Durantastic

Last night I went to see Duran Duran who were kicking off their world tour in Auckland...

they put on an amazing show and belted out all the old tunes proper style for over 2 hrs...

I highly recommend you see them on this tour, Simon still rocks!

Easter Sunday in the Sun

In the morning we went to Wenderholm regonal park which is a little headland about 30 mins away...



the sea was amazingling calm and clear for our swim...

the majestic Pohutakawa trees dominate the park...

nestled between the Puhoi river and the beach...

crystal clear waters of the Puhoi River...

the day ended with dinner at Aaron and Michelles, with Aaron's sister Sarah and her husband Gareth joining us...

Whale of a time

Heading out of The City of Sails on an exceptional Easter Saturday we encountered many species of wildlife in the Hauraki Gulf...

surface skimming shearwaters

delightful dancing dolphins...

graceful gannets...

breath taking Brydes whale...

the seaworthy sailors...

Flashback to the 80's

Here's Michael aka Magnum PI in our solarium on the way to our friend Michelle's 30th birthday party. More pics of the "outrageos 80's" themed event at: http://www.photomax.com/web/mem_album_photo_slide_show.php?TrackId=1808092&RandomId=1691176169

England V New Zealand

A few of us pommes went to support the boys in blue at the ODI cricket game yesterday held at Eden Park against New Zealand...

Despite the reasonable start England had we were a bit worried when rain stopped play but the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow was certainly on Englands' side...

they ended the evening on a victorious note and we enjoyed rarking up the kiwis!!!

Kawhia to Whanganui

The first stop on our jaunt was Kawhia, a costal settlement famed for its hotwater pools that can be dug out at low tide.
We could only spend a few minutes at a time in the boiling pools before having to cool down in the surf.

Next up was an unscheduled stop at Waitamo, where we set out for a walk at dusk along the river, taking in some caves and glow worms along the way.

The following day we took the leisurely Surf Highway around Mount Taranaki. Not many people, but plenty of cows!

For a bit of refreshment we called in at the CAMRA approved White Cliffs Brewery for a sip of Mike's Mild Ale.



The journey along the Whanganui River road was full of interesting curiousities.

We thought Greek relatives may appreciate these signs!

The Big River

Two tremendous days were spent in the Whanganui National Park, home of the emerald-green waters of the 329km long Whanganui river...

A rainy start to the trip did not spoil this wonderous view from the tranquil river lodge we were lucky enough to have all to ourselves...

breakfast time at the lodge...

Mike on the famous Bridge to Nowhere...

curly koru in the bush...

getting weary on our 4hr canoe down stream we did go through rapids!!! and we did capsize!!! all very traumatic but very exhilerating....