Hike to the Summit 
of Mount Tongariro (volcano)

This was perhaps the most challenging and most gratifying hike of my life.  Fortunately we went into it well prepared with many layers of clothing and plenty of food to fuel us along the way.  I am so proud of my children who completed this hike with very little complaint.  The hike was just of 13 miles (a half-marathon) and over half of it was over snowy, and sometimes slippery, grounds with over 3000 feet of elevation gain.  Skies were clear and blue.  Once we go passed the lower sites, the trail was serene and the views of Mt Ngauruhoe (Mt Doom in the Lord of the Rings filiming locations, the one I can't pronounce in the video) and Mt Ruapehu were specatacular!

South Island 
Glaciers and hiking videos

Okarito School House, Franz Josef Glacier, Fox Glacier

Trip to Rotorua + Ohope Beach + Napier

Longfin Eels at Owhiro Bay Community Gardens

Longfin eels are a freshwater eel that on the decline in New Zealand.  To learn more about eels of New Zealand, visit the eel page Department of Conservation website.

Wellington's Sunday Market by the Sea - March 7th

Rimutaka Forest and the Orongorongo River Trek -- Feb 28th-March 1st

Botanic Gardens of Wellington - Feb 15th

Te Papa Museum - Feb 13th

Cape Palliser (with seals) - There and Back - Feb 8th

Te Papa Museum Visit 1 - Dinosaur Focus - Feb 7th

Waitangi Day Festival & A Picture Outside of Parliment - Feb 6th

Ridiculously Cute Video of Baby Seals at Cape Palliser

A Step Inside a Maori Marea

Photos of our visit to the Waiwhetu Marae and museum of Maori taonga (treasures).

Learning to Row a Maori Waka

Devil's Gate Seal Haulout Adventure Hike

Just 5 miles from my front door is a place that seals like to hangout.  The video is kind of long.  If you just want to see seals, skip half-way through it (this excludes my class - watch the whole thing).
The first part is just me loading my backpack like Dora, but I give some good tips...like the part about not needing to fix your hair.

Additional Pics from the Hike

Oriental Bay and My New Village, Island Bay!

Arriving and the first Day