Kia Ora

We not folks for taking the easy path, so after packing up everything and disposing of the pram (end of an era), we set off to check out New Zealand's North island.

One thing about NZ that was immediately striking (and in contrast with Oz) was the friendliness of the locals. Illustrated here by their willingness to let Carys and Evan drive their vehicles.


First stop Rotorua; home of geothermal activity, bad smells and Maori domestic violence (!). We had one of those rare experiences of staying in a fantastic place that was a crossover between a self-catering apartment, farm stay and a b&b. Tumbledown Hill B&B was comfortable, clean, hospitable, odourless, good value accommodation with toys, and the option of delicious evening meal. Howard and I took turns to test out the his and hers mountain bikes, and enjoy the peaceful setting while the kids played with the train set. I can't recommend it enough, especially after the fairly disappointing accommodation we'd stayed at in Australia.

http://www.tumbledownhill.co.nz/









The geothermal wonderland at Wai-0-Tapu was out of this world. We started up trying to explain plate-tectonics to Carys (just 4), and after a while gave up. It was easier for her to think that there were witches making potions. Wandering around in the noxious warm clouds of sulphurous gas was quite surreal, with bubbling pools of mud and huge geysers spraying up 20 meters. I'm not sure I'd like to live there permanently, I don't know if you would get used to the smell of rotten eggs, or the uncertainty of being on the thinnest part of the earth's crust.

We didn't manage to cook our lunch in the hot springs, but did manage to visit a few spas without cooking the kids.

We had a wander around some of the surrounding countryside, to check out the view. Carys and Howard bravely set off up this hill, but the cows weren't sure about sharing the viewpoint. They started crowding around, and as Howard reached for a big stick, Evan was howling hysterically at the gate.

We wanted to have a taste of the Maori culture so set off to Te Puia. We participated in a little ceremony where the guys learnt the Haka, and the ladies did a little dance with pom pom balls (called Poi). Carys set up house in a Maori hut, and Evan loved the fluffy little kiwi bird.













On our way back up to Auckland we stopped at a kiwi farm theme park. Where else could you go, ride in a kiwi shaped car, while eating kiwi fruit, see a kiwi fruit farm, and climb up inside a giant kiwi fruit? Now I know that kiwi's are a super-fruit, and can be kept in cold storage for up to 6 months, I have a new found respect for them.