Can I just say that New Zealand is STUNNING. I mean, I want to live here. (I’m mainly posting pictures of us in it due to the nature of this blog, but I have hundreds of gorgeous scenery too….)

We had booked a private tour guide to take us around today and it was amazing. Peter, our guide, was a native from Auckland and was so knowledgeable and shared with us so much history and knowledge. We squeezed so much into the day!

First, we headed to Mount Eden, and then One Tree Hill – which were two extinct volcanoes. You get fabulous views from them and you can see all the volcanoes spread around Auckland (about 7 or 9 – can’t remember). We then went to the Waitakere Ranges National Park area and stopped at the Arataki Visitor Center. The views, again, were incredible. We had so much fun taking pictures in the giant frame!

We headed to Piha Beach (part of “The Piano” was filmed on this gorgeous black sand beach) and watched some surfers and dipped our feet in the Tasman Sea.

We then drove a ways to the other side of Auckland and had lunch, and then swam at the Orewa beach (Pacific Ocean) – two oceans touched in one day!

We finally headed back to Auckland, over the bridge and experienced some of the traffic.

We picked up some pizzas for dinner, and the kids ate while watching “The Hobbit” (pretty perfect considering it was filmed right here in New Zealand). Tomorrow we are driving by the exact location!

We have a jammed packed few days as we are renting a car and heading to Rotorua and Lake Taupo.

So far, Rob and I decided we are coming back to New Zealand to explore a lot more. It is so beautiful, the people are lovely, and the weather is perfect.