Blogs from Mount Maunganui, Bay of Plenty, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 5

After a rainy weekend at the Mount all of us Americans were determined to get back there and get some sun. Simon, a guy who lives across the hall from me, invited 8 of us to his beach house in Papamoa for the weekend. Its just south of the mount0 ten minute drive. Come to find out he didnt tell his mom we were coming. When he showed up with 4 americans she was suprised. Then, when the rest, who had taken a bus over, showed up she was not very happy. Basically she hated us, but hated simon more. Just kidding! They set up the house so that the garage is just full of bunk beds. So thats where we slept. 9 people on 2 bunk beds and a couch and Dan was on the ... read more

Wednesday 20th Another 'that little bit too early' start, and still only just ready in time - but in a slow getting ready kind of way! After half-hour of collections we're on the way, seeing more Art Deco architecture on the way. Around 10ish we get to Taupo - 20 minutes is allowed here as Eric, our driver, disappears off to drop/collect more passengers. Another 10 minute stop at the Huka Falls, and get a chance to see the view Woshil talked about above the falls, as well as the view below the falls - neither of which I saw last time! Back past the geothermal power station and soon that bad egg smell kicks in again and we're back in Rotorua. After Geoff (Hobbs) in particular raged about the Luge I wanted to have a ... read more

Hello everyone who is wanting to hear about my travels (about the parts I'm going to tell anyway!) Well I guess I'll start from the beginning since this is the first time I've had a chance to write (Mike you smart ass). Well I will start with the flight, It was pretty brutal, The fly from Calgary to LA was a sinch and the flight from LA to Tokyo was alright too. It was not a full plane so we could move around and find other seating. Then we got to Tokyo and refulled then reboarded and that was shitty cause there were more people and I was crammed in the middle of Kevin and some old guy. After a few hours of that I said screw that and I jacked some guys cozy spot (he ... read more

Many may wonder what happened to the Robbins since their South Island adventure. Well, we have been fitting in a lot of routine stuff in the months of January through March. The South Island Trip ended mid January. Since that time, summer came into full swing, and when not working or schooling we have tried to enjoy the local outdoor life. For me, that occurred mostly on the week ends. Because there is no free lunch, I had to pay for my NZ raising. I have covered 15 call days in a short period of time and managed to squeeze in 15-20 CME hours. Sarah and the kids have been equally as busy. School has started back. Grace has been attacking homework tenaciously. Ben’s curriculum includes Photography and Oceanography. Sometimes he wears shoes to school and ... read more

Feeling very chilled-out here in Mt Maunganui; staying here for a few days to unwind. The weather changes here by the minute. It's been quite windy most days, with bright sunshine and then downpours. We picked a time today when it wasn't quite so windy and ventured up to the top of The Mount, 232 metres high. The route to the top seems to be a regular route for runners, several of whom puffed their way past us on the way up. The view from the top is worth the hike, with the Bay of Plenty on one side of Maunganui and Tauranga Harbour on the other. The stretch of beach from The Mount is about 20 km long to Papamoa. Went over to Tauranga Airport earlier in the day, to a Helicopter Training Centre. Steve ... read more