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.

Goodbye Niko

This week our family said goodbye to our most loyal friend and the star of this blog, Niko Bear G.

Niko has been in our family for almost 14 years.  Kylie and I adopted him when he was 8 weeks old.  He was our first kid.  It was Niko that trained us to get outside for a hike or bike ride every day, rain or shine.  If we didn't we (or our furniture) paid the price.

Niko was built for snow and loved the mountains.  He enjoyed leash walks, but it was in the mountains that he came alive.  We are lucky enough to live in a place where the mountains could be his home.

His puppy stage was marked by boundless energy and enthusiasm.  Typically dogs grow up around 2 or 3, but Niko calmed down around 7 years old.  He was our constant companion on hikes, bike rides and picnics, rounding up the stragglers and keeping watch over all of us.

 Mountain biking was Niko's favourite thing, and in the last few years accompanying me trailbuilding  was a major pastime.  He was always gentle with the kids on the trail, both the volunteers and families hiking through.  Over the last year, as his joints got too stiff for biking, the slower pace of trailbuilding became his favourite pastime.  Adding kids to the mix brought out new protective instincts. Niko was gentle with the smallest, even when getting pinched or poked. And if I got too far ahead, or someone fell too far behind, Niko made his concerns clear and kept us tight.

Years of biking and hiking paid off and Niko was able to stay fit enough to hike right up until the end.  Just three weeks ago he was chasing mice through a boulder field like a young dog.  When the end came it was surprisingly quick.

Always a steadfast presence, his absence is felt more deeply than I expected.  As our first dog and our first kid, there is a hole there that no other dog can fill.  Niko we love you and feel blessed we were able to provide you with a life full of love and family and chasing squirrels.

overnight on cheam with ty

 ty's first overnight hike is as good a reason as any to awaken our quiescent blog.  he did so well, helping me pack, excitedly leading the way and chanting "i think i can, i think i can" when he was getting tired.

"wow, this is pretty.  please take a picture so mommy can see!"

snowball fight!

like, a lot of snowball fights.

 natural refrigeration!

 i was proud of ty summiting a small gendarme that he spotted and wanted to climb.  i thought it was too hard.  "no daddy, i think i can do it."  and he did.

collecting water.

 throwing rocks.

 our campsite under lady peak.

morning coffee!

the peak!

mountain dog!

a great 2 days!