What goes down must come up and much more!

This past weekend was yet again another GREAT one.  How could it not be when A) we are still in New Zealand B) We spent the weekend in Auckland, a city with so much to offer and C) My sister Kristy came in town to visit for a week.

Saturday we picked Kristy up early in the morning from the airport then went to "One Tree Hill".  Due to some political activists who had taken a chain saw to the only tree left, it is now known as "None Tree Hill."  I'm not sure U2 will change their song though.  It's a beautiful site giving tribute to the Maori people and the city.  Great views of the entire city of Auckland that is named "The City of Sails" for all the thousands of sail boats in it's harbour.

Following that we drove around the city a little while until we pulled up to our next event.  We hadn't told Kristy what it was going to be simply because I didn't want to give her time to panic.  Next on our agenda was to bungy jump off the Harbour Bridge (sorry mom and dad).  This is the bridge where bungy jumping was invented and first started.  So we got all our gear on and made the long walk along the bridge then climbed the stair case up higher and higher to the pod where everyone in our group waited and watched until it was our turn.  Kristy went first then I was the last on in the group to go.  Down, down, down, 141 FEET DOWN!  I can't write all that we felt because it was well....INSANE!  The longest free fall towards water that just did not feel natural.  But man, was it so much fun!  Something I'd do again for sure!  Thanks Kristy for being brave enough to do this with me.  Something I've wanted to do for a very, VERY long time!  I can now put that on my personal resume and check it off my bucket list!

Maybe we can use this for our "Amazing Race" application

Haven't looked down yet!

THIS IS AWESOME!

Whoaaaaaa!  Holy SHiZ!

After we changed our pants and got back on to solid ground we thought we'd get a little closer to the water by setting sail like the locals do.  We took an hour tour of the Auckland harbour on a nice sail boat.  They offered hot chocolate, cookies and simple sail instructions.  They let the kids participate in stearing the ship and other on deck duties.  It was so peaceful and beautiful to see the Auckland skyline from the water.

The next day we woke up in Hamilton and went to the Farmers Market and got some great food.  Farmers Markets never seem to dissapoint and especially ones in New Zealand.  Our goal was to pick up some food that we could take with us for a picnic lunch at the beach.  Fresh bread, cheeses, sausage, vegetables and fruit.  Mission accomplished.

Walker loves his carrots

Love the cheese!

On the way to the beach we took a detour to check out a site off the beaten path.  We've quickly learned that any marked road or any sign indicating there might be something down that way is well worth checking out.  So we did and we were not let down!  We hiked down a path and came upon the most amazing and stunning waterfall I had ever seen in my entire life.  This is the one I've been looking for my whole life.  The ones you see in magazines, on comercials for travel agencies and wonder where are they and how do I get there.  Never walked up to one in Hawaii but yep, here it is in New Zealand!  Just breath taking!

 We finally ended up in Raglan where we had our picnic, enjoyed the nice weather and walked around.  It was a different type of beach that we had been to.  The sand was black unlike the normal white/brown sandy beaches we had been going to.  It was a nice surprise.  It was nestled in almost like a cove setting with cliffs and rocks on each side.  It was so calm there.  Not crowded at all so it was easy to enjoy ourselves. 

 

It was a perfect way to end our crazy weekend!  I hope we didn't do my sister in too much.  If anyone else wants to come visit, I'm sure you'll get the full New Zealand experience!!!  And the week is not over yet!