North Island

It's been almost 5 months since we've been home from New Zealand and I've finally decided to finish our last post (so sad).  Upon arriving on the North Island in Wellington we headed for the famous Te Papa Museum.  What an incredible representation of New Zealand and it's history and culture, and so modern.  The kids LOVED it!

 This should be New Zealand's motto!  I found it hidden on the warf in Wellington.

 The magnificent Mt. Taranaki (reminded us of Mt. Vesuvius in Italy that caused the halt of Pompeii)

 We freedom camped near the top of this volcano and come 6 or 7pm it was completely enveloped in clouds.  So eerie and cool at the same time!

 The Republic of Whangamomona, a town that truly was it's own country for a while.  Now it's just a tourist stop to take a pic and grab a fake passport.  Interesting.

 Pics of Tongariro National Park form afar.  This park has three volcanoes and is frequented by crazy hikers who often have to turn around because of bad weather.  The top volcano is Mt. Doom from the Lord of the Rings trilogy (where he has to deposit the ring). Do you recognize it?

 Taupo is a gorgeous place, but unfortunately it was just a quick stop and the most exciting thing we saw was an airplane McDonald's.  I know for a fact there was more to see than this, seeing as how it is the Yellowstone of New Zealand with thermal pools everywhere.

 Ah.....it was such a breath of fresh air to actually make it to the temple in Hamilton.  Jonathan and I took turns doing a session (which we were both almost late for), and then spent the night at the temple apartments.  That night we snuck out of our room while the kids were asleep (bad but necessary) and took a leisurely stroll through the temple grounds.  What serenity!  It was a much needed respite from the craziness of our Jucy camper travels (try pulling up with a bright green and purple van with a nearly naked woman painted all over it through the temple parking lot as a wedding had just taken place...awkward!).  In the morning we bought a Maori Book of Mormon and headed on our way.

 Oh, the amazing adventures of Karangahake Gorge!  What a little (or big) boy's dream!  Endless train tunnels and bridges that cross the gorge many times over.  What a fun day!  It was truly one of our best strolls in all of New Zealand!

 Some snap shots of our in-between travels

 The wondrous Hot Water Beach.  Yep, right here you can dig a pool of hot water and relax before tides come in and make it even more exciting.  What's great about this spot is that you have the plan the tides right and new pools have to be dug every day.  Some pools were so hot they burned our feet and made the sand scorching despite the fact it was wet.  A once in a lifetime experience for sure! Who can say they've laid in a natural thermal pool on the beach?  Not many.

 Our only regret about visiting Cathedral Cove was the weather.  Our good friends, the Kellers, went a few weeks later and had a clear sunny day which made the water turn a gorgeous teal and pictures 250% better.  That aside it still was gorgeous.  This is where portions of The Prince Caspian was filmed.  It was quite a lengthy stroll to get there but was definitely worth it! 

 The Kauri tree is said to have been around since the Jurassic period.  They are not as large as the Redwoods in California but are WAY older.  They are native and very cool.  Old Maori canoes were made of these large trees.

 The most colorful and interesting bathroom stop in all of New Zealand!

 This area reminded us of the north-eastern part of the US.  It was founded by European settlers and began this country's long and heated history between the Maori's and the whites.

 We thought these little foam airplanes were worth the $1 sticker price for some much needed fun for the boys, although it really wasn't worth the 1 hour-long sobbing drama that ensued when one was accidentally stepped on.

 Another freedom camping site along the coast.  We pulled up just as the sun was setting. :)

 Waitangi, the place where the infamous treaty was signed between the Maoris and the whites.  Before we toured the sites we grabbed some fish n' chips from the coolest restaurant around (inside an old sail boat) and spent the night at a holiday park down the road.

 Burning off some much needed energy at a park on the beach.

 The sites of Waitangi was a great end to a wonderful stay in New Zealand.  This Maori canoe made from ancient Kauri trees must have been 80 feet long, at least.

 What a gorgeous spot to sign a treaty.  This was, at one time, Maori headquarters.  I don't blame them for choosing this spot!

 The Maori Pa Site was breathtaking!

 We finally made it back to Auckland and visited with Afi (now brother-in-law) and his Samoan family.  He was such a great help in the airport that morning!   Check-in took so long that Isaac fell asleep on Afi's shoulder.  Our plane ride was great!  We LOVE Air New Zealand!!!!  I had mixed feeling as we landed in LA.  A tear rolled down my cheek and I didn't want to look out the window.  I missed New Zealand the minute we landed and wished we didn't have to return.  The boys loved finding out that our airplane was all black when we deboarded in the morning.

So New Zealand was both crazy and relaxing, laid-back and intense, happy and sad, beautiful and beautiful.  I miss our life there, our experiences, our struggles, our garden, our friends, and our country (at least we feel it's a part of us now).  New Zealand will ALWAYS hold a special place in our hearts!  Sniff, sigh, smile.