New Zealand Narnia

After landing at midnight NZ time (so like 1pm SA time), I stupidly decided to admit to visiting a farm in the last month (really, I don’t know why I did it! It’s not like I was playing in manure when I visited the Greenhoughs, Craighead, or Glynton!). So I got separated into the Quarantine section at immigration (you know that show, Border Patrol, on Discovery? No jokes but they had signs saying ‘filming in progress’?) Lucky not at midnight though. So I got given the third degree about why I was here – why for the third time, who’s wedding I was going to etc – was the old man going to know Amber Gill? Anyhoo after much unnecessary stress (I can’t even imagine what it’s like to be a drug mule) I came through arrivals where Ant and Ryan were waiting.

The next two days were spent sight seeing around Auckland with the cousins and then Robs (the other bridesmaid – and more fondly known as Bowles) arrived at midnight.

Bowles and I with Coromandel beauty behind us

It was then road trippin time and we headed to the Coromandel – a beautiful holiday destination in the North Island with beautiful turquoise water, white sandy bays etc. We spent the afternoon at Hot Water Beach – a magical place where you dig in the sand around a hot spring with a spade, create a pool and sit in it while you look at the ocean. No jokes – there was even someone boiling an egg in there! Awesome!

The boners

After a night at a backpackers (SO much nicer than the Singapore one!), we were then treated to a bone carving experience. Ant ‘shouted’ us (it was on him!) and it was a really cool morning filing, sanding and shaping our own little koro necklaces. We had tea at jandel café (yes, that’s what they call slops – weirdos!) and then headed to Tauranga to Tina and Rob’s house. It was so lovely to see them in their home and a big bonus to see Mom and Granne as well. I shared a room with Mom so got to have good chats with lots of tea!

Wedding – wowaweewa!

We arrived in Whangarei (pronounced Fungaray) in time for Amber’s Hen’s Party > lots of drinks, plastic pink things and champagne! We even had a limo ride!

The next week was full up of wedding stuff – I am so glad we were there to help Amz with lots of admin but I’ve definitely learnt a few things not to leave til the last minute – like finding bride’s shoes 3 days before wedding :) …..or getting dress maker in SA to screw up your dress (which turned out stunning by end of many hours extra work by her mom’s friend!)

Good lessons for when I get there one day.

Bowles did all our hair and make up and our dresses were really really pretty! The wedding was so wonderful and everything came together perfectly…well except for when the organist played the wrong tune to ‘As the deer’ and no-one sang!

The happy couple, Amber and Warren

We then all hopped onto a ferry (there were about 60 of us) and sailed to our island for the reception weekend. We all had bunk bed cabins, there was a bar, awesome music and delicious food. The night seriously couldn’t have gone better! Although I should now admit that my camera battery had died so I’m relying on FB for photos! We spent the rest of the weekend recovering, chilling by the blue blue sea, kayaking and eating (way too much eating!).

It was so amazing that we got to be there to see my dear Amberly (who’s gone through so much in last few years) to marry the man of her dreams. Warren really is such a sweet and awesome guy (they’re on honeymoon now in Cook Islands!)

After getting back to land it was then time to pack up properly and head back to Auckand. We ended up staying with Nix (other bridesmaid) on the yacht she works on – and going out for dinner and drinks with her first mate captain – which we named Black Beard, coz he really has one (and quite amusing that the boat is called Black Pearl). The dodgy bar we went to had a pole so some amusing attempts at pole dancing took place! Oh my word – alcohol is so expensive in NZ! Coz we were staying on the yacht, Bowles and I felt we needed to buy everyone drinks – 1 long island Ice tea = $20 (yes R140) and one shot = $10 (R70 for one shot!!)

Anyway, we were there on holiday and had stopped counting our pennies (and how much food we stuffed into our faces) days ago!

Extreme cyclists

Our last day we spent on the island Waiheke, where we rented bicycles, cycled around, nearly died from the million hills + slight hangover combination, swam in perfect blue bays, ate amazing food and loved it all (except about half way up every hill!)

Our last night we spent at Ant’s again (he really was so amazingly kind and generous throughout!) – after he took us to the local Pak n Save to stock up on Tim Tams and Easiyo (the most amazing invention ever!!)

And then it was time to fly back! We had an 8 hour lay over in Singapore airport but free massage chairs, free internet, yum sushi and a snooze on the floor (classy) got us through it fine. We were each lucky enough to have 3 seats to ourselves on the last flight – so kinda got to sleep properly – so we weren’t completely shell shocked when we arrived back.

So in brief (or maybe not so brief after all!), it really was wonderful! New Zealand is so very beautiful and family and friends just made it into one of my most memorable holidays yet! (Although Aunty T, I’m afraid I’m really never going to come live there!)