Papamoa with Julie and the boys

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Our second week in NZ we shared a house on Papamoa beach with my sister Julie, her husband Lowell and their two boys Fraser and Stefan.

Julie met us on the beach at Mt Manganui and kindly drove us 15k down the coast to our new home.

Major highlight of the trip so far for the kids was hanging with the cousins.

Also Auntie Julie’s styling prowess.

Our place was across the street from a 23k beach. We didn’t even need to put our shoes on.

Another surf lesson (again with Dominic but this time during a storm) was the high point for the boys:

From Zeke’s journal:

We had a surf lesson in the rain it was so fun all of us got up at least once or twice. The rain felt like hail coming down on us, it was even better with Fraser and Stefan with us.

We went to the beach everyday and a couple of us went on a 6km run on the beach. One night we went for a night walk and talked to a very nice fisherman he told us about eels in the water at least 5 of em, they were very freaky.

We spent a day at Skyline Rotorua adventure park. From Mikaya’s journal:

Luge- I went so fast I didn’t tell my dad to stop.

Zipline- I was so scared but it wasint scary and I chipt my tooth. 

Skyswing- On the skyswing there were so meny seatbelts and we were upsy down and the stumic drop was so scary and we did a flip at the end.

After the adventure park we walked around downtown Rotorua. I enjoyed the feeling of getting lost in a foreign country with no particular goal beyond getting home for dinner.

We happened upon some lovely parks and gardens. Zeke wanted to jump off everything.

Next stop mud baths and hot rivers… will finish off with a few random pics:

Goodbye Papamoa Beach!

Mount Manganui is a party town

We found the beach! Lowell had mentioned Mount Manganui was on his list for New Zealand so trusting his opinion and with a quick search confirming the existence of several surf schools we booked a bach (NZ for beach house) for the five days before we were to meet up with Julie and Lowell.

After a three hour winding bus ride on a double decker InterCity bus, passing through some beautiful river valleys reminiscent of Manning Park, we arrived in Tauranga and hopped in a cab for the final 10 minute drive to Mt Manganui.

Our first impression was a bit crazy. There were two cruise ships in dock and the sidewalk above and the entire downtown was completely packed with thronging hordes of partying tourists. Even as the cruise goers started emptying out there was a definite Whistler vibe, with large groups at every patio and plenty of stagettes or maybe girls trips wandering the streets. It was also a long weekend in NZ which I’m sure enhanced the crowd and the parties.

Our place was right in the centre of the action and it was fun to see. The kids didn’t really blink when we walked to the beach after sunset and I found myself reassuring drunk 20 year olds or helping them find their friends. Luckily there was no nightclub zoning here and the cops came and broke up the party around 1030 so we could all get a good nights’ sleep.

Tough to see here but our front entry was also the parking lot for a number of bars. Was certainly quieter during the week and it was fun to be near the scene even though the only purchases we made were from the surf shop and the grocery store…

As mentioned, we were here for the beach and we had a beachin good time.

Highlight was surf school for the kids. All of them loved it and their instructor Dominic was from Montreal via Whistler and Tofino.

Mikaya popped up first try! She’s a natural. All of them are begging to get out again.

We managed to establish a bit of rhythm with some school work every morning. Great to do math on a boogie board (purchased beforehand by Mama Gwilliam).

We did our traditional chocolate bar rating with local confections. Perky Nana was not a hit… Sorry Nana.

Hikes and more beach and general wandering in the perfect weather.

We all got a bit burnt and had to armour up at the local surf shop. They know us there now…

Smiles all around.

Arriving in New Zealand

We made it!! Fiji airlines was great. Good food, big seats and very friendly service. Wonderful start to our trip.

Speaking of friendly service, our friend Patti kindly drove us to the airport and saw us off on our journey. She also took the above two pictures.

We arrived to amazing hosting by our adopted kiwi family Mama and Papa Gwilliam. They made us lunch, did our first grocery shopping and left on a mini holiday, leaving us to enjoy their house in a residential area outside Auckland.

Mama Gwilliam is such a lovely whirlwind I didn’t even get a picture, so here they are with my sister Julie and her family:

We enjoyed the local parks, fish and chips, coffee and views while we recovered from jet lag. Papa G loaned me his bike and I almost died three times because everyone was driving on the wrong side of the road. Don’t tell Kylie.

First stop done. On to Mount Manganui to play in the waves and get sunburnt.