Sunday, 7 August 2016

James' Love of Animals and also a really big Kauri Tree

Lance Again:

We decided to head up one Saturday to the Kauri Coast and check out Tane Mahuta, which is New Zealand's and maybe the world's largest Kauri tree.  It was a good thought in principal, but overall, probably not recommended.  Luckily we had loads of fun and stopped a few places along the way there and the way back.
First part was James was mooing in the back seat and really wanted to see the cows (kid loves his cows, New Zealand was a great place for him to grow up).  Just take a look at the pure joy on his face with his cows.






The next stop was a place that Maggie picked out along the way called Toka Toka.  Maggie knows a little bit more about the details, but apparently it's an inverted volcano or it's a plug of a volcano.  Either way, it's an extremely steep climb up to the pinnacle of a rock that jets out above the ground with nothing but flat, flat farmland all around it.  It was really amazing views from the top.  We were pretty sure we could see Whangerai on the other side, which means we were at a place that we were seeing the ocean on both sides of New Zealand.











And then another stop to see some ponies and a horse that were very friendly.






 Finally after a few hours in the car, we made it to the big Kauri tree.  Impressive, but worth the drive, eh probably not.




On the way back, we decided to stop off and see a place called the Kai Iwi lakes.  It was a beautiful area that literally translates to food tribe.  I'm not so sure about that but James got to do some jumping and splashing through the puddles in his gum boots.








 And of course, a beautiful picture of a beautiful family to end the day.

Lindsey's Visit: Part 3

Lance Again:

So after lugging Lindsey through a few hikes and parks, she was in the mood for something a little more relaxing on her last day and half of vacation.  We decided to head up to Kumeu wine country for some vineyards and to take in Muriwai beach.  It was an absolute cracker of a day and we couldn't have asked for more perfect weather.  We could have really used this weather the last few days when we were outside a lot more, but it's New Zealand, you gotta take it when you get it.










I'm not sure when this happened, but here's Lindsey with Auckland in the background.



On Lindsey's last day it was Mother's Day, so we decided to head to Takapuna for a nice brunch before we had to take her to the Airport for the long flight back to the States.  We got James a fluffy, and he was in heaven.








And of course only in New Zealand can you go for a nice brunch and then a stroll along the water overlooking a volcanic island in the harbor afterward.  So we took advantage of that and worked off some of the calories for breakfast.