Abel Tasman National Park

Mount Ruapehu

This was our first time sleeping in tend in winter and climbing with crampons and axes, and despite the cold it was fun. Looking forward to another winter trip.   

Andrea and the tree :)

Mark and Andrea battling through the snow 

The snowman :)

In the front of the picture: the snowman, Andrea, Mark then Ollie

We are in the agree tent 

Ollie ready to go

Mark attempting to self arrest 

Us :)

Ollie and Andrea

From left: Ollie, Mark and Andrea

Singapore short stay

On our way back to New Zealand in January, we stopped for a few hours in Singapore. Interesting city but it was too hot and we were too tired after 12hrs fly to really enjoy it. Some photos below.

View from Fort Canning Park

Former Hill Street Police Station 

Singapore's Parliament House

Interesting combination of historic building along side the waterfront and modern city in the background.

The famous Marine Bay Sands

North to south - North Island - Nov 15

Our week long holiday started with us driving from Wellington to Auckland in one day, 10 hrs and probably never again :).

On the way to Auckalnd - Ruapahu

First, we visited our friends on Waiheke Island and had a lovely weekend there. The weather was a bit cloudy but the  island was beautiful anyway. We even managed to do some gardening with them. 

On Monday we took the ferry back across to the main land and drove to the the airport to pick up Marks friends, Pete and Anna.
We started our trip in the Coromandel and spent a couple of days there. 
First we relaxed, nothing better like a hot natural spa in rain.

Coromandel beaches next, very beautiful!

Pungapunga Island

At Whangapoua beach

At New Chums Beach

At Hot Water Beach

Digging the hole at the location of the hot water spring

Nothing can stop them now :)

And relaxing :)

At Cathedral Cove

Then we flew over White Island, an active volcano. 

Approximately 3000 Australasion gannets lives on the island not much caring about the active volcano

In smelly Rotorua the "kids" had some fun on the luge. 

A few more natural attractions to the way to Taupo

In Turangi, not knowing yet that our next day hike Tongariro Alpine Crossing has now been cancelled due to bad weather

Back in sunny and not so windy Wellington, at least not windy that day :)