Great Outdoors

For the past few weeks spring has been touch and go around here. We had one beautiful weekend of pure sunshine so we got out all our toys and went exploring. We strapped the kayaks to the van and headed out to a nearby river to check out the bird life, and anything else we might see. Mostly it was cows, but still great to get back out on the water. A day later we jumped in our neglected dinghy for a cruise around Tauranga Harbour with a stop at nearby Matakana Island. We even found a new restaurant we could dinghy right up to. Just in time for Bloody Marys. Inspired by all this great weather, we decided to book the next weekend in the snow at Mt. Ruapehu. New Zealands active volcano Rupehu is part of the Tongariro National Park and home to some of the greatest New Zealand hikes around. We decided on the Tongariro Crossing which is a 18 Km hike crossing by two volcanoes and alpine lakes. So we made a reservation at the historic Tongariro Chateau and packed all out woolies. Well a week later the sunshine was gone and so was the famous view from our Chateau window. Fog and rain socked in and we managed to get in a few short hikes but even the two ski hills were shut down because of the fog. Instead of a grueling alpine hike we spent the weekend in the Chateau by the fireplace chatting up Kiwis and eating great food. We will try again in the summer but it wasn't all bad. Check out Scholarships newly varnished transom
The beach at Matakana island, a 10 min. dinghy ride One of the tanker terminals across from the marina
New Zealand Oyster Catchers
Tongariro Chateau on our very cloudy and foggy day
The view we should have had of the snow-capped volcanosGetting bundled up for our adventure away from the Chateau fireplace

it's fleece was white as snow

Some of you may only see dinner, but if you are one of those people like me who can only see sweet baby animals then this is the blog for you. Our resident walking spot Mount Maunagnui is also home to a huge flock of sheep. Since it's spring here, that means it's lamb season. Lately my walk up the Mount takes a little longer while I pause awhile and watch the lambs getting their footing and learning how to be sheep. Every time I am greeted by a cacophony of sounds as the mother sheep bleet to warn the lambs of my presence.

Look at those pink ears
Well this one isn't white as snow, I caught him digging in the dirtThe view from the Mount, a nice place to graze

Tamaki Makaurau

Tamaki Makaurau is the Maori name for Auckland and means "desired by many." Since ancient times Auckland was just that. Maori settled here because of the natural waterways on both sides of the city. Everywhere you look there is water or lovely green spaces. Kiwis who are not from Auckland will typically tell you they don't like Auckland. They think it is too big and rushed. I wonder how they would feel in Phoenix? As someone who considers herself a city girl, I love Auckland. The tall buildings, the hub bub, the kebabs and sushi on every corner. Auckland has a large Asian influence mainly from the thousands of students from a number of Asian countries. Friends of ours discovered an Asian Food Court in middle of the city and we made it there last time. There must be thirty different restaurants to choose from. You can have everything from Indian food to Phad Thai to bento boxes all within a few square feet. It's cheap too. A great place to go in a group, as no one has to compromise. Besides eating we spent our three day weekend taking in a show at the Sky Tower Theater, walking a lot and even doing some touristy things like the Sky Tower and the Auckland Museum. The museum was loaded with cool history of New Zealand as well other Pacific Islands.

An old Americas Cup boat full of tourists leaving Viaduct Harbour for a 2 hour sail

Auckland ferry terminal

Sky Tower, it was going on sunset
The glass floors from the top of the tower, blah I look photo-shopped in ,that is the Auckland Harbour bridge in the distanceInside the observaton deck The Auckland Museum
Mark and a pre historic penguin, apparently they have scaled down in size over the years

Gorge-eous

Not to sound to Bridget Jonesy but last weekend we went to Auckland for a mini-break. We took in a show, the Auckland Museum and even went to the top of the iconic Sky Tower. On the way we stopped in Karangahake Gorge, an 8 kilometer stretch of road along the way. The gorge is very dramatic with a rushing stream and verdant cliffs. The area is loaded with tramping trails. We chose a loop trail that goes through an old railroad tunnel a kilometer long. After our little hike we had a hearty breakfast a the nearby cafe and we continued on to the big city. Below are some photos from the gorge.

Mark leading the way in the dark tunnel
We were not the first people there. It was wallpapered with graffiti These Calla Lilies grow wild all over NZ. They are huge!

Candles of New Zealand

“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” Buddha Finding work in a different country has been an interesting practice in patience. I have found that my old job in the non profit world doesn't quite exist here in New Zealand, well not in our little beach town anyway. So while I am looking for that "real" job I have been keeping busy. For the last three weeks I have been working for a local couple who own a hand made candle business. They are fairly new to the game but doing well. This is where I came in. I helped their candle maker Harpal, with everything from getting them ready to pour to getting them cleaned up and shipped out. An interesting thing to learn and certainly a beautiful place to be. The "factory" itself is an old kiwi packhouse, so it is surrounded by groves of avocado trees and kiwi orchards. My favorite are the pyramid candles. They are gorgeous, but not the most practical thing on a boat. Still I have quite a collection. Pyramid molds, like a bunch of old Chianti bottles
Liz & Harpal self-portrait
I wish this picture would have turned out better, she pours the wax and her cover-alls up close are reminiscent of a fabulous Elvis jumpsuit
This thing sounds alive with it's hissing and bubbling