Tauranga

First dag = jet lagged! Two adults who hasn't slept, one child falling asleep all the time and one child that has slept way to much is a challenging combination. But this is according to our plan and choice of destination. So today we'll explore the city of Tauranga and Mt Maunganui. 

Tauranga is a beautiful coastal city looking out over the wide Bay of Plenty to the north with Mount Maunganui arising conspicuously to the north east and the forested hill country of the central North Island to the south.

RAdding to this beautiful setting is a warm climate, not far away from the subtropical mark.

Tauranga is rich in history and significance; it is home to one of the largest battles between British forces and the local Maori - the Battle of Gate Pa.

From the base of the volcano Mauao, a white sand surf beach stretches as far as the eye can see. 

"The Mount" is the colloquial name for Mount Maunganui, a beach town that occupies a peninsula at the southern end of Tauranga Harbour. The peninsula is actually a huge sandbar, with a sheltered bay on the inner harbour side and a magnificent surf beach on the ocean side. 

After checking out all the surfers and the impressive surf waves we walking the whole track around The Mount while taking in the picturesque surroundings and view. Rounded of with a well deserved lunch and coffee in town. Found some shadow by a big playground before heading back to the beach for another swim and crab hunting.

Back at the nice motel Cameron Thermal Motel we cooled down? in their thermal pool (35degrees!!). Our plans for the night was Chinese cuisine as recommended by the motel owners. But 20sec along the way there in the car the kids were sound asleep and after trying to wake them up without any success we had to see ourselves beaten by the jet lag and get Take Away with us back home. Move the kids to their beds, eat Chinese Take Away out of plastic boxes on the patio, then go to bed hoping to get some sleep ourselves.