Auckland I and the Bay of Plenty

We first stayed with Ruth who we hadn't seen for about 12 years. She's on great form and we had hot jacuzzis and waffles, and walked to the top of Mount Eden... where the cattle grids are obviously not working...


Me and Phoebe looking bleary eyed at the waffle bar.


Ruth looking lovely at the waffle bar.


Renegade cow at the summit of Mount Eden (a volcanic cone overlooking Auckland)

We then went onto our Jackie's (Dad's sister) in Omokoroa, Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty. Played mental virtual reality PS2 games with cousins Michael (14) and Jordan (13), where we raced each other at chopping virtual pickles and demolishing virtual walls! Also went on a crazy mission to find a car and FOUND ONE!!!! A gorgeous white 1989 Ford Laser which i have christened 'Bung-eye' after an unfortunate eye-disorder of one of Jackie's cats. Walked round Mount Maunganui, swam in the hot springs at Rotorua and made hot baths at Hotwater Beach, and walked to the stunning Cathedral Cove on the Coromandel Peninsula...and watched Whalerider. All in all, a true introduction to the essence of NZ.


Jackie and Phoebe posing at Rotorua Harbour


Me and Jackie, Rotorua


Phoebe and Jackie, Rotorua


Jackie looking fiiiiiine at a remote little thermal spring off the beaten track


Striped Marlin being weighed at Waiki Beach. NB. Michael (cousin) caught one of these on the same day, and it weighed even more than this one, and that was with its tail missing after a shark took it off last minute!!


Phoebe and Jackie with spades for digging hot baths on Hotwater Beach


The beautiful Coromandel Peninsula


Phoebe wetting herself laughing at Cathedral Cove


Phoebe's henna tattoo slowly formed this cool 'inverted tan tattoo'


Phoebe under the natural archway of Cathedral Cove, Coromandel Peninsula


Phoebe henna-ing her hair


Jordan with Stella on his head


Michael and Jordan


Jackie and her lovely boys!