Monday 30 December

I’m sitting at Jen’s place with a bird sitting on my shoulder – Ziggy is Grace’s pet and is very cute. He things he’s human J There were lots of sleepers inners this morning! I was up with the alarm and showered before everyone else woke. Peter was supposed to be up early to go jet boating with Alison and Simon but he was still asleep when Alison rang. Jen had a couple of tanning clients early (she didn’t know we were coming, of course, so she didn’t know she shouldn’t take bookings). 

A family conference agreed we would go to the Wairaki Thermal Park, about 20 minutes north. The eighteen of us meant the place was suddenly crowded! At the car park and all the way to the kiosk/coffee shop, there were animals everywhere: chickens with broods of chicks in tow, peacocks, one of whom you would swear was posing for the cameras – what an incredibly beautiful creature! There were llamas, a pig, rabbits and the kids had the most wonderful time with them all. Meantime, Jen, Rich and I went into the kiosk to organise our entry payments and I wanted to order coffees (no coffee so far and it was already11.30!) and we had another one of God’s nice miracles:

Jen and her family were free, being locals; Adult charge is $10 and children $5. We explained to the young man how many we had and he decided to charge us $25 for each of the two families, $5 for me and $10 for Peter, saving us $20! I ordered and paid for our coffees and then I asked Rich to buy me a muffin. We had been chatting to the guy about the purpose of our trip to  Taupo and then he said that as I’d already paid for the entry for everyone and the coffees, he would give me the muffin free! Two minutes later, he said “hang on a minute!” He went to the register and took out a $20 note and gave it to me, saying because I’d spent so much money on the family gathering, he wanted to make the entry cheaper! Go God! What a lovely gift!

It was a really interesting geothermal area and everyone enjoyed the walk immensely. We spent a total of about 2 hours there, much longer than we’d expected. Huka Falls was on the way back, so we pulled in there but then it started absolutely pouring, so those who were out of the car already dashed back; we might get back there tomorrow morning but I doubt it. Lunch was yummy pull-aparts and sandwiches and fruit at Jen’s. About ten people left for Craters of the Moon, again a really interesting geothermal experience; they really loved it.

Final excursion: Spa Park is a natural hot pool about ten minutes up the road. Fourteen of us went in two vans; left the cars in the car park and had to walk about 300 metres to the water. Everyone clambered down over the rocks and found hot spots all over the place, just sitting or lying in the hot bath. I looked after the valuables and got some good pictures. Just when it was time to get out of the water, the rain started and lasted until we got back to the cars. This meant that I was also now wet! Back at the motel it was hot showers for all, then around to the house again while Jen went and bought the takeaway for dinner from the noodle house.

While we were waiting and setting up the meal, Rich, Al and Simon’s pictures got transferred to my phone. Peter had already transferred his pictures back at the room. Our last meal all together was very special; all the adults were at the table and it was wonderful for everyone to be able to just talk; we all realised how blessed we have been to have this time as a family, recorded forever in many hundreds of amazing pictures.

By 11.00pm, back at the motel, most people were in bed. Tomorrow is going to be a quick morning, with the Gilmores needing to be at the airport by 11.00 and we needing to leave for Rotorua by 1.00pm.

Stay tuned for pictures to be added over the next day or so.