More to See

When we moved into our pied-a-terre – I call it that because home feels like a betrayal – we were all so enamored with having our lovely things that we literally parked our asses among our lovely things. Weekends were poolside. The girls were having friends over. We were BBQing. I was cooking – in my own kitchen, with my own things and my beloved Gwenyth Paltrow cookbooks. Judge me if you must.

Well? Over. It. That all seems to be waning. Tick tock afterall – we are only here for four short years, 10 months of which are already behind us. How did that happen?

I have decided we have the rest of our lives to nest. We have a country to see!

Mount Maungonui

The girls were on a two week school holiday recently and with Dave home in Canada (I know! He left us here!!) we decided to road trip. Two short hours southeast of Auckland is New Zealand’s own Gold Coast. Miles and miles of uninterrupted sandy beach punctuated with Mount Maungonui, a very hike-able volcanic mountain with the most spectacular sweeping views every which way. Emma came here on a school camping trip in February so knew the best way up the mount and was pretty keen to be our guide.

At the base of the mount is a natural hot spring pool (these are EVERYWHERE in New Zealand – literally) so we had a good, steamy soak after our hike, full of girl talk and distraction-free mother daughter goodness. And the town filled the food and shopping component nicely as well – heaps of amazing eateries and some sweet boutiques.

It also delivered a waterfall and we love us up some waterfalls. MacLaren Falls was 20 minutes out of our way driving home and delivered our first glimpse of fall colours. Worth. It.

Raglan

This is the quintessential groovy surf town attracting the earthy hippies and…well…us.

Another two hour drive – this time west to the volcanic black sand beaches on the Tasman Sea – and you are in sweet Raglan, home to surf schools and gorgeous beaches and lovely cafes to fill your face at. We spent the afternoon on the beach with a picnic and walked the length of Ngarunui Beach (Maori for ‘ocean’) which is framed with a sheer cliff of rock and lazy, wild grasses. You would think that a beach is a beach is a beach but after seeing literally dozens here, they are actually very distinguishable. I will just never get tired of the beach.

And guess what? A waterfall! The Bridal Veil Waterfall was less than 10 minutes from the main road and an easy 15 minute hike. The girls would tell you it was uphill – both ways – but it was well worth it. Just stunning.

More of Auckland

Auckland has more pockets than a pair of flip jeans. Just when I think I have seen it all, I find another bit out of pure necessity. Most recently, I needed ingredients for a must-make GP version of Korean tacos (I have said this before – I am a food nerd. And I am not working right now so am indulging ever food nerd compulsion I have) so I drove to the outer reaches of our fine city onto the North Shore which is literally over a bridge and bam! An actual mall – of which there are only two here – and a literal fiesta of specialty stores. I know, right? Next to my Asian ingredient super store was the most amazing health food store where vanilla costs $9 and you can get raw desserts for $15. I should note: I don’t actually buy anything at these fancy markets generally – but I totally steal ingredient lists from their hot table and dessert cabinet and rip them off. Completely.