what went right....

 Our trip to New Zealand may have had some mishaps but there was plenty of great things that happened...

Things that went right... 

View from cottage

1.Staying at pinewood lodge - " Best value accomodation in Queenstown"... They weren't wrong!

Reception 

Self contained 2 bed cottage at $32 per person per night!

2.Cooking most of our own dinners and taking packed lunch's- saved loads and going out for dinner after a big day on the mountain was the last thing I wanted to do.

The famous Ferbergers! ..no  line when we went.

Last night dinner .. Lone star 

3. Going on the shot over jet boat- seeing Ivy hold onto her beanie with her teeth, while they made "double turns (Ivy)" was priceless.

Rocking new neck warmers.

4. Wearing gloves on luge - our fingers would have snapped off otherwise. 

Ready to go on the luge!

Chair lift  up.

5.Putting kids in ski school - Ivy put on her charm and had her "coaches (Ivy)" wrapped around her little finger but if it wasn't for them Jay would not have skied his first ( but not his last) black run.

The Remarkables

Coronet peak

6. Conquering my fears on the zip line - I had to put on a brave face for Jay and the Japanese tourists! 

Gearing up.

First run 

Someone is excited!

7. Up grading Amber to highest parachute jump - well if she was going go splat, It may as well been worth it! 

8.Wearing thermals majority of the time - they were our best friends! 

9.  The Education the children received through travel - Keas, Kiwis, money, Maori language, writing in journals, learning about environmental issues, learning to "read" the mountain, reading arrival/departure boards, making new friends.......the list goes on.

Writing in morning dew.

Checking out the world map.

10. Buying cider in 1.25lt bottles- for only $9 how could I resist and why don't these exist in Australia?

11. Making memories with the people I love.

till our next adventure!

Mumma Bear

xxx

Mishaps...

'Our trip to New Zealand was terrific! It was full of many highlights and exciting adventures but there was a few down sides...

Things that went wrong....

We didn't take any chances with the plane home.

 1. Nearly missing flight - you know your in trouble when your still in the security line, it's 9.20am and boarding commenced at 9am. Seeing "final call" on the board makes you run really really fast!.

Before we sprinted through the airport!

2. Hiring gear at top of mountain- paying twice as much up the mountain rather then in town was not worth the "convenience". 

Ready to ski

3. Not checking out closest supermarket till the second last day - who knew there was a huge supermarket only a block away! 

4. Losing a shoe from my only pair of shoes - up side? Gained a new pair of converse!

My tough boy!

Tiki trail Queenstown  

5. Talking on tiki trail  within one hour - only I could think that an up hill hike, in the rain, on a time limit, with an 8 year old would be a great idea.

6. Not having time to go to Milford sound - disappointing that we missed it, but two young kids + bus +cruise +12hours  = me having a break down.

The Remarkables

Coronet peak

7. Buying a 6 day pass to Coronet peak and The Remarkables - very cheap early bird ski passes but limiting...Guess we will have to return to check out the others!

8. Not taking kids rain jackets - I packed mine....

Rain while going up the Gondala, Queenstown  

See you later!

Mumma Bear