram around to explore a bit, and then the gondola up above the city to take in the views!

… and we got our first glimpse of some very happy New Zealand sheep on the way up!

They are pretty much everywhere, so basically the equivalent of gray squirrels I think - but they are cute so I had to take their picture! We also took a trip to the botanical gardens… one of my favorite things to do!

And found so many Australian tree ferns (another fav!) living their best life!

Along with some other really cool stuff throwing off Jurassic Park vibes….

We definitely could have spent a few more days here, but we are looking forward to dusting off our hiking boots again and exploring the South Island. Next stop Lake Tekapo!