It all started after KM's family dropped me off after spending the day together when her mom was visiting & holidaying here. KM mentioned she will be going to Auckland for a work stint and in conversation jokingly invited me to go over and crash with her as her accommodation is paid by Lion:)
Well, before KM could reach home .... from the time she left here and before she got down to the city, I jumped onto the internet and booked my Qantas flights, and behold, I am off to NZ!!! Also another good excuse to visit bro and his family. All done within 15 mins!!!
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| Bro and family at the Crab Shack |
I had a window of 10 days (as I had to come home for mom's 2nd anni - cant believe how time has flown by and we still miss her!) so I really packed in it and did as much as I could/we could fit in as KM was joining me to the BOI in between her busy work schedule.
In a nutshell, I hired a car, drove to Rotorua, had my mud treatment/massage at Hell's Gate (pics all lost in my u/w camera as I decided to "default all my settings" and this may be the reason why they were lost???)
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| Great Natural Spa Treatments |
KM joined me on Thursday and we drove from Auckland all along the coast to the Bay of Islands (Paihia) and cruised overnight on the Ipipiri and the next day we took in Russell, etc along the way and ended up at Cape Reinga and drove back to Auckland on Sunday nite so that KM could go to work on Monday!!!
I would also like to add that KM is one of the best travelling companions anyone could have asked for and credit should also be given to her as she chauffeured me every inch of the way during our time together!!!
I would also like to add that KM is one of the best travelling companions anyone could have asked for and credit should also be given to her as she chauffeured me every inch of the way during our time together!!!
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| Top of NZ - Cape Reinga |
As for the seafood .... particularly the oysters & kina ... out of this world!!! The Puhoi Valley yogurt especially the Feijoa is tops!!! Freshly smoked fish was sooooo yummz too! We dined at the famous Duke of Marlborough in Russell, the Worlds Most Famous Fish & Chips in Mangonui and did the 90 mile beach drive etc etc. You name it, we tried to do it!!!
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Freshest KINA ever aka Uni or Sea Urchin & TF4 Pacific oysters |
So on Monday when KM returned to work, I was off to Wellington. Bro came and picked me up in style in his BMW 5 Series - a flying start for my next 5 days to come ...... ate loads more of oysters, and NZ seafood was fresher than daisies!!!
I am so glad I did the catch up with family and thoroughly enjoyed doing stuff together - eating, walking museums, discovering gourmet chocolate outlets, driving all over or just relaxing at home with their 2 dogs!!! It all came to an end all too soon but I had the best time possible in the short 10 days I was there. Definitely will try to find more time next year when I return from my "big trip" and try to make it there for Bluff Oyster season in May 2014.
I am so glad I did the catch up with family and thoroughly enjoyed doing stuff together - eating, walking museums, discovering gourmet chocolate outlets, driving all over or just relaxing at home with their 2 dogs!!! It all came to an end all too soon but I had the best time possible in the short 10 days I was there. Definitely will try to find more time next year when I return from my "big trip" and try to make it there for Bluff Oyster season in May 2014.
Taken more than 100's of scenery shots, but here are a few teasers ....
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| Picturesque ... Bluestone Store |
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| The Meeting Point - Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean aka the CLASH |
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| Mystical Rotorua
Well, if you have not been to NZ, often there are promo flights offered by Jetstar! Give yourself a treat and go over the Tasman! Discover Kiwiland as she has something to offer everyone and is not just over populated by sheeps!!!
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