Auckland Zoo & Ragu Too

From Kalia Tattoo we hit up the Auckland Zoo. The Auckland section of the timetable was getting pretty squeezed now, especially with the extra day in the studio, so we invited everyone we could and headed down to see if we could find a Giraffe for Charlotte to gawk at. I'm running out of words now (after the marathon I just ran in the previous post), so here's a photo journal of the experience. Enjoy!

Charlotte riding on the Wildlife.

Lily, Angela, Charlotte, and Tui check out the geckos.

Peeky-You, Cheeky Monkeys!

Keep your eyes on the road, Charlotte.

Lorna, Catherine, Lily & Tui, Charlotte, Regan & Amelia, Angela, and Michelle.

Needless to say, it was a real hit with the kids, but with people from all the four winds tagging along with us, and a rumble in the tum; we had to come up with dinner plans quick smart. While the original idea was to head into the Viaduct for a bite to eat, the suggestion was made to go get Fish'n Chips and hang out on the beach at Point Chevalier. 

    The big bummer there was; none of the three F'n C shops in Point Chevalier were open. F*#k it! Plan B - Regan and Will-bob to the rescue.

    We packed the family off to the beach at the local picnic area at the end of the peninsula (as the Sun was getting dark) and turned tail back to Western Springs. When we couldn't locate a pizzeria, or burger joint, or hot dog stand, we had to act fast. 

Rolling up on Ragu, which was packed, we took our chances. I had to hide the blood that was leaking through my shirt during our stint at the Zoo and tidy myself up somewhat, but eventually; the Manager was called out, and agreed to set us up with a table outside "Just this once..."

    We radioed the troops, and after sending out a search party for a couple of avid shell collectors, we managed to car pool the whole tribe back down to the Countdown (supermarket) carpark across the road, and make it to the restaurant right before Michelle lost her mind with starvation and Charlotte turned into a pumpkin for the day. (I would say Amelia was also about to turn into a pumpkin, but really, she seemed to be having a ball).

Long story short - we saved the day, and the meal was freakin' awesome. Expensive, but awesome nonetheless. Here are a few pictures from the evening's feast. Bravo Ragu!

I got bits of leaf in my hair... haha!

My special thanks to Regan, who at this point, was operating on 2-3 hours sleep a night (with Amelia keeping him up); and was also entertaining us all day and running us up hill, down dale, and all over sundry. Cheers palsie. It was bloody good of ya to keep it all together for us, eh. 

Will