Goddess Ixchel Temple -- Mexico

Temple ruins

At the southeastern-most tip of Isla Mujeres there is one stood a Mayan Temple to the Goddess Ixchel - goddess of midwifery and medicine in the Maya culture and the guardian of childbirth. What is left now is little more than a pile of crumbling rocks (severely damaged by a hurricane in 1988), but the fantastic feminine energy of the spot remains.

My visit to the island would not have been complete without a trip to this spot. As a mother and a birth doula, this was a profound journey for me. 

Ixchel's temple is located at the very eastern-most point in Mexico, surrounded by rarely touched white sand beaches and the clearest water I have ever seen.

At the head of the trail to the temple is a tiny one room museum with historical information about the goddess and the site, along with a small gift shop, restaurant, and some merchants nestled into a small space near a magnificent statue of Ixchel.

The trek is well worth the energy!

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Isla Mujeres - Mexico

The view from the ferry

A small group of ladies and I took advantage of some free time today to slip off to Isla Mujeres (Island of the Woman). It seemed fitting, as it was womanhood that brought us to Mexico in the first place. We took a bus from our hotel to the ferry terminal, then boarded a ferry for the island. It was 35 pesos each direction.

(Tip: The bus cost 8.5 pesos to get pretty much anywhere. Be prepared for a wild ride - they drive everywhere FAST, but it is cheap and easy and bus stops are plentiful.)

On the ferry there were people selling transportation options for on the island, and a man busking with a guitar. We rented a golf cart to drive around and got a recommendation for a great place to eat.

(Tip: Find a local and ask where THEY like to eat.)

The first thing I noticed when we set foot on the island was the slower pace. It was immediately clear we were no longer in the hustle and bustle of the city of Cancun.

Being serenaded on the ferry

There are very few cars on Isla Mujeres -- most people get around the five mile long island using golf carts or mopeds. People stroll the streets. Dining was casual and affordable, but seriously amazing. We stopped at an open air cafe near the ferry dock and were immediately in heaven surrounded by plates piled high with local goodness. Drinks were also plentiful and delicious, and a mariachi band entertained us at our table.

We picked up our golf cart and started out across the island. None of us had ever driven a golf cart before, but after a quick demo by the friendly staff, we were on our way. Driving it was fun! After a quick look at a guidebook, we set off toward the ruins of a temple on the far end of the island.

Amazing food. Amazing.

Isla Mujeres is only half a mile wide and five miles long, so getting lost isn't too much of an issue, but there is plenty of diversity and lots to see. We were soon disappointed we had only set aside half a day for exploration. Accommodations are available on the island -- I am excited to spend more time there one day.

(Tip: Check out this map of the island -- though I must admit, it makes the island seem a lot busier than it feels!)

Along the road we stopped to check out an art gallery filled with hand-crafted jewelry and beautiful paintings called the Kimberley Art and Gem Gallery. It was a really lovely little oasis and a special surprise find.

(Tip: There are several art galleries on the island with beautiful pieces to browse or purchase. If you have time to do some scuba diving, there is a seriously amazing underwater museum to check out.)

This guy was selling conch shells on the side of the road.

The gallery was not our only stop, either. In addition to a visit to a very special temple, a slight detour brought us face-to-face with a local man selling conch sells of all sizes and colors. Wow, the photo does not do it justice! We were all amazed and couldn't drive away without partaking of his wares.

Our shopping did not end there. On our way back to the ferry we had a great time exploring the open air shops selling everything from trinkets to jewelry to clothes. None of us walked away empty handed.

(Tip: As the end of the day approaches, ferry lines get long! Be sure to leave yourself enough time if you are heading back to the mainland. Check and double check that you are in the right line for the type of ferry ticket you have purchased.)

Our visit to the island was really fantastic -- well worth the effort! I definitely recommend checking it out.

Isla Mujeres Vacations

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Dinner in Piste, Mexico

On our way back from Chichen Itza, we realized we were famished from a long day in the hot July sun, and asked our cab driver to stop for food. He brought us to Piste, a tiny village near the ruins, and stopped in front of an open-air cafe filled with Mexican families enjoying an evening meal.

In large part, that meal was the first time we felt as though we had been in Mexico. Far from the hotel zone, we ordered from laminated menu cards featuring photos of each dish, with prices that were pennies on the dollar compared to what we had been seeing in Cancun.

We were introduced to this beautiful drink called horchata, made from rice milk and cinnamon. Light and delicious, the sweet horchata sliced straight through the heat of the day. It was easy to imagine an afternoon spent on that patio, people watching and sipping away. Creamy and white, it came to our table it in a plastic pitcher with a stack of plastic cups, which we filled and refilled gleefully.

Dinner itself was a variety of tastes and textures that can only come from a hole-in-the-wall restaurant where the locals eat. We shared three dishes, including a lovely light soup, sopas, and delicious pork tacos. Everything was warm and flavorful, with just the right balance of spicy kick.

While we ate, we had the pleasure of looking at more beautiful ruins – a church across the street intrigued us so much we had to go take a look.

The stop was a beautiful cherry on top of our day, and we were so glad we had decided not to wait and eat at the hotel.

Piste Vacations

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Chichen Itza

When I looked at my Cancun conference schedule, I saw two openings, and knew immediately I would have to find my way to Chichen Itza during one of them. It didn't matter if I was going alone! Luckily I was not the only one who felt that missing the Mayan ruins in 2012 was not an option when we were so close, and once our sessions wrapped up at midday, I was meeting our taxi driver with Joe Valley and Kimberly Garner.

A drawing of how Chichen Itza is said to have looked
upon "rediscovery."

We had booked the taxi through the lovely gentlemen at our hotel's concierge desk, so the fare was negotiated ahead of time, and all we had to do was sit back and enjoy the ride. And what a ride it was. Let's just say it was lively. There was no mistaking -- from the moment we set foot in that taxi, we were on an adventure.

Chichen Itza is about a two hour drive from the Cancun hotel zone, and most tours of the site are full day excursions. But we didn't have a full day, and we weren't about to let that deter us! Our timeline gave us just less than two hours at the site before it closed, and apparently our driver was in a hurry to get us there. (Ha!)

Vendors inside the gates of Chichen Itza

When we arrived to purchase our tickets, we were very glad we had brought someone along who spoke Spanish -- thank you SO much Kimmie! It made the entire situation so much more comfortable. We made the decision to hire a guide, knowing this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and he would tell us so much more than we would learn for ourselves. Kimmie negotiated with him, we paid for our admission (two different amounts at two different gates and you have to pay both, so don't be caught off guard by that), and the four of us were off.

The moment we stepped onto the grounds, we were greeted by rows of vendors with colorful wares -- beautiful table after table filled with trinkets, clothing, masks, art, bowls, musical instruments, and so much more. Most of them were families, complete with multiple generations, parents, grandparents and children working the stand. Being inside the hotel zone hadn't afforded us much of a look at this side of the culture, and part of me wanted to stop and look at each booth.

El Castillo

But time was growing short, and I knew they would be there on the way back, so we pressed on. A few short steps later we got our first view of the site -- El Castillo (The Kukulkan Pyramind) loomed in front of us, rising from the ground with the magnificence that has commanded its place on the list of the Wonders of the World.

Our first stop was the ball fields, and as we stepped into it, this amazing feeling came over us. It almost took my breath. For one, it was straight off the cover of one of my junior high social studies books. Secondly, you could just feel the history there. I could have sat there all day, quietly taking it all in and trying to process the centuries. Who knows, I could still be sitting there.

The Great Ballcourt of Chichen Itza

The Great Ballcourt of Chichen Itza is 225 feet wide and 545 feet long overall. It is totally open to the blue sky, and has a feeling of being just so immense. A whisper from end can be heard clearly at the other end of the court. Archaeologists engaged in the reconstruction noted that the sound transmission became more and more strong and clear as they proceeded. And the reason is a total secret, despite the best efforts of researchers throughout history. How amazing is that?

We all knew the stories of the gory things that happened in this area, but somehow, standing there in that court, you could feel in your soul the reason people would make that sacrifice. Words don't do the feeling justice, it is just this sense in your being that has to be experienced in person.

Tzompantli -- The Wall of Skulls

Next we saw Tzompantli -- The Wall of Skulls. The walls are carved with interesting skulls, and reliefs of subjects including a scene of human sacrifice, and skeleton warriors with arrows and shields.

Then our attention was turned to the best known construction of the site -- El Castillo. It is a steep-sided pyramid approximately 75 feet tall, built for astronomical purposes. It is also thought to have been used for agricultural rituals. During the vernal and autumnal equinoxes at mid-afternoon, sunlight bathes the pyramid's main stairway and forms the body of a serpent creeping downward to join the carving of a serpent's head at the bottom of the stairway.

The Observatory

From there the rest of the ruins were a beautiful blur, with walls and paths and buildings like the observatory and well serving as backdrops for photos and the guide filling us with more history and information than any of us could retain.

Closing time was announced by people with whistles, and just like that, the fun was over. The overall experience was nothing short of intense, and while it was difficult to see it end, we were so glad to have come! We made our way back past the vendors toward the exit, ushered by the park officials.

I want to note here that in a lot of the reviews I read, people were complaining that there were "too many" vendors. Wow, I could not agree more! The vendors added local color, gave a real sense of the culture, and they were just trying to feed their families, and I was honored to be able to help them where I could. They were very respectful (especially compared to other places I have been), and clearly the rules did not allow them to follow you, because they all kept to their own space. I really enjoyed having them there.

The gates were closing and we wanted time to browse the wares, so we shopped with the vendors outside the gates. We took all the time we pleased, and had a great time bartering for the items we chose. We were downright giddy when we returned to the taxi!

Tips? It's hot. And I mean HOT. Bring water and sunscreen, and wear a hat. Get a guide. It is well worth the cost. And while I'm sure the tour is great, don't let anyone tell you it is the ONLY option!

2012 or not, I would definitely call this one a must see. If the world ends in December, I suppose at least I got the opportunity to cross this one off my bucket list.

Piste Vacations

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Cancun - The Food at Casa Magna

Nothing stood out about my trip to Cancun quite like the food.

The eats at the Casa Magna Marriott were the sort of thing the Travel Channel might flit down to highlight. Day after day we were presented with plates that pleased all the senses.

Who wouldn't fall in love with mouth-watering dish after mouth-watering dish, complete with absolute impeccable presentation.

Day after day, we enjoyed soups, salads, mains and desserts that were worthy of photography. Every single meal, someone had their camera out to snap a picture before digging in! One thing is for certain -- the photos really did not do any of it justice.

Early in the week with a small group to cater to, we developed a personal relationship with the people preparing our food, as it was delivered each day with such care and presentation.

During the larger group meetings, the chefs really outdid themselves with elaborate displays of sushi, meats and cheeses, chocolates, and so much more.

When we returned to our rooms at night, more treats awaited us. It was absolutely decadent. I would highly recommend every moment of the trip I had!

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Finding accommodations in New Zealand

Planning a trip to New Zealand, but not sure where to stay? Online resources abound. Check these sites out for ideas.

Rent a House

Book-a-bach was recommended to us by family, and we used it to find lodging for most of our most recent trip. We scheduled houses for 2-6 nights and were overall very pleased with the experience.

We stayed at Somer_Villa at Stanmore Bay to book end to our trip (for a few days upon arrival and then a few days at the end of our time in New Zealand). In addition to being within walking distance of Gran and Grandad's house, it was a lovely, cozy little place with great hosts.

Bed and Breakfast

Speaking of hosts, New Zealand's hospitality is second to none. If you want to experience that up close and personal, consider checking out one of the country's many bed and breakfast locations. We stayed at a wonderful South Island bed and breakfast a few years ago. It was a great experience - and so relaxing. We strolled through their vineyard, met the animals, visited with the family, and were welcomed with open arms! The New Zealand Bed and Breakfast Book is a great place to start if you are looking for a B&B experience of your own. 

Hotels and Motels

Hotels.com is my favorite way to book hotels in the U.S., and they have a New Zealand version of the site available, too. Check it out here.

100% Pure New Zealand is a great website for all things Kiwi, including places to stay (also check it out for things to do and see). You will find an excellent selection of hotel and motel rooms on the site.

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309 Road, Kauri Grove, Coromandel, Firth of Thames

After we rinsed the sand off at Hot Water Beach, we moved along, picking up the 309 Road, a windy, partially dirt road that took us from the east side of the peninsula to the west side. Along the way we stopped at the kauri forest, and hiked along a trail (which said it was 10 minutes long) to a grove of super old kauri trees. We lost Cameron for a while, but all in all it was a fun hike.

Not far along the road from there was Coromandel, where we had rented an eclectic and interesting house for the night. We were greeted by a couple of Kiwi kids, very excited to meet our brood of American children.

It was Ella's turn at dinner, so she and Garth made spaghetti bolognaise and a pie. After dinner there were a few games on the pool table, and then a few more, and we all headed off to bed, exhausted.


**

Our day started with a beautiful view from the Coromandel House -- fog over the valley and the town. It was quiet and peaceful, and we could have sat and looked for hours.

But there were places to go and things to see, and we were almost back to "home"! So after everyone was up and through the shower, we went into the little gold mining village of Coromandel to see if we could check out a mine. That didn't work out, but we got a good look at town before we headed on.

From Coromandel we followed the coast, driving along the Firth of Thames. It was very beautiful all the way along (it reminded me of the Washington coast where I grew up). We stopped in Thames to putter away a couple of hours in the shops and have lunch. We ended up in a Chinese buffet after looking through a couple of book shops and a few others spots, including a playground at the edge of town.

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Beach day - Whangamata and Hot Water Beach

We were on the road at about 10, and stopped for lunch in the cute little burg of Whangamata. We got goodies from a little bakery and took them down to the gorgeous beach. After lunch and some time in the sand (Cameron tried his hand at flying his kite and took a dip in the surf), we were on the road again.

Up the road a bit we came to Hot Water Beach, where we all had a great time. We hired a couple of spades from the cafe and walked down the beach to a spot where we dug a hole and found the boiling hot thermal heated water beneath. As the tide poured cold water into the holes the family had dug, warm pools were created. It was a a really very interesting phenomenon!

We snapped a lot of photos to remember the day...

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Omokoroa Thermal Holiday Park - Tauranga

Our stop at this little holiday park near Tauranga was quite the pleasant surprise. The rest of our trip was spent at bach homes, but when we couldn't find one that fit our needs for this leg of the tour, we "settled" for the holiday park. We were very glad we did.

On the way in for the evening we stopped at a lovely little fish and chips shop and picked up four yummy smelling packages of newspaper. Then we brought them to the park and checked into a pair of cabins, where we immediately dug in to the parcels.

For my Kiwi husband, no trip to New Zealand would be complete without a trip to the fish and chips shop. "Take outs were uncommon when I was a kid," he said, "But when we did, it was always from the local fish and chips shop. It was a family event together, usually at the beach." Helping to plant this memory in his own children is important to him.

And this dinner did not disappoint. There is just something timeless and perfect about salt-doused french fries, kumara chips, and fish that is both crispy and melts in your mouth.

After dinner we all headed over to the thermal hot pools, which were very nice -- especially the "adults only" hot tub. They were so nice, we found ourselves wondering why we had paid for the Polynesian Pools the day before! We all had a nice soak and swim under the stars, and were in bed early.

Our sleeping arrangements were two cabins with two sets of bunk beds and a double bed in each. We rented linens from the park for a very reasonable charge, and were laden with piles of pillows, blankets, and duvets to snuggle up beneath.

The children woke up early and headed to the pool for another dip before breakfast. Gran went out to buy bacon and eggs, then the rest of us packed up while Garth made breakfast. It was delicious, and each of the kids had a part in cooking. The kitchen facilities were clean and well-maintained, and we were able to find everything we needed to put on our morning spread.

Everyone at the holiday park was very friendly, the service was great, and the facilities were more than adequate. We were very pleased with our stay.

Family Vacation
Tauranga

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Kiwi 360

 Our next stop was at Te Puke for Kiwi 360. We had lunch in the cafe -- most of us trying interesting kiwi fare. Cameron and I had the kiwi hotcakes, and Maia and Cameron sampled the kiwi juice.

After lunch, we loaded up for a tour of the kiwifruit farm. It was interesting to learn how several local farmers started working on variations of the Chinese Gooseberry independently and at about the same time.

This is what made the kiwifruit stop so important to our tour of the North Island -- it is very New Zealand!

We stopped and picked some kiwi up to bring home and ripen, then moved around to another area of the farm to check out the PSA, a disease which has ravaged the gold kiwi crops after pollen that had been impacted was imported. We wrapped up the tour with samples in the gift shop, which included some kiwi wine and liquor. Different, sort of reminded me of the rhubarb wine from Culbertson, Montana.

Did you know?

A serving of two kiwifruit contains:

*More vitamin C than two oranges
*The potassium of a banana
*All the fiber of a bowl of bran
Kiwifruit are also rich in lutein, an antioxidant known to reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease.

Family Vacation
Tauranga

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Skyline Luge - Rotorua

Monday started with a super fun family

activity -- Skyline Luge.

The luge is a three-wheeled cart, which you ride down one of the three tracks with beautiful volcano and lake views.

We bought a couple of family passes and the eight of us got into a gondola. They snapped a photo, and then we began our ascent of the mountain, looking out over the lake and the city from the side of the mountain.

At the top we each grabbed a helmet and got in line for the luge. Everyone had so much fun!!! We each got two trips down -- even Bria! She did the first one with Gran on the scenic track, and the second one on the intermediate track with Daddy.

After Justin and Garth relived their childhood with a race down the advanced track, we shared a bowl of chips and headed back down in the gondola, full of smiles.

Rotorua Vacations

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Te Puia Maori Cultural Experience, Rotorua, New Zealand

After an afternoon at the Polynesian Spa, our night's festivities were an indigenous evening experience at Te Puia. We started in the gift shop, browsing around and waiting for the evening to start. Then our guide met us at the gate and led us back into the grounds.

First came a greeting ceremony. The group gathered, and our guide chose a chief -- Grandad Wayne! Our chief was to represent all of us and the lands we came from (the U.S., Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Canada, Australia) in a welcome called a traditional powhiri. A warrior came out of the meeting house -- his tribe behind him -- and offered sort of a greeting/challenge dance and chant. Grandad (our chief) stood before us and watched. Then the warrior put down a peace offering (branch) and waited for our chief to come forward, pick it up, then come back with it -- without turning his back on the warrior. This was a sign we had come in peace (phew!), so the warrior came forward and welcomed him with a gesture of pressing noses together.

Once the greetings were exchanged, the group was welcomed into the marae. The chief sat in the front row, his family just behind him on the left side of the house, and the rest of the group sat on the right.

We watched a full kapa haka (performing arts) concert, filled with interesting traditional music and stories of the Maori culture. At one point all of the women were invited on stage to learn a poi dance. Even Bria did it! The guys were invited up a bit later to learn a haka, which was really fun to watch. Chief Wayne, Justin, and Cameron got pretty into learning.

They closed the concert with a song telling the story of Hinemoa and Tutanekai, sort of a Romeo and Juliet story of their tradition (with a happier ending). it was really beautiful, and we all saw a great piece of history and culture.

We then moved into a really first-class meal, with cuisine that incorporated indigenous ingredients, traditional hangi cooked food, and contemporary Maori dishes. There was pork, lamb, chicken, seafood, kumera, potatoes, salad, and lots more, plus gorgeous mussels as an entree (what we would call an appetizer in the U.S.) and breads. The dessert spread was just as impressive -- and we were encouraged to come back for seconds and thirds (and to use a plate if the bowls were too small). There was a lovely chocolate mousse, eclairs, fruit salad, pavlova, cream, and chocolate cake with hot custard. We could have stayed there all night, and we were all stuffed to the brim!

After we had all gotten our fill of the delicious food and lovely hospitality, we met up with our guide again for the closing entertainment -- a starlight visit to Pohutu, the famous geyser located on the grounds.

Every detail was thought of. We were met with tubs of soft, warm blankets, and told to grab one and get into a car, which was one of a row of cars attached to an electric engine. Each car was encased with plastic with zippers to help keep us warm as we headed down to view the geyser.

They drove us down a path and paused on a bridge to view the pools and geyser, telling us some history of the area, then drove down the a bit so we could get out and check it out. When we got out of the cars, there was hot chocolate to warm us. We walked back down to the bridge and watched Pohutu spit and sputter and shoot water 20 feet or so into the air, then we walked back up and sat on thermal-heated rocks while our guide held a closing ceremony. As it turns out, our host had a beautiful singing voice! We then got back into the cars and rode back to the gate where we each splashed water on the green stone for luck and headed out.

We all agreed it had been a delightful evening, and Jenny felt she had found a wonderful local secret right in her own back yard.

Finally it was a drive back around Lake Rotorua to get back to our lake house and call it a night. (The only disappointment was that we didn't get any photos! I suppose that means we have to do it again next time we are in the country.)

Rotorua Vacations

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Polynesian Spas - Rotorua

Our afternoon was spent at the Polynesian Spa in Rotorua. Do you hear that sound? I think it is the heavens opening to sing the praises of a long soak in a thermal heated pool.

The spa capitalizes on the unique geothermal activity of the area, which has been touted for years for the healing properties of its soothing naturally warm waters. It was glorious, and a fun way to spend some time as a family, too.

There are several choices within the spa (referred to by locals as the "Poly Pools"), including private and public options for adults and families.

Our group descended on the family spa, which includes a large freshwater chlorinated pool with a toddler's section and slide, and two hot mineral pools. It was a very relaxing place to watch the children's antics from, and to soak away the stress. It might not be the best place for non-parents to try to relax, though -- the family spa is a loud, fun place!

It amazed me that I could feel such a difference between the hot pools, with one at around 37 degrees celsius, and the other 39 degrees. It doesn't sound like much difference, but it really was. Too much time in the hottest pool and we were feeling dehydrated and overheated.

With the draining effect of the hot pools, it was lovely to have the contrast of the cool swimming pool to jump into for a break and a refresh. Then it was back to the middle pool for more unwinding, then on to the hot pools again because they just felt so good. Repeat.

Next time we will definitely have to set aside some adult time to take in the spa and private pools...

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The Redwoods - Whakarewarewa Forest

A beautiful, crisp morning for those who chose to get out of bed and enjoy it!

The morning's plans are for a walk with Grandad Wayne and Jenny in the Redwood Forest. The forest was seeded from the redwoods in California, so it had a very homey and familiar feel, only with different and interesting birds you wouldn't find back home!

The redwood grove was planted in 1901. The largest redwood in Whakarewarewa is approximately 67 meters tall, while it grows to as much as 110 meters in the tree's natural habitat in California. The average lifespan is 600 years, so these New Zealand trees have many, many years of life left in them.

The family set out on a one-hour tram through the woods (there were options from 30 minutes to 8 hours, for the really adventurous sort not toting a two-year-old). It was a nice walk and a beautiful day.

After a peek through the gift shop, where Bria fell in love with a horse swing, we went back to the lake house to pick up the older children who had slept in and missed out on the beautiful morning.

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Te Urewera National Park

Everyone was up and through the (amazing) shower a little later than expected, but soon enough we were on the road. We poked around Hastings looking for a geocache, but were unsuccessful, so decided to move on.

We drove along the Hawkes Bay Coast for a little way, then headed inland toward Te Urewera National Park. What a drive that was! We weren't far into the park when the pavement gave way to gravel roads, and other cars became fewer and farther between.

Te Urewera is the largest national park on the North Island. It also protects the largest area of native forest remaining on the island, and is home to nearly all species of the country's birds.

Filled with beautiful lakes, forest and mountains, the road was very (very) narrow, and winding. In some places we were making tight corners with a mountain beside us, blindly hoping no one was coming from the other way, and in other areas there was nothing between us and a steep drop to a valley below.

We had a picnic lunch in the van just before we reached beautiful Lake Waikarimoana, and met up with some Eastern European travelers headed out on a hike. According to what we read, the lake was formed 2200 years ago when a huge landslide blocked the Waikaretaheke River.

No one in our group had ever taken this drive, so I think it was a bit surprising, but interesting and different. We came out the other side and into Rotorua just after dark (which meant a juggle of the itinerary).

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Baker Bungalow in Hastings

A drive through the mountains and we were on the east coast, moving through wine country and toward Hastings, which would be our stop for the evening. The house was far nicer (and bigger) than the name "Baker Bungalow" implied, and we were all very comfortable.

The three older kids shared a room off the kitchen where Maia found two "protection gods" hanging over her bed. Once assured they didn't impact her Christianity, she seemed to enjoy the carvings.

Uncle Garth had a pull-out bed in the living room, and Gran had a king size bed in a nice, quiet room to herself. (Quiet she quickly shattered by inviting Bria to sleep with her.) Justin and I also had a cozy king size bed, and everyone enjoyed the electric blankets.

Ah, but the best part had to be the shower! It was a religious experience, and we each partook in an exquisitely long shower, thanks to what seemed to be an endless supply of hot water.

Maia and Garth were tasked with dinner arrangements, and it was pretty cool to watch what a willing student she seemed to be. They planned the meal, shopped for groceries, and used the well-equipped kitchen to prepare a yummy feast, complete with chicken, broccoli, and ginger carrots. She learned a lot, and it was the first meal she really enjoyed in New Zealand, as she has been very uncomfortable with the "different" and "weird" food.

Cameron and I curled up in front of the fire and played a game and a half of chess -- the half came because Bria decided to knock the pieces off the board while Cam was winning.

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Waitomo Glowworm Caves and Huka Falls

Written by Justin, as I am not a caver, and chose to stay in the car with a copy of The Hunger Games...

The morning brought us to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, a system of caves first explored a hundred years ago. I was pleased to note that they have now paved the floor inside the caves. Wonderful formations of lime transform the smooth stone surfaces into amazing shapes including a full size elephant. Walking down the steel stairs into the lower caverns felt like descending into the Moria.

The cathedral was huge and amazing. The sound was incredible and you could clearly see why it has been used for many musical events.

When we got down to the river level, 13m below the entrance, all of the kids found their quiet as we glided along the dark tunnels. The guide explained how the glow worms were the pupa stage of an insect with a bio luminescent lure and fifty sticky thread snares. The interesting description didn't detract from the magical beauty of hundreds of soft blue flowing stars in the pitch black of an underground night sky.

Maia wanted to drag her hand through the water, until she heard about the size of the eels swimming in it.

We had lunch in Te Kuite, then went on to Taupo, where we did a drive by of the largest lake in New Zealand. From there we went up the road a short bit to Huka Falls, where we got out of the car and poked around for a bit. Wow! The falls were not very tall, but they were impressive in a way you have to feel to truly understand. I think we were all pretty amazed at the volume and power of the water rushing beneath us.

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Turtles and Humpback Bridges

A nice breakfast with Auntie Sue, Trixie, and Bella, and we were off looking for more adventures.

Gran had stayed at Nan's house, so we picked her up there, and Bria had a heyday checking out Nan's turtle collections. "There's more over there! There's more!" Nan gave her a tour and told her about the origins of many of them, blaming Uncle Mark for most! She then presented Bria with a turtle for her own collection, which she promptly named Sandy. Sandy is purple and sparkly, with an aqua blue tummy.

As we left Te Awamutu, we relived a few of Justin and Garth's childhood memories, such as the "humpback bridge" on the way to their grandparents' house. Bria thought it was pretty great, and kept asking to go over the bridge again! Maia was not quite feeling it.

We also drove by the farm and school where their mother grew up, and a few other spots of interest. Justin enjoyed pointing his memories out to the family, many of them things he hadn't seen in years and years.

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Auckland Museum

Other plans fell through today, so we made a spur of the moment decision to explore the Auckland War Memorial Museum. What a great choice that was. There was plenty to see and explore for days, but we saw a huge amount in the one day we had to check it out.

Admission was very reasonable -- a $10 suggested donation for adults, and kids free. The museum is free for Aucklanders, which is a great little feature. (Especially for homeschooling parents!)

Lunch was at the Atrium Cafe inside the museum. Prices were pretty on par with any sort of tourist attraction, and the food was nice and Kiwi. Everyone tried something interesting, then it was off to explore all three levels.

First was a traveling display of National Geographic photographs, which our budding young photographer (Cameron) quite enjoyed. There were nature photos from all over the world, plus pictures taken by a variety of age groups. He loved that each one said what camera it was taken with, and shared settings, etc. We saw the Maori court, and checked out all the carvings and canoes and all kinds of fun traditional things. 

Next we saw all of the nature things on the second floor and the "weird and wonderful" display, which was an interactive display for the children to play with hands-on.

On the third floor was the war memorial. Maia and Ella were very interested in the Holocaust exhibit, and Bria liked the telephones where you could pick up the receiver, push a button, and listen to a story.

Cameron really did not want to leave when it was time -- he was really into taking photographs. But as the afternoon wore on and people were getting worn out, we headed back to the beach house for the evening.

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