New Zealand - Auckland

This was our last day in New Zealand. I woke up to some seriously burnt feet, ouch!

While we packed up ready to make our journey to the airport the children had a nice time out in the sun with Pops.

Josh and Rachael headed out with Mama and Pops while Aaron and I took Joseph and Rebecca. The entire trip we spent following each other but today we were taking separate journeys on our 3.5 hour drive back down to Auckland. It was so nice for Josh and Rachael to have their own time with Mama and Pops. They checked out the local book store, visited a chocolate factory(i think) and had some delicious authentic New Zealand Ice Cream in Orewa.

We first loaded up on all the recommended goodies. Throughout our trip we made sure to try all of the recommended foods from our New Zealand friends. Thinks such as the good 'real' cream and jam donuts, kumara chips, steak and cheese pies, Perky Nana's, Cookie Time cookies.... It was all great!

Before leaving KeriKeri I wanted to visit the Bay of Island Honey Shop. They have the largest beehive in New Zealand, possibly in the whole world, that people can actually have a guided tour inside. I still wish that I would have done it however bees were swarming everywhere.

There was a big shop inside and factory where we could watch them with the honey comb. I could have spent loads of money on different product but I settled for some honey skin care products and lip balms. I have been moisturizing my face with the bee balm and I love it.

This trip was so crazy and fast past as there was so much we wanted to see and do in such little time. We definitely had our ups and downs, including a police infringement from making an illegal u-turn we had no idea wasn't allowed. Oops.  

A couple more random photos of the money in NZ and mango white chocolate logs. Those were a new experience!

We too stopped in Orewa like Mama and Pops but somehow we missed the awesome ice cream place. Instead we found the park on the beach and spent some time there while having lunch.

I think the birds have been fed too often by humans, they were very friendly.

Views of the Auckland skyline from the freeway back into the city

Both Aaron and I really wanted to visit Mt. Eden. It is the highest volcano in Auckland city at 196 meters high.  At the top you have a stunning 360 degree view of the city, harbour and suburbs.

These pictures do not even begin to show the true depth of field here but looking down into the 50+ meter deep crater had my stomach turning a bit. If you look closely at the pictures below you can spot people walking around the top of the volcano. They look like ants right? 

We only let Joseph exit the car briefly as there were no railings and he was glued to Aaron the entire time. We were all feeling a bit uneasy but it was such an incredible sight to see.

Later that evening we met back up with Mama and Pops at our hotel and walked to some local shops for dinner before retiring for the night. We were up and off to the airport at 4 am the next morning to catch our early flight back home.

The picture below sums up how our flight back home went, everyone was exhausted.

What a wonderful experience we will always remember.

New Zealand - Hokianga

Our itinerary this day was to first find the small branch in Opononi. With the 8 of us we helped to boost their numbers to 45 in attendance that day.  Everyone was very welcoming and loving.

Just down the road were these gorgeous poppies with swarms of bees around. I don't think they were impressed with my nosing around but I had to get a couple pictures.

The Hokianga sand dunes were our next stop. We took a small tin boat ride across the bay to the gorgeous sand. The colors were so incredibly vibrant here. Bright blue skies, green and turquoise waters and bright yellow sand dunes.

 Loading onto the boat and a view of the dunes from across the bay

 On our ride over

On arrival we hiked straight to the top of the steep dunes.

It wasn't long before everyone was up and down the hill over and over again. It was so much fun to see Joseph and Rachael take to the steep hill. What a blast!

Mama even had a go.

After a few hours secluded on the dunes we took the boat back to the mainland and partook of some of the best fish, chips and crab sticks ever. They had everything going for them, food, location and view. It was asked which fish they use and we were told the Blue Wharehou. Yum!

On our way to Waipoua Forest we quickly stopped off at the lookout viewing Hokianga bay and sand dunes.

The Waipoua Forest was a beautiful drive. 

The pictures below are of an ancient tree called Tane Mahuta. It's age is estimated from between 1250 and 2500 years. It is the largest known Kauri tree still standing today and the most famous tree in New Zealand. These pictures do not do it's size justice.

If you look closely at the picture below you can see the tiny figures standing at the base of the tree. That's Aaron, Pops and the kids. It gives a bit more perspective to the actual size of the tree.
The trunk girth is 45 feet and total height is 168 feet. Such an amazing thing to see.

Another small hike through the rainforest to the 4 sisters. These 4 trees have all grown from 4 seeds from the same tree and have coexisted for 500 years. 

Our last stop before the day was over was at the Ngawha Springs (mud pools). The sulfur smell was quite strong but the baths were very relaxing. 

Literally 'mud pools', we had a good laugh when we first spotted Aaron and Pop's in the first pool. It looked like their heads were floating as the pools are so thick and dark. Sounds gross but it was really quite nice. Each pool had a different temperature and different natural healing components. 

The kids loved it, even Rebecca. 

It really was a fantastic day, everyone remarked at some point saying this was their favorite day in New Zealand. 

It sure did top the charts.