bertrams

Coffee and Movenpick icecream in Mission Bay and around the harbour up to the headland was a beautiful drive with paths and photo ops aplenty. A putt putt challenge and some dinosaur taming at Lillputt before returning the car and getting in the taxi the car rental guys had organised to the airport. The boys hit up the BK for a final NZ onion rings feast while Wayne bought the obligatory woolly lamb from the gift shop then it was farewell Auckland and hello Gold Coast (after an hour holding pattern and landing in Brisbane then bussing to Coolangatta). I really enjoyed our first taste of NZ and we will definitely go back and spend a bit more time exploring.... read more

We made an impulse decision this morning to do the Auckland Bridge Bungeewhich was really cool. The walk under the bridge has nice views over the harbour. The water is just so clean and clear, quite impressive for an industrial port. The 4 of us leapt out over the water where just minutes later a pod of dolphins swam through. Wayne even enjoyed the walk, as a spectator he got a taste of the bridge climb. The boys dropped Tash and I at the ferry where we caught the 11am Waiheke Explorer Tour ($49 includes the ferry $35 plus all day bus pass $9 plus an island tour). Waiheke is beautiful - every cove and bay and hill a picture postcard view. Although our tour guide Glen didn't seem to approve we abandoned our tour at ... read more

The kids played early morning icy putt putt while I scraped ice from the windscreens then we headed out to Zorb. Even though the tracks were covered in ice Nic and I did a multiperson Zydro . Tash did a zig-zag Zydro and Jess did a straight Zorbit. Yay! Lunch in the park in Cambridge on our way to Waitomo was pretty average but it was an easy if longish drive. Wayne, Tash and Jesse were booked into a Spellbound tour. Nic and I were going to do some blackwater rafting but considering timing, how cold it was and how good all the reviews for the Spellbound tour were we decided to join the others. The staff, service and overall experience of the Spellbound tour was amazing. I have seen glow worms before but nothing like ... read more

An all day explorer pass for $16 lets you catch ferries buses and trains all day. The ferry accross to Devonport is quick and Auckland has such a pretty harbour. Our Magic Broomstick segway tour was brilliant! The segways are soo much fun to ride and the tour was interesting with a great mix of local stories, history, architecture, tunnels, stunning views and tasty treats to keep us all happy. Because we had a day pass we decided to jump on the first train to arrive when we got back to the city (the ferry terminal, bus stops and train station are all really close together on the harbour). We got out and had a look around Newmarket which is obvioulsy a high end suburb with lots of brand name boutiques so not really our style ... read more

We say our goodbyes to South America with cheeses, fruit, wine and empanadas from the local market in our 24th floor apartment. Another amazing day. We are truly blessed. Sorry the entries have been a little light lately but have been more into doing stuff than writing about it. Love love.... read more

After some minor dramas (make sure you pay your national park fee not let the guide pocket it). We had an easy, if slow, border crossing to arrive in Chile on a hot sunny day. San Pedro de Atacama is a lovely little village in the desert mountains of the region. We loved the thermal springs as well as following the Puritama River through a valley of green with cactii towering above us on every side - so beautiful.... read more