Dearest Ann,

I have arrived in New Zealand after the 90 min. sub orbit space flight from the space drome in Kent. It is true you can see the curve of the Earth from the window. And on landing at Christchurch you cannot feel any G forces at all. You know I have always wanted to experience it. This country is so lovely I am glad it has been kept as a world country park for the children of the world.

No super fast 10G reception here, some of them are looking a little lost at the moment. But after talking to our trip advisor he tells me that it takes about 3 days for them to get used to it. I have ordered your travel buggy to pick you up at our place to take you to the space drome to join me. So we can do some walking on real grass and enjoy nature as we have seen on sky link TV. Sorry I cant speak to you over sky link, it’s back to stone age here, got to use the old internet, it’s a wonder its still works.

Tomorrow I am going to look at the hotel we will be staying for a few days on looking at the information pad I was given on the ship. We are on the 100th floor with a sea view. But get this there is no food auto serve or auto clothes wash and best of all no sonic shower. Would you believe it we have to shower with real water that sounds like fun.

After the hotel five day travel around big island starting off with mono rail round the city. I am assured it is safe. And then we pick up our travel bus that will take us into the wilderness. As we are in a party of 20 they will be a medic and travel maintenance truck along to ensure safety I am told that the the sleep truck […] to therm heated at night. So all should be well. Make sure you bring your plastic pay card as eye scans do not work here as there is no infrastructure. Wonder how they get by.

After our stay in the mountains we are going on an underwater see trip of 3 nights staying at the glass dome underwater park of marine study. It will be funny to sleep in a glass room with the fish in the sea for company. Hope it does not spring a leak. I am so glad this place has been saved from the great pollution of the pacific and Indian oceans I hope it will […] the children who visit here how incredible mother nature is and to carry on the work of the last few years.

On day two off the underwater see trip, we are to board an eco friendly submarine to head towards the Antarctic ice shelf to have have look at the efforts being made to help the remaining wildlife of the continent. I know that you are looking forward to this as you have always had a soft spot for the bears, it’s a shame they are so few left but I am informed by the travel pad that there is a measured rise in numbers due to the efforts being made by the U.N. on global warming. After our trip to the pole to see what is going on to help thicken the ice, we have a choice to stay and help clean up or return to the glass dome hotel. I leave that choice to you.

After we return to big island we have 7 days to do what we like. You can do sports or just chill out without the noise of sky link and other modern distractions. I am told there is a choice of 17th, 18th, or 19th century places to eat and served by a real waiter or waitress. You can also choose this if you know the dishes so you better look them up.

To finish our vacation we can come back sub orbit, but if you prefer we can travel on the company’s long voyage liner. That will take a further week and enjoy the migrating whales and onboard entertainment. We will make our mind up just before we leave.

(from Eddie)