Windy Wellington, Waitomo Caves, and Gloworms

Please excuse my lapse in blogging. I have not forgotten how to blog. There have been some technical difficulties. The Internet connection at our Kiwi house had slowed to crawl for the past 2 weeks. Plus, we have been travelling over the past weekend. However, the true culprit may have been the Hawkeyes. Our Internet minutes(10G limit/month)were gobbled up in downloading the Hawk football games. Life is good, now. We have our high speed Internet connection back.

Thanksgiving in NZ means football and turkey w/ the ex-patriots. The last two weekends have been full of turkey and the fixins for us. In Oakura, there was a holiday celebration with sixty Americans. The following weekend, we packed our bags and we headed south for a ten hour round trip. An American child psychiatrist (formerly from the University of Iowa) was hosting 20 friends for Thanksgiving in "windy Wellington". It felt like we were driving to grandma and grandpa's house, only half way around the world. Gabe played real football with the Americans and he jumped on an outdoor trampoline--Just like we were back home.

It was a small world. At the celebration in Wellington, we met another adult psychiatrist from the Midwest. He and his family of four (including 3 teenage boys) from MN are living in NZ for a 12 month medical assignment. Al had used the same placement firm and he had interviewed for a similar medical position in Wellington. It was just like looking at our own faces, only they had been in NZ since June.


We have been doing the typical Kiwi tourist things, including visiting caves, art galleries, museums. We spent one day at Waitomo Caves (wait = water, tomo = hole). In this elaborate underground network of caves and sink holes, we saw the famous glowworms of NZ. The sparks of light from these NZ "fireflies" and the feeding of the long finned eels that live in the nearby stream with our Maori guide were the highlights. In typical Kiwi fashion, we stopped for tea and biscuits(cookies).

In Wellington, New Zealand's capital city, we stayed in the downtown Holiday Inn (a recognizable American name). We were one block away from the bustling port and within walking distance of various museums. During our brief stay, we managed to find time for several side trips, including two museums, a 60 acre bird reserve, and an art gallery. My favorite site was Te Papa Tongarewa-The National Museum of New Zealand. Al was happy as we spent several hours at Karori Sanctuary to view the exotic and endangered birds of NZ. Gabe discovered he enjoyed the modern art exhibit of Yayoi Kusama. As expected, there was grumbling and tired feet as we tried to see it all.

In Dec, there will be more adventures for us. We will have a Kiwi Christmas holiday with Alec and Emily during their college breaks. We are thinking of you all during the Christmas season.

Picasa is not being friendly and refuses to share my photos with Blogger. If ya have time, view our pictures on the web album.

Crayfish and Chillin with Captain Chaddy

Tonight is Taranaki seafood feast night. Our neighbors dive for crayfish frequently. Now, we understand why. We thought they were talking about the little New Orleans style crayfish. Oh no, they are lobsters that would cost a small fortune in IA. We are lucky as they generously gave us a big one, at least 5 kg (11 lb). We have to borrow a pot because it is too big to fit in our biggest pot. Also, Al bought Gunnard, a long skinny fish at the fish market to cook for dinner. And now, our house smells like a fish market. Oh well it was worth it in spades.


Last weekend, we went on a small tramp at the southern route of Mount Taranaki. It was fun and we got an up close look at Dawson Falls. No one was seen on our hour long trek except a photographer. Our reward at the end of the trail was a gluten free lodge and a German chef. We hear that higher on the trail is a series of hot springs bath tubs... Next time.

We spent the next day on a boat cruise with Captain Chaddy. He was a typical salty skipper, full of many wild tales. No one argued about wearing a life jacket for fear of being thrown overboard. We were glad to be dressed like sturdy sailors in yellow rain slickers as the old lifeboat was tossed in the rough sea. Thick clouds were overhead but the rain held off. As the captain had predicted, no one got seasick and Gabe was delighted with the drenching waves.

Soon after we left the main harbour area, several seals were spotted near Moturoa Island. As the first mate, Gabe was happy as he piloted the boat around Seal Island, a protected marine island. No whales or dolphins were spotted on this adventure though we did locate several penguin nest houses. However, we will return with Alec and Emily for more Maori stories and another ocean voyage with Chaddy's Charters. He promised us fishing lines and more wild life next time.

If you are interested, there are recent pictures on Al's Picasa web album. I am having trouble downloading my pictures into my Blogger web page. Keep in touch as we miss ya all!

Mountains, Mussels, Mutton, and More

Every time the mountain peeks out from behind the misty clouds, I have to stop and gawk. Of course, Gabe gets nervous if I am driving and rubbernecking at the surf or Mount Taranaki. Good thing I don't try to use my cell (plus it is illegal) while driving. The weather forecast was perfect so we headed to the mountain (less than 10 miles from our house). We spent the morning on a 90 min. tramp up to the snow fields. The boys were scouting for their upcoming tramp to the summit. More mountain pics to come later.



In keeping up with Alec (our oldest son and his blogging about food from around the world), our experiences with Kiwi cuisine have been positive. We celebrated our arrival in NZ by consuming several amazing meals. We dined on ostrich, venison, rabbit, and the omnipresent mutton. Gabe tends to avoid mutton unless it is grilled. The boys are learning to cook on the "barbie". I am tackling the convection oven and cooking in metric. It is sticker shock at the grocery store--3 litres of milk (less than a gallon) is NZ$4.59. One trip to the grocery store for stocking the pantry cost NZ$341.

We try not to hit the Kiwis or cattle crossing the road. Fish are plentiful so we have sampled Lemon, Terayki, Snapper, and Treacle. Our weekly diet includes the world famous green lipped Coromandel mussels including those collected from our beach on Sunday. Yum, we will be back. Grandpa has to stop over for some fresh banana prawns (and yes they were as big) with garlic butter over the grill and all gluten free.

Al is calling from a local pay phone for "takeaway". Hard to believe there are still phone booths in the world that are not antique collector items. He is a happy camper as the local liquor store decided to stock gluten free beer. It was expensive at NZ$20 for a six pack (but well worth it). Good thing the wine is local, wonderful and inexpensive. I was surprised to see Starbucks in New Plymouth. Even the Kiwis love coffee (almost as much as tea). However, Al finds a way to be absent from the mandatory tea time (twice daily) at the hospital. No wonder things take so long in Kiwi hospitals as all the staff are away. Their motto is "No worries" and "it's all sweet".

We are looking forward to sharing this fun, food, and adventure. Alec and Emily will be visiting us in Dec. for their holiday visit. We still have until May. Bon Appetite!

Thermal Wonderland of Rotorua

Al and Mo at the geothermal wonderland in Rotorua, New Zealand. It was a fun place to spend the Labour Day weekend. This area is associated with volcanic activity dating back to 160,000 years ago.


Al and Gabe at Lady Gyeser of Wai-O-Tapu, a 20 min. drive south of Rotorua. A park officer deposited a small bar of soap in the opening at the top of the geyser. Several minutes later, the gyeser blew and the we were in awe.

Gabe and I are enjoying the green bubbling pool and the associated "rotten egg smell" of sulphuric acid. We spent the morning exploring the geothermal field. As you drive into Rotorua, one sees boiling steam escaping from numerous craters, bubbling pools of mud and steaming pots that dot the countryside. The city is famous for the "rotten egg smell" of sulphuric acid.

Here we are crossing thru over the steaming river with no fish life. Later in the day, Gabe rode the SkySwing (an exciting ride at the top of the mountain) and the luge sled (with Al) down the mountain. Then, we soaked in the hot mineral springs of the Polynesian Spa. It was a relaxing way to end a fun day in New Zealand's Wai-O-Tapu (Sacred Waters).

More Tramping in the "Goblin forests"

New Zealand is famous for its friendly people and tramps (we'd call it a hike). Gabe, Al, and I have done several enjoyable day tramps in the nearby Taranaki Mountain range. The boys headed out on a 2 hour adventure at Lucy's Gully which involved a grade 4 (out of a 4) climb. The trail winds it way thru the "goblin forest", a term used to describe the gnarled shape of the trees and dense undergrowth. They found it exhilarating but more difficult than expected. At several points on the upward climb towards the misty mountain peak, they were crawling on both hands and feet. The big surprise at the end was the 80 year old forest of Redwood trees (planted by an expat during the Depression). Boy, I was glad to have stayed home instead for a quick cat nap.


On last Sunday (Oct. 18, 2009), Al and I tramped around the historic Te Korua Pa (a grade 2). A "pa" refers to a Maori fortress which typically has a traditional worship house. This well preserved pa was occupied from 1000 AD to 1850 with many defensive ditches for protection from the invaders. There were many well worn tracks that led down to the "cura" or curve around Oakura River. Many long battles were waged at the Te Korua Historic Reserve against other Maori tribes and British colonists. One can easily imagine the fierce Maori warriors thrusting their spears at any foolish trespasser. Who would dare to venture into the well defended fortress?


Given the success of these recent adventure tramps, we will be spending more of our free time on the alluring mountain and coastal beach trails. We feel drawn to wander around the popular nature walkways that are so close to our front doorstep. The boys are already talking about a trip to the summit of Mount Taranaki over the Christmas holiday. This weekend, we will be on a getaway to explore the geothermal area in Rotorura, the New Zealand equivalent of "Yellowstone".

It has been only two and a half weeks since we left our home in the States. The hard part is missing our family and friends we left behind. However, we are adjusting to the Kiwi lifestyle, driving with no fear on the left side of the road, and enjoying the magnificent country of New Zealand.

Adventure Tramps in Taranaki

Al is standing in the midst of an 80 year old Redwood Forest of New Zealand. We were out on a day tramp (hike) in the nearby trails of Taranki Park.

Mona is at the entrance to the Historic Te Korua Pa with the classical wooden inscription. Many fierce battles were waged at this Maori fortress dating back to 1000 AD.

Al was tramping in the well-preserved pa thru the ditches
of Te Korua Historic Reserve. We spent the day
exploring the "goblin" forest and hiking trails that
are in Taranaki Park, only 1/2 mi. or less from
our beach house.

Sunset at dinner in Okurukuru


Mo and the wild waves