We have been enjoying the beautiful scenery everywhere here. Jared starts work on Monday so we have been trying to explore as a family before then. On Thursday we took a hike to Huka Falls. We went through a forest that seemed very tropical with palm trees, huge fern plants and lush greenery. There is volcanic activity everywhere here! Mostly just hot springs and steam shooting up at different areas, but one mountain exploded some hot rocks and ash the week before we arrived. On the trail to the falls, we passed a hot spring. It was about 58 degrees outside and people were in their bathing suits in the hot spring that emptied into the river! It was crazy, it felt like a hot tub. It was close to a 2 mile hike to get to the falls, but with the boys, it took us about 2 hours. The boys were not up for another 2 hour hike, so Jared volunteered to hike quickly back to the car and pick us up in the car lot close to the viewing area of the falls. He made it back to the car in 25 minutes! It was a good choice:) The boys and I bought some post cards and candy bars while we waited.
Yesterday we decided to drive around Lake Taupo. We can see views of this lake from our house and it's about a 100 mile drive around it through beautiful countryside. We didn't see much traffic and enjoyed not being on a schedule. Last night we were invited over for our first authentic New Zealand home cooked meal. I made some contacts through a home school group online and the moms through this group have so helpful and welcoming to us. The main course was roasted lamb and it was delicious. They encouraged us to try it with mint sauce and that was tasty as well. She also made roasted pumpkin, potatoes, a carrot dish, gravy, and banana cake. Yum! We added some bread and enjoyed visiting with them. They have 2 boys ages 9 and 15. They are into Legos as well, so Elias was in good company. Many of you know Elias' obsession with the show "Wipe Out" and much to his joy, their 9 year old wanted to know if Elias wanted to watch it with him:) Of all the American shows to have on their prime time... Speaking of that, the New Zealand shows are... interesting. Not so funny British humor in their sitcoms and not so dramatic, bad story line dramas:)
Anyway, a great couple of days...
Yesterday we decided to drive around Lake Taupo. We can see views of this lake from our house and it's about a 100 mile drive around it through beautiful countryside. We didn't see much traffic and enjoyed not being on a schedule. Last night we were invited over for our first authentic New Zealand home cooked meal. I made some contacts through a home school group online and the moms through this group have so helpful and welcoming to us. The main course was roasted lamb and it was delicious. They encouraged us to try it with mint sauce and that was tasty as well. She also made roasted pumpkin, potatoes, a carrot dish, gravy, and banana cake. Yum! We added some bread and enjoyed visiting with them. They have 2 boys ages 9 and 15. They are into Legos as well, so Elias was in good company. Many of you know Elias' obsession with the show "Wipe Out" and much to his joy, their 9 year old wanted to know if Elias wanted to watch it with him:) Of all the American shows to have on their prime time... Speaking of that, the New Zealand shows are... interesting. Not so funny British humor in their sitcoms and not so dramatic, bad story line dramas:)
Anyway, a great couple of days...
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