January...Chock Full of Visitors...

After we returned from our Tiki Tour of the Northern most part of the North Island, we have had a flurry of visitors. Ross arrived in late December, and we took off to explore the Northern tip of the North Island. Cape Reinga was way out there, but really a beautiful place to see if you have never done so. We especially enjoyed the beach at Spirit's Bay. The sand had a pink hue to it, as there were absolutely heaps of pink shells that were ground down by the ocean to produce a very fine sand. We took note that there is a nice DOC (Dept. of Conservation) camping area there as well. Now that we have our tent & camp stove here we are planning some camping adventures. Just need to suss out some sleeping bags, and cooking equiptment to get rolling! Thanks to Amy for hauling our tent over when she came to visit!! Sorry about the delay through customs...forgot about all that biohazard checking.

On January 12, Rob's mom, Mickey, & his sister, Amy, came for a visit. We picked them up at AKL at o'dark thirty and took them on a little tour around Devonport. They both wanted to settle in a bit, so we dropped them off at the Peace and Plenty Inn, where they had made their booking. After settling, they joined us at our house, and we set out for lunch at a local restaurant that had recently opened near our house. Our visitors were still feeling a bit in need of rest, so we came back to our perch above the harbour and had a relaxing, restful afternoon.

Early mornings I had Amy, my best walking partner to walk around Devonport with. So, before anyone would even think of waking, we were out walking around the area, enjoying each other's company. One great thing about having your old friend come to visit...you can easily catch up to what ever is going on in each other's lives...like no time has passed. A special quality in our friendship that I treasure.

While Mickey, Amy & Ross were with us we adventured out to Muriwai Beach to see the Gannet colony, and do some wine tasting in the Kumeu Valley. We also took the ferry over to the city to celebrate Rob & Amy's birthdays at Mikano...a flash restaurant on the waterfront. It was one of those hot, humid days...not at all like the hot, dry, California weather we are used to. Humidity has a way of making you feel that there is no need to shower because you will need one ten minutes after you get out of it. Nevermind about trying to do anything with your hair! I guess that is what hats are for...limp hair days...Friday, we visited Tiritiri Matangi, an open bird sanctuary Island in the Hauraki Gulf. Again, it was humid, but we were rewarded with a most amazing swim at the end of our hike. The water was like the blue lagoon! Mickey was able to join us, as the Island ranger transported her up to the visitors center, and back down to the ferry at the end of the day. We packed a picnic, and joined Mickey for lunch before we set off to continue our hike.

On Saturday, the 16th Emmy & Chris arrived at the same o'dark hundred hour that the flight from SFO arrives at AKL. So...back to the airport we went to welcome Emmy & Chris. It was so fantastic to have them here! Hugs and hugs...and more hugs were had. Back in Devonport we went to breakfast at our favorite breakfast spot since it opened in December...Platters. We had a nice walk about Devonport, and then the inevitable crash down for a nap occurred for Chris & Emmy. I had an errand in Mairangi Bay to do, so I took Mickey on a little tour of the North Shore via East Coast Bays Rd. We picked up the portrait that our neighbor had drawn of Emmy & Ross, and went back to Devo to join the others who were getting ready to have a little beach time at Cheltenham Beach. Because Ross was leaving on Sunday, we decided to celebrate Rob & Amy's birthdays on Saturday night with the whole clan. A great celebration ensued, although it was baking hot in the restaurant.

Sunday was a lazy, slow day as Ross packed up his belonings. Rob loaded all of Ross' luggage into the car, and drove Mickey over to the city. Too many people to all go in the car, so Amy, Chris, Emmy, Ross & myself headed for the ferry. We met Rob & Mickey at the Sky Tower and had a farewell lunch for Ross. Kind of an emotional time...had some tears when it was time to say goodbye. Ross was heading back to California to move from Chico to Alameda where he has a job...and a new place to live! Rob & I are feeling so good that both Ross and Emily are doing well, and are happy.

Speaking of happy...the big news is that Christopher proposed to Emily at Tarwharanui Beach on Monday, January 18, 2010! It was a total surprise for Emily...but we knew he was planning on proposing as he had asked Rob for permission. So sweet of Chris to do that. I was sworn to secrecy that I could not breathe a word to anyone...and especially not Emily! So...I passed the keep a secret test...:) By now, of course you all know that this has happened, but I thought I would point it out again. We are delighted to welcome Christopher into our family!

On Rob's actual birthday, Chris, Emily, Rob & Amy took a trip south to go cave exploring at Green Glow Caves. They left Devonport before the sun came up, and made it to their destination around 8:30. They had a private tour of the Green Glow Caves which were close to Waitomo Caves. They spent the whole day rock climbing, abseiling, and exploring the depths of the caves. A great adventure was had by all! Amy & Rob drove back to Auckland, and Chris & Emily went off to Rotorua and the Coromandel Peninsula for a few days to do some exploring on their own. They were basking in the glow of their engagement.

Another trip to the airport on Wednesday to drop off Amy & Mickey. We could have been in the airport taxi sevice. Before we left for the airport we had a nice lunch with Mickey & Amy. Rob & I got home and it was sooo quiet. Emily & Chris were still on their tour, so we had a night alone.

Emily & Chris came back from the Coromandel just bubbling about all of their adventures on Thursday evening. Friday, we took Emmy & Chris to do the Okura Bush Walk, and to Long Bay Beach. And Saturday, we took a drive out to the Kumeu Valley for some wine tasting and walk out to see the gannet colony at Muriwai Beach. It was hard to believe that Sunday we had to say goodbye. We had a nice, quiet day around Devonport, packed up the car with the luggage and drove to the ferry building. Rob & I helped Emmy & Chris with their luggage on to the ferry, and got them sorted on the otherside with the Airbus. Driving on the motorway at 4pm on a Sunday afternoon to the airport was not going to be easy, so they agreed to take the express bus. Another difficult time saying goodbye...that is the hard part of living so far away.

So, now it is the middle of February and the pace of life has picked up around here. When we were on Tiritiri Matangi with Ross, Mickey & Amy, I signed up to become a volunteer guide on the Island. I have just completed my training, and have also had my first guided trip last Friday. I had 5 trainings with other guides throughout the past few weeks...and have I ever learned a lot about birds, flora and fauna! I have heaps more to learn...and as a fellow guide said to me yesterday...you continue to learn more and more...so the learning will continue on...as in life. I have also started volunteering as a reading tutor in our neighbor, Margaret's year 2 classroom. I work with reading groups...ages 6&7...soooo adorable! And, the term for the Women's Outdoor Pursuits has started again, so every Thursday I am out tramping with my WOPS group. Blink, blink and the week is done!

Rob & I adventured out to a new park on Sunday called Wenderholm Regional Park. There, we took a perimeter track, and another track through the bush. We had an outstanding view of the Islands around the Mauharangi Harbour. I will put links to picasa photo albums for all of the places I have mentioned. NZ really is spectacular, and for us to be able to find all of this beauty in our back yard is phenomenal! Looking forward to seeing Wayne & Annie Stewart next week, after they return from a tour of the South Island. And, at the end of March we have Anne Estes and her partner, Ed coming to see us. Yay!! Thinking of all of you, and wishing you all well! Cheers! <3 ~Skye