on to Auckland

New Zealand

The last leg of the trip

We took an over night flight to Auckland

arrived at 6 am

checked in our hotel

took a nap

and then headed out to explore 

so Day one

 a walk around our hotel and out by the harbor

Meet up with Js co worker and decided to take a ferry to an island 

there are different excursions from the city

and we picked Rangitoto Island

hiking up a mountain to see the city

So gelato for lunch :) 

off on the ferry

welcome to the island

headed up

made it to the top!

then walked over to some Lava Caves

one more view on the way down

then a low key night after a long day

tried out a 'chain' chicken restaurant called Nandos.  it was yummy

 Day Two

Off to another island

Waiheke Island

This was a very large island

so we opted for the hop on hop off bus

there was a town

beaches. restaurants

very pretty place

we are off

First stop off the bus was a beach

then a winery with views

another beautiful beach

 and a little store by the beach that sold 

HONEYCOMB ice cream bars

soooooo good!!!

Cahty wanted to go to another winery 

when she asked where it was it was down a path and right and then about a 20 minute walk

they forgot to mention it was through the jungle. HA!

a slippery wet jungle

we made it though

J and I took in the view while they did a wine tasting

it was an adventure for sure! 

then it was back to the bus and then back to the ferry to head back into the city

We headed straight to dinner

for some Fish and Chips :) 

and a little ice cream

Day Three

woke up early to head out before the airport

St. Patrick's 

The sky tower

and then we went to see Mt Eden

it had WONDERFUL views all around

back to our hotel and McDonalds

for a Honeycomb Mcflurry :) 

and then it was off to the airport noon Monday

and well about 26 hours later

we landed into GR at 7:45pm Monday

and this little man was yelling mama and papa

and I could hear it down the hall as we were coming to the lobby of the airport

mamas heart was so happy to see him and his HUGE hug!

so good to be home to this buddy!

a quick bath and quick snuggle then it was off to bed

we had such a good time away

such beautiful countries and so fun to explore

also so good to be home!