New Zealand - Whitianga

Our trip to New Zealand with Mama and Pops was spectacular. 

We had very many interesting 'moments' but we will leave those for our own journals :)

Instead I will provide an overload of pictures.

Early morning flight and we were on our way to Auckland.

Peering out the windows at the lush green colors.  

Leaving before breakfast and arriving after lunch we were desperate to get some needed food.
Quick stop, rental car pick up and we were on our way to Whitianga. There was so much to look at and the colors were incredbily vibrant.

It took us just over 3 hours to drive to our accommodations and when we arrived it was nearly 8:00.  Desperate for food Mama and I headed to town in search for something, unfortunately for us everything closes very early in these small towns. We lucked out and found the only place open selling an array of noodles and rice.

The next morning we woke to the beautiful views below.

I took Rebecca on a walk down the local town to the food shop to gather some things for breakfast and for our busy day ahead. It was a lovely quant town.

Gathering everyone together we set out on food to explore the little town. The small local shops are so much. 

After a quick bite to eat at our condo we set back out on food on a 5 minute walk down to the wharf for our Glass Bottom Boat Tour. 

The sights and colors were exquisite. 

Below are views of Shakespares Cliffs and Cooks Beach

An amazing blowhole off Cooks Beach

Josh loved all the time he got to spend with his Pops.

Cathedral Cove is where they filmed parts of Narnia: Prince Caspian. 

Along our tour a scuba diver went missing and all boats were called in to help search until the coastguard arrived. The flooring on the bottom of the boat was pulled up and we peered out through the waters below in hopes of spotting the diver. Unfortunately we had no luck and never heard if she was found. 

At quicker speeds we breezed through Champagne Bay on our way to Orua Sea Caves

Orua Sea Caves were enchanting. The water was literally a sparkling turquoise color and incredibly clear.

It was such a fun small tour with so much to see.

There was this guy on our boat that looked a lot like Hugh Jackman.

After the tour we stumbled across these awesome bikes. All eight of us climbed aboard and headed of in giggles as we worked to maneuver the thing together.

Seriously SO much fun. Lots of laughing, crying and a few 'oops who's driving this thing anyway' moments.

We rode down a small side road along the bay and found a lovely spot to stop for a quick break before heading back.

Our first official day in New Zealand turned out amazing. It's always such a task keeping 4 excited kids happy and content but looking back luckily we can easily forget the 'hard' moments and remember the 'incredible' moments.

Mama and Pops bathed the kiddos and made dinner while Aaron and I walked to The Lost Springs. This natural luxurious geo-thermal hot springs was the most incredible hot springs i've ever been to. There are no words to even describe it's beauty. 

We swam through caves, relaxed in different pools, waiters brought us smoothies and we climbed to the top of a fake volcano and sat in the hottest pool with running waterfalls. 

It was a wonderful little get away. 

On the walk from our accommodation to The Lost Springs we went through this amazing garden. The flowers were beautiful. I ran back with Mama and my camera in hopes to capture the beauty but the gates were already locked. We did however see these calla lilies.