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The Mofos going SouthThe Mofos going South
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Our epic adventure from north to south to discover the snow and visit Grandad Kumara and Nanny Annie Read more

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Family, Nature, Skiing, Vacation
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  • TravelerThe Mofos going South
    Day 1

    See ya Waiheke - Ruapehu here we come!

    July 6, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 8 °C

    Our travels begin!
    Leaving the island on the 9am ferry, packed to the brim with warm clothes we set off south to find the snow.
    Stopping in Tīrau for an obligatory photo with the corrugated creatures, we popped into the SPCA to see what small town New Zealand ops shops have on offer…not much so far.
    Heading in and out of Taupo was beautiful. Blue skies and sunshine all the way.
    Then we spotted the snow! The first Bodhi had ever seen in real life. High up on the mountains, pointing to our destination.
    We made it into National Park around 3pm, settled into our room at The Park and headed to the Pub, one street down to have tea (we were starving!) and watch the Warriors. Well fed and tired we headed back to the hotel and bodhi and I escaped for a sneaky spa and later Skyla and I headed down to the restaurant to see if the All Blacks were playing. Only a couple of guests watching it on their laptop so I got a glass of mulled wine and sunk into the couch by the fire. Early night for us all, ready for hitting the slopes early tomorrow.    Read more

  • TravelerThe Mofos going South
    Day 2

    Ruapehu - You Beauty!

    July 7, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 0 °C

    Woke up early this morning to make sure we got up in time to get a park up the Mountain. Started the day with a buffet breakfast from the hotel, a few snacks gathered from the gassy then started our journey towards the snow. The landscape here is so unique and beautiful. The view of the mountain, the rocky rivers flowing from it and the white snow against the blue sky is divine. Bodhi touched the snow for the first time in a big icy pile that had been left from getting the carpark ready for the days visitors.
    We decided to have a wander before getting into our gear so we went and got our passes and jumped on the sky waka, the gondala that takes you to the top restaurant. It was an exciting and windy and rocky ride up. The views were breath taking. Got chocolates all round at the top, a quick play in the snow then down to start the mammoth task of getting ready for skiing. We were completely exhausted by the time the boots, jackets, pants, helmets and goggles were fitted, let alone the walk from the carpark to the ski field, 100 metres up the road.
    I think we all overestimated our skiing ability…our first run down the slope took about 30 minutes with different people getting stuck in various awkward spots and positions. Getting used to putting skis on, standing up, skiing in general is hard!
    Dad and skyla took a little break and bodhi pushed through, showing everyone that if you just keep at it, it slowly starts to get easier.
    Skyla got back at it and quickly figured out the bits needed to have a good run down the hill.
    After stopping for some lunch at the cafe we all jumped back out there, this time on the higher Happy Valley slope, which we found out was way easier and the lift belt that took you back up the hill was way quicker too.
    We spent the rest of the day zooming and wiping out and living our best life. Finishing up at 4pm, we headed back down the mountain and back out the the pub for Thai beef salad, Mac and cheese and beef burger and fries.
    The kids back in time for a spa and now a yummy sore body, tired and satisfied early night. Sleep in tomorrow, then off to Ōpōtiki to see Sandi and the sights!
    I think a two day ski trip is in order next time!    Read more

  • TravelerThe Mofos going South
    Day 3

    Welly here we come

    July 8, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Had a lovely sleep in after a good nights sleep, all be it the noisy neighbours below us.
    Loved driving around the mountain taking in the last of its beauty stopping in Ohakune for a yummy breakfast of waffles, pancakses, eggs Benedict and mushrooms on chiabatta. As we made our way through small town NZ we stopped at Bulls to check out its quirky shop names, all something-a-bull. Had a quick drink at the Rat Hole pub then straight down to Wellington, taking highway 59 to take in the scenic route of the coast.
    Arriving to Sandi’s at 5pm we settled into her quirky 50’s bungalow. A house owned by the bowling club behind. It had sat uninhabited for 10 years untill Sandi moved in and started doing minor Reno’s and making it her home.
    We spent the evening having a wander down the street in Newtown and grabbing a bite to eat at The Ramen Place. Bayo buns for me, and ramen for everyone else. Sat up till midnight chewing the fat then to bed for a sleep in, ready to hit the streets of wellington in the morning.    Read more

  • TravelerThe Mofos going South
    Day 4

    Te Papa and Wellington’s beautiful coast

    July 9, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C

    Had a lazy start to the day getting ready to head out around 10.30 after some bagels for breaky.
    First stop was the wellington water front for a wander and a scoot at the skate park.
    Te Papa has the plan for the day so we spent a big chunk of the day exploring the nature and war exhibitions.
    Feeling the hunger kick in we headed to Cuba street for lunch then sandi took us on a tour around the coast past Shelly Bay and out to the furtherest point. So beautiful! The ocean looked to healthy with kelp right along the coast, plenty of bird life and lots of people out free diving getting kai moana.
    We made it back to Newtown in time to do a bit of op shopping. Everyone was pretty knackered by the end of the day so me tim and bodhi went and got pizza and curry to bring back to Sandis and Skyla had a relax. Early night ready for and early sorry to the South Island tomorrow.    Read more

  • TravelerThe Mofos going South
    Day 5

    From North to South

    July 10, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    Woke up early and headed to the Bluebridge ferry to make our way from the north to the South Island. A three hour trip. On boarding we got some basic seats at the back of the boat and headed outside to watch as we headed out from Wellington, taking in the welly coast and the Pencarrow Heads. We then got some brekkie and got front row window seats in the restaurant for the rest of the trip. Coming into Milford sound was beautiful, a few rugged looking old home ness led into the coast.
    Another beautiful blue skys day as we arrived at Picton around noon. We took the Queen Charlotte drive around the coast and up into the hills. Stopping just out of Nelson for a bite to eat we then arrived at Grandad Kumera and Nannie Annie’s around 4pm.
    Kumera was rearing to go, taking us on a tour of the house and property, checking out the sheep and their babies on the neighbours property. And then back to home for a roast chicken dinner and apple crumble for desert. Then a reasonably early night after some trip planning.    Read more

  • TravelerThe Mofos going South
    Day 6

    Motueka to Kaiteriteri

    July 11, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 3 °C

    Woke up at 8am ready to head out with Kumera to meet his mates at The Tasman General Store, where he meets them every morning at 8.40am for a coffee and a chin wag. An icy morning this morning with so much frost we had to hose down the car windscreens.
    Afterwards Tim and Noel headed out to get some plumbing things to fix his tap “Don’t worry, I’m a plumber”. Bodhi, Skyla and I headed out to Motere and had a stroll along the beach, discovering all the quartz and beautiful rocks. By the time we walked back to the boats Bodhis pockets were so full with treasure they were pulling his pants down.
    Afterwards we headed home and Nannie Annie took Bodhi and I for a bike ride along the trail ride back to the Tasman Store and Skyla stayed back to have a deserved rest.
    We had grabbed some great cheese rolls for the 4 Square from Motere so we have this e for lunch then headed out to see Te Puna ō Riwaka, The Resurgence. And amazing shirt Bish walk to see the Riwaka river flowing out from the mountain. A very special place and amazing to see the difference in the bush compared to home. Lots of Wheke Punga and moss. There was mist and frost still on the grass as we drove up despite the rest of the area being in glorious sunshine. So glad we went there.
    We then headed to Kumera’s favourite beach Kaiteriteri. Golden sands with a few shops and restaurants. The boats that take and pick people up from The Able Tasman walks depart here. We stopped and had a beer and some chips, the kids an ice cream, and enjoyed the view. Bodhi had a scooter around and we all had a go on the flying fox. On a small world occasion Bodhi found his class mate Mia at the flying fox.
    On the way home we stopped in to see Kumera’s Lions Club fundraising site, where they split wood to sell as kindling to raise money for good things like the Christchurch Cancer bus.
    After a small relax at home we headed out to Lana Thai to have a delicious all be it super super spicy dinner.    Read more

  • TravelerThe Mofos going South
    Day 7

    River, fishing and winter dips

    July 12, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C

    The kids and I had a sleep in whilst Tim and Kumera went to have coffee with the old boys “parliament” at the Tasman. Then while Tim helped fix the chimney Skyla, Anne and I went to check out the second hand clothes shops in Montere to try find Skyla some shoes for the ball.
    Grabbed some snacks for lunch at the 4 square we then picked up the boys and headed out to the river to check out where grandad goes white baiting. First bit of 4wd for the trip.
    Bodhi had been keen all trip for a spot of fishing so we spent a good part of the afternoon with the line out at the Motueka fishing wharf. We didn’t catch much, only a big mussel. However the kid next to us pulled in a beautiful sand shark, which Tim helped him release.
    Yesterday we visited the salt water pool at the beach and Bodhi was keen to give it a go. So after a few reluctant laps sussing the best entry points he dived in. The cold took his breathe away and we was out pretty quick, a bit annoyed that I hadn’t come to help him quickly enough. Super brave, and I’m super proud. Not everyone can say they took a dip mid winter in Motueka!
    We had a few hours before the shops shut so we headed to the op shops and got a few good scores before heading back home to get ready to go out for dinner. We booked a table for 6 at 6 at the Sprig and fern in Moutere. Beautiful yummy dinner. Chicken burgers, pizza, salt and pepper squid with ice ream Sunday’s for desert. Back home for some trip planning and an early night.    Read more

  • TravelerThe Mofos going South
    Day 8

    Swing bridges, hot pools, beautiful view

    July 13, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 2 °C

    Woke up early, said goodbye to Nannie Annie and Grandad Kumera around 8am. Lots of frost around this morning, landscape was beautiful and wintery. We stopped at a small
    Town for breakfast, pies. We then stopped at the Buller Gorge and walked along NZs longest swing bridge. Very scary but very beautiful. We did the loop walk through the bush then in the car to make our way to Hanmer. We booked at the backpackers and got a family room, a coverted garage. We arrived at Hanmer just before 2pm and after checking in we made our way straight to the springs. So good to have a soak! Very cold outside though tō made it had to pool hop. Bodhi spent most of the day on the hydro slides after making a friend.
    We booked the family pass which got you two free pizzas. Yummy stone/fire baked.
    We stayed till the pools closed at 7pm then headed out to watch the All Blacks game at the local pub.    Read more

  • TravelerThe Mofos going South
    Day 9

    Rangiora and old friends

    July 14, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 4 °C

    Found a nice place for breakfast in Hanmer and then made our way to Rangiora around noon, but not before stopping into the Hanmer lollie shop! Driving through Lewis Pass was another breathtaking drive. The braided rivers and the Tanikaha forests. I would love to drive it again in the opposite direction to enjoy anything we missed.
    Whilst driving through Amberley we remembered that James and Shannon lived here so we popped message out and managed to catch up with James for a few hours at the Monteiths Pub. The kids had a look at the shops and we checked in to the Rangiora Hotel, 500 metres down from the Plough where we were meeting Nick and Jeremy. Had a good time catching up with them also. Bodhi came along (Skyla stayed behind at the hotel) and we had a few games of pool. He is getting very good at it.
    Back to the hotel for some pizza Uber eats and bed.    Read more

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