Hobbiton

Are you a fan of "The Lord of the Rings" movies and are you looking forward to "The Hobbit" coming out in December?  Do you know everything about the movie and its characters?  Do you know every frame of the movie?  Do you know every background image, the set and what props were use and where they were placed for a number of scenes?  If not, then you weren't the guy on our tour this week when we went and visited Hobbiton!

Not too far from our house is the set of "The Shire" or "Hobbiton" where they filled parts of "The Lord of the Rings" and now the new movie coming out soon, "The Hobbit". It was such a cute and magical little place full of so much color. This land is as incredible as all the landscape in NZ and I can see why Peter Jackson chose this site in and aerial search when looking for site for his movies.

The land is owned by some local sheep farmers and they were asked to use their land because it most resembles Middle-earth. The farm had already contained the "party tree" that was placed in front of the lake that was already there as well. The design crew had to do little to the area to create the hobbit holes in the hillside. Currently there stands on 42 hobbit holes that have been left by the movie crew for tours.

Party Tree



The Green Dragon Pub

 

  

Bilbo Baggins Home

The kids loved walking around and pretending they lived there. The houses, benches, ladders, water wells and see-saws were just their size. Cordell and I on the other hand were the town giants. I was mesmerized more by all the small accessories outside the homes, in the window seals, in the garden, the tree swings and every thing around the grounds. The different colors of each home and doors were so bright and vibrant. If they replicated just one of those homes for a playhouse to set in a backyard they'd be on every child's (and mother's) wish list for Christmas I'm sure! Maybe even the guy who was on our tour!  Do you think he already has one in his back yard?

 

Couple of hard workers

 I see a summer project at hand.  Anyone have a hammer and a saw I can borrow?

And sadly that is where our journey has come to an end.  See you all soon.

Fast Falls and Lights Out

The past two weeks the kids have been on a school break between Term 1 and Term 2.  What do you do for two weeks in a foreign country with all the kids to keep everyone entertained?  Oh wait, it's New Zealand?  Have we forgotten what we've done so far?  There is plenty to do and amazingly enough still more to do!  While dad was at work we spent the time hanging at home, going to the indoor pool, the movies, making sandcastles at the beach, visit a neighboring town for lunch and some gelato, have a sleepover (with each other), go to the park, having picnics, going on hikes and of course the library.  It was a pretty full two weeks.

On the last weekend before they went back to school we went to Lake Taupo, the last of a few places still on our list to visit.  We are glad we did.  It's only about an hour away (like most places from where we live).  It is a huge lake that sits in the center of a volcano.  The weather is changing here as it's the beginning of fall so we didn't engage in all the activities that the lake has to offer had it been summer.  Our main purpose in going there was to see Huka Falls.  You can either drive to the top of the falls and enjoy the view or be a little more adventurous and go by jet boat.  Can you guess what we did?

                        

 We spent the rest of the day walking around town, looking at the shops checking out some other small sights along the road on our way home.  It was a fun day and something new to see and do.

Sunday came and it was good as always.  We had the opportunity to speak in the Ward we have been attending for the past 3 months.  Cordell did a great job and I did alright I think.  It was interesting because when we got there they told us there was no power in the building so there would be no working microphone or lights.  Good thing they have huge ceiling to floor windows or it would have been quite the experience to speak/yell in the dark.

I have to say that when we first left for NZ we sort of expected to be "needed" in a Ward here.  That they could use our experience that we've had in some way and our testimonies and love for the gospel to help the ward in any needs they might have.  Well, I found that to be completely opposite that very first Sunday.  According to one missionary who's been here for a very long time, this ward is one of the strongest in the stake and one he's served in so far.  It is this Ward that has served me in my needs and my family's needs while we have been here.  It is the people and their love and acceptance that have welcomed us so easily.  It's their strong love and faith in the gospel that builds me up.  The amazing Sunday School lessons that I've missed over the past years (because of being needed in other callings) and the humble R.S. lessons that has reminded me what the gospel is all about.  It is through this and other experiences since being here in NZ that has hopefully started to help make the change in me that I so desperately have been searching for.

When we say that we are going to miss New Zealand there are many MANY reasons why.  My heart is full of so much love and respect for this country, the people and all that I've learned, felt and hopefully have grown as an individual and a family.  I will forever be indebted to this country and my Heavenly Father for giving us this incredible opportunity that has been more than we could have ever hoped for in more ways than one!  It will be hard to leave but now comes the test of taking what we've learned here and using it in our lives back home.  We are excited to see what the next chapter will look like in our lives.  Change is good when it's done in His hands.

Digging for Fun!

I'm sure I've said this before about our weekends here but THIS past weekend was truly an incredible one!  I'm still being amazed at the things we are discovering for the first time here in New Zealand.  This country is constantly surprising and amazing me with its boundless beauty and activities to be had.

We visited the Coromandel Peninsula this weekend.  It's an area full of towns, beaches, rivers, and of course attractions to see.  The first on our list (which has been on our list since we got here) was to visit Cathedral Cove in the small town of Hahei.  Cathedral Cove a.k.a "Narnia beach" is where they filmed a part of the "Prince Caspian" movie.  The cave was used as the tunnel through which the Pevensie children first re-enter Narnia in the movie version of "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian".  There are many locations throughout NZ where they filmed all the "Narnia" movies but this one was on our route for the weekend.  It was breathtaking! 

Cathedral Cove is known for the shape of the cave having it being shaped like a large Cathedral from the wind and ocean currents over the last hundreds of years.  The beach itself has some of the clearest water, rock islands within swimming distance to cliff jump off of, a small waterfall to play under and tons of overhanging trees for shade and climbing.  Another great beach with all its variety that NZ offers.

Inside Cathedral Cove.

Cathedral Cove.

Running through the cold waterfall.

The next morning we got up really early and made our drive to another beach down the road.  We had to be there at 7:00 a.m. because that is when the tide was low.  Why did we have to be there only when the tide was low?  Well, we went to a place called Hot Water Beach and let me tell you what, it was just that!  Here's what you do.  You walk to a specific spot on the beach and start stepping around until you feel hot sand under your feet.  At that moment you start digging with your shovels.  As you do water starts to rise up filling the hole with warm water from underground hot spings.  Now, depending on where you hit, it's either going to be cold (which means you need to find another spot and dig again), warm or HOT (and get out of there!). 

We found a great spot and started digging and digging, trying to build a wall to keep the warm water in and the ocean waves out as it started to rise and come in to some of the pools of other people around us.  Some pools were warm and one that was right behind us was actually boiling.  At times we had to get cold water from the ocean to cool our pool down.  It was the most amazing thing we've seen and done here.  Hard to say because we've done some AMAZING things but Hot Water Beach is one that I must say was so fun to do for the entire family, built teamwork and unity among every one on the beach as we all started to help each other and it was fun being out early in the morning with the sun coming up in all our little warm pools.

Walker and Dad digging away.

Everyone enjoying their hot pools.

After that beach we hopped to ANOTHER one called Hahei beach just to walk around for a while to kill some time.  Glad we did because it is yet another beautiful and fun beach.  There were long stretches of pink sand and  rope swings just hanging there waiting to be played with.  The locals were loading and unloading their boats in to the ocean with their tractors without a fee.  We've seen this many times before but just had to put it in here.  So different from having to pay a fee at a State Park, waiting to use the dock like everyone else, overcrowding and what not.  This way there is plenty of space for everyone!

A boy enjoying the swing!

Weeeeee!

Hold on tight!






Even dad got in on the fun!

 



Just park your tractor on the beach.

Loading up the boat.

On the way home we stopped in the town of Paeroa, famous for where our favorite drink L&P was created.  L&P stands for Lemon and Paeroa after all.  The city is proud of it.  It has flags lining the streets, city signs and the famous L&P Cafe with the largest bottle of L&P on display.  As tourist and lovers of the beverage we just HAD to stop!

 

 

If only they sold a bottle this big, my kids would be in heaven.

That pretty much topped us off!  It completed a great beach filled weekend in all their varieties.

Easter Holiday

And we're back!  Some probably thought we'd fallen off the face of the earth.  I would have thought so too because it could have been possible while on a drive in New Zealand during our last visit.  But that's a story for another time.  Ask me when I thought the earth actually was flat!

Due to a strain of viruses that decided to make a visit to our home, we've been down for the count and let me tell you, it was not pretty my friends.  Have you ever known what meningitis feels like, or what being left alone on the top of Mount Everest during a blizzard in your skivvies with a neck brace while someone plays a wicked ZZ Top Drum performance on your bones feels like?   I do and again, not pretty.

Alas, here we are.  Back to normal and off to our adventures better than ever and just in time for Easter Break!  School and business were closed on Friday and Monday for Easter Break so we joined the rest of the country and took off on holiday (vacation).

We spent the first day in Auckland before making our way up north to a town called Paihia in the Bay of Islands.  It's a popular tourist town known for its 100 or more islands in the ocean with so much beauty and history.  We took a boat cruise to see dolphins and a site called "Hole in the Rock" and it was just that.  It's a breathtaking hole right there in one of the islands/rocks in the middle of the ocean.  Usually they drive the boat right through it but due to the high swells we just drove close to it.  It was still an amazing sight to see. 

That hole is large enought to drive a large boat through.

Everyone enjoying the cruise.

Talmage sleeping during the cruise.

The next day was Easter.  The kids were worried that the Easter Bunny may not be able to find them at our hotel, but miracles seem to never cease.  She was able to make it happen very early in the morning among the wet shrubs and trees in the back courtyard.  Looking and peering through all the back patios (hoping security wouldn't be called so early in the morning) finding the right room to leave a few goodies for the kids.  What an adventure that was for the Easter Bunny.  She must really love those kids.  I have to admit, it was so nice to keep it small and simple.  They got what they wanted.

Taking it easy Easter Morning.

Enjoying the hunt.  Real tricky!

Enjoying their treasures.

Got what he wanted, a toy rat!

Then we enjoyed the remainder of the day with a reading from the Book of Mormon to keep a little focus of what Easter is all about before heading out to play and enjoy more of the city.

Easter breakfast by the beach.

We visited the historical Site where the peace treaty between the Moari people and England was signed.

Longest Waka (canoe) in the world.

Marae depicting many different tribes in NZ.

Home where the treaty was signed.

Copy of the treaty in Maori.

Enjoying an afternoon of a little ocean fun!

Cordell, Walker and Talmage

Rebecca and Abigail

Cordell, Abigail and Maddox

Then we took the scenic drive back to Auckland.  Man, I know I've said this many times before but New Zealand is sooooo incredibly beautiful.  I do wish we were staying longer.  We've found new sites and cities that we'd love to stay at.  I guess we'll have to put those on our to-do list the next time we visit NZ.

Once we arrived in Auckland it was late so we decided after our fun full few days we'd let everyone sleep in a bit.  We didn't have much on our agenda for Monday but to take it easy and take our time getting home.  Easier said than done when your wakeup call is fire alarm.  The entire hotel had to be evacuated to the parking lot because the fire alarm was set off and the fire brigade was called in to investigate the problem.  This was the best free entertainment of the entire weekend.  Ever wonder what the people in your hotel look like at 7:30 a.m.?  Now I know.  It was so funny!  I'm sure they were saying the same thing looking at our sad looking family all in our p.j.'s with no shoes on.  No shoes?!  We didn't even think to grab shoes!  That should have been a given.  I thought enough to hurry and change a poopy diaper but no shoes?  Not even a camera or a wallet.  Makes you really think your priorities.  "What will you grab when there is a fire?  What is most valuable to you?"  Not being the smelly family in the parking lot was my obvious priority.

What's left of the action.

After that fiasco we thought since we are up we'd just pack it up and head home.  Show's over.  We stopped at Hamilton for some shopping, then Cambridge, a fun small town just to walk around and perhaps get something to eat.  Since it still being a holiday everything was closing by 3.  So we just came on home to end our weekend fun as well.

All in all it was a great weekend full of fun and adventure of all kinds.  It was a fun Easter weekend.  Different from years past.  No Easter decorations to fill the house with.  No coordinating Easter outfits to parade in church.  No pleading, begging and bribing my kids to take at least one decent picture in the said outfits.  No hunting all over town (or at least all 3 different Targets) looking for that one perfect present the Easter Bunny is going to leave.  No extra pounds of candy that didn't fit in the gazillion plastic eggs that will sit in the top of the closet calling my name, forcing me to eat for the next few months.  This was a good year.  This was simple.  This is how it should and can be for us.

Not your typical office visit

This guest post is written by Cordell....

We were unable to have any exciting adventures this past weekend.  I was on call the entire weekend for the medical clinic which meant that we had to stick around town so I could be available for any emergencies.  So instead of Rebecca writing this week I thought I would give her a break and write about what the medical practice is like here in New Zealand.  (Hopefully I don't bore you too much!)

Work here has been great.  I am working at a small rural clinic with three other doctors.  Because we are the only clinic in town and the hospital is about 1/2 hour away we see all sorts of cases.  Clinic starts at 9 AM, just like everything else here. It's been nice that we usually don't have a rush to get ready and go like we do in Bakersfield.  Our home is less than a 10 minute walk to the clinic so that is what I usually do every day.  If it rains, I just use an umbrella.  It's nice to walk home and be greated in such a way as this:



Being greated by my boys.

While there are some similarities in New Zealand medicine, there are a lot of differences both for the doctor and patients.  I thought it would be fun to write about what a typical doctors appointment is like for someone here in New Zealand.

Like anywhere, if you had a problem you would need to call and set up an appointment to see your doctor.  Unfortunately, like in the US, you would probably have to wait 30-45 minutes after your appointment time until you were actually seen.  I guess some things are the same worldwide!  Once it was your turn, I (your doctor) would call you into my office.   Not an exam room, but my office (or as it is called, Surgery Room, although I don't actually perform any surgery here).   There are no medical assistants to take your vital signs or review your medications.  If I think that it is relevant to your visit, I will perform these things myself. 



Won't you come in?

In each office there is one exam table.  If I want to exam you, I typically will not leave the room to give you an opportunity to change.  I would simply draw a curtain and allow you to change behind it while I typed at my desk.  After my exam, the curtain would be drawn again and you could change back to your clothes.  How is that for privacy?



This is where it all happens.

After your consultation is done, I would send you to the front desk to check out and pay and call the next patient into my office.  Although New Zealand has socialized medicine, patients still pay a fee for service they receive.  Each appointment visit is between $40-50 that has to be paid in full before leaving the clinic.  I performed an ingrown toenail repair today and I think the patient was charged $200.  (No $5 copay here!)  The government subsidizes the rest of the cost of the visit, between $30-40.

If I were to give you a prescription however, it only costs $3, no matter what the medication, for a 90 day supply.  The government subsidizes the rest.  This is a great benefit.  However, if I were to refer you to a specialist for a nonemergent problem, it would take about 4-6 months to get that appointment.

Overall I have really enjoyed being a doctor here in New Zealand.  The Kiwi's (New Zealand residents) are usually very grateful for the care they receive.  Because of my love for the people here in New Zealand, one of my goals was to help serve them medically.  So far, I feel like I have been able to accomplish it thus far.  It has been a great experience for me.



Outside the clinic.

Pikitu Marae

Pikitu Marae

Last week Walker's school class had the honor and privilege to be invited to the Pikitu Marae for an overnight stay.  A marae is a sacred Maori meetinghouse used for such things as family meetings, get togethers and funerals.   The school was so kind to also invite Abigail to go with them as a learning opportunity for her and something for her to experience while she was here. 

The kids went to school in the morning and then boarded a bus with all their bedding in tow shortly their after.  They spent the entire day at the Marae learning about the history and ancestry of that specific Marae, the waka (canoe) that the Pikitu people used, learned how to play maori games that the children would have played, the boys learned the haka and how to cook a hangi.


All ready to go!

Later that night Cordell, Kristy (my sister who was visiting from the states), my younger boys and myself went to eat dinner with everyone.  They invited us to come and partake in the hangi with them and to see where the kids have been all day and where they would be staying.  They also allowed Cordell to spend the night with some of the other parents as something for him to experience too.  Really, this school has been so great to our family.  It's truly an honor not only be invited and welcomed to a Marae but to sleep in one is something that is unforgettable.  We are so thankful to the kind Pikitu people for allowing us to come to their Marae and giving us a detailed tour of the history and usage of their land.  It was truly remarkable and humbling.



Enjoying the feast together.

In front of the Pikitu Marae.