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!

Happy Camper!

Looks like Abby survived a week in the New Zealand Bush!  She was a little worried and nervous leaving the family behind, being on her own and going to a new place to do new things but she did it!  We are so proud of her and she said she had an amazing time. 

I went to her camp in the middle of the week as per a prior agreement we had before she left.  If she could make it half way through the week when we visited then she could make it the other half.  I also wanted to see where she was camping, what it was like and basically to make sure she was she was ok.  I missed her while she was gone.  When I got there she was in good spirits, gave us a tour and was ready to be off for her next adventure.

At camp they went on Bush walks, made Bivi huts (shelter out of trees and sticks), went to see glow worms, met a real Hermit (mountain man) living in the bush.  Saw a wallaby on a hike.  Learned how to canoe, cook her own meals and try a variety of new foods.  She also was the emcee at the camp talent show before the big disco/dance the last night. 

Off to camp!



;Dorm where they slept.

Top bunk was said to be a lot warmer.

Home from camp!

We are glad to have her safe back home with us as well as her new thicker accent she picked up even more from all the kids while she was with them for an entire week.

She had at one time told me she didn't want to leave camp because of all the fun stuff she was doing, learning and becoming.  I just smiled and agreed with her knowing exactly how she feels.