erin, etc.

We drove down to Rotorua (Roto-Vegas) for a meet up with Jen and Andy, who were in town for their friend’s wedding. We had a nice drive out to Whakarewarewa Lake where we were disappointed by the restaurant being closed but not by the gorgeous lake views. Ended up having dinner in Rotorua, which unfortunately really does smell like farts from all the sulpher!

From Jen & Andy Ne…

Spent Auckland Anniversary Weekend camping up at Piha Beach. Little more than a large grassy parking lot really, they did have some rockin’ camp karaoke Sunday night. We’re talking G&R, Creedence, and Prince to name some particularly memorable ones! The surf was crazy and we ended up hiking during the day to stay in the shade and playing in the ocean during the evenings. Kiwis do their camping a little different with camp kitchens and coin pay BBQs. Unfortunately you’re going to have to imagine how truly beautiful this place is because our friends’ camera (the only one on the hikes) was lost to a deep lagoon…

www.pihabeach.co.nz/

From Piha

We went on a hike to Wairere Falls after work and hiked from the parking lot to the top and back down in under an hour and a half! Great hike with expansive views of the valley. The falls are over 180 meters!

View of the falls on the way up

Erin & Justin at the top of Wairere Falls

Decided to explore around into the Waitakere’s Mountain Range outside Auckland for the afternoon. Hiked along a beautiful sandy stream to a sand dune that plunges into a huge lake and then up another stream to some beautiful waterfall pools. Ended the day with a gorgeous sunset at Bethell’s beach.

Walk to Wainamu Lake

Private Pools

Bethell’s Beach Sunset

Be sure to check out this album- it’s pretty cool! Click on first picture to view.

Came into Auckland to hang out with Jeremy and Tanveer and spent a nice evening kite flying overlooking the harbor before having a great dinner.

From NZ Auckland

After a crappy day at work, Justin surprised me with a trip to Mt Maunganui beach. I came home to flowers, a quick snack and a bag packed with maps and beach stuff. It took about 45 minutes to get there and we had a beautiful sunset watching the surf and the little ‘mountain’ sheep wander the steep side of Mt Maunganui. We ate at a great restaurant- Mount Cafe- complete with champagne. The chef even sent out a complimentary dessert with ‘Happy Anniversary’ written in chocolate! A perfect night.

Oh yeah- since year 2 is cotton- we bought each other some beach towels!

Well, we made it to our first locums assignment, Matamata. It’s located in the middle of the North Island and should be a great home base for our adventures around the East Coast of the North Island. It’s claim to fame is that is was the setting for Hobbiton in Lord of the Rings. (people are way crazy about LOTR around here!)

From Matamata

From NZ – Raglan

Took a nice weekend trip down to Raglan and rented a bach (beach house, short for ‘bachelor’ pad) with our friends Jeremy, Tanveer and new friends- Lindsey and Jeff.

There were some great waves but we decided not to surf just yet and rented some kayaks for an afternoon. We tried out Jeremy’s new kite which was a blast! It was definitely a fun and relaxing way to get ready for work next week!!

View the complete album here:
NZ – Raglan Picassa Photo Album

Picked up the rental car (Ford Focus Hatchback) in Auckland. Justin opted for an automatic over manual which was definitely the right choice! I made him drive back into the city from the airport. (I, of course, decided it was WAY safer to play navigator for now). Well…he only hit one cone after staying a little too far left! This might take some getting used to…

From NZ Wellington

Took a great tour of Te Papa- NZ’s world famous museum, specializing in Maori history and NZ flora and fauna. We saw the world’s biggest collection of sea creature skeletons, and the last few remaining taxidermy samples of the moa (a giant non-flight extinct bird) and the kuri (extinct dog). Plus a really sweet silver and whale bone ‘toast dish’! Check it out- we’re off to our second happy hour!

From NZ Wellington

http://www.tepapa.govt.nz/Tepapa/English/

Eating Wellington style…

Restaurants/Cafes

Kai in the City (21 Majoribanks St. Mt Victoria, Wellington 04 801 5006)
A Maori Restaurant, very intimate and friendly with live music and stories.
Try the Platters to Share but make sure to come early since the place kind of dies down around 8pm and alot of the seafood goes early! A really pleasant, homey place that shouldn’t be missed while in Wellington. Reservations are recommended since it is small.
Rating: 4 kiwis

Lido Cafe
Great beer, food and cakes! Good seating outside as well.
Rating: 4 kiwis
Greater Taste
A Hari Krishna owned vege/vegan buffet type place, great for lunch with $7.5 small plates and $9.5 large plates with an all you can eat option for $12.5. Take away also available.
Rating: 3.5 kiwis

Chow
South Asian Inspired tapas type restaurant with great $12 lunch specials. Chain restaurant but with a really great atmosphere and food.
Rating: 3.5 kiwis

From NZ Wellington

Belgian Beer Cafe
Belgian inspired food but a must go for the various mussel dishes. You get 1 kilo of mussels with lots of different spice combos for $19. And we’re talking BIG mussels here, meaty and yummy!
Rating: 3 kiwis

From NZ Wellington

Our Canadian Friend, Bruce.

Mac’s Brewery
Located right next to Te Papa on the Harbor, this is your typical large scale brewery with about 9 beers on tap. Good quality with a somewhat limited bar menu- just go for the cheese platter which serves about 3-4. Also a great place to hang out and people watch when the sun is shining on the harbor patio.
Rating: 3 kiwis