Auckland City

We’ve completed our first month in Auckland NZ. It took two whole days to get here. You know it’s far when you get off your second flight that took 10 hours and then get onto another flight for 15 hours! Although we did give ourselves extra time in Houston airport to have Burgers and shake in Rubys Diner. 

Olive has settled into her school in Titirangi - a suburb right next to a massive nature reserve. It really doesn’t feel like a city where we are living! It feels more like the jungle with sprawling sections of tropical trees. Olive’s school is set in massive grounds. Once a week she gets to go to Bush Kindy where she spends all day outside and goes on treks. This is the view from our apartment:

It’s actually been a bit chilly at night for the first few weeks. It gets really hot in the sunshine in the day, but - with no central heating - a bit nippy at night. Although it has been warming up loads in the last week. Summer is coming. 

We have bought a Toyota Hiace from Bay of Plenty which was a 300 mile round trip that we did twice in a few days to view it then pick it up. We have been kitting it out for camping - adding a comfy bed, storage and - essentially - a reversing camera! The plan is to take it round the two islands at the end of term. 

Both Olive And Boo have tried out all sorts and signed up for classes. Olive has done some yoga, piano lessons, a Lego club and swimming classes. Boo has different playgroups, free rhymetime in the library and swimming classes to keep him busy. 

It feels a bit like being back in Oaxaca with us living again in one place. It’s nice. We have done some touristy stuff as well. We looked round the Central Business District, our local art gallery, the amazing views in our nearby reserve and we’ve checked out the plethora of beaches. They are everywhere which isn’t surprising if you look at a map of New Zealand. Cornwallis on the West Coast with volcanic black sand and Point Chevallier in town are our faves so far. 

We also met up with Selina’s cousin Ras’ family up in North Shore. So welcoming and amazing tacos.