So what have we been doing to keep ourselves busy you ask? There has been an array of activities to keep us occupied! When we first arrived we were on the look out for anything that seemed interesting.  In doing so we have participated in some great activities.  One of my favorites so far was Chinese Lantern Festival.

Every year the Chinese community in Auckland puts on a festival to celebrate the Chinese new year. The back drop for the festival is Albert park in downtown Auckland. We arrived at the park just before sundown and already there was a bustle about the place.  Music and traditional dance entertained from the main stage while festival-goers bounced between the many food stalls offering all sorts of tasty treats from Japanese pancakes, skewered-coconut shrimp and yummy pot stickers (kind of like fried won-tons).

The grounds were decorated all sorts of different lanterns strewn around the park ranging from very simple to highly intricate. Even the trees were adorned with beautiful flowers and Chinese tea pots. The night was truly a whimsical one.

Till next time!

I know I know we're bad bloggers!! We leave you hanging before the story has even really started! You see, what happened was we got caught up in living life here. That and our camera broke while we were white water rafting.

So I figured I would add a few photos just until we get the camera situation sorted, as many of you have been asking for more pictures or video!

Let us start at the beginning. The first real outing outside of Auckland that we had here was with Kate and Leight. They are a really great couple we met through Danica, a friend from back home. They were kind enough to take us out to Tawharanui park, which was just breath taking.  

Mostly we spent the day splashing around in the waves. I personally can't get enough of falling into the waves, for some reason it makes me laugh. If I could have stood in the water all day without freezing I probably wouldn't have come out. 

I think that the most significant thing about this day was that it was the day we saw our first Pukeko! I love them! I think by far they are my favorite animal! They are the silliest looking things and when they run you can't help but laugh at their clumsy gait. In New Zealand they're more popular than the Kiwi (ok this may be an exaggeration). However they are everywhere; they've made them into cartoons and plush toys. They seem to be their secret second favorite birds...shhh!

Well until next time! There will be more coming soon. I promise!! 

Steph