Mount Maunganui - before Rena

I was fortunate enough to visit Mount Maunganui and Tauranga a few weeks before the current disaster that is Rena.

I feel for the people of the area, this idyllic tourist town which relies so heavily on visitors, visiting ships into the port as well as the tourists for the summer season, and this disaster has happened just before that season is going to start... as if there aren't enough economic troubles for this country as it is.

I'm not going to talk about Rena, and the ecological disaster that has occoured, I simply want to share the beauty that was... and one day will be again.

At the time I visited, it was a clear day, with beautiful blue skies shining off the crystal waters, and making the white sands shine. The shells on the beaches added that touch of nature, and the unusual Moturiki island that is attached to the beachfront adds to the individuality of the foreshore.

The cafes are doing a booming trade, with amazing salads and fish meals and the people are out enjoying the sun, the surf and the wind. Here are some pictures of the area on that day.

 

 

 

 

Update - been away :)

I've had a few weeks of travel, and not been near the computer... I'll be back to posting regularly again soon :)

Rugby World Cup Fever!

Well, up until last Friday, I had very little interest in the Rugby World Cup.
I'd heard the hype, seen the ads, read the news, listened to the radio, but now it's actually here... WOW the atmosphere!

My daughter and I headed to Te Atatu Peninsula for the fireworks of the opening night, and I was astounded at how many cars were there. It took us 10 minutes to get off the freeway, and once we got off, there were parked cars lining the street on both sides.

We found a spot, and walked down for the best view we could get of the evening. The view across the harbour was ideal, and though we didn't have music, the fireworks were spectacular.

We watched the fireworks on TV later, and I was stunned at how the live music was being played, sang and danced to in various locations all over the city, and the fireworks were all going off in time to the music. Masterful!

Now for the next 6 weeks, we will see people chasing a ball around a field, but I've now had my interest peaked and am even debating on going to see a game ;)

RWC by *KarenDFrancis on deviantART

 

 

 

 

Action World Auckland

If you enjoy danger safely, if you desire the high wire under your own steam, if you ever wanted to run away to the circus, you need to spend a day at Action World Auckland!

These oversized blow up jumping castles give you all the options you need to perform heart pulling mini adventures.

To start with, you go to the suspended ladder, and try to climb up it, inevitably falling off within a dozen rungs, and learn to always land safely when you fall.

After this, you can move on to a choice of exciting activities. The most amazing thing is the fact you are doing it all without a harness, this is completely up to you, your strength, and facing your fears.

Walking a high wire suspended 2 storeys off the ground with nothing to hang on to, and no where to go but down is a real challenge. I think the best we managed was half a dozen steps.

The slide and jump was cool, and the trapeeze was ridiculous (only one of us tried it out - its so very far off the ground)... but the absolute best was the battle arena.

Holding an oversized cotton tip, you walk along an air filled beam towards your oponent, and battle to be the last person standing... we found the greatest challenges were the balance... and then the laughter... it's very hard to knock someone over when you are laughing so much you fall over yourself.

We had a great day out, and are considering it for a future birthday party, something different, fun, active and challenging!

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

Hobsonville Point Sunday Markets

Tucked away behind the Catalina Cafe at Hobsonville is the local farmers markets. With the new motorway having been opened, it's actually very close to the major on and off-ramps for the area, in a lovely setting.

Inside a large Shed, there are a wide variety of fantastic goods for sale. All organic, home-made type things but in a mass produced style.

My current favourites are the pumpkin seed bread - purely awesome toasted with soup. The Fig and ginger Jam - have it with crackers and double cream brie... to die for!

The selection of cheeses, pastries and fresh herbs are wonderful. They also have cooking diplays using all the produce from the markets, live music, a juice bar, a coffee corner.. and so forth.

The week I took this pictures Lyn Walters was playing her music, and her dulcet tones made the market have a fantastic mood.

The most awesome thing? Taste testing! Yummmmm!

It's not a very big market, but it is ever so tasty and a really enjoyable way to spend a Sunday morning.

 

 

 

 

 

Hobsonville Motorway Opening and Walk

I've personally been fortunate enough to walk under the Syndey Harbour, in the tunnel before it was open to traffic, as well as the Gateway motorway in Brisbane... just recently the whole family got to walk along a motorway before the traffic was allowed on it.

Hobsonville Motorway opening was fantastic fun and it was more like a carnival than a walk.

We started at the Northern end, and traveled 4.5kms before catching a chartered bus back to the beginning (and our car).

Around every kilometre or so was a group of stalls and a bunch of fun. The first stop had a jumping castle, a sausage sizzle and some musicians.

The next stop had pancakes, coffee and a tent with information about the motorway and city plans.

The next stop had Bratwurst, the MoreFM Radio station car (with music blasting) and a drinks stand.

The kids did very well for almost all of the course, then got tired at the end. After we finished our walk, they let the cyclists on for their turn.

The great thing was the next day it was open to traffic and we got to drive down the raod saying "yesterday we walked here, and we never can again"

History in the making.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Northland: Kawiti GlowWorm Caves

While in the Northland we also visited a glowworm cave. Again, slightly smaller and cheaper in the North, but still a great experience, the kids were fascinated and all coped well when the lights got turned off so we could see the worms glowing.

Kawiti Caves have been in the one family for around 6 generations, and only having walkways and public access in the past 20 years or so. T

he story of the caves goes... some farmers found their crops of sweet potato missing and searched the lands to find who took them. In the local hillside they found a woman here in there caves, with all the sweet potato :)

In recent times, Bill Gates flew in by helicopter with some family and friends and took the cave tour. Aftet they were down they went off the the bay and went swimming with the dolphins.

The family new claim to fame... I have stood where Bill Gates has stood!

We couldn't take photos inside the caves itself, but I have a few of the surrounding hillsides, valleys and one of the cave entrance.

For a quick cave tour, with a little history Kawiti fits the bill nicely!