A big day out!

For the first time since I've started looking after Au Pairs in Northland I had organized a trip for the girls (and boys). The plan was to do the big loop around to the West Coast, have a few stops along the way including Kai Iwi Lakes and Tane Mahuta, the ancient Kauri tree. It was such a great day and I was impressed with the crowd. We had 12 Au Pairs turn up! A few of them even came up from Hamilton which is a good 5 hour drive! Wow!

Started our morning at Whangarei Falls and made our way to Dargaville to pick up the last lot. By the time we arrived at Kai Iwi Lakes the weather slowly started to improve. It was still pretty windy and chilli, but at least the sun was showing itself.

Next stop was Tane Mahuta which I have seen numerous times over the past few years. Yet it is always a pleasure to see this majestic tree which is more than 2000 years old.

After a stop at the Lookout in Omapere/Opononi...

...we finally listened to our grumblinb tummies and had Fish & Chips for a late lunch. Matt - who was functioning as my loyal driver today - went for the Kaimoana Burger which was HUMUNGOUS! Couldn't finish it all...

Finished our day with a soak at Ngawha Springs which was just perfect - and apparently the highlight for most of the Au Pairs. Matt and I then went on to drop off my former host family's new Au Pair and had a lovely catch up with Pia, Philipp and the kids. What an awesome day =D