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 :)

The Craters of The Moon - in Video

Here is the video from the trip... so hard to capture it, it really is one of those place you just have to experience for yourself.

The Craters of The Moon

Near Taupo is a venue called the Craters of the Moon Geothermal Walk.

It's downright amazing!

Firstly, it's cheap to go, for the 6 of us was around $20.00 Kiwi.

Secondly, it's an experience you cannot pass up, walking around in the belly of a mountain belching forward steam and hot gasses.

Thirdly, see point number two :)

The walk was amazing, along boardwalks and graveled pathways around the valley, we took around an hour, just gawking at it all and trying to take it all in. I have never seen anything like it anywhere else. The kids were amazed as well, it's just fascinating.

It's so hard to take photos of it all, so I have done another video to share, and that will be in the next post.

When walking around, they say to stick to the pathways for safety, and have built lookouts around the walk above craters so you can get a view.

Even so, the edges crumble from time to time, and even the signs can fall in (Danger. Do Not Enter)

The vegetation is more lush, from the heat and the steam.

Simply an amazing place, and one you must visit if in the area.