11th February Wednesday (London)
After a semi normal day (with picking Airyen from school early) and an early dinner, we were in the Taxi at 6pm.
It was a good run to Heathrow T3. We checked in, but due to the two bookings we were going to be sitting apart. They tried to see if they could do anything but the flight was pretty full – in the end they put Bhavni one row ahead of us. We went through security all fine and then had a bit of time to chill, I filled the NZTA on the app, these guys had some of the food that we had taken from Rajvi.
We boarded the flight and settled down, watching a bit of entertainment on board, but all of us falling asleep for stretches. There were lots of food calls during the flight.
12th February Thursday (Dubai – Flying)
We landed in Dubai at 8.30 or so. It was a quick transit and at the lounge we asked about the seating for this flight. They told to ask in plane as there was going to be some room. We did that and after sitting in our place for a bit they said we can move to the back, where there was lots of room – we got 2 rows of 3seats. This was good for this long flight. Bhavni had to give up on her idea of working as the wifi was not working – I could do quite a bit offline.
13th February Friday (Brisbane – Auckland – Wellington)
We landed in Brisbane around 6.30am local time, it took a bit of time to get out of the plane as we were at the back. The security at transit was not too long and we were then in departures. Bhavni asked the Quantus staff at the gate about changing to the direct flight to Wellington, but you would have to try to get out and talk to the desk outside etc. So we got time to go shopping and have some drinks before boarding the flight. The seating was quite far apart – Bhavni sat with Airyen. Bhavni has managed to get a food choice – mine as veg was some fruit.
The plane had a 20 minute delay in landing as there was a queue into Auckland which as we had a local flight to catch was not ideal. Getting out of the plane we got to passport control – the line was “other” and was very long. So to speed things up I went through the e-gate and and collected the bags. Then waited for Airyen and Bhavni. Over 30 more minutes later Bhavni was still in the same queue, but they then split the queue (initially after her but she sold her case), so she managed to come through. In the mean time they had merged the declare/no declare line for biosecurity and I did not realise how massive a queue that was as it was around the corner. There was no way we would get to our next flight as it stood, but Bhavni got a tip from someone so we got to the front of the queue. As we had answered all are decorations well, we got flagged for a L1 scan which meant we did not have to open our bags.
Finally out we quickly walked to the domestic terminal (in the rainy conditions), as waiting for bus not an option. When we walked in there was another queue to JetStar (well not that big but still more than we could handle), however we got the tags for the bags and and a staff member told us to go to front as the drop off was closing. Finally we got to the gate and after all that the plane was not there. In fact there was a 1h delay due to thunderstorms. Finally boarding we actually got to sit together – another family had a similar issue so shuffle sorted it out. Landing in wellington it did not take long to get out. Before I had got our bags, someone called my name – it was Mitesh. We got the bags and got in his car. Bhavni ordered an Indian take away from Ruchi in Petone, we had to wait a bit for it, then it was to the apartment near Waterloo station. After saying bye to Mitesh, we had food (pretty decent), cleaned up and then it was bed time. Though I set up Airyens’s treasure hunt after Bhavni set up cards etc then went to bed.
14th February Saturday (Airyen’s Birthday)
For myself the night was a bit restless (due to a hot apartment, light and noise from outside along with Jetlag). Airyen woke up at 5am and went down to watch tv at 5.30. Bhavni and I got up at around 7.30 and got ready. We had a breakfast of cereal and bread and Airyen finally noticed all his cards and birthday banner that was set up by Bhavni. We then had some fun doing the treasure hunt that I had put out – most of the clues were fine, though a couple got him unstuck.
Just after 9am Mitesh came with his older daughter Kiara to drop off a car – a mini, which he demoed the controls, Kivari the younger daughter came with her mother soon after as they all had classes to go to. So after a little while they were off.
Around 10.20 we had set off, to drive to Zealandia, we ended parking at the overflow car park, a 5 min walk. We had a little bit of time to check in and look around the center before our tour which started at 11. The tour was a walk around some of the paths here explaining how the park came to be and how it works. The bird life was a little subdued do to the cloudy day, but we still saw a few things, like the kākā at the feeding stations.
After the 2 hour tour, we got out membership packs and then went to the cafe on the top floor for some lunch. It was closing early today so the hot food was limited, but we had falafel wraps warmed up.
Leaving we then went for a drive, to the southern coast and firstly to Owhiro Bay Beach. There were signs about water being unsafe due to Kia point wastewater treatment. But we has a little look around We then followed the coast around to princess beach and another lookout. From here we but across and found ourselves at oriental beach. We parked at the further end and walked to the actual beach area, letting Airyen on to the sand. After instead of going directly to the house, we went to Mount Victoria lookout for the proper tourist view. It was then a drive back to lower Hutt.
We stopped at Woolworths in the Queensgate shopping center to get a few supplies, then went to the house to get ready.
We had arranged to meet Mitesh and family at Bella Rosa 5pm, though we were a couple of mins late as we had though it was 5.30, for Airyens Birthday. We had plenty of food there and a quite big cake (blackforest with added butterflies) that Bhavni had ordered. They let us move to another table so we could stay there till 7.30pm.
After dinner they came over to the house. The children had fun running around/through the building. We had some drinks and sat for a while before they had to leave. We were a little tired so it was bed time soon after.
15th Feb Sunday (Kapiti)
I was up early before the rest today. They got up leisurely and then we had breakfast, taking our time before leaving. We drove up the Hutt valley and took the 58 across towards Whitby. We decided to go on the scenic route by the coast and had a stop in Pukerua bay for a walk on the beach there. Then we carried on to Paraparaumu. We parked in the MacLean car park and then went for a walk onto the beach as it was around 11am. It was quite a windy day, with the sand just blowing along the beach. We walked a bit down the beach crossing the small water outlet and then back on to the main road.
It was close to lunch time now, so we went to first the two fat chefs, but that was full, so we went to Ambiance cafe where they accommodated us with a space for 7. Mitesh and his family came soon after. We had a decent lunch there.
After lunch we went to the small park there and let the children run around for half an hour or so. We then all got into our cars at around 2pm and drove to the Southward Car Museum. This is a large museum with lots and lots of cars (and other vehicles) over a couple of floors. We split up and looked at the old cars there – the children roamed around together for most of it.
After around 1.5h we had finished and we drove back to lower hutt and he house, where we collected the cake and left over pizza, before we drove to Johnsonville and Miteshes house. The weather was really closing in so there was no view and they closed the curtains to keep it cosier. However we had a chilled evening with the children entertaining themselves and us as well as dinner of falafel.
By the time we were leaving the wind was really strong with heavy rain. Luckily Mitesh noticed the number plate falling off the car so we put it in the car and drove back to the house.
Overnight the wind was crazy and it made it really hard to sleep.
16th Feb Monday (Local)
After the crazy windy night we woke to still pretty a windy day. We were meant to go see Wellesley College, but there was no answer to the school phone (and Mitesh had messaged saying lots would be closed today).
After breakfast and a relaxed start, we decided to head to the school, just to get out (even though there was still no answer from the school, though it did involve pulling Airyen from the tv. The roads has lots of debris on them and there was still lots of wind around, though it was amazing to see the crews out fixing the damages already. We got to the school and yes it was closed. So we drove around to next town Eastbourne to see neighbourhood, before going back to Lower Hutt.
We stopped at a Woolworths and got some some food, after which we went to the apartment and made lunch. We chilled for a little while then Airyen and I went to the neighboring dairy and got snapper cards for all of us.
After we went to the Queensgate mall, where we sorted out our ASB cards then went for a walk around and some shopping.
Then it was home to make dinner. It was packing / eating and watching some TV for the evening before bedtime.
17th Feb Tuesday (School Visit)
Today was the first work day. After breakfast Bhavni went to Waterloo station and caught a train to the center before getting a bus to the hospital.
Airyen and I had a little time still – where I finished his packed lunch. We left at 8.30, driving to Wellesley. We got there and drove in through the gates parking and making our way in. The school was an old hotel, so had some lovely wooden stairs and furnishings. We introduced ourselves in the reception and Amanda introduced her self to us. She then took us to Airyen’s class saying hello to a few teachers on the way. We left him there with a couple of students.
Back at reception we met Mr Bain where we had a chat, before he took me around the school for a tour of the whole school. Afterwards (as I had not taken any photos) he let me wonder around taking pictures my self.
After I headed back to the flat. There I finished the packing and slowly loaded up the car with all our luggage. Then I checked out. I had a bit of time to do a food shop at Queensgate, then I headed to Mitesh’s for a while at 12. I chilled for a while and then just before leaving we had a try at the number plate – no go though.
I left and drove to Johnsonville, where our next apartment was, getting there about 2pm. It was a apartment on the upper level of a house reasonably high up on a hill. I unloaded the car and quickly had lunch (left overs from last night).
Soon it was time to head out back to the school. I got there and very soon after Airyen came out beaming away. I met Mr Bain again and also one of Airyens teachers who was quite impressed with him. Airyen and I took some more photos. We had a quick look at the cafes nearby but decided to to head home instead to the apartment.
I made a dinner of Beans and Rice, then we had time to chill, before Bhavni came – Airyen watched tv I did some work. When Bhavni came we went to pick her up from Johnsonville – who knew there were 2 Woolworths, so finding her was a problem. Anyway we popped into Woolworths and got some extra stuff. It was then dinner and a chilled night.
18th Feb Wed (Wellington)
Today we had breakfast early then we all jumped in the car to drop Bhavni to Johnsonville station. Airyen and I went back and had a more leisurely start leaving the apartment at 9.30. We managed to park near Johnsonville and got the 10am train which was a very nice picturesque ride.
We got into central wellington station, then we walked slowly to the cable car stop taking a few photos along the way. The cable car had a small queue for it, but we got the second one along and sat down for the ride up. At the top we went to the cable car museum there for a quick visit – its free and quite compact. We then walked down through the botanic gardens with stops along way (such as the playground). It was a pleasant walk with quite a few areas. The path crossed the motorway and then went on to come out near the beehive.
It was then time for food, just a little walk from there we found a quick eat – Airyen and i got a noodle bowl with salad to share, we then walked on a bit further to Midland park – a bit of green where the locals eat. It was quite pleasant in the sun and busy.
After we walked to the Te papa museum, surprisingly still a distance, and went in. We spent some time there, the most memorable bit was the exhibit about the first world war due to the brilliant large models of soldiers and people.
Finishing we headed to Oriental Bay – the beach. Airyen spent some time on the beach while just rested on the benches there. Bhavni met us there later after her course. Some more beach time, then after a bit of wondering the town, we got the 24 bus back to Johnsonville. It was then a quick visit to Woolworths to go shopping for food before going home. Dinner was falafel, after we then chilled.
19th Feb Thurs (Explore Hutt Valley)
We were all up early to have breakfast as we had to drop Bhavni to Johnsonville even earlier than the day before. Airyen and I then returned to the apartment where we stayed until 10am before heading out. I thought maybe it would be a good idea to see some estate agents in Lower Hutt, to leave our details – well we could not really find the rental departments of them and it was taking ages, so we left and went up the Remutaka Hill, all the way to lookout at top – here it was windy and cold, though it did not take too long.
A few photos later and we headed back to Upper Hut, where I thought to see the Maoribank Swimming hole – A quiet bend in the river where the water is calm. The entry was through a small park and was really quiet, here Airyen got his feet into the water, climbing on rocks. I just stayed and took photos then we both had some sandwiches.
Leaving we then were on our way to Lower Hutt when I spotted “The painting association of NZ”, so had to stop and have a chat with them. The lady there drives every day over the hill. After that we headed to Avalon Park, a small but nice park, where Airyen had some time to mess around on the slides and zip ropes as well as the water games. We loved the dinosaur in the lake.
After we had our fill, we headed back to Johnsonville, stopping at the mini showroom to see whether we could fix the number plate – they were quite nice but could not help. Near the apartment we again went to Woolworths to pick up food for dinner – which we then made in the apartment. We picked up Bhavni and had dinner together.
20th Feb Fri (Cycle Pencarrow)
So it was getting a habit – breakfast early then dropping Bhavni to Johnsonville even earlier than the day before. We went back to the apartment to get ready but we had to wait until nearly 10am due to an accident on highway.
When we got out we drove around he bay all the way past Eastbourne to the place you can hire bikes. It was sunny and seemed quite nice – a but breezy, but the guy warned us about the wind, so we /hired 2 electric bikes. Going out was easy to begin with as we got to the Lighthouses – then my electric assist failed. After talking with the help line who said take my time coming back and they will give a refund, I got it working intermittently by pressing onto the battery pack while cycling. Airyen and I even got nearly to the top light house. We then decided to go back. It was a harder cycle back as there was 40mph gusts – so much so Airyen was in tears for a bit. When we got back, I got a refund for my ride.
After this we went to the French cafe in Eastbourne for a treat for Airyen and coffee for me it was quite good a desert. We then went back to the Johnsonville apartment for a bit, before we headed out to Mitesh’s place for 5pm. The children were then entertained. We decided to have a Thai take away, so we chose some food and picked up Bhavni en route to the place. Getting back it was a nice night of music (kids singing) and other entertainment. Home and packing were the final things of the day.
21st Feb Sat (Wellington – Taupo)
Today we changed the plan and dropped Bhavni to Hospital after breakfast directly before returning to the apartment to finish packing and load the car. We checked out at 10am.
I drove to the Royal New Zealand Police College, which was at Papakowhai Road, Porirua, a lovely drive. This is the training academy and they were running drills with robberies when we went past. The actual museum was cool – they gave a case to solve by analysing clues at benches between the exhibits. We were the ones to find the accomplice not the main suspect first!
Airyen and I then headed to Avalon park for a bit for some more time in the playground, before heading to Oriental Bay – again parking at the far end. We met Mitesh and co there, and the children played for a bit, before the girls swimming class. I then drove to the Budget rental in the CBD. Mitesh and Bhavni came there and we got our hire car returning the Mini to Mitesh. Here we said goodbye.
It was then the drive to Taupo; it was a lovely drive and quiet on the way. We could see the damage from the storm along the way. As we got to the volcanos we had to stop and take some photos and Bhavni did some video calls to Rajvi. The journey was slightly longer due to a road closure (and one slow bit due to a crash).
Getting to the motel we checked in – opened all the windows to clear the air and then made Agli-oli for dinner (in the small kitchenette) – very nice to eat. After it was bed time.
22nd Feb Sun (Taupo – Whangaparāoa)
We woke to a nice scene. We had breakfast enjoying the view of the lake and the garden area – chilling until 9am. We then headed out driving north to Auckland. The roads were bigger and busy here and got more so as we drove north. Past Auckland we got to Stanmore bay beach in Whangaparāoa.
We found Sheylina – did not recognise her as she had curly longer hair. We joined Rians birthday party. Soon Grant came with inflatable boats and to help look after the kids. We spent some time there helping out – the kids went into the water – but in multiple groups, so we had to split up and look after them. They then did sand castle building competitions.
Most children got picked up then at 4.30 we went to Sheylinas house – They have 3 kittens, Airyen was ecstatic. We met Amani there – she has become a Teenager! We settled in a room, then were shown around the remodelled kitchen area.
For dinner they had organised going to a Thai restaurant for Rians birthday, with Grants mother joining. Quite nice and it was fun. It was then back to the house to chill and catch up before we went to bed.
23rd Feb Mon (Auckland)
Waking up and seeing all the children off and having our breakfast and more catching up with Sheylina and Grant we head out to Auckland to see some of our past areas.
We drove to Epsom first to see our old road – there are a few bigger town houses there now. We just of chance tried knocking at Sues door, and she opening it – recognising us. Peter was also there. We sat for a short while as they had to go but we caught up and exchanged email addresses.
We then went to Sitehost, but no one was there who we knew. So then we went to Cornwall park (took a few tries to get to the parking). We had to walk to top of one tree hill as no cars are allowed there anymore, so it took a bit longer. We tried pointing out places to Airyen (a little hard to engage him).
Back to the car we then drove to mission bay, parking just a block away. We had a little wonder at the waterfront before getting dumplings for lunch – they were good. Then it was the obligatory ice cream – getting from 2 different places and having it at the beach.
We then drove back to Whangaparāoa, getting some food at pack and save for dinner. At the house we made “Mexican” style rice (using the home tomatoes in their garden). We had dinner on the deck with the rice and tacos.
A chilled evening again.
24th Feb Tues (Whangaparāoa)
After Breakfast and the children leaving for school, we went to the Indian shop near new world to get Sev for the pani puri at dinner – you can get lot of Indian food here.
Sheyling had suggested we go to Brick Bay vinery, which we did. We had lunch there – a med platter to share and wine for me. After which we did the art trail – interesting as the artworks were so varied. Unfortunately there was no veg marshmallow treat for Airyen.
Anyway we headed back to Whangaparāoa for 3.30, where we then got joined by Sheylina and Rian to go to the beach with Rian. Sheylina and Bhavni went for a long 1 hour walk. The two kids did a little boating – I helped then the played in the sand and the rope swing for a while.
After we went to the house and chilled for a bit before driving at 6pm to the North shore and a restaurant called Aubergine to meet Meda and her family with 2 girls. We had a Mediterranean platter and Airyen had pasta – though he was not in a good mood. It was a nice meal and it was nice to see them.
We then headed back to Sheylinas via Pak and Save to get some gnocchi for the next day.
25th Feb Wed (Tiritiri Matangi)
Today we had breakfast (watching the kids go), after which we made packed lunches for the three of us. We had to head out to Gulf Harbor for 9.30am. The parking was already quite busy when we came, so were a small walk to the entrance.
There was a school group also going when we arrived, though we were told to go ahead. Soon the ferry arrived and we boarded and sat outside. Soon we were on our way to Tiritiri Matangi. After disembarking and being given a brief by the ranger, we got a choice of the walks to do – there were 3. We picked one, but ended up being the last group to set off. We saw a few birds around – including the upset owl, as well as a some Weta. At the end we got to the lighthouse, where we had our packed lunch and tea. We had a quick look in the building there, then saw 2 takahē running around. We then walked to the harbor and then to the nearby beach for Airyen to get to dip his feet in the water. We could not be too long as the boat was going to leave at 2.15 pm.
It was a nice sail back – sitting at the front. We got back to the the harbor and to the car arriving at Sheylinas for 3.30. For dinner we made some more Tex-mex rice, though it was staggered eating for most of us – due to classes etc on that day
We then did some packing and sorting for the next day.
26th Feb Thurs (Auckland – Melbourne – Dubai)
Breakfast was the usual affair with the addition of photos of kids before they left to school. As we had some time we went for a final time to Coopers bay beach between 11-12. Then it was back to Pack and Save to get some bits and fuel. We got to the house and chilled until leaving at 3.20 for the airport. This is after saying bye to Sheylina, Grant (who was having a boat re-validation meeting) and Bhavni. It was a decent drive to the airport and we filled at the Mobil near there. It was really confusing where to return the car and we went around a number of times before finally going to the correct point.
Afterwords it was a normal check in and a long wait to board the aircraft. The Quantus flight to Melbourne was quite busy. There was a lady booked in the seat between Airyen and I but luckily she moved ahead as her tv was not working, so Airyen had some room to sleep. We arrived into Melbourne and it was a quick transit to the Emirates flight to Dubai on a 777. Lucky for us the middle seat was empty, so managed to sleep a bit as well as well as watch tv.
27th Feb Fri (Dubai – UK)
We arrived in Dubai. It was a long way to transit (it seemed we walked the breath of a terminal as the transit rooms were busy). We had to go to terminal A (from C) by train. Since we had time we stopped for coffee and pancakes in Giraffe (I got to use my Dirhams). The next plane to the UK was quite busy, but we were both tired so we slept a lot of the flight. Landing in Heathrow it did not take long to get out, which meant we were waiting 10 minutes for the taxi. We got home around 3.30pm.