Napier

Napier claims to be the "art deco capital of the world" and, needless to say, I loved wandering around and taking pix of the architecture. Napier was destroyed in the '30's by a horrible earthquake and was then rebuilt in the popular style of the time- Art Deco, hence the high numbers of art deco buildings compared to elsewhere in the world.

Autumn in Hawke's Bay

I got the awesome opportunity to visit with Carole's parents in Havelock North down in Hawke's Bay. It was beautiful, misty, autumn and the colors were in full bloom! It is a wine region, so there was a lot of fun things to see and taste!

Te Mata Peak.. I hear the view from the top is breathtaking... sadly the weather didn't cooperate!
The lovely Burden family at the pub. :)

Dive Trip!!

Got to go diving at the Poor Knight's Islands... one of the top 10 dive spots in the world! Left out of Tutukaka (a town that basically consisted of a marina and a backpackers).

Tutukaka harbor
Approaching the islands
lots of amazing arches to dive through
me!
mao mao... just a taste of the hundreds of fish!

Piha

Piha is a beach 45 minutes west of downtown Auckland..but feels a lot further than that! Its famous for being portrayed in the movie The Piano, but its really famous with local surfers. the crashing waves are a far cry from the calm waters on the Auckland Harbor.

Being a black lava beach, the sand is a beautiful mix of sparkling black, blue and tan sand..(of course not shown adequately here.. but attempted..)
Lion Rock

Farm stay!!

We stayed at a working farm in a rural part of the north island. It was delightfully like staying with a distant relative. Heather and Rob were so friendly and we felt like we were living a 'day in the life' of a kiwi farmer/rancher. They had cattle, sheep, and random other working animals. It was fascinating!!

This is Waitawa farm.

Rob and Heather. (She cooked us an amazing roast!!)
Yes... they really are all watching us..intently..never looking away.. it was mildly disturbing...
Mom and the sheep!
Mom and Spook

Random roadtrip moments with mom..

Needless to say, I have hundreds of pictures from when my mom was here.. instead of inflicting them all on you now (that will come later in book form.. ;)) I will give you a few random snipets from our fantastic 2 1/2 weeks together.

Random roadside market.

Hmm.. yummy Chocolate Boutique..
Amazing green-ness!

Here is one of many a 'scenic lookout'

Us in the ancient Kauri Forest
Prancing my way down to Cathedral Cove.. (sadly, having my mother there means alot more pictures of me.. enjoy it while it lasts.. ;))
Mom and the New Zealand Flax
Enjoying a flat white..NZ style.
Riding bikes along Tamaki Drive, Auckland.

Peaceful Onehangi Beach on Waiheke Island.
Me and my city!
Swinging on Coromandel Penninsula
Us on Waiheke Island :)

Lake Rotorua

Random Sheep
The raging Huka Falls
Warm, crystal waters of Lake Taupo
Auckland Botanical Garden
One of many gorgeous northern beaches

Yet another one lane bridge...
cow crossing..!
Jandel (ie- flip flop) fence..leave one, take one..!
Sheep, sheep, and more sheep..!