So we did many different things - visited Nick and Ali for dinner, visited a farm, a special playground, Sheep World, picnic on the beach, etc.
After a wonderful holiday Tina and Janus still had a week in Auckland, which was pretty amazing - more holiday :) So we did many different things - visited Nick and Ali for dinner, visited a farm, a special playground, Sheep World, picnic on the beach, etc. I could have written a whole book about this visit, but... I'll let the photos speak instead - easier for everybody. But no doubt they had an amazing trip and since this trip was 'just' to be with us and see our daily life (which was absolutely lovely) it'll be exciting to see when they come back to see the rest of New Zealand - still a lot to see, that's for sure :)
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We had one last night in Rarotonga before going back to Auckland, and we were lucky enough that our houses weren't rented out so we could go back to the same place again - we even left a bit of stuff in the houses when we left for Aitutaki, so that was a really good solution. After 6 days in Rarotonga we were going to Aitutaki. We were picked up in the morning by Henry and taken to the airport. The flight is 45 minutes and it's NOT one of those very big planes... :) Easy trip to Aitutaki - not too bumpy. At arrival we were picked up by the owner of the house we had rented and driven the short trip to the house on Ootu Beach. The house was not very flash, but it was in just the right location - and had an wonderful covered deck and a wonderful view of the water - so we couldn't really complain. As Per and I had been to Aitutaki before we knew that we had to get out to some of the smaller islands to really experience Aitutaki, so next day we'd booked a trip with the Waka - a trip we'd done before. A bit touristic, but a good start to Aitutaki. New Years Eve - and everything was quiet in Aitutaki :) Our restaurant was even closed - but we got some food from there to prepare at home, so we had a lovely evening - just a bit different :D And - the day after we took another tour out on the lagoon. Trip not as touristic as the other one - but also a smaller boat - but OK as weather was fine. According to Janus the diving/snorkeling was amazing - the best he'd ever tried. And... the places we visited - the best we've ever seen!! And here's a video that's kind of showing the whole essence of this trip... Lucas's favourite Christmas song - sung in the most beautiful place in the World - doesn't get any better than this!! We had four amazing days in Aitutaki - where it was soo hot that every time we as much as moved a muscle - you started sweating. Per and I have never experienced it so hot in the Cook Islands - but again - no complaining! Tina and Janus - according to themselves - had the time of their life which was of course heart-warming for us to hear, as we love Cook Islands so much and just wanted to share it with them. So - WHAT A TRIP <3 <3 <3 As usual we'd rented our little house(s) right on Muri Beach - Kings Beach Villas. The location is just so amazing. Away from everything, yet right on the best beach and with restaurants and shops within easy reach. Very special to have family visiting over Christmas! So we'd arranged for our Kiwi/Danish Christmas dinner to be late in December (2312) so that Tina and Janus could meet our friends. Again - this meant that Tina and Janus could be part of the shopping and everyday things needed for the Christmas dinner - like decorating the tree, setting the table, etc. And then 24 December - where we Danes normally celebrate Christmas Eve. As we were going out for dinner in the evening, we decided to do the presents in the morning. And what presents - Tina and Janus had bought us the most amazing things - we were blown away. Such thoughtful gifts - very considerate - and we felt very, very loved and blessed to be with family on this special day! 25 Dec - around 5.30 we were up and ready to leave for Rarotonga - and since we passed the date line, we landed on 24 Dec - so yet another Christmas Eve. Doesn't get much better than that :)
One of the first days after having arrived we took at little trip out in the bush/rain forest - so about half an hour out of Auckland is the Waitakere - a National Park where you can still get lost if you're not careful. It's always important to get lots of light and fresh air when you're jet-lagged, so we all enjoyed the trip. Especially with all the dinosaurs hiding in the bush - and Lucas having to find them... (some of them looked very much like grand-dad....;) After almost a year of planning, Tina, Janus and Lucas finally arrived just before Christmas - 20th December. According to themselves they had a very easy trip... which is pretty amazing with a 3-year old :) They arrived early morning in Singapore and had till the evening before continuing the trip, so they had a hotel room for the day - which was apparently a really good idea. They could relax, have a shower, use the pool, etc. and then be ready for the last part of the journey. Also they'd chosen to pay a bit extra and fly Premium Economy (Singapore Airlines) which was apparently also a bit hit - so highly recommendable :) Because of the long planning they'd had time to think a lot about the long flight, so they were very prepared. Tina'd bought some inflatable cubes which they put between the seats, so that Lucas could lie flat and sleep and that was another big success! (and they'd brought a sleeping bag for him as well - as you can see below). All in all it meant they arrived here fresh as spring flowers :) Tina had chosen this trip to be all about visiting us - not so much NZ. They will explore NZ more next time they come. Tina just needed to see where we lived, where we shopped, our offices, etc. so that when we talk about these things on Skype she's 'been there' and know what we're talking about. |
G&PThis is our blog - we use this to keep track of what we've done and where we've been.... as we can't always remember :) Archives
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