Better than South America

December 2017 - January 2018

A 56-day adventure by Maria Read more

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- Dec 2, 2017, 4:00pm
- ☀️ 21 °C
- Altitude: 22 m
- New Zealand Manawatu-Wanganui Horowhenua District Levin -40.622334, 175.28135740°37’20” S 175°16’53” E
Day 1
Our First Swim of the Season
December 2, 2017 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
It seems that others are blogging so we thought we would join in. Whilst our travels might not be as exciting as everyone else's and our taste buds not as adventurous, we thought you might want to know what we do for fun in the Horowhenua.

Today is the first day our pool is being used for the season. It has taken a while to get it just right but it is now safe and warm - 29 degrees.

Poppy invited her Jazz Squad over for ice cream and a swim. There are a lot of girls and they make a lot of noiseRead more
Traveler Looking forward to trying it out in a fortnight... hopefully it'll still be 29 degrees...
12/3/17Reply
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- Dec 3, 2017, 4:20pm
- ☀️ 22 °C
- Altitude: 28 m
- New Zealand Manawatu-Wanganui Horowhenua District Levin -40.621404, 175.29602440°37’17” S 175°17’46” E
Day 2
Trip to Exotic Climes
December 3, 2017 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Today we decided to travel to the coolest little capital in the world. We packed up our thick coats and left sunny Levin early in the morning. Our first stop was Te Hopai to visit patera. We lunched at Pita Pit where the Wellington Phoenix players also dine (as do the Hurricanes). Following an IT stop at mum's appartment we made our way to the Westpac Stadium to watch the mighty Phoenix trounce the Melbourne Victory. Somewhere along the way, we were sucked into an alternative universe - we actually witnessed the Phoenix throw away a 2 nil half time lead to lose 3 - 2 by full time. Dejected we returned to the little smoke minus Poppy who is staying in Wellington with her god parents tonightRead more
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- Dec 4, 2017, 8:51pm
- 🌙 18 °C
- Altitude: 32 m
- New Zealand Manawatu-Wanganui Horowhenua District Levin -40.621626, 175.29578240°37’18” S 175°17’45” E
Day 3
Monday in Paradise
December 4, 2017 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 18 °C
It's easy to go to work on a Monday when you live in Paradise. The weather is always warm and you can have a swim in the work pool at lunchtime to cool off. Mercina had a great first day as an official college prefect as they had hand over followed by bowling in Kapiti. She returned to Levin just in time for a quick bite to eat and then it was off to a 3 hour dance rehearsal. I managed to mow the lawns and clean the pool again. The estate is looking pristine again. It's late in the evening and it is still warm here. Time for a dip in the pool.Read more
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- Dec 22, 2017, 3:30pm
- ☀️ 22 °C
- Altitude: 32 m
- New Zealand Manawatu-Wanganui Horowhenua District Levin -40.621622, 175.29589640°37’18” S 175°17’45” E
1
Day 21
Acrobatic Antics
December 22, 2017 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Hello, Poppy here. Last night Mercina and I had a lot of fun stretching and doing acro tricks on the lawn. We worked on tumbling, flexibility, jumps and leaps, partnering, and stunt work. I'm getting very close to my side Ariel and Mercina is developing a lot of strength. We had a fun time on the grass that evening. Sorry no pictures to attach but we have some form our dance show. Enjoy!Read more
Traveler Congratulations on your prizes
12/22/17Reply
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- Dec 26, 2017, 5:43pm
- ☀️ 17 °C
- Altitude: 32 m
- New Zealand Manawatu-Wanganui Horowhenua District Levin -40.621588, 175.29595240°37’18” S 175°17’45” E
Day 25
Christmas in a Summer Wonderland
December 26, 2017 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
We woke up Christmas morning to find Santa had been, delivering us all some magnificent presents. He was terribly generous.

Poppys favourite gifts were a flamingo soft toy and some books.
Mercina liked her turnboard and MacBook Air.
Maria was pleased with her artwork and soft toy giraffe.

Drove to Wellington for Christmas lunch, stopping to pick up Denny from Raumati along the way. Enjoyed a lovely Christmas Day with the Viatos' of Oriental Bay full of delicious food. Thanks to the cooks Mercina (Yiayia), Dina and Dimitra. Papou was in fine spirits and it was great to have him with us. Highlight was the after lunch nap, enjoyed by all around.

In the evening, we visited Poppy's Nono and Nona, Peter and Katerina and played cards in a Bares fashion.

Boxing Day, we visited Anna, John and the twins in the morning. Lunched with Catherine and Terry, before driving home to Levin, stopping briefly at Noel lemmings to pick up the one item Santa had forgotten!

Looking forward to our trip to Hamilton, beginning tomorrow.

Pictures:
(1) Gingerbread house made by Poppy.
(2) Christmas Lunch.
(3) Christmas Lunch again.Read more
Traveler looks very nice
12/26/17Reply
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- Dec 27, 2017, 8:16pm
- ☀️ 9 °C
- Altitude: 305 m
- New Zealand Marlborough Marlborough District Whakatahuri Kenny Isle -41, 17441°0’0” S 174°0’0” E
Day 26
Travel to the Tron
December 27, 2017 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C
We left home early this morning (following an expensive trip to Beaurepaires) and headed north on SH 1. Mercina drove from Foxton to Marton. She did very well and drove quite smoothly. I'm not sure if the long line of cars behind us was quite as impressed. We stopped in Taihape for lunch and then continued on, arriving in Hamilton at 4pm. We are staying at The Distinction which has been renovated since we last stayed here and is now quite a flash place (see photo).

We made our way to a large mall called The Base - Te Ara where we walked around and stretched our legs (and the credit card!). Dinner was at the hotel and now we are resting before ordering room service for dessert.Read more
Traveler Looks very relaxing
12/27/17Reply
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Traveler Better than South America
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- Dec 28, 2017, 10:06pm
- 🌙 21 °C
- Altitude: 305 m
- New Zealand Marlborough Marlborough District Whakatahuri Kenny Isle -41, 17441°0’0” S 174°0’0” E
Day 27
Fun in the Tron
December 28, 2017 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 21 °C
Today we woke late. We stayed up too late the night before indulging in room service dessert!

We met up with Gillian and Andrew and their children Robbie and Charlotte and spent the morning at the zoo. Hamilton Zoo is quite neat and full of interesting animals. We saw lots of monkeys, chimpanzees and, my favourite, giraffes. We had a spirited conversation regarding the conversion of plant matter into protein to grow a giraffe (or any other vegetarian). It is useful having a doctor with you as it is fun to confuse her with twisted logic.

The afternoon was spent resting. I met up with Gillian in the hotel bar and we chatted over lemonade and a bag of chippies while the girls went for a swim in the hotel pool.

In the evening we went to Paul's place (brother of Gillian) for a barbecue. Mrs Nixon was there too and we had a lovely reunion. It was great to see everyone again as it has been a few years since we last caught up. There are no photos because I forgot to take any!Read more
Traveler Give her my regards
12/28/17Reply
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- Dec 29, 2017, 9:02pm
- ⛅ 32 °C
- Altitude: 305 m
- New Zealand Marlborough Marlborough District Whakatahuri Kenny Isle -41, 17441°0’0” S 174°0’0” E
Day 28
The Cutest Cousin
December 29, 2017 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C
Today was all about driving lessons and a cute baby.

After a long and late breakfast (which I thoroughly enjoyed) we made our way to the Mall for a spot of time wasting and shopping before driving out into he countryside to meet up with Jonathan and Kim and little Harry-Gordon. We had a lovely time at Jonathan's inlaw's place. We cuddled Harry-Gordon and took lots of photos with him. He was quite lovely and the girls really enjoyed holding him.

Late in the afternoon we went for a wander through town and saw the huge Christmas Tree in the square. We played Mini Golf before dinner at Porto Fino. A lovely way to end our trip to Hamilton.Read more
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- Dec 30, 2017, 10:15pm
- 🌙 15 °C
- Altitude: 34 m
- New Zealand Manawatu-Wanganui Horowhenua District Levin -40.621782, 175.29560240°37’18” S 175°17’44” E
Day 29
Homeward Bound
December 30, 2017 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 15 °C
Following another hearty breakfast, we left the Tron at 10am bound for the Nua! Mercina and I shared the driving and we managed to upset less people this time as the road was filled with campervans driving slowly instead.

We stopped at the Museum in Waiouru for lunch and to look at all the poppy themed gifts in the gift shop.

We made another stop at Flat Hills to play in the maze. Every time I do this, I remember once I am in the middle, that I should really take a water bottle, some food and a long stick as I am hopeless in mazes. As always, Poppy scampered around and solved the maze several times. In the end, I found a long flower and she guided me to my destination while observing from one of the towers.

It is great to be home again and we look forward to sleeping in our own beds tonightRead more
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- Jan 2, 2018, 7:32pm
- ☀️ 22 °C
- Altitude: 32 m
- New Zealand Manawatu-Wanganui Horowhenua District Levin -40.621607, 175.29594440°37’18” S 175°17’45” E
Day 32
Happy New Year
January 2, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
We have had a fun couple of days spending time with family and friends.

We spent New Year's Eve at home with a few friends. It was a pleasant way to end the year.

On New Year's Day we drove to Wellington to see patera. We took him out for a drink with Denny and then the girls had to push him back up the hill to Te Hopai. It was quite a hike but with Girl Power they managed it.

We had a lovely evening at Kira's. It was great to see everyone. The food was awesome as always and the card playing was expensive! Another great evening.

This morning we visited my friend Catherine who turned forty ten today. We are looking forward to her party in a couple of weeks.

We went to see patera and mum and I played Scrabble while Mercina helped him with lunch. We had a bite to eat ourselves and then tootled up to Raumati to see Denny and Dimitra or ice cream and fruit salad.

Cina drove us home and we were hot and bothered by the time we arrived so we all had a dip in the pool.Read more
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