February just seems so wrong

It's summer here and it's February, and that just seems wrong. Our plans today, well, we had to change them because of a tsunami warning. And that seems wrong too.

Two weeks ago we took a break from the Residency Application and wedding pre-planning to get away to Raglan, NZ, for a weekend. Finally, we found where all the American immigrants are hiding. It reminded us more of Ocean Beach California, where Dan and Alisha live, than other areas of NZ. Half the people we met seemed to be from the West Coast of North America, all drawn for the waves, or as one young waitress confided in us, for the guys that ride the waves.

The small green covered mountains nearby are a bit reminiscent of Hawaii, or at least how I picture it. Claire and I made a day of climbing to the top and loved the route through old farmland (pictured) and the views from the peak (pictured).

The following weekend, we celebrated the completion of our application for NZ residency (pictured - yes, it really is that thick) with a bottle of champagne provided by Claire's parents (we're one celebratory event behind). And then took a quick trip out to Muriwai Beach (pictured) - black soft sands, great surf, and the best place in New Zealand to see the Australian Gannet colonies (a gold crowned bird that flies from Australia to breed in New Zealand, and then flies back to Australia).

And now, we begin another marathon of sorts, no weekend is left unplanned for six weeks. My aunt Bonnie and uncle Phil flew in on Thursday. On Friday we had a nice dinner out in the city and walked to see the Chinese lantern festival in Albert Park (pictured). It was packed with people - a feeling we haven't had since a Friday night on the Piccadilly line. But worth it. Here are Bonnie and Phil are with Claire in the Domain - Auckland's biggest park (pictured).

Today we drove out west of Auckland in hopes of reaching Muriwai beach - but were thwarted by Tsunami warnings. We made the most of it though - there is a small mountain range west of Auckland called the Waitakere (Why-tack-er-ee) and we managed to find some great vistas (pictured) and a hike through 1000 year old kauri trees and a secluded mostly hidden waterfall.

Friday will find us in Wellington - my first time - where we will stay the weekend checking out the arts festival. And then not long after, off we fly back home to London. ;-) Can't wait to see you all!