Hahei Beach

Really really fun rope swing...there were
several of them scattered along the dunes
of the beach

Hahei Beach - even with the clouds it was warm enough to play on the beach, read, swing and jump in the surf. 

 Boy did we enjoy Hahei Beach.  We stayed there a few nights over Easter.  Got a "last minute deal" (okay, it was still a splurge), on a luxurious beachfront villa.  Fortunately the storms waited 'til we left to move in, so even though there were clouds, there was no rain, and it wasn't cold.  We sea-kayaked to famous Cathedral Cove, then around several of the islands.  We saw heaps of cormorants, and even Little Blue Penguins!  We've been wanting to see them for awhile.

Ken & Gavin paddling through sea caves & arches

Getting Into Hot Water...

 This place is so cool!  Or should I say, hot.  On the sign above, the little red lines along the beach show where the fault lines are that release hot water just under the surface.  For two hours on either side of low tide, you can reach the hot water easily by digging just under the surface of the sand.  So, activity on Hot Water Beach is completely tide dependent.  We got there 2 hours before high tide, armed with 2 sturdy shovels.  Here's the scene we found!  Everyone with the same idea...dig out your own little private jacuzzi on the beach and then sit in it.

We have to find the right spot by shuffling our toes under the sand.  Amazingly, hot and cold water can be separated by only a few centimeters.  We find what we think will be a good spot and the boys get to work!  We find that you really have to do this in a spirit of cooperation with others, for as others start to dig nearby it changes the flow of water and the sand crumbles in places.  We end up sharing pools with people from India, Germany, the UK and Auckland.  This is a complex architectural endeavor that, amazingly, is repeated twice a day, every day!

We finally get our jacuzzi made.  I know it doesn't look deep, but this water is SO hot that you can't take very much of it.  It feels so nice with the warm sand and the warm water.  I thought I'd be over it after a few minutes, but we actually sat there until dusk.  My bottom was red as a lobster when I got out!  We ran back & forth from ocean to "hot tub".

Funky "Auntie Dawn's" where we stayed for the night, within walking distance of Hot Water Beach.  A bit cluttered and musty-dusty inside (Gavin and I took our Zyrtec), but the kids loved the rope swing, the chooks running about and the Tuis and Kereru in the trees.  

Persistence Pays off in Perplexing Pig Problem

So...word had it that the 309 road was a fun little family adventure with quirky stop-offs like a honey shop, a waterfall, and some wild pigs along the way.  Taylor family said why not, and hopped in the car.  As soon as we stopped in "pig territory", the porkers swarmed our car.  It was funny and chaotic and a little freaky...we brought a loaf of bread to feed them, and as soon as they caught wind of it they stormed Ken.  Chooks squawking, roosters crowing, peacocks shreaking, pigs grunting and piglets squealing...before Ken knew what had happened a huge black pig jumped (yes, he swears, it jumped) and ripped the loaf of bread out of his hands.  I rummaged in the car for a few apple cores to feed the beasts, and Griffin entertained himself by trying unsuccessfully to catch a piglet.  After a few more minutes we had enough pig action and were ready to head on to the next stop.  Ken reached for the car keys...hmm, where were the car keys?  They weren't in the car, weren't on the ground next to car, weren't in the general vicinity of the car...it wasn't looking good.

After searching for the better part of an hour we came to several conclusions:  (1) When the pig jumped Ken for the bread it also took the keys out of his hand, and (2) the keys were either eaten or carried far, far away.  Grif and I hitched a ride into town, Gav stayed in the car because he had enough of pigs, and Ken continued to search through pastures full of pig poop.  Some kiwi farmers came by and told Ken "pigs'll eat anything...you should start kicking pigs, and if your car alarm goes off that's your guy".  Did we tell you kiwis are funny people?  Half an hour later, Ken successfully (and miraculously) located the keys in slimy yucky pile far away from the car. He found Grif and I at the tow place, putting an end to our discussion of the slim likelihood of finding someone to cut new keys from the Vovlo boot lock over the long Easter weekend.  Later that evening we told somebody about our adventure and apparently word gets around fast because he said, "Oh, I heard about that, mate, that was you?" We're sure he was thinking "Bloody idiot Americans"!

The little piglets were pretty cute, though.  And for some reason there was a peacock wandering around. Why not?

Striking Gold in Coromandel Town

I just love this little town!  Coromandel Town is in the part of New Zealand where gold was first discovered back in 1852.  The area is rich with attractions celebrating it's gold mining heritage, and the cute little main street has is lined with shops like these.  After lunch at one of the many outdoor cafes, I had a hard time leaving my seat!    Boys enjoyed the huge fishing store.

This old-fashioned butcher shop had an amazing front display case.
We bought bacon-garlic-onion sausages to grill up for dinner.

 We visited the Driving Creek potters and took a ride on the historic narrow gauge scenic railway. Other activities included a night-time walk through an old mine shaft cave to check out glowworms.  Unfortunately the glowworms were less than impressive, but what WAS impressive was the amount of mud on the floor (ankle deep) and the size of the spider that hung just over our heads in a particularly narrow part.  Had to turn off my headlamp & pretend it wasn't there!

View from the scenic Railway's "EyeFul Tower" high above the bay by Coromandel Town

A funky attraction in Coromandel Town...Waterworks.  Appropriately billed as "a uniquely kiwi quirky waterpark".
Everything built from recycled & repurposed household items such as buckets, spoons, bike parts, car parts.
Really kooky, and kids loved it.

Ken scores big waves in Raglan

Scouting the waves @ Indicators.  This morning was sunny and bright, with some double overhead sets and a fair amount of onshore wind.  Paddling was exhausting, but somehow Ken found the strength to stay out for a few hours while the boys built driftwood creations and I played photographer.  Somehow he even managed to paddle out there again for an evening session.  What a trooper!

Although you can't tell from the photos, there were nearly 20 guys fighting for waves @ Indicators.  Raglan locals are notoriously hostile to outsiders, but Ken says everyone was cool today and no one tried to burn him.  Nice sharing, mates.

The downside of surfing Indicators...like most breaks at Raglan it is a reef break with rocky shores to negotiate going in and out.  Ken got dinged up at the end of one of his sessions.

Heading out for an evening session.  Family waiting back in the cottage for Ken to come in, shower up, and head in to town for dinner, but it may be a while...

Raglan - Quintessential Surf Town

Road Trip!!!  The boys are on Easter holidays from school, so we hit the road.  First stop...Raglan.  Famous for surf.  Located several hours north of us on the West Coast of the North Island.  We booked a "bach" (holiday home) ahead of time...tiny cottage in the middle of the bush within walking distance of "Indicators", one of the major surf breaks in the Raglan area.

The cottage was tiny, and kinda cute, unfortunately even though it was "secluded" in the middle of the bush as the internet ad claimed, there was also a larger 2-story house secluded right next door!  Ah well, it was still fine.  Ken can walk down the trail to Indicators to surf, and it is a few minutes' drive into town.

The view from the cottage, however, was FANTASTIC!  We awoke to a birdsong chorus, and on the way to the beach we walked through the bush with tuis, kererus and fantails flitting about.  Gavin startled a pheasant on his way down the path...almost gave him a heart attack.

Whale Bay was the next surf break over.  Here's Grif and Gav on the rocks at sunset, or should we say moonrise (gorgeous full moon).  It was a great area for rock-hopping and scavenging driftwood.

Visited gorgeous Bridal Veil Falls, and puttered around the town of Raglan, into cute little shops and eateries.  Great organic veggie burgers @ Burger Shack, great sushi takeaways @ Aloha, and FINALLY great pizza @ Vinnie's (first good pizza since we've been here!)

Bridal Veil Falls

Raglan street scene

Ken's Kiwi Birthday!

Birthdays are big occasions here in Opunake, just as they are in the states.  Ken turned, ahem, 43 yesterday, and had a sweet as birthday.

Started the day by sleeping in...no work!  Gavin made pancakes, then as kids headed off to school Ken headed off to surf.  Apparently the swell wasn't great that day, but he had fun poking around the breaks in the area, and finally discovered where the mysterious "Spot X" is.

The Sugar Juice gang, and one kooky 9 year old

 
Come evening, we headed to Sugar Juice for dinner.  Pumpkin soup, curry...as usual, Jarrah's kitchen did not disappoint, and Beth's cake was deee-licious.

Friends came to celebrate.  Thanks to Steve & Sue & Weldon, Shelly & Peter, Mary & Kevin, and Michelle & Geoff for your friendship and warm wishes.

Jarrah - genius in the kitchen

 

Sue & Ken - birthday buddies

    

Thanks to Sue for sharing her 50th birthday with Ken.  Sue's big party is Saturday..."Hawaii 5-0" so break out the grass skirts!

We're so grateful to Sue and her family for their friendship.  They are another two-boy family with whom we feel a special connection.  It helps that Steve is American!  They've helped us ease our way into Opunake by giving us advice, bike helmets, fellowship, and a friend for Gavin.  We'll miss them dearly.                                                                                                                   

A day in the life of a kiwi housewife

So I've had some people say that it is nice to hear about travel or special events, but they are curious as to what on earth I actually do most days.  I'm afraid the answer isn't at all fascinating or exotic.  Yes, I've slowed down immensely from my usual days in the states.  No, I'm not bored yet.  Yes, I read more and have more time to linger over a cup of tea with my new friends.  No, I don't read all day long, unfortunately.  Yes, I do have more time to exercise.  No, I don't exercise more!

I decided to keep my camera with me yesterday as I had one of my regular old days on my bicycle.  The morning began similarly to any weekday morning here or in the states...make breakfast, make school lunches, and hustle kids off to school, running late as usual.  Biked to school with the kids.

On the way home from school, I stopped by the community gardens and weeded the herb box.  This way, I felt good about pinching some sage for dinner tonight!

Griffin's guitar teacher introduced me to the community gardens.  There are official work parties on Saturdays, but anyone can go during the week and put in some effort.  It has helped me learn about using plant-based supports like flax & bamboo, and we also discovered that we like gooseberries...who knew?

The community garden also has two "chooks" or chickens.  When you garden there you can let them out of their nice little pen to scratch around.



On the way home from the gardens, I stopped at Gillbanks to see what fresh fish they had for dinner.  With the help of Mr. Gillbanks, I selected half a kilo of lemonfish.  Gillbanks is an institution here in Opunake.  People tell me that at the elementary school, Mondays were historically fish & chip days for school lunches, until someone with the school district's nutritional board put an end to that.  Grif & Gav were so bummed to hear that they arrived too late for "fish & chip Mondays", because they love Gillbanks.  Many think it is the best fish & chips in Taranaki.  I like the fact that we have a little shop with daily fresh fish in the front window.  Now if only we had a grill...

It was sunny & warm with a light breeze...perfect day for laundry.  Somehow I am manager for Griffin's basketball team, which means that I wash uniforms after each game!  So the rest of the morning found me doing laundry & mopping a few floors...fascinating, I know.

Had to admire the mountain, Mt Taranaki, from my backyard while I was hanging laundry.  I've gotten used to glancing up to the east and knowing that the mountain is there - either invisibly shrouded in clouds, or in full crisp display, or partially covered by changing wisps of clouds, as today.  The snow has returned in the last few weeks as the weather is getting colder.

Ken's corn fritters

My cashew chicken salad

I did something nicer than usual in the middle of the day...I met Ken at work at noon, and we walked over to Headlands for lunch.  For such a small town, it is amazing that we have the dining options that we do.  Headlands seems to cater to the business lunch crowd...there were lots of "suits" there during our lunch.  (From nearby oil & gas industry?)  Who says you can't have fine dining in a dairy farming town of 1,400?

After lunch I hopped back on my bike and headed to the kids' school.  I joined a work party that was preparing for the big "hangi" meal that was to take place at the marae visit the next day (more on that later).  While men dug the hole and prepared the fire & stones, women peeled potatoes & kumara (like a yam), crumbed bread for stuffing, and sorted pieces of chicken, beef & lamb.  I peeled and chopped what must have been at least 200 onions.  A hangi is a traditional Maori meal prepared in a manner common to other Polynesian cultures.  Felt similar to a luau to the kids & I.  But I digress.

I peeled & chopped onions until the dismissal bell rang @ school.  Then I collected my kids & the Park boys, and walked to the Dump with my friend Sue and her two boys.  

We found some really nice pieces of sea glass down at the Dump.  I scored my biggest piece of cobalt blue yet, and Griffin found a very special red heart-shaped piece.  We brought them home in our pockets and added them to our stash that we keep in a hokey-pokey ice cream container.

As it neared 5:00 we walked home, with Mt Taranaki visible in the distance, so that I could get the lemonfish ready for dinner.  Our next door neighbors Rex & Lorraine were our dinner guests that night.  They had just arrived home from a months travels in the Middle East, and we were anxious to hear about thier trip.

And that, my friends, is a day in the life of a kiwi housewife.