We ended our trip in Tim’s hometown of Papakura in South Auckland. It is also the town I spent a year in at age 16/17 when I was a Rotary Exchange student. I was placed at Tim’s high school called Rosehill College. We met in band class and traveled with the choir, band and kapa haka group to Wellington. We were good friends and remained in contact after I left NZ. It was so wonderful to be in the Beals’ beautiful home and make meals from their garden. See...

We stopped in Rotorua on our way from Taupo to Papakura. We got to meet with the McInnes family and have a bit of fun. The kids looked forward to riding the luge most during our trip. It didn’t disappoint! What a fun adventure.

We stayed in Taupo a few days right near the lake. We explored Craters of the Moon (a park with boiling mud and steam vents) and Huka Falls. And had the third meal consisting of fish n chips during the week. So delicious in NZ! My 20+ year craving was totally satisfied.

Napier is famous for its Art Deco architecture and it was superb! In the middle of the night we felt an earthquake that was pretty large under the ocean a bit off the coast. While we were on the beach in the morning the tsunami warning came on, so we headed for town which was safe. What a sweet little town!

Wellington was such a fantastic time! We stayed in a great little neighborhood called Newtown at a fabulous house. Tim went to university here and lived in Wellington for many years before moving to Vancouver, BC. It was so special for us to be shown around by Holly and Grayson who live there. Here are some highlights: -Chocolate Fish Cafe for lunch and Scorching Bay for beach afternoon -Weta Workshop Tour -CrocBike ride in oriental bay -Scootering with frien...