Finally, Aotearoa. The plane circled round the Manukau Harbour and prepared to land. We were over an hour late and somewhere down there, there was some very anxious parents awaiting our arrival. Shay had been looking forward to this moment for what seemed forever, it had almost been taken away from us with the tsunami wave, but as we touched down on New Zealand soil, we breathed a sigh of relief... we had made it!
　
Our flight from Samoa had been an emotional one. The majority of the passengers were still shell shocked from their experiences in Samoa; some were in tears as we taxied into our arrival gate. Air New Zealand had pulled out all the stops, we had special lanes in immigration and customs, Salvation Army people handing out clothing and shoes, and Victim Support was on hand for anyone that needed advice. The airport was buzzing but that was nothing compared to the welcome we got at arrivals. There was hundreds of relatives, loved ones, journalists and photographers all crammed into the small arrivals lobby.
　
Hazel, Ken and Maddy located (Shay's parents and sister), it was time to take our first steps into the New Zealand air... and boy was it cold. After the tropical temperatures of Central America and Samoa, we really were not quite prepared for such a drop in temperature.
　
Spring in Tirau

Our first month in New Zealand was spent mainly in Tirau, Shays home town. After two and a half years, Shay was keen to catch up with her family and get to know all the new additions. Ollie was due to re-sit his CCIE recertification so he made the most of the quiet time by getting the study books out; not really what he wanted to be doing on his holiday but it had to be done, non-the-less, and the persistent rain outside made it easier to handle. We travelled north to Auckland when Ollie felt ready to take his test, spending the weekend with Gav on the idyllic Puketutu island (aka Gav's Island). Thankfully Ollie past his test on the first attempt so he could say goodbye to his study books for another two years and get on with being on holiday.
　
We had also been looking forward to catching up with Karen, Garth and Lynne on Labour weekend, for Garth's 60th bash. The party was held in Hamilton at the family home and thankfully the NZ weather decided to turn it on for the weekend. We spent a full day getting sozzled in the sun and enjoyed catching up with everyone, including Jules, Beks and Summer, some other Londonites who had come down for the festivities.
　
The remainder of the month was filled with family reunions, catching up with friends, fattening up on Hazel's fantastic home-made lasagne and meatballs and Ken's super hot curries and countless bottles of red wine. We did try to counterbalance all this good food and alcohol with a three month subscription to the local Putaruru gym, but there was no stopping the CHUB. In the end we just let it take over; 'sod it', it was the final few months of our trip, lets just enjoy it!
　
Alfhild on Tour
　
Despite our earlier doubts Alfhild, Ollie's mum, did manage to make it down under. We picked her up from the airport in our newly acquired Hiace Camper van and spent the first few days exploring Auckland city. We took in the spectacular views of the Sky Tower and One Tree Hill, saw how the other half lived with a drive around Mission Bay and St Helliers and rode a ferry to Devonport for some fresh fish and chips amongst the seagulls. Auckland done, it was time to journey south east to Mt Maunganui to meet Hazel, Ken and Maddy and celebrate Ken's birthday. Booked into the Egan's favourite holiday spot, the Westhaven Motel on Pilot Bay, we enjoyed a lovely relaxing weekend filled with good company, food and wine. Thankfully the weather decided to be on our side so we also managed some of the amazing walks the area has to offer.
　
It was time to set the Alfhild-Travel-Program in motion. We set off from the Mount up to Whangamata where Ollie was hoping to get into the surf. Unfortunately there was no surf but we took a windswept walk down the beach and initiated Alfhild into a spot of camping at the nearby camping ground. The next day we could see the dark clouds rolling in so we continued north, leaving them behind.
　
We stopped at Hot Water Beach intending to find ourselves a little pool to sit in but when we saw the crowds of scantily clad Germans digging like their lives depended on it, we decided to give it a miss. Cathedral Cove was next on the agenda and a very scenic 30 minute walk down to the beautiful beach. Alfhild was excited to see all the amazing tropical forest trees and plants in full bloom so our journey took longer than the norm as we stopped every few steps to take pictures of the postcard perfect scenery.
　
The next day took us too the tip of the Coromandel peninsula. To get there we had to leave all civilization behind, including tar-sealed roads, and travel a windy, pohutakawa lined, dirt track. The road hugged the coast for several kilometres then took us up high into the windswept Moehau ranges before dropping us down again into Port Jackson where there is a remote DoC campsite. We carried on a bit further to the true end of the road at Fletcher Bay and enjoyed a spot of lunch. On our way back down this dirt road we were treated to a flat tyre; the first on our year long journey.
　
Safely back in the cute colonial town of Coromandel, where its rumoured no-one carries a watch because they just don't care what time it is, we set up for the night in the camping ground, had dinner at the local pub and introduced Alfhild to a favourite Kiwi past-time. Beer and Pokies!
　
Unfortunately our luck with the weather ran out the next morning. We took Alfhild up the Driving Creek Railway but got drenched in the process. We had also arranged to meet Karen and Garth at their families beach bach in nearby Te Puru so headed there where we kept warm and out of the rain and caught up with the gossip.

To escape the rain we headed to the sunny Hawkes Bay and caught up with Jane (aka Chopper) in the gorgeous little village of Havelock. Jane is a fantastic hostess, she made us all feel very welcome in her awesome house. In the day we all loaded up into the camper, including Pippin the mini dash-hound, and took the tailor made 'Choppers Food and Wine Tour' of the Hawkes Bay.
　
Home Sweet Home
　
It was time to head back Tirau. Hazel had kindly vacated her cosy little flat and let the Norwegians move in. Poor Alfhild had been a real trooper the week before, she had endured a hellish 26 hour flight from Norway and had been thrust into camping life almost immediately. We decided to chill out for the next week in Tirau and let Alfhild unwind and actually unpack some belongings for the first time.
　
Alfhild loved Tirau; especially the shopping! For a small inland farming town it seems to have everything and even Aucklanders stop here to pick up gifts and knick-knacks. It has even acquired a surf-shop complete with corrugated surfer to go with the big tin sheep and dog. After numerous visits to the Big Sheep to buy possum socks, hats and gloves, Alfhild was even given a 'valued customer' discount. Tirau loved Alfhild as much as she loved Tirau!
　
Besides the shopping we spent the next few days seeing the local sights. We enjoying a Maori culture show and hangi at the Tamaki village in Rotorua and introduced Alfhild to the rest of the family. The sun was back out again so we even got in a few Kiwi barbeques before she headed off back to Norway where they were experiencing the coldest winter in decades.
　
After a jam-packed two and a half weeks it was time for Alfhild to set off back to the north. Everyone was sorry to see her go, she made a real impression on everyone she met and we hope she can make it down to Aotearoa again in the future. For us it was time to start thinking of our next visitors who would be coming in a weeks time; it was time to plan for the 'Robert's Grand Tour of New Zealand'.