Week 51 - New Zealand and Fiji
Sunday was another beautiful day. We were really lucky with the weather in Northern New Zealand. It was predicted to be much wetter. We didn't need to leave early so I got to take a little longer walk along the beach.
Once the kids were up and ready we went exploring north of the farm. First stop was a vintage tractor and car collection, though this one had a lot of other stuff as well.
Next, we went to a beach. It was too cold to swim, but it was a nice walk. We saw lots of shells and the kids had fun playing in the sand.
Our last stop was Rangikapiti Pa Historic Reserve. A pa is a historical Maori fortified settlement. They built them on volcanic hills, of which there are many, and they built trenches, terraces, and palisades for protection. There are lots of them around the North island, but some are a long hike from the road and some are overgrown so you need to know what you are looking for. Collin really wanted to see one, and this one was pretty close to the house, accessible, and easy to find, so we went to check it out. It turned out to be a really great spot. Not only is it easy to see the defensive earthworks, but the view from the top is amazing. We just happened to arrive right in time for sunset and were the only people there, which added to the magic.
Monday was overcast, but it didn't rain any more than a few sprinkles. We went to another local history museum called Pioneer Village. It wasn't as good as some of the others. It was inland, and though COVID has hurt everyone, you can see that the coastal areas are much better off. I'm kind of glad we supported it and the Maori-owned fish and chips joint where we got lunch.
We got home in time for the kids to play with the dogs, which they enjoyed as much as the outing.
Tuesday was our typical last day, I did lots of laundry and helped S with school, C took an algebra test, everyone packed and cleaned, and we ate up as much of our leftovers as possible. It rained off and on, but the kids did get a chance to get out and play with the dogs.
Wednesday was the first of three travel days, they were all pretty easy. We just had to drive about four and a half hours to Auckland. We were able to do our usual morning routine of breakfast and school work, then loaded up, finished cleaning, and left at about 11:00. We stopped for lunch at 1:00 at Whangarei Falls. I had thought we'd be able to do a quick hike but the river was so high the bridge was closed, as the water was almost over it. It was still a pretty place for a picnic and the kids did get to run around and roll in the mud plenty.
The second half of the drive was a little more tedious due to rain, construction, and city traffic, but we made it to Auckland by about 5:00. We got checked in, C got busy downloading books for the plane trip on the hotel wifi, I demudded S to the best of my ability, and J took the car to get cleaned. We relaxed a while, headed to dinner, and everyone was in bed by 8:30.
Departure Thursday was pretty easy as well. We didn't have to get up super early, the hotel room included breakfast at a cafe around the corner and the airport was only a five-minute drive. J dropped us off with the bags and went to return the car. We were able to start school while waiting for him and finish it at the gate. I think Auckland may be the easiest major airport we've been through. After all the car travel C forgot to move his multi-tool from his backpack to his checked bag, I liked the way the security agent handled it. He did let him keep it but told him that if it were any bigger he wouldn't have been able to. He didn't shame him, but did deal with C directly and made it his responsibility. It was a good learning experience. They also have really nice family bathrooms and water bottle filling stations after security so we didn't have to buy plastic bottles to fill our water bottles.
The flight was fine, about two and a half hours. It was the kind that has your own personal entertainment so the kids were happy. The arrival went pretty smoothly too, we stayed in a nice hotel for a change, so we had a free shuttle from the airport, which was only about a five-minute ride. The only trauma of the day was that S got his fingers pinched pretty hard in the bathroom door. A few snuggles, some ice, and a bandaid solved that, and we were off to swim in the pool. There was a water slide which was a new thing for both boys, but once they got their nerve up to try it they loved it.
We were able to eat right by the pool. J and I had local curry that was delicious, C got chicken satay which he learned to love in Indonesia, and there was even a grilled cheese and fries for S, though he now knows to order a "cheese toastie and chips". The kids got milkshakes, so everyone was happy. Not bad for an airport day.
Friday was another travel day and another fairly easy and pleasant one. Our nice hotel had a nice breakfast, and we were able to do the RAT test required for entry within 72 hours of arrival right there. Only J and I had to do it — kids under 12 are exempt — so it was especially convenient that we didn't all have to go somewhere. That all went quicker than we thought so we had time to relax in the room before heading to the airport. S has a new book he really likes and he read three chapters out loud. The airport was pretty tiny and it was a domestic flight so that was all very quick. The flight was only an hour on a five-row plane, so we were low enough to see all the tiny islands as we flew and that was really fun. Our host had arranged taxis for us, and the driver met us as we stepped off the plane at an even tinier airport. One taxi took the bags to the house and the other took us shopping. The driver was really nice and helpful and showed us around town. It's one of those places where shopping entails several stores, the packaged food market, the bakery, the butcher, the fresh vegetable stalls, etc. J and I split up, each took a kid and got it all done pretty quickly. We're about a 20 min car ride from town so any shopping will involve a taxi unless we decide to rent a car. The house is in a pretty spot, just a short walk to the beach. The host showed us around. We unpacked and got settled. Then J, S, and I took a walk to the beach while C read and relaxed in the house. The beach is a good one for swimming. It's sandy and gradual, and in a bay so not too rough. S did a great job remembering his ocean swimming skills.
Saturday was spent continuing to get settled. I did load after load of muddy laundry from our last couple days in New Zealand, so now all the winter clothes are clean and can get packed away for Alaska. We began researching activities to do while we're here. J, S, and I went to the beach, and C again opted to stay home and read. J found a hermit crab that really interested S.
It was a good week. I was sorry to leave New Zealand, but I don't dislike Fiji. At least not this time of year. It's "winter" still because we're below the equator, so it's not too hot. I don't think I'd much like the summers. Right now it's in the lower 80s and breezy during the day and in the 70s at night. The beach is clean and good for swimming, not too rough, and the house is small but comfy. The food selection was limited but we have everything we need, so life is good.