White Island - Active volcano

Today I went on an a small airplane. We saw a volcano. We had to fly over the water ocean. The volcano was called White Island. I saw green lava with steam on it. (aka it had a Crater Lake in the middle of it. It is green from the sulphur). It smelled like “cannons being shot off”.(or rotten eggs) The plane was rumblely over the volcano and when it landed. There was only our family and the pilot on the plane. We got to wear special earphones with microphones to talk to each other. We saw Australian Gannets nesting on the volcano. It was good. I felt a little sick near the end of the plane ride. Bridget So here is the adult version of today’s adventure. We splurged and went on a plane ride out to White Island. An active volcano, 50 km off the coast of Whakatane. It was something that we hadn’t done when we lived here and thought it would be a great learning experience for the kids. Everyone was a little nervous before getting on our little plane. (Especially, chicken ME) The flight was fairly smooth and the views were amazing as you can tell by our pics and Amelia’s video. It was cool to see the evidence of the sulphur mines from the early 1900s. We all managed fairly well, but the cabin was getting hot and we circled around a few too many times to see schools of fish in the ocean. Then I was ready to disembark the plane and get my little one off my lap. Did I mention that it was only a 4 sitter, so Bridget sat on my lap the entire trip. The Crater Lake was very vibrant and the steam coming off was a “social studies u-boat commanders” dream to witness. Off to Roto Vegas tomorrow. I mean Rotorua, filled with the lovely smells of geothermal activity. Happy Halloween, everyone. No celebrating here. Carolyn
Hey, if you read this please make a comment, if you have the time. We like to know that a) you are reading it and b)what you think. We love the gratification. It won't comment right away, it has to go through our email first and then we post it. Cheers

Ohope Beach

We arrived in Ohope yesterday. Ohope is a beautiful beach, located on the Bay of Plenty. Nothing but sunshine and crashing waves to put you to sleep. We just need to turn down that Southerly wind. It was great to relax as a family.
This morning I went for an amazing run on the beach. There is nothing quite like it!! Later on we went exploring at low tide amongst the rocks. We came across a huge vertebrae from some beast and heaps of hermit crabs. The funniest part for me was locating a mussel lying on the beach. The kids were trying to smash it open with their feet. So good old Mom, with her big foot and a lot of force crushes it. It EXPLODES everywhere. Amelia had her face down near it and got a mouth and face full of it. It was really funny to watch her reaction.
The rest of the day was spent experiencing some of the sites of Whakatane. A big tomorrow though...a plane ride out to White Island. It is " a real live volcano", as Bridget puts it. So we will have lots to report on tomorrow night.
Sorry no pics today. More to come tomorrow!
Cheers
Carolyn

Weekend activities

Here are some photos from our weekend. Wine and Food Festival, Big ol Barby lunch at Jenny's, some good kiwi kids and the Wharf at Tolaga Bay.
Carolyn

Tolaga Bay

We went to Tolaga Bay. On the way there, we saw Surfers out surfing in the waves. I want to learn how to surf. At Tolaga Bay there was a wharf. It had a train track that took boxes out to load on boats a long time ago. I was the first one in the family to touch the board. The wharf is blocked because they are trying to fix the other end. There were holes in along the train track that let water drain out and I could see the ocean underneath us. I took a video of the cliffs right beside it. It was my first video. When we saw the video on the computer we heard our voices. We didnt know that it recorded sound. It was funny. On the way back from the wharf, we saw a cow full of milk!!! And heaps more sheep! We saw turkeys on the way back too. Yesterday, we met a new friend named Logan. His mom invited us over to stay and play. They are very nice. Logan's mother took us to see real wild turkey eggs. There were 9 of them. It was cool!! We also went to Mom and Mommy's school where they used to teach. We met another Jan and many other good friends of theirs. The art work that the kids did was really cool. I didn't know that they had good talent. Also, yesterday we went to my Moms' friend Jenny's to play her 2 kids Phoebe and Charlotte. Phoebe is 9 and Charlotte is 8. They have a forest around there house. They own big property with goats on it!! They must have a lot of fun. We make a hut out of sticks and put flowers to decorate it. We got very muddy. Bridget had her first NZ lamb chop. She thought it was a pork chop and liked it. I had steak. It was good. Enjoy my video. Love Amelia

Back home in Gisborne

Sorry about the delay in posts, but we have been travelling and visiting since we left Auckland. We took a very scenic route to Mt Manganui. The kids got their togs on and got into the surf there. It was too cold for me, so I was the stuff girl, to hold all the shells and warm clothing for afterward. They had a great time jumping in and running from the waves. The other highlights in the Mt were spending the evening in the HOT salt water pools. It was luxurious for us and good fun for the kids. We capped our stay there with a hike around the Mt. Amelia was very ticked off they we didn't get to hike up to the summit but we promised we would do it the next time we are through there.
We then started the wonderful drive to Gizzy. If you have been here, you know what I am talking about...the Gorge!! The kids made it through there with no problems. Amelia actually played her Leapster for most of the ride. Di and I were very anxious about coming home to Gisborne. But we are very happy to be here and seeing friends and familiar sites. So we arrived on Thursday to Bridget's namesake. It was a great catch up with her and her family. Bridget's husband Derek got us set with a "flash" car. Look out NZ, more Canadians behind the wheel.
We have now shifted over to Kristin, Viki and Maia's house for the rest of the week. They are in the beautiful countryside just outside of Gizzy. It was a great sunny spring day here today. We had a wonderful lunch with Bridget on the wharf. We even have a little sunburn. Tried to find Moko, the dolphin in the river, but no luck. Maybe later in the week.
Tomorrow the kids are spending the day with Maia's grandma, while we are off to the Wine and Food Festival. Good times and of course, good wines and friends!
Until next time.
Carolyn

Rangitoto by Bridget

Today we went to Rangitoto. And I want to go again. It is a volcano island. We rode a train around the volcano and then we climbed to the top. We went up and then down all the stairs. (260m) We went to the beach there and got some lava rocks to bring home. Then we got on the ferry to get back to Auckland. We took a bus and then a bus to get back to Janne's house.

I want to say HI to Quinn.

Bridget

Amelia's first post

Yesterday, we went to Kelly Tarlton's Antarctica Underwater World. We saw penguins. Some were swimming and some were losing their baby feathers. Sharks were swimming over our heads while we were on a moving sidewalk. We saw a stingray eating a fish.

Today, we went to a park at Brown's Bay and played in the ocean. I wondered why alot of kids were in their barefeet and my moms said that many kids go barefoot in alot of places here.

Amelia

Auckland Arrival

Well, we made it and survived the flight. The first leg of the journey was great the kids slept well and managed their excitement and anxiety of their first plane ride. The next 12 hour flight was not quite as fun! We sat behind one another and against the windows. Bridget who is not known for her bladder control was constantly needing to go the bathroom. 10 times in 12 hours was frustrating for us and the people on the aisle. Both kids slept only for the first few hours and then entertaining them was fun. Out of no where Bridget pukes in the blanket and on me. Fun times!! But all of that is behind us. No planes in the next while. But next time you are flying spend the extra cash and fly Air New Zealand, leave Qantas alone, especially you Jim!

We spent our first day resting and capping off the day with a walk along the beach at Devonport (a suburb of Auckland) and eating Fish and Chips on the lawn of the Devonport Reserve. Sorry no pics. We forgot the camera. And thankfully there was Heinz ketchup!

We are very thankful for our friend Janne who has graciously opened up her house to us. Lots of space and beautiful views of Auckland.

Off to Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium this afternoon to see sharks and penquins. Let the adventure begin.

Any mistakes in the blog is all my fault. Give me a break, I am only a teacher!!
Cheers
ABCD

1 Week to Go

Here we are 1 week to lift off. The anxiety and excitement are building in the house. We are almost ready...Bags are partially packed, reservations are made, car organized. Just need to get through the Thanksgiving festivities now.
I hope that you will enjoy following our blog of the adventures of Amelia, Bridget, Carolyn and Dianne.
Good Times await
Carolyn