The next day we took another walk and this time we started at Takapuna beach and went south. We walked that entire beach which is pretty long and then to leonard beach. It was very rocks and not just little rocks but huge bolders! And they are not lava either. We had to billy goat over them and for awhile there I was thinkng we had been very unwie to start such a project. But we finally made it over them and found we were on the north end of narrow neck beach so we walked it to the south end where we had stopped the previous day. It was a fun walk. We saw lots of interesting things.
People were walking their dogs on the beach (yes, they had plastic bags for the poop) and the dogs seemed happier to see each other than the people walking them were to see each other. There were old couples walking together, single people running and then families. We saw dads on the rocks teaching their kids how to fish.
When we finished our walk we realized that low tide was over (and we did not want to billy goat it back) so we walked back along the streets. We found some sneaky ways to get back from the doctor's place that would keep us off of the main road longer which was good. We found landmarks that people were always talking about but that we had no clue about. What a productive night it was.
We drove it after we got back to the car and think it was about 11- 12 km. Not a bad nights stroll!
January 24, 2013
They walked, and walked, and walked and....
Sorry for the delay in posting but there was a problem with it and I finally sent a message to google and they seemed to have fixed whatever the issue was. Hopefully.
In looking at maps and suggested outings we have found that there is a way to walk the entire east coast of the island, at least where there are beaches. So we started on afternoon and went first to Devanport. That is where the wharf is on this side of the harbour. We walked all those beaches and visited the little town there. Certainly a tourist city. The cruise ships come in and they ferry the passengers to Devonport for the day. Lots of places to eat as well as places to spend money. After we were there we went to cheltenham beach. This is the place where we had lunch with the office Christmas party and where the tide was so far out. It was again so far out and easy to walk. We tried at the beginning to keep our feet dry but that soon went by the wayside.
We walked together for awhile but then I was taking too long so my companion headed off by himself. I wondered and looked at shells and the sand and all those things that were there to see and then I saw it. A sand dollar! I was so excited but when I picked it up I had the feeling that it was still alive. So I put it back but soon I was seeing more. I started to pick them up and realized that if there was a hole on the bottom they were dead. I found 14! There were more but I decided not to be greedy. I took them home and put them in a bucket of water since we were going to FHE with the seniors.
In looking at maps and suggested outings we have found that there is a way to walk the entire east coast of the island, at least where there are beaches. So we started on afternoon and went first to Devanport. That is where the wharf is on this side of the harbour. We walked all those beaches and visited the little town there. Certainly a tourist city. The cruise ships come in and they ferry the passengers to Devonport for the day. Lots of places to eat as well as places to spend money. After we were there we went to cheltenham beach. This is the place where we had lunch with the office Christmas party and where the tide was so far out. It was again so far out and easy to walk. We tried at the beginning to keep our feet dry but that soon went by the wayside.
We walked together for awhile but then I was taking too long so my companion headed off by himself. I wondered and looked at shells and the sand and all those things that were there to see and then I saw it. A sand dollar! I was so excited but when I picked it up I had the feeling that it was still alive. So I put it back but soon I was seeing more. I started to pick them up and realized that if there was a hole on the bottom they were dead. I found 14! There were more but I decided not to be greedy. I took them home and put them in a bucket of water since we were going to FHE with the seniors.
They sat in the water until the next evening when I had time to take care of them. I washed them and kind of scrubbed them with a tooth brush and then put them in a solution of water and bleach and left them overnight. And this is what they look like now.
The little one is a bit bigger than a golf ball and the biggest one is about the size of a very large navel orange. I am so excied that I found these. In all the reading I have done and in all of the materials everyone has left there is nothing that says these shells would be found on cheltenham beach! Bonus!
We continued our walk and ended up on narrow neck beach which is the beach north on cheltenham. It was fun to realize that is where we were. There are big lava formations that separate the beaches usually but they were easy to walk over etc. It was a very nice afternoon.
January 10, 2013
A Few Observatons . . .
We have been in New Zealand now for just over seven months. At times it seems like we are still new to the land but other times we are so comfortable that it seems like we have been here much longer but it was fun to experience the Christmas season and all the festivities here for the first time. It is really like nothing we have ever seen or experienced before. I mentioned in a family letter that is was almost hard to even know that it was Christmas given the lack of trappings all about. From some of our previous adventures we were not surprised that it was warm and summer but we were surprised by the lack of participation in decorating and the visual evidences of it.
One difference that I observed and was so grateful for was there was no fear or concern or discomfort at wishing someone a merry Christmas and never was someone saying have a happy holiday. The concert at Town Hall was certainly a celebration of the birth of the Savior and it was evidenced in the music that was performed and the words that were spoken. The church across the street from us was very busy with cars going in and out bringing people for Mass on both Christmas eve and the actual day as well.
As the new year has begun it is weird that so many people are still not back to work and that not all the shops and restaurants are open. Since school is still our people take the chance to go on a holiday and to leave town. We were concerned that during the vacation season that our little Takapuna would be full of visitors and that it would be so busy but it is quite the contrary. We were at the beach last Saturday for a few minutes, really just walking about and observing people. It was busy and people were enjoying the day. It was a bit funny to see all these dark Tongans and Samoans slathering sun screen on themselves and their kids. They believe that the best sun tan is one that leaves no marks or evidence on your body! The water was busy with kayaks, long boards, jet skis, swimmers, fishing boats and walkers. They were there by themselves or as large families with everything in between. They were having picnics that they brought or were eating just fruit or a sandwich from a vendor or a pizza.
But then we were there yesterday afternoon just for a short walk and the area was almost empty of people. There was noting that would indicate that people were there vacationing. So maybe our little part of the world will just stay like we like it. Kamryn wanted to know if we walked on the sea shells --we certainly do. People here are not very impressed with a nice shell.
I suppose the other thing I have observed is that they are really concerned and participate with new goals and resolutions. There were so many testimonies in church on Sunday about wanting to be better and do better and have a greater love and knowledge of the Savior. It was nice. They are a people that like to be better than they were. They love their country and will strive to make it better and to improve it. Recycling is not even questioned. Nice yards are a given. Polite children are the norm. And polite cashiers are expected. When you check out they ask how you are and they really expect an answer. If you just say fine that is not enough. They will ask if your work went well, if you have plans for the evening, what you are going to bake with the flour you are buying. We have met some lovely people at the market. One is a young man, 23, who is from India. He is going back in March to visit his family and to meet the girl they have picked to be his bride. Another is a lady from Iran. She loves her country but knows that it is now ruined and she will never go back. It is too late for us to visit and find it nice.
Just a few observations of our time here. Hope you enjoyed the ramblings!
One difference that I observed and was so grateful for was there was no fear or concern or discomfort at wishing someone a merry Christmas and never was someone saying have a happy holiday. The concert at Town Hall was certainly a celebration of the birth of the Savior and it was evidenced in the music that was performed and the words that were spoken. The church across the street from us was very busy with cars going in and out bringing people for Mass on both Christmas eve and the actual day as well.
As the new year has begun it is weird that so many people are still not back to work and that not all the shops and restaurants are open. Since school is still our people take the chance to go on a holiday and to leave town. We were concerned that during the vacation season that our little Takapuna would be full of visitors and that it would be so busy but it is quite the contrary. We were at the beach last Saturday for a few minutes, really just walking about and observing people. It was busy and people were enjoying the day. It was a bit funny to see all these dark Tongans and Samoans slathering sun screen on themselves and their kids. They believe that the best sun tan is one that leaves no marks or evidence on your body! The water was busy with kayaks, long boards, jet skis, swimmers, fishing boats and walkers. They were there by themselves or as large families with everything in between. They were having picnics that they brought or were eating just fruit or a sandwich from a vendor or a pizza.
But then we were there yesterday afternoon just for a short walk and the area was almost empty of people. There was noting that would indicate that people were there vacationing. So maybe our little part of the world will just stay like we like it. Kamryn wanted to know if we walked on the sea shells --we certainly do. People here are not very impressed with a nice shell.
I suppose the other thing I have observed is that they are really concerned and participate with new goals and resolutions. There were so many testimonies in church on Sunday about wanting to be better and do better and have a greater love and knowledge of the Savior. It was nice. They are a people that like to be better than they were. They love their country and will strive to make it better and to improve it. Recycling is not even questioned. Nice yards are a given. Polite children are the norm. And polite cashiers are expected. When you check out they ask how you are and they really expect an answer. If you just say fine that is not enough. They will ask if your work went well, if you have plans for the evening, what you are going to bake with the flour you are buying. We have met some lovely people at the market. One is a young man, 23, who is from India. He is going back in March to visit his family and to meet the girl they have picked to be his bride. Another is a lady from Iran. She loves her country but knows that it is now ruined and she will never go back. It is too late for us to visit and find it nice.
Just a few observations of our time here. Hope you enjoyed the ramblings!
Gannets Revisited!
The last time I reported on the gannets at Muirwai they were just beginning their courting and had not even thought of laying an egg. I was there about two weeks ago with Nate and it is certainly a different picture today. Most of the eggs have hatched and the babies are beginning to appear. I am amazed at how big the babies are and that they still had only fuzz like a baby chick and no feathers at all!
You can see a couple of they just sitting or laying on the ground. They are all white with just a black beak. They look rather lazy to me.
I decided to do bit more research about these birds, especially since we saw some of them when we were at Bay of Islands and they were diving into the water and coming out with fish. So I checked them out. If it doesn't change when I post it then you can actually click on the blue words and they will give you a link to learn more. I thought it was pretty interesting what there is to know about them.
It was a fun day to see them there.
You can see a couple of they just sitting or laying on the ground. They are all white with just a black beak. They look rather lazy to me.
Right in the middle of the picture below you can see one of the babies standing up. It is as big as its parent although it just has fuzz. A smaller one is to the left just sitting there.
Couple of more here with their moms. (I assume...could be a dad!)
And just one more to look at. My assumption is that those that are still sitting are on eggs and that they should be hatching soon. It takes 44 days for them to hatch out. They should all be hatched soon thought because those babes need to be ready to fly by the beginning on March!
I decided to do bit more research about these birds, especially since we saw some of them when we were at Bay of Islands and they were diving into the water and coming out with fish. So I checked them out. If it doesn't change when I post it then you can actually click on the blue words and they will give you a link to learn more. I thought it was pretty interesting what there is to know about them.
It was a fun day to see them there.
(I have gone back and edited this because the part that I copied and pasted did not work and it was just white lines etc so you can google it if you want to know more!)
January 2, 2013
The setting sun
Lake Taupo is about 40 km south of Lake Rotorua and is much bigger. It is a crater lake as are most of the lakes in New Zealand. Our flat looked out over the lake and we were blessed to see a spectacular sunset. Nate and I wanted down to the shore to get the best pictures we could.
I think it is pretty lovely if I do say so myself!
I think it is pretty lovely if I do say so myself!
The luge
Once you got to the top of the mountain then you had the opportuntiy to ride the lufe. In Queenstown you could take the lufe down or the gondola. In Taupo you could take the luge down but it only went part of the way so then you would ride the ski life up and then take the gondola back down so that is what Nate wanted to do.
This is the view of Lake Rotorua and the island. The switchbacks are the luge track.
Here is Nate on his way down. He was going pretty slow here but evidently there is a place where he was airborne!
Here he is just before getting off of the ski lift. Notice that he is bringing up two of the luge cars with him. It is so clever how they work.
He was happy with just the one run. We thought he looked very fetching in his helmet!
Jelly Bellies
When we were in Rotorua we rode a Gondola to the top of the mountain there. It was so much easier than the one in Queenstown. They had all sorts of things to do. The luge was one. They had a swing. Shops where you could spend your money. A theater for a weird movie. And a restaurant.
One of the shops was a jelly bellystore. Everything in the store was a jelly belly. They had art work made from the beans. A few photos to show their talent.
There are big signs that say the beans are not to be eaten!
Can you imagine this being your job?!?
Certainly one of the masters makes it even more impressive!
One of the shops was a jelly bellystore. Everything in the store was a jelly belly. They had art work made from the beans. A few photos to show their talent.
There are big signs that say the beans are not to be eaten!
Can you imagine this being your job?!?
Certainly one of the masters makes it even more impressive!
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