Wanaka (2), 16.10.08

Wanaka!!! I waited to get there. Got the feeling that this place has the groove! Indeed it is an awesome place. We didn't like the camp that we stayed in the first night, thus we moved to another camp early the next morning. As we loved Wanaka and the new camp we remained 3 more nights. We didn't do many activities but decided to take a break to relax and spend some time to plan a head. We spent few hours cleaning Rebecca, which we could actually do while glancing to Lake Wanaka and the surrounding mountains (covered with snow). It looked like a poster from my mom's bedroom. On the next day we took the kids to "Puzzling world". Investing in the kids always makes it easier to do things for ourselves (adults) and indeed at that night Amit & I went out to a restaurant – it was our first date since a long time. The restaurant was about 40 minutes walk from our camp. I could walk easily to the restaurant, but after finishing a bottle of wine it was a bit harder coming back… (No affect on Amit, of course). However I slept well on that night and early the next morning we deserted the kids again (no mercy, they were still asleep) and biked along the lake. Part of it was too rough for me but it was a wonderful 2 hours ride. Later on that day Amit took Ophir & Ido for another ride.The rest of the time we just hanged out, tasted the muffins and the coffees in Wanaka, and relaxed in the camp. Oh, and late in the last night in Wanaka we managed eventually to sit down and plan our next few weeks. I mean – Amit did

Wanaka (1), Puzzle World 14.10.08

Hi there! Ido speaking! I'm gonna use the same excuse that Ophir uses in her posts: I haven't had the time to write in the blog. It is half true because we've been doing lots of fun activities and I'm gonna tell you about one of them! There is a town called Wanaka and in it is a place called puzzling world. In it there are illusion rooms and a big maze/labyrinth. We kids hoped it would be a family thing, But MOM didn't want to do it so we went with dad. First we went to see the illusion room. We saw holograms and famous faces like Einstein and Harriet Tubman that always look at you even when you move. We saw this thing called Ames Illusion room which was used in the Lord of the Rings to make the hobbits smaller. It's a room in which in one side the ceiling is high and on the other the ceiling is low. So if two people stand each one on the other side it looks like one is huge and one is small. After we had lunch in the car we did the maze. The task of the maze is to get to the huts at all four corners and back out. At the beginning I got irritated because Shira kept on choosing where to go so we split up into teams of two, me being with Ophir. Then we got out and got back in the car. I really enjoyed it. That's it for now. Adios amigos!:-)

West Coast, Arthur's Pass & Haast Pass, 13.10.08

We didn't write anything but we do have pictures!

Abel Tasman, 9.10.08

From Collingwood we drove to Abel Tasman National Park (NP) which is the southern entrance to the same NP we were walking 2 days ago. It is known as THE PLACE for walking and kayaking, and indeed our dream was to kayak the whole family for 2 days, staying the night in a hut. Our dream was not fulfilled because we have kids (Age limit is 14, which strengthen my decision that Amit & I should come here again – CHILDLESS!)
We planned to free camp the night before, but the whole area was prohibited from free camping so after driving for few hours just to search for a place we gave up and went to a camp in Kaiteriteri. This is the place we had to catch a water taxi the next morning to Bark Bay where we wanted to start our walk toward Torrent Bay. We had a wonderful walk in the forest as we could still see the beautiful beach from different spots. The highlight of this walk took place when we were crossing a swing bridge on a river and just below us a coupe of seals were flirting with each other, dancing, chasing, jumping and making us soooooooooooooooo excited and happy. It was not a sight that you can plan, and we were really lucky that they were giving us a show. We finished the route we planned and waited a couple of hours to be picked by another water taxi. Meanwhile we had our prepared lunch we carried with us. kids were also swinging on a rope hanged from a tree, and Ophir & I did some Pilates exercises. Shira deserved a “TZALASH” walking really nice even up-hills. I suspect that all my kids are getting addicted to these walks, as opposed to their ever-complaining tone at the beginning when we used to announce on walking plans…

Golden Bay, 7.10.08

On our first couple of days in the South island we drove to The Queen Charlotte Sounds. We stayed the night by the beach and just relaxed. The next day Amit rented a mountain bike and cycled a part of the Queen Charlotte walk. He returned half dead after 7-8, claiming it was way too hard for him (he’s in good shape!), anyways we all still think that he’s A MAN! He was able to take a photo of himself – but he actually slipped while taking it :-)

We then drove north-west to Golden Bay. We were staying with Servas hosts, again a very good experience. This time we slept in our motorhome because they didn’t have enough room for us in their home. Nevertheless it was a great staying (and to a spoilt girl as myself who prefers her own linens it was even preferable…).

On our first night Helen (the host) took us to the beach to search for penguins. This is the time that they are nesting on this side of the ocean before breeding. It was dark and very windy and felt like a great adventure. We were able to find only one sweet penguin.

In the morning we drove to … and did a very nice walk for an hour. Shira insisted on staying in the car alone. We were sure that she will be very upset - if not panic – by the time we come back. Surprisingly we found her relaxed and happy drawing and playing playdough, and even singing to herself. We were happy that she didn’t join because we had to climb some rocks that would have been "impassible” for her (we're adopting the lonley planet Jargon).
In the evening we went again with Helen to the beach. It was the low tide time and the beach looked astonishing – it goes back maybe 300-400 meters. Some of the small boats just remain on the sand. It looks incredible. It was so nice!
Derry, the husband, insisted that for our planned track for the following day we’d borrow his car instead of driving with our motorhome, claiming that it is too narrow and steep to drive with ours. It was so kind of them and we accepted the offer. We had a beautiful walk from Totaranui to Awaroa lodge. We then took a sea taxi to return to our starting point.

Back to our host to return the car, we were exhausted but very happy. To fulfill the wife craving (ME!!!), we went to eat mussles for lunch. We deserved it! We headed more north hoping to get to Farewell spit, it is a bird sanctuary and the northern spot in the South Island where in good days you can actually watch mount Taranaki in the North Island. However, weather was bad so we just went to Collingwood city to get ourselves good chocolates (yup, another craving of myself) and drove south toward the sourthern entracne of Abel Tasman National Park.

And these photos are solely for the grandparents...

Who complain that they can't really see the faces of their beloved grandchildren. There you go!

On "Bluebridge" - the ferry from Wellington to Picton (Thursday, 2.10.08)

We are leaving the Northern Island and on our way to the Southern one. We have great experiences from the northern Island, and found it so amazingly beautiful. We keep in mind that the southern one is considered to be more beautiful.
We have already watched 2 movies from the trilogy of “The Lord of the Ring” by J.R.R Tolkien. We had to watch it as we’ve been in some of the locations that the films were shot (Thanks, Atzabas!!!). We still have the last film (the return of the Master).
We don’t often watch DVDs in our motorhome because by the time we get to do that it is already late. However, when we do it is really nice – we change the dining table into a bed, then we all squeeze into it using all the pillows and covering ourselves with the blankets. The Master (Shira) made us watch 2 movies that she chose (after complaining about being discriminated). We still have so many Bollywood movies to watch (Thank you, Tania!), and must find time to do that.
We stayed 3 days in Wellington area but it wasn’t very successful due to the weather. It was rainy, windy and coldddddddddddddd. Only yesterday was a beautiful day, however we decided to drive across the mountains to Martinborough valley which is considered to be one of nicesest wineries area in NZ. We just walked around in beautiful empty windy roads that make you feel like you’re in the middle of no where. We entered a couple of wineries and tasted different wines. Even the kids tasted (Yup, even Ido). A little bit drunk we walked back to the car and drove all the way back to Wellington. We decided to camp free again. It wasn’t easy to find a place to stay, actually even after we’ve already parked, had dinner and kids were already in bed we decided to leave the place and search for another spot because there was a party of drunken teenagers not too far from us. Eventually Amit parked on a street in front of a house that looked like everyone in it was asleep so they will not be concerned about us…
We woke up at 5:40am as we had to be at the ferry by 7am. Actually, it was only Amit & I who woke up. The kids only woke up when our motorhome was already in the bottom of the ferry. I am very tired now. lah.

Ido reflects on the New Year Eve. (Wellington) 30.9.09

Yesterday was a very exciting day for all the family. It was the Jewish New Year’s Day. We started the day normally and relaxed. Then we kids went to the jumping pillow. When we came back mom ordered Dominoes Pizza. Us kids ate cheerfully while mom and dad planned the next few days and had their own lunch. We then went to the Hutt city to the mall. We went to the cinema to book tickets for the movie Wall.E. but there was still 45 min till it started so us kids walked around while our parents spent some time with each other because FYI it was also there 14th anniversary!!!
When they came back we all watched the movie. We all loved it, but me and Ophir both expected better. But the only reason is because we’ve seen a lot of other movies that were better then this and we kind of compare even if we don’t mean to. When we finished the movie, Ophir, dad and I went to the supermarket while mom and Shira stayed in the car. We got what we needed and went back to the park. Dad dropped us off in the kitchen for it was raining, and then he went to park Rebecca. Dad was telling us stories about the Jewish calendar while we were waiting for the chicken. We ate dinner, and then we had dessert! We each got three different flavored Belgian chocolates. We all got 1 Milk Chocolate Truffle, 1 Crispy Caramel, Shiras last one was Strawberry Chocolate, Ophir’s last one was Cappuccino Dark, and my last one was White and Dark Chocolate mix. I personally liked my unique one the most. Just before that, we each blessed each other and ourselves for the New Year. It was very nice knowing what your family thinks about you, and it was very special. We ended the day like any other day. And that was it. I really enjoyed spending time with all my family. I think you’ll like it too. Bye for now – Ido.