Things to see in Waikato

Touring by myself if very different than touring with Jeremy.  If Jeremy had been able to come we would have been hiking mountains, rafting down rivers, bungee jumping, and biking mountain trails.  However, without an adventure buddy I needed to choose slightly safer activities since I didn't have anyone to rescue me if things went wrong.  I was still able to see and experience a lot that I haven't yet in New Zealand, and that is a win.

My three hour layover cruising in LAX

Beautiful sunsets from my front porch

Huka Falls.  Still so inspired by the power within this water.

The lava glass sculpture garden.  I don't know why we missed this before, but I loved the vibrant colors and playfulness here.

Watching the glass blowers hard at work.

Took a little time for a massage and a soak at the Wairakei Terraces.  That was a great way to relax after a long weekend of traveling.

Huka Honey Hive checking out the bees and fresh honey.

Glow worm cave tour.  Last time Jeremy and I chose the high adventure black rafting option.  This time I went for the tamer tourist version.  The Waitomo Cave was stunning.  Our tour guide is Maori and sang us a traditional Maori song in the cathedral.  That was truly special to hear her sing in there.  The end of the tour took us on a boat, which we rode in complete darkness to admire the glowworms on the ceiling.  I've said it before and I'll say it again, glowworms are magical.  It feels like you're floating among the stars.  It's almost an out of body kind of experience. (No photos in the cave, so this is my best reenactment.)

I visited an aviary and saw kiwis (once again, no photography in their darkened enclosure, so this is all I have).  There were two kiwis in that enclosure, and it was tough to see them.  It was easiest to spot their beaks first as they stabbed at the ground, then you could connect that to their larger, darker body.  I know it's a little thing but I loved seeing a real kiwi.

Lake Taupo.  From my Airbnb I could see the mountains and volcanos on the other side of the lake, and it was a daily reminder of the power and beauty of nature here.  When it was time to leave, I didn't want to.  I sat by the lake for about ten minutes just trying to soak it all up.  Who knows when I'll be able to come back.  It's such a special place.

Hobbiton

My first stop in New Zealand was at Hobbiton.  I'm not a crazy Lord of the Rings fan, but I enjoy the movies well enough that this was worth a visit.  I don't know if it was simply the magic of being in New Zealand again, or if I just like to find joy in the simple lives of hobbits, but Hobbiton was surreal.  The original set for the Lord of the Rings trilogy was temporary and it was demolished after filming.  But when they filmed The Hobbit, they built the set out of more permanent materials, which is why we can go enjoy it now.  I still can't believe that landscape like this exists, with the rolling green knolls.  Throw in a couple of round doors and you suddenly have the quaintest neighborhood in existence.  For perspective purposes in filming, the doors are all different heights.  Simple and effective trick.  

What I loved the most though were the details, the laundry line, the flower pots, the tools in the garden.  Each house had their own personality.  

And Bag End had its own grandeur.  Living at top of the hill, these hobbits definitely enjoyed privileged status.  Just look at the view from their front garden.  

Two hobbit holes have been built as a full immersive experience.  We could go in, touch things, handle things, sit on the furniture.  They couldn't build it at true hobbit scale, which is about 62% human size, but it they built it at about 83% human size so it still felt small, we just weren't bumping our heads on everything.  

The tour finished with a drink stop at the Green Dragon.  The drinks with the music with the atmosphere, ya, I could've stayed there all day given the choice.

Breakfast with Santa

If you're tracking the dates of these posts, you may have noticed a trend.  This was our second trip to Utah in one week.  This time it was for one quick day with Santa Claus. 

The kids were super stuck this year about what to ask for.  Daxton ultimately settled on asking for Legos. 

Kelton sat down but left without a single request.  

McKenzie asked for clothes and makeup.  

Cambrie asked for a miracle, to be accepted into MIT.  You should have seen Santa's face with that request.  I didn't know his eyebrows could raise so high.  

The Pearce great-grandchildren.

My incredible family.

 

Christmas decoration rockstars

My life these last few weeks has been beyond crazy.  With trips back and forth to Utah, teaching, and training for New Zealand I haven't even had time to breathe.  The boys stepped up big time and helped me with decorations.  They pulled up all the boxes from the basement (including the tree), unloaded everything, and did a decent job finding a home for everything.  If I hadn't had their help, we would not have been ready for the holidays at all.  Thanks boys!