New Zealand Vacation - Photos

I wished I have the luxury to detail our vacation but I just don't. 

We stayed mostly in a town called Whitianga, situated in the Coromandel Peninsula in the North Island. We rented and stayed at a lovely farm cottage called Dragonfly Cottage. We loved everything that we experienced, saw and did. The people were just so friendly and relaxed. It was a beautiful, unspoilt place, the beaches clean and pristine (better than Hawaii in my opinion) and the food was excellent. What striked me as significant was that there wasn't a single McDonald's or Starbucks or any imported coffeehouse/fastfood restaurants there. I hope it stays that way. Of course you could find them easily in Auckland or other bigger cities or towns in NZ.

More photos can be viewed on Flickr. If you can't be bothered to click the link, here are some of my favourites.

Hot Water Beach

 

 

Wilkie's favourite toy at the farm: the quad bike.

 

 

Part of the farm owned by the couple who runs the cottage we stayed at. The cows are bred to be butchered. They feed on grass as most of NZ ruminant animals do. Excellent!

 

 

That's the accomodation. Wilkie making fun of himself and getting comfy by the fireplace.

 

 

Park at Whitianga town. The weather was always glorious, bright and clear.

 

 

So carefree, no rules, just let your hair down, Wilkie at Hot Water Beach

 

 

Feeding Misty, the orphaned baby sheep at the cottage. Wilkie was a little nervous at first and then just adored her.

 

 

In Coromandel Town, throwing pebbles--Fredi loved doing it and could go on for ages.

 

 

Attempted to walk down to the famous Cathedaral Cove (where they filmed Narnia)-- and failed. Not convenient at all with small children. So we walked back after halfway through. I carried Fredi for 45mins all the while!

 

 

One of my favourite beaches, Hahei Beach. 

 

 

View from I can't remember where or what it was. 

 

Cathederal Cove-the most photographed cave in NZ. It was where they filmed Narnia.

 

 

Saw this and other natural stone structures on a speed boat we took on my birthday.

 

 

A cave I forgot what the name was--there were many caves apparently and they were all beautiful. Wilkie wasn't too keen of the dark when we went inside.

 

 

There was no cake, so a minced and cheese pie with salad will do just fine as a replacement, complete with candles to celebrate my 38th birthday. And that was my dinner, sans the candles.  

 

 

I was so excited when the owner of the cottage let us have their fresh free range eggs--for free! How generous and kind they were. The eggs were still quite warm in my hands.

 

 

Stopping by at a playground for the kids to have a breather after a long drive. The playgrounds there were excellent and higher quality then the ones in Tokyo.

 

 

In Tairua. 

 

 

Opito Beach. Just so peaceful, tranquil and beautiful. 

 

 

So much fun building sandcastles at Opito Beach. The sand is lovely to play with.

 

 

Well done boys! That's a fantastic castle at Opito Beach.

 

 

Mercury Bay District Museum

 

Another family portrait on our last day at Dragonfly Cottage. 

 

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