NZ - Huka Falls

While in Lake Taupo we had to visit Huka Falls where the lake runs through a small canyon. It runs so fast that nothing can swim up it. Dom told us about an adventure guy he knows who is one of a very small group who has actually kayaked down and over these falls, mad. As NZ is the home of Jet boating it wasn't a surprise to see one at the base of the falls. They also had walking tracks and mountain bike trails within the national park. Sadly for the boys we didn't bring the bikes but we did all go for a bit of a walk.

The Quirke tribe and Huka Falls.

 An uninterrupted view of the entrance into the falls.

This is the end of the falls were tonnes of water fall off the end every second. If you look close at the base of the falls there is a Jet boat about to whip past the falls.

 The less adventurous view of them from this larger boat and you can view it from this platform, where this photo is taken.

 A few minutes of looking at the falls, then the kids turned their attention to finding something new to do, like climbing up the cliffs behind us.

On our adventure Em found some wishing flowers, nothing like staying on the marked trail hey kids.

NZ - Fly Fishing

Being in NZ and with fishing in our blood what else could Dyl and Lyndon do but give fly fishing a bash. After a few calls we were booked in with "Fishy Steve", an American who moved here many years ago and put simply is in love with fly fishing and sharing the experiences. He has his own young kids so I thought it would be a safe bet that he would do a good job taking Dyl through the basics. I may have caught the first rainbow trout but that was where it stopped. Dyl came into his own landing both a legal size Brown trout and Rainbow trout. It was a great father and son day.

 With water temps in the single digits, water waders and booties are a must.

 Follow the leader and Steve lead the way into the back country rivers.

 Our first stop was a nice open corner to start off with some basics.

 A few casts into it Lyndon is on.

 Not a monster by any means but it is my first NZ trout.

 Another part of trout fishing Dyl really loved was the sneaking up on the fish. Over here Dad!

 Dyl and Steve with his first Brown trout.

 Dyl's money shot for the front cover of some fly fishing Mag or Steve's Face Book advertising.

 Our next spot needed a little more help from Steve to rescue us from catching too many trees. Both in the creek and behind us.

 Hey Dad was yours this big? Dyl and his rainbow trout.

What a magical day, Father and Son fly fishing NZ - tick.

NZ - Ice skating

On our drive through town the kids spotted a mobile ice skating ring overlooking the lake. It was now cold enough for the ice to last the day even in the sunshine so after breakfast we shot off with the kids to give it a try. Even Dom and Hannah jumped in for a slide down memory lane, typically Jodie missed out on the action again due to the injured toe.

The rink was set up right next to the main highway and obviously we think due to this, it dragged in quite a few families. There was a Segway (2 wheel scooter thingy) section next door for those who didn't like the ice, talk about catching you either way and making some quick money out of the tourists.

Evie didn't need a frame - she had Dom.

The Walton France girls have obviously forgotten how cold it is or maybe Tonga is still fresh in their minds 5 months after they had left.

Just like a first date outing only a little more cautious than 20 years ago hey Hannah.

Look at me Dad no hands and seconds later, Em ended up on her butt.

Dyl showing off his style, all that roller blading is now paying off.

Jodie and Lyndon decided to watch from the dry and safe side lines.

NZ - Lake Taupo

Our drive from Rotorua to Lake Taupo was our longest journey but luckily it was a simple case of follow the leader. The kids had decided that it was time to split up so we had the girls and the boys went in the Walton-France's, NZ bongo van. By coincidence their rego plates on their Tonga car was NZ07 and their new car in NZ is NZ70.  Jodie and I think that with the girls singing all the way "99 bottles of beer" and other various songs, we had been ripped off. When we asked Dom he said the boys simply listened to their Ipods the entire way and slept. Hannah had done her homework on our Lake Batch and it was a ripper. Lake side and not far out of town. The kids had their own area down stairs to hang out but spent most of it down at the lake side chasing ducks and riding bikes.

 This was our batch as the Kiwi's call it.

 The girls spent nearly every minute down here with all the ducks and swans.

 Jodie keeping an eye on the girls as she air's her manky toe.

 These are wild ducks but you would never guess it the way they followed the kids around, of course having heaps of bread helped.

 Jodie cooking up a storm, when in the mother land of little bah Ba's nothing but Roast Lamb for us.

 The girls had their turn too, look out DC cupcakes.

 How's this for a veranda view?

 Quality time like this made it even more magical.

 Evening drinks and nibbles by the lake was a must.

 Lyndon invited some new chicks to the table. Duck-a-la-ronge anybody?

Nothing but dead bodies in this room at the end of each night.



NZ - Rotorua Mountain Biking

In the early morning before we drove out on our next leg, Dom, Lyndon and Jack had a early morning start in the saddle. It was off to some trails near our accommodation. After a slow and chilly start we found some trails that covered all our experience levels. Lyndon's theory of starting with an uphill wasn't so well accepted at the start but on the final run home it made all the difference.  Lucky also that all 3 of them came home in one piece with not too much bark missing.

 After following Dom through the trails I now know why he works in an office.

 This is just a classic shot - steam coming of the tree as the rising sun hits it.

 The father and son team survive another MTB outing together, well done Jack.

 Luckily Jack gave up his bike for Lyndon and rode his old one. Down hill proved a little trickier than usual with the shorter wheel base.

Follow the leader is always fun especially when it's down hill.

NZ - Te Puia Cultural Centre

One afternoon after Zorbing we decided to visit Te Puia to see the mud pools and Geysers but we also got a good mix of Maori tradition too. Dylan wasn't fussed by it all (he went mountain bike riding with Jack and Dom) so Milla joined the Quirke tribe for the arvo. We joined a guided tour and the young fella was very informative and Jodie thought easy on the eyes too. At the start they held a traditional welcoming ceremony, volunteers for Chief were called for and Lyndon couldn't help himself. Front and centre and after the usual double take when you tell them you're from Tonga it was all on with the added bonus of front row seats. 

 Our daughters hanging outside some traditional carvings.

 Now that's some scary customers!

 The big chief from Tonga.

 Lyndon accepting the gift on behalf of the crowd from the warrior.

 Nothing like a little nose pressing to kick things off.

 The performers conducted a mixture of dances and explained each one before beginning.

 All the traditional clothing not too warm we were all guessing. Even one of the guys tried to swap his skirt for Lyndon's (borrowed) All Blacks jacket.

 Looking across the valley you could see the steam from the different geysers.

 These smaller geysers go off about every 30 min so it's not a long wait.

 Looking across the mud pools. The smell is just fantastic, (NOT) you just need to enjoy it for yourself to appreciate it.

 Emmy our little photographer snapped this lovely couples shot.

 The arty shot looking back into the setting sun.

 A tad hot at 60 plus degrees for a mud bath.

 Our guided tour ended up with a quick demo at the handicraft centre and wood carving centre.

No cultural centre is complete without a Kiwi enclosure but with no photos allowed inside it was shots of their cousins "Rigger and Mortus". The kids were really surprised by the large size of the Kiwi's.