Pretend tropical vacation

It’s vacation time in a post COVID world. Stephanie and I were planning a summer vacation in winter so Port Douglas was the chosen spot as it usually has temps over 25 in July. Unfortunately with the post COVID closed borders and no international travel m6 passport received a slight shock and was taken for a walk around the house before being put back in its folder.
Vacation planning had our flights to Aussie cancelled but not my flight to Auckland so I chose to visit and we have had a three day vacay; Cambridge one night, the Rotorua two nights. A visit to a friend Leah in Cambridge was lovely and onto Hobbiton the next morning. Arriving in Rotorua we checked in to our not adult only hotel, found our way downtown and booked tickets for the redwood tree walk. We wandered through the government gardens and drove out to the redwood forest as dusk came upon us,  it was a magical experience with the lights and bridges and mystical felling being high in the trees.  Dinner that evening was at an Indian restaurant in Eat Street.

Hobbiton: being hobbit sized we fit nicely

Amongst the redwood trees. 

The government buildings.

Tuesday 7 July: day three of the vacay had us sleeping in and breakfasting leisurely at the hotel. Shopping was the agenda item for the day so we visited the Central Mall and picked up the various items that we had on a list from Stephanie’s Mum.  A drive down to the lake front and a very short walk along the board walk we found ourselves by the Lakeland Queen paddle steamer. A chance discovery found that the cruise was going for an hours tour so we booked ourselves on it and filled in the next hour by driving past the government building to Sulfer Point lookout, a walk and photo op at the buildings then back to the cruise.  Thanks Ewan for lunch. Once back we decided to do the day walk through the trees but it was raining so carried onto the Blue Lake and lookout point to see the Green Lake. Back down to Rotorua the rain was heavier so picking up swimsuits we took ourselves to the Polynesian Spa for our Swim. A luxurious hour or more passed in the different pools as we felt ourselves relax.  Back to the hotel for a short rest, vacationing is Very tiring we braved Eat Street once again to try El Mexicano Zapata, which was delightful. Rather larger portion sizes than we expected we left by waddling out the door and home to rest and have a reasonable early night.

Selfie time at the Green Lake. 

Last days at Disneyland.

Thursday second to last day so we decided that today would be mostly Disneyland. We had a breakfast date with Minnie and friends so the Inn was our first stop and we were seated in a nice table on the balcony. It was good as we were outside and could see lots. All the characters came by and we gots lots of photos, but no Mickey or Donald. We did finally get one with Minnie. Had mickey waffles as well as tried out grits and other foods. After brunch we then went back to tomorrowland and did some more rides again. Decided rather late in the day that we needed to get a photo pass as our brekkie photo was great. Got all our others loaded as we paid for a week. Then spent the afternoon and evening looking for photo opportunities. It was fun and we got a few more.

Stayed late so we could see the fireworks and laser show so got a reasonable position. Watched the light parade again, did our final magic kingdom shopping and got home late ready to pack. 

Friday; last day. Our last breakfast so enjoyed it immensely and took our leftover food to a homeless person. Got ourselves packed, decided we had more room for shopping and headed off to California adventure for last pins, time at the midway for more toys and cars ride again. Had a late lunch at the Mexican and it was delicious. Sonia had not been there so that was great that we tried it out. We were early back to wait for our shuttle so enjoyed the time reading and stitching. Another longish trip to the airport and we were lucky to checkin and be first in the security queue so time for candy shopping. 

Busy two days

well the first two days at Disneyland are done. We started off earlish on Saturday morning and were grateful that we had done the mobility pass on the Friday night. This meant we could go stratight down Main Street, get our pass to Indiana Jones ride and go to the pirates. We walked stratight in and onto the ride. Just so fabulous and being refurbished with lots of changes for the new pirates movies.  Next stop was the jungle cruise, then Haunted Mansion and we then went back to do Indiana jones but it was closed for a problem. They let us get another pass for thunder mountain. We did Spalsh Mountain and I was pretty good at not hiding too much. A gentle trip around Pooh Corner and Thunder Mountain saw the morning nearly over. Shopping stops along the way back to Indiana Jones to find it still wasn't open. We then decided it was Dole Icecream and the Tiki Room, then time for lunch so a turkey leg at New Orleans Square was the order of the day and onto Fantasy Land. Another pass for Peter Pans Flight we then did Toad of Toad Hall, Snow White, and Its a small world while we were waiting. We were back at the motel about 4.30 ready to go to the baseball.
A great taxi ride and we were at Angels Stadium ready for the game of the century it was to play out. We found some food, our seats and settled into the evening. We had lovely neighbours that we both angels and twins fans so it was interesting and we cheered for all equally. Alberto Pujols was the star of the evening as he scored his career 600th home run and also had fully loaded bases when he did it. Only nine other players have 600 home runs so a special night. Due to this the game went until about 10.45 pm as we had fireworks to celebrate at the end as well. A long wait for our taxi home we finally got there about 11.30 so it was after midnight to get to bed.
Sunday - a slow start including doing the washing and having the complimentary breakfast which was yummy.
Back to the park and we found the entire concourse filled with people trying to get into California Avenue so we decided to hit Disneyland again and headed towards tomorrow land. Great organising we ended up with two passes to Star Tours but that was really fun as it was different each time. We blasted our way badly around Buzz Lightyear amidst lots of giggles and then went onto space mountain. This was great fun. We visited how to train a Jedi and had a salad for lunch. A much slower pace today as we interspered some shopping side trips event though we didn't buy much. After a really bad drive around Autotopia - we both would have failed our driving test we headed off to Storybookland and our next pass. Some more of the fantasyland rides were done, including Dumbo's elephants, Casey Jr railroad and the Carousel of course, unfortunately Mary Poppins had just got off.  We traversed our way down Main Street, going via the Ice Cream Parlour for another ice cream. I had rainbow sherbet which was great. Out of the park and then to downtown Disney where we spent some time looking at goodies to buy. A further wander down and we headed home after 5.30 pm. A short stop to post my postcards we decided to stop at Mimi's for dinner. No half portions any longer but we had a drink and a meal each which we did finish. A slow walk home and we settled in for a night in to catch up with tidying up and writing. Sonia rang home to see if all was well. Watched a movie and had an early night.

On the road

Well life is travelling at a fast pace and now waiting in the koru lounge for departure on our adventure. Another 24 hours and Stephanie and I will be in the wintery streets of Canterbury nearly.  I have been trying to finish various stitched christmas gifts this week and so far have completed Mum's, Marilyn's (this was its own story as it started with cutting the embroidery the wrong size), Toni's and Gemma's birthday present. This did not take too long and I managed to even get it to her before her departure. 
Every night it seems for the past three weeks have been booked with at least one event and sometimes even two!
Monday night was the last official night class and we went for a class outing to mum's to see all her Christmas trees. The house looked lovely and I was most impressed with all the decorations and the memories. This year I have up the wire tree only and will put on the couple of new ones. Not a lot of creativity has been done with new balls as only one design has been crafted and no pattern written at all.

The day started fairly well with a good wake up and got the washing on. Just as I was going to hang it out thought it looked like rain so put it in dryer. Had four hours at school and everyone took a little longer than it should but all our excess weetbix and milk has been donated. Lunch was entertaining with Layla and Quinn. Picked up at 4 ish by terry and mum and literally dropped at airport. Relaxed in lounge at New Plymouth then boarded and didn't depart. Everyone off, engines on and off, bags off, engines on, engines off, bags on and we reboarded. Finally after a long while we started to taxi and it was a nervous wait. Once off the ground my thought was that if we had to make a crash landing it would be in Auckland so I would be a step closer to international. 

Finally made it to the lounge where a welcome drink was waiting - see adventures of Diane and Stephanie's blog for photos and all updates over the next month. 

Merry Christmas  to all and have a safe, enjoyable new year.  

Holiday week.

Wednesday on holiday with mum and dad in Tauranga. It has been wonderful weather so that has been a bonus for us. Yesterday we visited the kiwi fruit farm that we used to stay at. A bag of kiwi fruit, avocados and passion fruit later we had looked at all the vines. Not in such great repair and dad thinks that they should have sold for the offer. House was looking okay but needs repairs. 
Back into town with a stop at the wine shop and lunch at palmers. Dad had the wrong time for his appointment so we decided to catch up with friends who own a cafe. Found the cafe, they weren't there but Kenneth who I went to school with was. Got to lawyers and left dad while mum and I went for a walk around the town. After meeting back up we went to the bernina shop and got an invite to the club class being held in the morning. Back to hotel for a rest. Decided to go to fish and chip place for tea which was lovely. A night at hotel reading, watching TV and embroidery followed. 

Thursday mum and I were up and off to the bernina class. Really interesting and lots of people. Learnt about different buttonholes and there uses: also great for appliqué. Next session was about making a woollen wrap. Was a great idea and might try from some fabric I have at home. Other product demonstrated was shrink fabric. I bought some to try when I get home. Back to the hotel to pick up dad and over to mount maunganui for lunch. Found a nice garden cafe for lunch. Had a great Kumera soup. Next stop was the packing business to meet with Helen who deals with the sale of the kiwifruit. We had a great tour of the packing plant and watched them pack the gold kiwifruit. For tea mum and I found a chinese takeaway which was called Rok the Wok. It was very nice.
Friday we travelled to Taupo so I could do the 100Km flyer with karen and phil on the Saturday. I was the support car driver. It was a horrible day as shown by the photo of the intrepid bikers at the start of the race. The race went along some interesting roads and both Karen and Phil felt the cold. Phil finished in a time of about 4 1/2 hours while Karen completed 75km and had a police ride to the end. A bit of a worry as she never went past me, while I was waiting in the car.

Karen and Phil off to the start of the 100km race.

Sunday monring - all recovered and getting ready to drive home.

Sunday we drove home in wonderful weather and that was the end of the holiday.

Shopping at last

Saturday 27 Dec, MJ, mum and I drove over the bay to go to the fourth street shopping area in Berkeley. Had a little drive around some of the university first but it is mostly pedestrian walkways so did not see much.

The Fourth Street area was full of fun boutiques and speciality shops so that was s nice change from the mall type of shops. I took a couple of photos of the lights in the trees and as the day got later the lights were really lovely. We had lunch (pizza and salad, with beignets to follow) at a place called Zuts. It was nice. I got a couple of presents so was pleased and also a great stamping, paper making cutter from a shop called stamping territory. Biggest scrapbook shop I have ever seen.

The lights on fourth street

 The view coming home of the sunset over the city. 

Dinner last night at the devil's Slide taproom. Nice food and good beer according to Ewan, Tony and Alex.