Last Minute Dash to Waiwera Hot Pools

The next day was a bit of a blur, so I'm not even sure what to write here; but one thing is certain -- Dad promised us that we wouldn't leave New Zealand without at least one dip in the Waiwera Hot Pools. Apparently, the water is all heated by volcanoes?

As usual, Dad made us all late; and Regan and Amelia were having an afternoon sleep (because Dad was wearing them out as well), so we kinda arrived at Waiwera only 40 minutes before it closed.

    I had my floaty with me though, and had been sitting around the house all day, so was ready for adventure. Even though we drove half an hour to swim for half an hour, it was awesome all the same.

Check it out. (This is what it would have looked like if we'd got there during the day)...

After our great swim, we headed next door to the local tavern, poured everyone a nice cool pint of beer (Tui and Export Gold), or a glass of wine; then laughed at the how often the Canadian's giggled at the local New Zealand drunkards. 

Truth be told, the whole situation was catching up on us, and we were totally buggered by this point. (Regan and Lucy even took an off-ramp on the way up, only to drive off again, and hit the toll bridge anyways). 

Jaded, and ragged around the edges, the swim was worth the effort and the Seafood Basket was to die for. Cheers Waiwera - next time we'll show up when it's not raining and the sun's out.
    Yawn!
    Good night for now. I've got an early start in the morning... Mum says we've gotta get up at 4:30am to catch a flight to Dunedin, and...
    I'm pooped...

Wake me when it's time for breakfast...

Yawn* - or maybe, we'll just... eat on the plane...

zZz zZz zZz...

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

Quick Rinse Off in the Pool

After a day out at the beach, I had the biggest, crustiest, sandiest toe bogies anybody has ever seen. 

    I had sand in my hair. I had sand in my ears. But between my toes, I had entire tracts of the Auckland foreshore; and that says nothing about the piles of shell's, feathers, sand, and rocks I deliberately carried home in my pockets.

    When a young girl finds herself so totally covered in nature, there's only one thing left to do - strap on the floaty, and hit the Base Pool for a rinse off (sorry pool janitor). 

    It was fun though. Amelia even came too.

One thing I should point out to you all, is that back in Canada, I've been doing some swimming lessons. Getting access to heating pools can be a little difficult for us in Canada, because most public pools close down in the Winter time, and like booking ice time in Winter, booking pool time in Summer can be equally as challenging. Competition is fierce, and dollars get you in...

    ...this is my long-winded excuse for the fact that although I'm four and a half years old now, I still can't swim on my own without a floaty yet. (Nor do I like putting my face under the water for very long). 

    That being said, I did pass my Salamander's Swimming Class just before coming to New Zealand, so my confidence levels are on the up.

    Anyway, the only reason I mention my own swimming levels and development, is because of what I found out Amelia could do at the age of only 8 months old. 

    There, in the base pool, while I washed West Coast sand off my softly padded feet, I was witness to a miracle - just like the baby on the cover of Dad's Nirvana CD, Amelia can hold her breath under water! 

    Check it out - it is truly a sight to behold. Her Dad, Regan calls her name to get her ready, gives her a half-count, then dives her under water for no more than four seconds. Amelia instinctively holds her breath and comes up grinning and looking impressed with herself when everyone claps and cheers as she returns to the surface unharmed...

Granted, she does cough a little bit in this clip, but it was the fifth attempt that afternoon at pulling a Jacques Cousteau. Well done, Amelia. You're quite the little aqua-lung.

As for me, I'm quite inspired - and what began as a way to escape the sun and wipe off our sandy features - has turned into renewed motivation for me to practice my floating, bubble blowing, and breath holding on my own (at least, in the bath for now, anyway). 

    Thanks for the inspiration, kuz!

Charlotte