In previous episodes...
New Zealand
Was good fun.
Yes, went with CIG/Q and did family stuff half the time and travel-relaxing stuff the other half. We hired a car and drove from Auckland (where we had br/lunch with CIG's little bro and sis-in-law, who drove in from their farm a couple of hours out - we might try and go visit them next time), to Hamilton for a couple of days (where I didn't catch up with exSuper, but it WAS the weekend and school was out) and stayed with the big bro and sis-in-law and caught up with them and with the "old" niece (4 years old, seemed to remember us from 2 years ago, but may just have been shown too many photos), and met the new niece (18 months), and played and ate and went to the zoo, etc., plus caught up with a couple of CIG's old friends (from high school, uni, etc.)
Then we drove out to the country town where they all grew up and stayed with the parents and did a roast (lamb rack) and went through CIG's old records and filled all the space which had been taken up with toys/presents for the nieces (and then some). Had a pub dinner at the local, hung out at the first cafe they had which served a latte in a glass.
More driving - so picturesque! Rotorua (not as smelly as I'd imagined), Lake Taupo (big and blue and one of exSuper's "restoration" sites?), Mt Ngauruhoe (aka Mt Doom), Mt Ruapehu...
Down to Windy Wellington, where it was quite windy. Went to Te Papa and did the tour of the Parliament buildings. Hung out at Fidel's on Cuba St. Discovered a new and apparently rather popular bar and sat on the lawn in the sun and drank Monteiths. The gallery in the link doesn't do it justice - the light was really really good, and I don't think they even show the outdoor area! Also, it got to barely past 5 and was packed with people come straight from work on both Wed and Thursday. Also went to the Mac's Brewery around the corner (less sunny) and drank Mac's. In the evenings (nights) we also checked out various bars and clubs (but it was kinda dead - we blamed the Wed/Thurs and just-after-Christmas thing).
Then back up to Auckland to (splurge and) lounge at the Langham (nice pick by CIG!), with complimentary canapes by the rooftop pool accompanied by uncomplimentary drinks...
Was good fun.
Yes, went with CIG/Q and did family stuff half the time and travel-relaxing stuff the other half. We hired a car and drove from Auckland (where we had br/lunch with CIG's little bro and sis-in-law, who drove in from their farm a couple of hours out - we might try and go visit them next time), to Hamilton for a couple of days (where I didn't catch up with exSuper, but it WAS the weekend and school was out) and stayed with the big bro and sis-in-law and caught up with them and with the "old" niece (4 years old, seemed to remember us from 2 years ago, but may just have been shown too many photos), and met the new niece (18 months), and played and ate and went to the zoo, etc., plus caught up with a couple of CIG's old friends (from high school, uni, etc.)
Then we drove out to the country town where they all grew up and stayed with the parents and did a roast (lamb rack) and went through CIG's old records and filled all the space which had been taken up with toys/presents for the nieces (and then some). Had a pub dinner at the local, hung out at the first cafe they had which served a latte in a glass.
More driving - so picturesque! Rotorua (not as smelly as I'd imagined), Lake Taupo (big and blue and one of exSuper's "restoration" sites?), Mt Ngauruhoe (aka Mt Doom), Mt Ruapehu...
Down to Windy Wellington, where it was quite windy. Went to Te Papa and did the tour of the Parliament buildings. Hung out at Fidel's on Cuba St. Discovered a new and apparently rather popular bar and sat on the lawn in the sun and drank Monteiths. The gallery in the link doesn't do it justice - the light was really really good, and I don't think they even show the outdoor area! Also, it got to barely past 5 and was packed with people come straight from work on both Wed and Thursday. Also went to the Mac's Brewery around the corner (less sunny) and drank Mac's. In the evenings (nights) we also checked out various bars and clubs (but it was kinda dead - we blamed the Wed/Thurs and just-after-Christmas thing).
Then back up to Auckland to (splurge and) lounge at the Langham (nice pick by CIG!), with complimentary canapes by the rooftop pool accompanied by uncomplimentary drinks...