We had connected with a dive company yesterday. They agreed to take Ty diving, while the kids and I could snorkel and kayak. We met them at the marina at 8:15am. We packed our own lunch, and lots of extra clothes. Ty took his Dramamine and we hoped for the best. Unfortunately for him and… Continue reading Tutukaka, NZ – Adventure Day

Like usual we took our time over breakfast. We had hope to dive/snorkel in Paihai by they had no one else interested yesterday or today. So we decided to head to Tutukaka since they dive 7 days a week. We stopped in Kawakawa so the kids could play at a playground and Ty could empty… Continue reading Paihai – Tutukaka, NZ: Adventure Day

I think the key feature of our last week has been 'lazy mornings'. We let the kids do some school apps on the electronics while Ty and I read. Ty then took off for a long run while the kids and I continued to laze and then slowly got ready for the day. Then L… Continue reading Paihai, NZ – Adventure Day 2

Another relaxing morning in the rain. The kids were up at 7am like usual. So we gave them some school work on the iPad and phone while Ty and I read in bed. Vacation luxuries! Ty did some chores on the RV before we left camp. (The grey water was starting to flood our bathroom… Continue reading Matakohe – Paihai, NZ: Adventure Day

The rain was pouring down again last night, and off and on this morning. We couldn't really do any of the hikes in the rain so we had another leisurely morning. We didn't leave the site till after ten. - Ty had read about a neat walk along a river with some suspension bridges. So… Continue reading Waiwera – Matakohe, NZ: Adventure Day

During the nights the floodgates opened. It was raining sheets and sheets. I knew we had parked by a lake and felt silly asking Ty but wanted to make sure it wasn't going to flood. We just don't get rain like this in Alaska! By the morning it was hit and miss, fine for 10… Continue reading Mt. Maunganui – Auckland – Waiwera, NZ: Adventure Day

It's R's birthday today! She's 7! We decorated the RV last night after she went to sleep, with banners and balloons. Laying out her presents on the table. She was surprised by the extra little gifts. Then we lit the candle on her muffin and sang Happy Birthday to her. - We packed up then,… Continue reading Rotorua-Matamata-Mt.Whanganui NZ – Adventure Day

Ty called the RV company early in the morning. They we actually helpful this time and sent a mobile mechanic to us! He was able to give us a new secondary battery and fixed our broken headlight. Finally something was going right! I had read about a cafe where they have cats you can pet.… Continue reading Rotorua NZ – Adventures Day 2

We tried to enjoy the playground at the RV Park in the morning but everything was wet. So we packed up and headed to Huka Honey Hive I'd heard it was an interactive bee exhibit. But it turned out to just be a honey gift shop with small bee keeping outfits the kids could try… Continue reading Rotorua NZ – Adventure Day 1