New Zealand - hub for fantasy movies

All ZEALED-ed up for NewZealand ;), our next destination. 

We flew to Auckland, NZ from Tahiti. All thrilled about visiting the beautiful land, known for its picturesque landscape, well admired in movies such as Chronicles of Narnia, The lord of the rings, Avatar, etc. We covered the northern part of New zealand..

Day 1: 

Reached way late in the evening; had linner in an indian restaurant near the airport and got into our hotel. Did nothing much, just freshened up and packed up for the next day sight-seeing in this wonderland.

Day 2:

 Schedule was to leave early and visit 3 spots if possible in ROTORUA

• Waitomo Glowworm caves : The tour was a pre-booked schedule. A hour-long night sky with 1000s of stars in mid-day, is how I can describe it.

We had a guided tour through the amazing waitomo caves and the tour ended with an amazing boat-ride with absolutely no lights. The guide had a string above her, which helped here navigate us in the boat through the caves.
It was a one-of -a-kind experience. Photography was prohibited as this would disturb the glowworms habitation.
Totally awesome experience.The pics below are the paid ones.

   

• Big Bird B&B Farms : Had lovely time with NZs farm animals. 

The fun part of this farm was that, the ostrich besides me in the first pic below; we shared the same name.

   

The farm was an unexpected, unplanned destination.

• Wai-O-Tapu geothermal : The amazing chance of standing next to a natural boiling stream. The  entire spot was a hike trail of multiple stops(around 22). Each of the stop within the hike had a unique geothermal sighting. After a green farm, this turned out quite fascinating.

 

 

Day 3:

 Yesterday was a little way too much for the kids.
We stayed back till lunch and relaxed, and by evening, we visited the

• "Chronicles of Narnia" wonderland : The Cathedral Cove

 

 

  

  

Day 4:

 Yesterday was a little way too much for the kids. We stayed back till lunch and relaxed, and later went out to the city for christmas gifts shopping for the kids

• City shopping malls (Dress Smart, Westfield-St.Lukes)

 

 

• city tour : Drove/walked around Auckland city

 .<== Found here in one of the lawns.

• lunch at "One Tree Grill", yummmmmmm; Expensive , but worth it :). We tried out an ingredient in one of their deserts called, Rhubarb. I was the only one who loved it, not the boys :( . why? why not?... Maybe its just the girls thing ;)

 

Rhubarb =====>

 

And finally, 

• A movie in the city Theatre for the kids - "THOR". Was unbelievably boring, but kids enjoyed it. So , no worries :) .

Day 5:

Bay of islands tour
Took a drive with absolutely no plans. We wanted to stroll near the islands if possible. However, luckily for us, we got a package, on the spot, for a complete speed-boat-tour of Bay of islands inclusive of lunch in Urupukapuka island.

Also got to see some dolphins and scuba divers as we were sailing among the islands.

Was dead tired by the end of the day. This speed-boat tour lasted for the entire day.

Drove back home with a sad thought, as we are to depart back to home tomorrow :(

Day 6:

Was a sunday, so visited the nearby church(St. Benedicts) and walked around the church. And then, back to the airport. We were carrying back a lot of memories of this beautiful vacation.

New Zealand : Greenery at its best

**********************************************************