kids

Ngarua Caves, Takaka Hill

April 19th, 2009 | Published in Day trips from the chalets, Family trips, kids

Our family thoroughly enjoyed exploring these caves. We loved the feeling of stepping back in time and wondering at the limestones features of stalactities and stalagmites. Our tour guide was great and really captivated the childrens interest.

Ngarua Cave was discovered by bushmen clearing the hillside of scrub, after a bushfire had destroyed the surrounding bush. The early settlers visited the cave by horse coach. As visitors destroyed and removed stalactites and wrote their names on the formations, the cave was locked up for several years. The latest development of the cave is a second entrance, allowing one way tours through the cave.

Remains of a Moa bird that fell into the cave.

In awe of it all.

Having a feel of the rock in the touch zone

In the cave several remains of the famous birds of New Zealand were found. A complete skeleton of a Moa is on display.

But the limestone recrystallised which changed its grain and colour. The rock is about 450 Million years old. The

In awe of it all.

marble is quarried near Ngarua Cave and was used to build several buildings in New Zealand: Parliament Buldings, the Beehive in Wellington and the Nelson Cathedral.

stalactites and stalagmites

Andy, Ben and Hannah’s flight

April 15th, 2009 | Published in General, kids

Andy, Ben and Hannah were really fortunate to go up for a flight over the Kahurangi this time. They loved it. They flew past MT Aurthur down to the Karamea on the West Coast before flying back to Motueka.

All Aboard!

Ben and Hannah getting on to the plane.

West coast

Flight to Karamea

Dancing at Mapua Easter Fair

April 14th, 2009 | Published in Events, kids

The Dancing girls

Hannah and her friends Rebecca, Millie and Emily all performed a hip hop dance at the Mapua Easter Fair.

They were brilliant. I have to say a BIG THANK YOU to their teacher Emily Tate who runs Dance Inc. at Mapua Hills Community Church.

Mapua Fair Dance

The start of the performance

The final Pose!

Mapua Easter Fair

April 14th, 2009 | Published in Events, kids

The Fair seemed to be bigger and better this year. Live bands playing music, children dancing, crafty stalls, plants stalls, great food, and some amazing bargins. Ben and Hannah had a fantastic time, but our wallet felt very empty at the end of the day!! They went on the swing ride, the ferris wheel, bumper cars, trampoline (with harnesses) They loved it.

Hannah on the trampolines

Ben on the trampoline

On the go-karts

Ben and Daniel in the Boxing ring

On the wheel

The swing

Sarau Festival

February 1st, 2009 | Published in Events, kids

The Sarau Festival was a great success again this year over in Upper Moutere. There were more things to entain the children as well as all the favourites for the adults. Tasting all the local products is great. I tried a few things that I am now hooked on such as Cheeses from the Neudorf Dairy – and I am now a fan of Elder flower cordial too.

The Sarau Festival

Ben loved the Whenuiti station where they had to stack and stand on as many crates as they could!!

Crate Stacking

Whoops

Hannah Loved the horse riding and the Lamas

Hannah horse riding

Lamas that the children could pet.

Family Picnic at McKee Domain, Ruby Bay

January 11th, 2009 | Published in Family trips, General, kids

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The children having a great time

Finding crabs on Ruby bay beach

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McKee Domain Picnic

Camping – Kayaking trip to Mutton Cove, Abel Tasman

January 9th, 2009 | Published in Abel Tasman, Family trips, kayak trips, kids

The highlight of our summer holidays was definitely our kayaking trip to Mutton Cove where we got to stay one night.

We started at Tata beach in Golden bay and set off across the Wainui Inlet. Unfortunately the swell started to get up and it got a little scary! But a short rest on the first beach was excellent.