A day cruise in the Bay of Islands

Bay of islands, tonic for the soul. Part 1.

Whangerei before the sun came out

Our five day holiday in the Northland was tonic for the soul. We don't spend our entire life on holiday, as this blog might suggest, but have had a busy year, with kids, work, family, friends, studies, housework, pets, etc. That said, the holiday was a delightful escape into paradise. Our first stop was Whangerei. The Town Basin has a wharf with lovely dockside restaurants, an art gallery and shops, and is a perfect place to stop for lunch if travelling from Auckland.

The view from our rented bach

Our destination was a stunning bach in Opua where the vista of indigenous trees led to a snippet of bay, with a glinting cruiseliner resting central to the picture. It's times like these that I really need a zoom lens.

Paihia waterfront

Paihia is a hive of watersport activity, helicopter rides, restaurants and action. It has a cosmopolitan feel, with visitors from all over the world buzzing about. We bumped into a friend from Titirangi who advised us to go to Oke Bay. This led to a long interesting drive along winding roads, through rainforests and wetlands, farmlands and mountains, to a beautiful, quiet bay, using my phone's GPS. It felt a bit like finding Karaka Bay! Snorkelling, kayaking and swimming kept us blissfully occupied for the afternoon. It's been whispered on the grapevine that a certain famous Kiwi opera singer is fond of this little arcing gem.

Oke Bay

Ferrying to Russell

When in Paihia, a short ferry trip to Russell is a must. In the 1800s it was a den of iniquity - the "Hell hole of the Pacific", home to drunken sailors and whalers. These days it is a charming historical village, with carefully restored historical buildings, seaside restaurants and a museum. 

An ancient pohutakawa tree shelters a restored historical building

Russell's Strand

Christ Church, the oldest church in New Zealand

Part two of our visit will cover our day cruise in the Bay of Islands where we spotted dolphins, sailed through the hole in the rock and stopped over at an island for lunch. See ya.

Christmas Cats

 Patch meets Bubble ...

Blossom the Possum loves her new home under the Christmas tree, complete with wrapping paper to rip, baubels to bat and the feeling of being outdoors while indoors; bliss ...

Almost two years ago ...

Picture by our lovely daughter

This time almost two years ago, we were in the frantic final stages of emigrating. Our flight landed in Auckland on the 23rd December 2009 and the customs official said, "Busy time of year to arrive." We had a sleep in on the 24th and then went Christmas shopping for all the gifts we couldn't have brought with us on the plane. Everything was new and different and there was an element of elation that we had arrived, culture shock and bewilderment. 

On the 23rd Dec this year, we will have a gluten-free cake with two candles, to celebrate our two year anniversary of life in NZ. I prefer not to focus on how I felt two years ago, because it stirs up the pain of the farewells with beloved family, friends and dogs. So I try to live in the now - building our current life, while keeping in contact with family and friends back in SA. Sadly though, one can't keep chatting to the pets, so besides hearing now and then that they are fine, I try not to dwell too much on them, for there lies a scar, better left alone.

So, to the now ... We love New Zealand and we would do it all over again. We have been really fortunate to find jobs that we both love and in two years we have built some wonderful friendships. I feel we have laid a foundation to build on, and in another year I believe we will feel well and truly settled. We live in a community oriented country - where one knows the names of all your neighbours and life is lived socially. The children in the street all know one another and play together, reminding me of when I grew up in World's View, in Pietermaritzburg.

So, with 2010 being all about finding jobs and settling in and 2011 being an absorbing year where the Rugby World Cup came to NZ and the All Blacks brought the Webb Ellis cup home, National won the election and Auckland was voted 3rd best city in a Mercer 2011 Quality of Life Survey, here's hoping that 2012 will be another positive year in our journey.

To all our friends in New Zealand, thank-you for helping us to settle. To Mum and Dad, thank-you for being here for us, and I hope 2012 brings you good things. To our family and friends in South Africa, Sala Gahle, Stay Well and we miss you! To the readers of this blog, sorry it is no longer prolific, but feel free to "page through" our story that began in 2009. May your own journeys Be ... 

And a Merry Christmas to you all!

Opening Night, Auckland Waterfront, 9 September 2011

16:00 Waka fleet arrival  

16:40 Dave Dobbyn and band (Queens Wharf)

17:05 Mass haka (Eastern Viaduct) 

17:10 600 Maori warriors proceed down Quay St (Queens Wharf)

17:45 Mayoral welcome (Queens Wharf)
18:00 Headline act (Queens Wharf) – The Finn Brothers 

19:30 Broadcast of RWC 2011 Opening Ceremony from Eden Park

19:55 New Zealand's biggest fireworks and lighting show 

20:15 Opening Match from Eden Park live on the waterfront big screens

22:15 Concert by top New Zealand music acts on Queens Wharf, featuring Dane Rumble, Midnight Youth, Kora and Manuel Bundy

02:00 Event finishes Rugby World Cup 2011 celebrations are kicking off in style on the Auckland city centre waterfront between Queens Wharf and the Viaduct. A night packed with free entertainment starts at 4pm with the arrival of an impressive fleet of Maori war canoes (waka taua), followed by a live haka and performances from top New Zealand musicians including the Finn Brothers.

Plus, you'll witness the biggest fireworks and lighting display New Zealand has ever seen. Remember to get in early as the venue is likely to reach capacity.

If you can't make it into town, watch the fireworks and lighting display at 8pm from many vantage points i.e. Ports of Auckland Viewing Areas:
Takarunga (Mt Victoria), Devonport waterfront, Parnell Rose Gardens and Michael Joseph Savage Memorial (Bastion Point).

What's on and when: