Belated Ramadan Mubarak

We have just completed our 5th day

and its going great Alhumdolillah (Praise to God)

Our timings are pretty sweet and with the winter weather we are able to continue our day trips.

Sun Rise = approx. 5.50am

Sun Set = approx. 5:45 pm.

In India, they are going for much longer in the heat.

Today we found a Kabab (Turkish??) shop in Paihia thats Halal. 

Can't wait to celebrate Eid while eating it in front of the beach. :-)

Sushi 15.07.12

Sushi Time !

Sushi Mat

Nori (Seaweed Sheets)

CONDIMENTS:

Wasabi

Picked Ginger

Soya Sauce

RICE:

Sushi Rice (Short Grain)

Rice Vinegar

Salt

Sugar

FILLING:

Avocado

Carrot

Smoked Tuna/Salmon

Cleaning the starch out of the rice.

Rice cookers can be your best friend

To mix with the rice

Rice :-). Maybe preferred it to be more sticky??
but, one noticed.

My cutting (Julian) skills are a joke :)

Nori: getting ready for the rice and filling.

The filling

Rolled it up alright.

Cutting: please come out alright

Turned out to be a hit. But, really can't wait to go back to Japan and get the real deal.

Yay Snoopy.

Cape Reinga 14.07.12

The first views coming up Cape Reinga

We made it to the entrance, way different to the last time I was here (about 7 years ago). 
Took us 3 1/2 hours to get here.

Didn't realise there was quite a bit of a walking track.
Smooth but down hill...wonder how the we'll get back up. 

   

Taking a brake and trying to smile while holding in my heavy breathing in the freezing cold wind.

Loads of these signs around. Quite informative but, didn't have that much time to check them all out.. Around  5:30pm the sun goes down here.

Almost there..well kinda.

Are we there yet

Now?.....Now?

Loves her Mamu a lot

Here we are the tip of the north island.

Where the Pacific meets the Tasman ocean.

Ross thanks for taking the wheel chair back. Such a mission but, no major probs.

Mangonui 14.07.12

Mangonui: A a small town on the habour.


Would have tried ya world famous "Fish n' Chips"...however, the guy behind the counter was proud to mention its cooked in "100% Beef Fat"...world famous really? :-)

Quick photo shoot with our princess and ate our packed picnic....Then off again.

Te Paki Stream 14.07.12

Wow did this a while ago..feels like time is flying

This was my favorite part of our trip to the tip of the north.

Te Paki Stream.

Its a small and simple place but, one of the best in the world!!

Love this family pic.

My brother Ross and I in the middle of the freezing cold water.
There's no bridge to cross the water, makes it more the fun.

The turn-off road to get to Te Paki Stream was rough. 
On the way we saw so many beautiful sheep with their lambs, without a fence. Almost up and personal, though they were not use to cars passing by and would run/jump away. Ross had to keep his eyes peeled on the road because they would unexpectedly jump onto the road.

My trusty shoes which they charge 4x the price in New Zealand Sport shops..same model and all.

Having ago at the the sand dunes with the windscreen visor...sorry mum i'll clean it :-)

Looks like Abu Adabi

Ayana's turn. 
Photo taken just before she got a face full of sand.
Her first time to eat sand haha. 

Kerikeri 09.07.12

Kerikeri Town, haven't finished checking out the whole place yet. 

We usually take our time and always arrive home at night. Drives my mum up the walls :)

Town loaded with cafes

Fish-O-Filet meal $7.90 each

Middle of Kerikeri.
Refreshing to see cars stop for us at the zebra crossing :P

Kerikeri Market: Way more quieter than Aminabad