As usual, we first returned to Canada via YVR and stayed a few nights at Lisa's mom's place in order to visit family and friends in the Lower Mainland. Of course, this usually revolves around food. We had delicious Thai with Auntie Janet and June, then again with Elliott and his family. We enjoyed several home-cooked meals courtesy of June, and even got some early Christmas baking. I met my side of the family to have portraits taken, then visited over burgers. We caught up with our friend Barb at Starbucks, and paid a visit to our friend Lisa's new u-vin business - it was great to catch-up with them both after far too long. We also made it to Lisa's dad's place for a visit over tea and snacks. I even managed to drop in unannounced for a chat with Karyn and her family. We returned home to Honeymoon Bay to have Debbie over for coffee and pie. Then we were able to host both Debbie and Shaun for dinner and drinks on our first Saturday back. The very next day, they reciprocated and upped the ante with Nintendo Wii. As expected, we returned to rainy weather. Cowichan Lake is brimming, and the Cowichan River has already flooded yards and homes. It didn't take long to settle back into the familiarity, comfort, and routine of home. We have already watched several movies and read a few books since our return. We look forward to an enjoyable December and spending Christmas here for the first time.
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We drove a total of 1835 kilometres on New Zealand's north island (in addition to the previous 2640 kilometres on the south island), for a total of 4475 kilometres driven in New Zealand over a 20 day period. In six weeks, we drove 8642 kilometres while in Australia. That means that the grand total for this holiday is 13 117 kilometres of driving! We woke up at 5am to drive to the airport. After dropping off our rental car and taking a shuttle to the departure terminal, the long wait to be back in Canada began. First, we checked in early and waited for our 8am flight out of Auckland on November 16th. Next, a three hour flight had us in Sydney. We once again waited for our non-stop return flight to Vancouver. At 12:20pm local time, we departed Sydney and flew over 14 hours before magically arriving in Vancouver at 7:30am on November 16th - we're time travellers!!
Mt. Eden Summit Beach walk near our final airbnb stay of the trip Cheers to a wonderful holiday and to heading home!
Kawiti Family Glow Worm Caves This was an indescribably magical experience; photos do no justice. Paihia Beach Haruru Falls Kaikohe Murals Martin's Bay Waimamaku Coast Waipoua Forest: Tane Mahuta ("Lord of the Forest") The largest living kauri tree at 51.5 metres tall (trunk height of 17.7 metres), 13,8 metres around, and a trunk volume of 244.5 metres. It is estimated that Tane Mahuta sprang from seed during the lifetime of Jesus Christ. Te Matua Ngahere ("Father of the Forest") Older and wider than Tane with a girth of 16.41 metres, but its trunk height is only 10.21 metres (total height just 29.9 metres) and its trunk volume is 208.1 metres, making it the second largest kauri tree. We stayed in a converted train carriage in Dargaville
I rafted the Kaituna River, including the biggest commercially rafted drop in the world - a seven metre waterfall! The rafts before and after mine both flipped; not us. Mount Maunganni Tauranga: Street Art Hairy Maclary & Friends Waterfront Sculpture I had a great day and did not forget to give thanks for the freedoms we enjoy. #lestweforget #neverforget #thankasoldier
Taupo "The World's Coolest McDonald's" Huka Falls Pouwhenua at Warakei Terraces Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland Kerosene Creek Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake) Ohinemutu (a living Maori village) public meetings are held on the marae (square) in front of the whare ruanga (traditional meeting house) The missionaries incorporated maori design and carvings into the church's construction. The gathered local population was split in half by the Catholic and Protestant churches. Burials must be done above ground due to the extent of the geothermal activity. Downtown Rotorua
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