Saturday, February 28, 2015

28.02.15

For three years I have been longing to go to the mermaid pools at Matapouri and today was that day. After a treacherous climb through the bush and a suspense-filled descent, the glistening, turquoise pool lay before us.

We wasted no time stripping down and jumping in, feeling like real-life sea creatures as we perched on rocks in the crystal water. It would have been surreal if there weren't children kicking water in our faces as they snorkelled past.

Despite the dream which came true today, there was a moment which was even more remarkable. After dinner we made the somewhat spontaneous decision to grab some blankets and head to Whale Bay to do some star gazing. How perfect it turned out to be!

Of course, Lucy and I couldn't resist a little night time swim which was amazingly calm. We were in the ocean to watch the last of the sun's orange mark in the sky and the rippling sea beneath it. The only thing that could have made it more perfect would have been phosphorescence. But that's just a little picky.

We dried off and lay under the stars, harassing Melinda about her relationship and sharing dreams.













Friday, February 27, 2015

27.02.15

Mum and I had a bit of an adventure today. We thought we'd be tricky and go the easy way to see the boys out on the point except it wasn't the easy way at all. In fact, we scaled a cliff only to find out it was a sheer drop on the other side. It was rather hilarious, really. We had no other option but to turn around and head for our pretty little bay again.

After some quality family time my friends arrived just before the sunset. We were on the East Coast so all we could see was the effect of it, but it made a beautiful pink-to-blue gradient which was reflected in the water. I think I like it best when the colours are subtle.

The view looking down from the cliff we scaled.







Thursday, February 26, 2015

26.02.15

Mum and I discovered some horses taking a dip in the Matapouri estuary this morning. It looked like a scene from a film as we came around the corner and saw them standing at the water's edge. They're such majestic creatures.

One of them didn't want to go in the water and the other one couldn't get enough of it. He was grinning as he pulled his trainer through the turquoise channel.

It was so good to watch I didn't even mind the smell of horse poop in the air.








Wednesday, February 25, 2015

25.02.15

The sun roared today and it felt like the quintessential Kiwi Summer had decided to honour my arrival. I could not be more pleased. It was a day of sand, salt, and sweat. Nothing better than that!

Cicadas created the best soundtrack for reading a good old Agatha Christie (I picked the murderer!) and puzzle-making. What a perfect day.




Tuesday, February 24, 2015

24.02.15

"We're all going on a Summer holidayyy!" This was Mum's chorus as we drove up to Woolley's Bay for a week of quality sunshine. It didn't matter that the clouds threatened to pour. We were not deterred.

It felt so good to pile into Dad's work wagon and drive for hours. It has been the starting routine of many happy memories which flooded my brain as we wound over the Brenderwyns.

Now all we need is the Sun to come out!





Monday, February 23, 2015

23.02.15

Tonight we had a bit of a family sing along and it was a beautiful thing. Dan and I played our guitars and sang our way through my worship folder. I tried to keep up but I think some more practice is in order.

It was great to do that again, even if Mum and Dad were trying to film us secretly. Worst!

Spot in the sun.

Sunday, February 22, 2015

22.02.15

I made it home!

The lovely Lucy came to get me from the airport and I'm afraid I didn't make good company on the car ride home or at her flat because I was in a traveller's daze.

We were waiting for the opportune time to go and surprise Mum and Dad at home. We decided to forego the plan because there were too many variables and just knock on the door. Mum answered with a stunned expression and then Dad came down the stairs.

It was a surprise, but they had their suspicions, particularly when my friend (Janet!) wrote it on Facebook. Aigoo. It was still such a lovely reunification.

Mum had planned a surprise for me. She wanted to fill my room with balloons and had organized my friends to help blow them up. We kept up that guise and I managed to jump out of the balloons for each of them. It was even more fun that way!



Saturday, February 21, 2015

21.02.15

I can't describe my emotional state. I guess I'm a bit numb. I can't allow myself to feel too much because it's all too confusing. I'm definitely sad to be leaving this city with all its beautiful people, but then I've got equally beautiful friends and family waiting at home. It's just too much to contain in one head and heart.

I started this day with two of my faves at the best brunch spot in town, spent some of it in Tokyo, and then finished up the last hours in the air. It's very surreal to me right now.

Homeward bound!



Friday, February 20, 2015

20.02.15

I have the best friends in the world. I don't know how I find them.

Keke and Mariyah came over this afternoon and the deal was just that they'd have a look through my stuff and decide what they'd like for their new apartment. In the end they stayed for hours and helped me pack and clean before dragging all my stuff to the boy's new flat.

Dan joined us and we ordered dinner and just talked late into the night about all manner of things while giving each other massages. It was such quality time and the perfect last night.

These people make it hard to leave them behind.

Also it's difficult to leave this one.

Thursday, February 19, 2015

19.02.15

I got far too much sun today, and it takes a lot for me to say that! There's nothing better than laying on the sand, roasting yourself and then running into the ocean to cool down. Repeat again and again, and you have my favourite kind of day.

This one had some paddle boarding chucked in and a mango shake for good measure.

What a great way to spend the last day on a tropical island.

One more thing, though. I never want to forget my last meal. Emily and I were looking for a quick meal to grab before we split. We decided on Mexican and boy, did we get it right! I had a Mexican fish salad called Ceviche and I swear, if I could eat it for the rest of my life, I would. It was the freshest, most delicious thing in the world.

Perhaps it tasted better because we ate it out of tinfoil packets in a far corner of McDonalds, hiding from the waiters there.