Auckland

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It was still pouring down when we woke up. We were worried because we had planned to go to Rainbows End today (an outdoor amusement park). No need to worry; rain here can clear up in an instant. One minute it was pouring down and the sky was grey, the next minute the rain had stopped and the sky was blue! Our plan for Rainbow’s End was back in action. On the way out from the campground, we had to stop and explore the little beach across the road. We didn’t stay long because of the wind! This is one super windy spot.

We went off to Rainbows End which is in Manukau (South Auckland). It was lucky we found it; signage was not very clear. We were early enough to find a good parking spot for the campervan. We made ourselves some lunch in the campervan and then went in to the amusement park. We bought a family pass which meant Neil and I had to go on rides too! It wasn’t very busy so queues for most things didn’t take too long. E & S went on everything they could! On the other hand, Neil and I limited which rides we would go on. We did brave the corkscrew rollercoaster though, much to the delight of E & S. Even after surviving the roller coaster, Neil and I would not even consider the Power Surge. To our shock and amazement Elizabeth and Samuel both wanted to go on the Power Surge. I couldn’t believe Samuel was big enough for this ride, or that he would want to go on it, but he did!

After Rainbows End, we drove off to Te Atatu in North West Auckland. There we visited with my Mum and John. We went out and had a delicious dinner at a Thai Restaurant. One thing we like about NZ restaurants is that a lot of them are BYO, which means you can bring your own wine, or even beer at some. The Thai restaurant was a BYO one. We ran out of wine during our meal, so Neil ran across the road to the bottle store and picked up another bottle! We wouldn’t be able to do that in Edmonton!

We camped outside Mum and John’s for the night and we had the pleasure of hearing the call of the Morepork in the night.

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Photos

Rainbows End
Elizabeth & Samuel on Fearfull (18 stories high!)

Rainbows End
Elizabeth & Samuel on the Corkscrew Rollercoaster

Rainbows End
Elizabeth & Samuel on the Power Surge

Rainbows End
Elizabeth & Samuel on the Power Surge

Rainbows End
An amusement park necessity... candyfloss!

Rainbows End
Getting wet in the bumper boats!

Auckland
Ready to enjoy delicious food and great (BYO!) wine at the Thai Restaurant