Titirangi Beach, Auckland NZ

We are constantly amazed by the landscape here in New Zealand, everywhere is green and undulating, affected by the volcanic eruptions as the land is on the Pacific ring of fire, caused by being on the edge of a tectonic plate.

Along with the landscape come the variety in the beaches, there is no golden/white sands like what we are used to in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, but there are mud flats, seashells, and black magnetic sands - depending on which side of the island you are on.

Inner Auckland Harbour has lots of muddy/sandy beaches with some sea shells, like Mission Bay, but on the the other side, the other harbour that the city resides on, is just tonnes upon tonnes of shells, and it's mind-blowing.

Let me show you what I mean.

This is a beach, the shells are layered upon each other, and there is essentially no sand. We've been told that all the beaches on this harbour are pretty much the same. Here's some more pics

Here you can see the layers of shells. Amazing!

The creek that flows down to the beach goes through a lovely green grassy area with a great park. I think the park is the biggest reason people would come here.

The bay itself is gorgeous but it's really hard to say how many people would swim here. 

We'll have to come back in summer and check it out :)

West Wave Swimming Pool

Indoor, Heated, Wave Pool and Waterslide, what's not to love!

We took a Saturday afternoon and headed over to West Wave and thoroughly enjoyed what we found. The wave pool roxx. It's built well and the waves go off regularly, and there are quite a few pools and spa and sauna all included in the price. From junior ones for the littlies to larger lap pool, dive pools and even a blow up jumping castle. Then for an extra $2.00 you can ride the slide as many times as you like.

Sarah ready to swim.

Joyce and the sun lounge (aqua duck) we brought from Australia. Yes you can take your own stuff, but only soft blow up things and such.

Jono floating, as he does :)

The waves in action, in the foreground is a section of the pool that is raised and big enough for half a dozen people or so, the waves are strong enough to shift you and knock you off after a few hits.

The Slide (far right) and lazy river pool at the bottom of the slide.

Daniel and Sarah went down the slide quite a bit, Rob and I rode only a couple a times, and Jono didn't want to at all - he said it was too scary, and he was actually right, a lot of the slide tunnels are in darkness, it IS a bit scary. Daniel and Rob in the middle of this pic, and Sarah on the left. You can actually stay in the lazy river and just float around for a while in the current.

Rob and Sarah in the wave pool section, with waves turned off. This part is also used for lane swimming at times.

Everyone had a great time! We will be visiting there more than once I am sure.

Food is different...

Just with the general groceries and such, there are many items and things around them that are different to Aus.

Firstly, no shopping at Woolworths, it's Countdown <insert Woolworths logo here>.
Secondly, don't use a shopping trolley, use a trundler, and when you are finished, don't return it, but park it *toot toot*.

Then there's the foods themselves. They actually do have Nutrigrain here... but if you want an alternative, get outward bound with some Power8, it's not just for breakfast, have this one anytime of the day!

Or for a more simple cereal, try some Wheat-Bix ... er Biskits.

Like something out instead of at home? Try some Banana pancakes, yes with Bacon in them. Mind you the banana was raw and I was expecting cooked, and the Bacon was not expected at all, but it was honey smoked and amazing!! <insert drool here> The empty bowl? Hot chocolate.

So after a day out, you may want a dinner at home, with some simple icecream for dessert... but what to put on top? Good old Ice Magic!!

What do you mean you don't want a Whizz on your icecream?

Mission Bay, Auckland NZ - in Video

One winters day, we took off to the local beach, at Mission Bay, we had heard a lot about it, and it was truly glorious with the sun sparkling of the crystal clear waters.
Here's the video of the day.

Mission Bay, Auckland NZ

We really are being tourists and getting to see as much as we can, I was telling someone the other day of all the things we have done since arriving, and their comment was that we have done and seen more in 6 weeks than most Kiwi's do in a lifetime.

There is a list on the fridge of places to go and things to see, and I'm sure we will get to all of them, just need to plan :)

We had heard a lot of people saying Mission Bay was a great place to visit, and the icecream there was wonderful... The kids hadn't started school yet, and there was an incredibly sunny day, so we took off! Rob was out of town, and we went another day with him as well, but here's some pics from the first sunny winters day we spent at the beach.

This is from the Beach to Rangitoto Island, which is simply amazing in it's own right, across the bay from the most recent volcano in the area (600 years old).

Jono walking on the wall.

The Seagulls in the background were chased thoroughly by Jono, until he exhausted himself and collapsed on the grass.

Then there was the icecream shop... Movenpick, which roughly translates into, phenomanal.

And I took a couple of photos of myself with the kids in the background, just for fun :)

It's great to get out amongst it all, the nature is so different to Australia.

You know you live in Auckland when...

This is your city skyline,

This is what you have inside your front door.

 

 This is in your lounge room...

and this is your new hobby :)