M&J Down Under: December 2010

Kia Ora

Kia Ora

Interesting facts.

NZ. or Aotearoa In Maori, means 'The Land of the long white cloud'. It is quite a young country, geologically active, with tectonic faults and volcanoes, glaciers and rivers constantly building and eroding land. It consists of many islands, the main ones being the North and South island. It used to be part of one land mass, Gondwana, and split off 80 million years ago, taking with it its unique plants and bird life. The first Eastern Polynesian settlers arrived 750 years ago, and the first Europeans to settle arrived in 1769 after discovery by James Cook.

As it is a long thin country, there are several climates and micro climates within, from sub tropical in the North and temperate (similar to UK) in the South. The total population is around 4.2 million ( UK has nearly 63 million) of which 1 million are based in Auckland. Auckalnd also known as the 'The city of sails' (due to a high proportion of boat ownership) is the biggest city, though not the capital, which is Wellinton. Auckland’s weather is warm/hot long summers with mild and wet winters. (average annual sunshine hours= 2050. Manchester=1200 hrs) and (annual average rain=1240mm. Manchester=810mm!) most rain falling as heavy tropical showers in the winter months of June-July

Sunday 19 December 2010

Christmas down under..

is very bizzare! despite shopping for xmas cards and gifts, wearing shorts and sunglasses, you will then get a blast of 'let it snow, let it snow' etc... and with all the festive stuff going on everywhere is quite surreal. it just doesn't feel like Christmas at all. we weren't going to bother with a tree or anything, but then i saw these summer themed decorations, so we succumbed!

we were surprised that some of the houses really go to town with xmas lights and decorations outside their houses (like in the UK really!) it does look quite festive, but as its not going dark until 9 O'clock..the effect is lost unless you stay up late :)

so we're not planning on a big chrsitmas dinner- too hot to cook like that!
we plan on walking down to the beach for a champagne picnic, and Jacqui vows to have a swim in the sea, wearing a santa hat! then later in the day, we will be going to our neighbours BBQ, for dinner.
we are looking forward to our first kiwi Christmas, but will be thinking about all our lovely family and friends in the UK. we will say a little toast as we raise our glasses to you...(but you will probably be asleep!)

Click below.....

Merry Christmas Everybody!

December

welcome party at the ferry?

Billygoat point- Motutapu

having a coffee before the ferry

WoW! we cant believe we have been here 6 months now. time just flies, and getting off that plane onto New Zealand soil seems like only last month. and yet we have done so much since we've been here. December is no exception. the highlight of this month was exploring Motutapu, one of the treasure islands. they're doing a big restoration things there, by re planting native trees, and eradicating foreign weeds and animal pests. then I guess they'll put back some kiwis and other endangered birds. the ferry only goes there twice a month, and only in summer, so we took the chance along with some buddies, to explore and do the 8 geo-caches on the island. there's lots of interesting bunkers, buildings and tunnels left over from WW2, which made a nice dry spot for lunch, as the day we picked, it rained all day. it was still very warm, but we were soaked non the less!

the cache is here somewhere near the bunker

let us out!!

geocachers in da rain