Friday 17 January 2014

Splash Planet!!

With the girls on school holidays but Dad having to work, my Mum and I decided we would take the girls on a short trip to Hastings and spend the day at Splash Planet.
We set off on Sunday morning and arrived in Hastings with rain and wind the order of the day :(

Luckily there is plenty to do in and around Napier and Hastings. We visited a chocolate factory (YUM) and had lunch in Hastings before driving back to Napier (10 mins away). We spent the afternoon visiting the National Aquarium.


This was the art work on the wall in the main foyer-NOT the way they displayed all the fish in the aquarium! :)


 
Then we hopped on a 'tourist' bus and spent an hour being shown the sights of Napier's Marine Parade and suburb of Ahuriri.

 
We even spotted a very special boat!
 
 
Then it was up to the lookout to see the views-the Port of Napier was a bustling place with tonnes of logs waiting to be shipped. There was also a cruise ship in port while we were there.
 
 
There were sweeping vistas of the coastline which were a little dulled by the weather but still very impressive to see.
We also visited the MTG which is a new attraction in Napier comprising of museum, theatre and gallery so indulged in a little 'culture' for an hour or so. The bottom floor is dedicated to the Napier Earthquake and was a sobering exhibition!
 
 
Monday was the highlight of the trip-a visit to Splash Planet! This water park  is absolutely amazing-so clean and tidy and absolutely filled with activities and rides to keep everyone happy. I floated happily round and round on the 'Never Ending River' (very much my speed!) while the girls were kept busy on the hydro slides, bumper boats, kayaks and flying fox. The weather played its part and we enjoyed a lovely few sunny hours before having to drive back home.
 
Thanks, Nana, for suggesting the trip - we all had a great time!



Thursday 16 January 2014

Christmas Parade

OK...so I am a little behind in my blogging :(
I shall be posting a few entries in the next week or so in an effort to catch everyone up with what we have been up to! Here goes...



Tokoroa Christmas Parade is held on the first weekend in December and is a highlight for the community. Crowds line both sides of the street to watch the parade.
 
 



Floats are many and varied from business vehicles with a bit of tinsel added to them to logging trucks, specially cleaned and polished to organisations and community groups with all-out effort put into their float in the hopes of winning a cash prize for their group. Below is a traditional Maori waka.



This year the Girl Guides (and Brownies) decided on a "Gingerbread House" theme for their float. Many hours were spent creating decorations.

 


Finally the day came to put it all together. It looked so colourful and bright.

 


 Lots of excited girls were proud to parade through the main street of Tokoroa on their beautiful float. And guess who won first prize??!! Yay for the Girl Guides!!



Of course, no Christmas Parade is complete without Santa! Merry Christmas!!