Category Archives: Travel

Our host, James, wanted to build a swing set for his darling kids. We started the construction of this 20 feet high, 460 pound wooden swing set in a shed a quarter of a mile from where he wanted it to go. It took a solid four days, working five hours a day. We hadContinue reading ““It won’t kill you.””

Katikati is a very cool town tucked in between two even cooler beaches, Waihi and Maunganui. We have been planting fruit, veges (this is how they abbrev “vegetables”), weeding, and building a huge swing set. Here are a few photos thus far:  Cliffhanger:  Building the swing set with our host, James, could be it’s ownContinue reading “danger.”

We’re at our next job at the Bay of Plenty in Katikati. Hobbiton is across the mountain and the rolling hills are beautiful. James, Victoria, Caspar (7), and Felix (4) seem lovely. As were the asparagus risotto and the warm bed. We were putting together a world map puzzle and I said, “where would youContinue reading “felix and pakistan on halloween.”

Our huts are on a gravel road 12 km from the nearest town, yet an entrance to the famous Goldie Bush Walk is on the same gravel road we’re staying on. There are waterfalls, views of West Coast beaches for miles and miles, and cool native trees. Every day over breakfast we talk about whatContinue reading “congo river rapids.”

I am leaning against a dirty wall while sitting on a dirty mattress that is too big for the bottom bunk, so it slides off with my every move. Muddy jeans from falling into the river are hanging from the top bunk and serve as the only hindrance to my Tasman Sea view from theContinue reading “the day after the adventure I haven’t posted about yet.”

Martin and Bridget have a buddy who is a production manager for comedy shows in the area and he gets them complimentary tickets. They had four to see Rob Schneider and mentioned the night before the show that their kids didn’t want to go and they could try to get one more and take us.Continue reading “chilly bins.”

Sorry I don’t have much time…but here are a few photos as of late. It’s been wonderful (though windy) and we leave Muriwai Surf School on Thursday and head to the Bay of Plenty (where we should have “plenty” of internet)   

I don’t know how to write this without sounding like a brat. But last night there were hurricane strength winds and a constant whistle in my hut because the window doesn’t close all of the way. Craziest winds I’ve ever heard/felt and I’ve been through many hurricane warnings in Palm Harbor. In fact, we couldn’tContinue reading “blokarts.”

We hitch hiked to town (about 12 km, met a nice gal named Julianne who was really just dropping her friend off at her car, but we ran and looked so excited that she pulled over, she had pity on us and took us to town) and then maxed out the ATM withdrawal limits andContinue reading “Nana Carina.”

We walked and hitch hiked (we’ve got an attacker plan with code words and pepper spray, no worries) to the library and to get sushi. So with a couple hours of internet, here are some photos for you…