From the Land Down Under

So I am now WAY OVER A MONTH from posting this. Sorry for being a total slacker!

(As written in March)

It has been just over a month since we returned from New Zealand and Australia so I think it still falls in the category of 'recent updates'. At the end of February Clint had business in Sydney and so with Grandma Kofford on board to come watch David I joined him in his travels. It was summer in the southern hemisphere and after weeks on end of snow this winter I was in much need of some vitamin D.

First Stop.....Auckland, New Zealand. We spent 2 1/2 days in Auckland visiting some family friends who are serving as the mission president in Auckland. (Certainly not enough time to do it justice--aw shucks we may just have to go back :)) We did manage to hike to the top of Rangitoto, a volcano that requires a ferry boat ride to hike to the top and get a great view of Auckland. We visited One Tree Hill, took a drive through the Waitakere Mountains and hiked into a spectacular waterfall. We even took an afternoon to go to Piha Beach and see the western shore of the North Island. We woke up each morning and went jogging along the ocean and through parts of the North Shore area where our friends lived. It was a wonderful few days and we even got a brief glimpse into the life of a mission president and met some of their wonderful missionaries!

Auckland from across the harbor

Piha Beach...one of our favorite spots, just gorgeous

Hiking in the Waitakere Mountains just west of Auckland

Up close at Piha Beach

Goodbye New Zealand....Hello Australia!

Clint worked most of the week so that left me on my own to play tourist in Sydney and its surrounding Bay areas. I pretty much took ferry boats everywhere I went. I ventured to the Zoo one day and saw some incredible animals. Isn't this Koala adorable? Of course I saw kangaroo and other relatives, and even a little baby joey in the pouch!

Another day was spent traveling by ferry to Manly Beach where I walked up and down the coast, kicked off my shoes to read a book, and found a local spot for lunch. The only thing I forgot that day was my bathing suit, but I made up for it later in the week. I was sure to check out Bondi Beach (famous for its surfing) and this time I had my suit and could take part in some of the body surfing. Conclusion made---the beach is not as much fun by yourself, next time I will be sure to bring Clint. He worked while I played, now does that seem fair?

The top of the Sydney Harbor Bridge. NO I did not climb to the top,

a pregnant woman was not up for that adventure

Sydney Harbor and the Opera House...I could not get enough of this view

When in Sydney you go the opera of course! We went and saw the Barber of Seville. What was classic was that our seats did not allow us to be able to read the translations that scrolled above the stage. So the first Act was a bit shady for us in terms of the plot and what was really happening. We kind of just made it up as we watched and attempted to translate what we could. We were sure to find some open seats with a better view of the screen for the second act. Sydney had so much to offer, I just loved walking the streets and taking it all in. Our hotel was in The Rocks and so the streets were filled with great restaurants and charming shops. On the weekends they had some great street markets that we enjoyed. The Rocks is supposedly the location where the convicts were originally dropped off when the were sent to Australia. Our hotel had an amazing view of Sydney Harbor where I could see the bridge and the Opera House from our bedroom window. Sydney also has some beautiful botanical gardens that ares situated close to the Harbor that I went running in a few mornings.

My mode of transport for the week

Our last morning in Sydney Clint actually got to play tourist for a few hours

We couldn't go to Australia and not pay tribute to the Wiggles on behalf of David. Thank you Wiggles, my son just can't get enough of your Wiggly Party.