Christmas Eve was a drive day and our chance to start the move from the northeast side of the south island to the west side.…

Yesterday was about the sea, today was about the land. This peninsula walk can be an out-and-back along the cliff edge, or if the tide is low you can walk back along the base of the cliffs.…

The sea was a bit rough, but the dusky dolphins were plentiful. This was the kids’ first time in a wet suit and the first time swimming with dolphins for all of us.…

Rob and I had forgotten how much our boys love hotel breakfast buffets. They were bouncing with anticipation of a free hotel breakfast.…

It was time to leave our peaceful chalet and hit the road for Wellington. Fortunately it was a smooth 4 hour drive with one stop in Bulls to rotate drivers and set up lunch for eating while driving.…

Tongariro Alpine Crossing fast facts: 19.4km (12.1 miles), total ascent 2454 ft, total descent 3636ft with the peak at 6129 above sea level, point to point hike and rated “hard in” AllTrails.…

In the morning we were all still rattled from the previous night’s experience. I have bruised knuckles on both hands and Rob has bruised palms from hitting the door so hard last night.…

This morning was the last with the Sadliers. They kindly offered to take all the kids to play soccer while Rob and I went grocery shopping and finished packing up.…

Amanda found us a gem of a location for our families to kick off summer vacation together: Lake Wainamu Sand Dunes.…

Today, we did a tour of Chelsea Bay, the main sugar making company in New Zealand. They get raw sugar shipped in on cargo ships from Australia and then do all the processing onsite.…