One with the Mud

In order to rest a little and open the pores we went to Hells Gate, a geothermal area and mud bath complex.

First was a tour of the sulphur pit, a barren landscape with pools bubbling at over 100*C. We were then set up in a private mud pool, where we could smother ourselves in the rejuvenating sulphuric mud. After a very cool shower and a hot spa to finish off the treatment we left with smooth skin and a bag of sulphur bathing suits.

Our path led south to Tongariro National park. The central feature of the North Island’s highland is Mt. Rupathu, home of their biggest ski field, an active volcano which most LOTR fans could recognize. We were the only guests at a retro ski lodge in National Park.

The next day featured one of our longer drives down to Wellington. Our midday stop was at the rugby museum in Palmerston North. I personally prefer the hockey hall of fame, but Liam liked the interactive section where one can practice kicking, tackling and ruck power.

We rolled into Wellington with enough time to get ready for Diana’s and my “anniversary dinner” at Logan Brown.  We heard about the place on Australian Masterchef and it is one of New Zealand’s signature restaurants.  We both chose red meat for our mains, venison with roasted beetroot risotto and sausage for me and a tenderloin, BBQ pork combo for Diana.  A shared dessert of espresso milkshake and chocolate caramel torte finished things off.

Merry Christmas- Rotorua

For Christmas, we wanted to have a place for a few days and we chose Rotoruabecause of the shear number of activities available. On our way across , there was first the necessary stop at Hobbiton. It is the only permanent LOTR set and with the Hobbit coming out in December still in use.

Christmas eve dinner could not be turkey- we could not find one! So a roast chicken had to do, with the kids making strawberry shortcake for dessert. We tucked them in so that Santa could use reindeer GPS to find us. Using my compression socks and a tree out hosts set up we had a subdues Christmas morning with Cadbury chocolate, Kiwi card games and some New Zealand jewellery, but our main family gift was White water rafting.

As luck would have it, we were the only four on our excursion down the Rangatiki river, a level ¾ trip. Two guides and us had an amazing ride. Sunny and 22 degrees and the waters flowing more than normal. A couple of good drops, constant action and near the end river surfing- where they wedged our raft in a drop while water cascaded over us. Liam received the most of the roaring rapids in his lap. We warmed up in the afternoon with a trip to the Polynesian spa.

For Boxing Day, since the Hamilton ten-miler was a no go we drove to Mt. Maunganuifor the king and queen of the mountain run; and prince and princess run. Meaghan and Liam ran the junior race across the beach and halfway up the Mount and promptly warned me about my impending challenge. They did not exaggerate for at least a km of the uphill climb (273m in elevation) it was one foot in front of the other as I questioned my common sense. I did take time to take in the spectacular view from the summit across the Bay of Plenty. The downhill was mildly better and only took two-thirds of the time, but the last dash through soft sand was a final labour. Mission accomplished, but 10 miles in sub-zero conditions at home seems easier now.

We raced back to Rotorua for our dinner engagement. We took in a Maori show andHangi (ceremonial feast). Liam has become quite adept at performing a Haka (not just a pre-rugby chant) and he thoroughly enjoyed the village demonstrations and show. The dinner was cooked over steam vents and laid out in buffet style for the group. Our tour leader was quite entertaining as he explained the meaning ofKia Ora in 62 languages and taught the kids a new song- Here we go round the Maori bush.

The Christmas holiday in Rotorua was a complete change and absolutely incredible.

Hang Ten Raglan

We travelled back down the road, through Auckland to the sleepy surf town of Raglan. Google maps sent us on a scenic route through the rural hinterland- apparently Kiwi road builders were paid by the turn! But as you pass down through the hilly countryside you emerge by the sea.

We were booked in for surf lessons with the laidback crew at Raglan surf school a great decision. Our multinational group included Germans, Irish, French, and a couple of Kiwis for good measure. After a quick run through of local conditions we headed for the black sand beach. While the waves were not crashing in at the famed left-hand break, they were plenty big enough for us and it was our best session to date. Megs and Liam hopped up each time and even threw in some turns. In Liam’s case, he did a 360 on the board. Boatie and I caught a number or solid waves as well. They provided me with a nice longboard, which I managed to walk along on a couple of rides. The highlight though was when all four of us rode in on the same wave!

Our surf adventure finished off with a late brunch and coffee in town.

The first stop in our New Zealand odyssey was the Bay of Islands, about three hours north of Auckland.   The drive takes one up and down hilly roads winding up to Paihia on the East Coast.  The forests are a mix of evergreens and giant ferns- the New Zealand symbol.  As we descend into town you see the holiday homes built right up the hills giving outstanding vistas of the Bay.  Our accommodations were all of 100m from the ocean.

We booked in for Dolphin diving in the morning with a sail in the afternoon.  The boat “discovered” dolphins in Oke bay.  After watching for a bit the call came up to slide into the cool 18*C water.  A group of four 3m dolphins played tag with us.  Dodging and weaving amongst the swimmers.  They would spin underneath, race and occasionally leap out of the water.  Absolutely awesome experience.

Our sailing expedition was not just sit back and relax- it was a working trip with Diana, Meaghan and I helping to raise and lower the sails. Liam was given the helm and took his role as captain seriously. We definitely learned about the highside and lowside of the vessel as it spent quite a bit of time at a significant angle as we raced through the waves.

We finished off our day on the water with Liam trying New Zealand’s famous Hokey Pokey ice cream, Megs and I going for Chocolate Mint and Diana reaching for a hot Café Latte.

Good Bye Perth

Our last week in Perth was almost entirely filled with year end activities and the dreaded good byes.

On the second last weekend, we managed to squeeze in a beach visit with the two other Canadian exchange families we met this year.  We exchanged packing stories while the kids  wrestled the surf one last time.

For the kids and their elementary school there was the graduation dance for the 6’s and 7’s and the presentation night for the whole school.  It was absolutely amazing to see every class go up to stage and doa dance number.  Liam’s class performed “Hip to be Square” and he completely owned the persona.  Meaghan’s class danced the Timewarp.  She was also selected to emcee the event and was awesome.

The kids had a teary eyed last day with their classmates signing their school shirts as is tradition.  Diana took them to Adventure world as their “passing the year” expedition.

At Kelmscott, the highlight of the last three days was the staff-student soccer match which resulted in a come from behind victory by the staff.

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Our last weekend was a whirlwind of activity.  Meaghan and her two running friends competed in one more race together at Challenge Stadium under the lights.  Three PBs, three big smiles and one big sleepover.  Saturday was a great party hosted by the O’Briens for us and the theme was an Aussie Christmas.  A huge seafood buffet (lobster, shrimp, oysters) with a side order of turkey for us , was followed by jetskiing and tubing on the Canning river.  On Sunday, Liam and Megs had one last hitout with their school friends , while Diana and I finished packing and cleaning up our Anomala homestead.

We drove to the airport under the same cloudless skies we arrived under eleven months ago.   A final farewell to Perth and  a KIA ORA (welcome) to New Zealand.