Wedding Annivesary Away

Every wedding anniversary we've decided to go away somewhere instead of buying gifts. The past 2 years were 1. Tahiti, 2. Vietnam (which was crap - so we did a belated one in Cambodia). This year was less exotic but still most enjoyable. We went to Nelson, and drove to Kaiteriteri, where we laid on the beach for a few days.

View from Kaiteriteri beach


Dinner overlooking the water

Mountain Biking

So after a dissapointing ski season, I didn't have to look far to see what sport Wellington was custom-built for: mountain biking. First of all, you've got a World Cup downhill course in Mt Vic, minutes from downtown and basically in our backyard, at least one purpose built mountain bike park, and several 500 - 700 meter mountains also just minutes from town. And best of all, there are many sheltered bush tracks to keep away from the winds. Unfortunately our first ride was not in such a sheltered spot -- Mandy made a valiant effort to begin mountain biking with me, but was discouraged when she was blown off her bike, making it her last ride!

Apart from many weekend rides, I also got a chance to do The Big Coast, a 2-day ride around the South coast just east of Wellington, a beautiful if exhausting ride.

Andrew Checking out the view from Makara Peak (part of wellington's Mountain Biking Only Park)


Andrew and Zuk about to depart for The "Big Coast"


One of the great views during the "Big Coast"

Kayaking From Home

A fantastic morning of Kayaking (thanks to our friend Dave who has lent us his kayaks, a now permanent fixture in our front yard). We took them to the bottom of the hill and launched from "our" beach - Balena Bay. We then kayaked on flat water out of Wellington Harbour and around the coast, to finally "surf" in at Lyall Bay Beach. Here are some photos:

Mandy at Balena Bay


The Lighthouse that we see from our house (looking back towards our house - a little hard to spot)


Mandy Kayaking (actually just floating at this point)

Weekend in Sydney

Our long weekend in Sydney for Michael Rembach's wedding to Amanda was fantastic. We got to spend time with Mandy's Cousins (Lisa, Jodie and their families) and cousin Mark. Sydney is such a gorgeous city, and when you're being spoiled by the family on the waterfront, who could not enjoy themselves! The wedding was fantastic a "tropical" theme with amazing music, food and energy from everyone present. Here are some photos:

Michael, Manda, Andrew and Mandy


Andrew, Michael & twin brother Joel at Bondi Beach


Swimming at Cousin Jodie's House in Watsons Bay


Tony (Jodie's husband), Asher and Joel surfing in the pool


A quick catch up with cousin Mark over a Krispy Kreme Doughnut

Events in Wellington this summer

This town has been very busy over the past couple of months, with yacht races, dragon boating, off-shore power boat racing, Women's world cup bike racing and various other festivals.

Here is a cool shot andrew got of some of the "round the world" yachts in dry dock during their 1 month stop in Wellington in January. (Their dry docking added an extra 5 minute walk to our commute in the morning - very inconsiderate)

New Years Eve

We drove for 7 hours to get to Kiwi Dave's party in Raglan. A fabulous place and a chilled little town. We then headed south to Pureroa Forest Park where we did some muddy hiking, camping and then some R&R at a nice resort in Taupo! A nice long weekend away.

A few drinks with Kiwi Dave


The view from the top of Mt Pureora


The extremely muddy walk back down

Windy Wellington

One windy day in late december, Andrew had his clip-on sunglasses blown off his face to go missing at the lagoon by Te Papa (the national museum). A few days later, the water was calm enough to see that the clip-ons were just sitting in the water, so andrew undressed to his boxer shorts and climbed in. However, the water was too deep, and the rush-hour commuters too numerous. He quickly dressed, and returned the next day in proper swim attire to retrieve them. This activity was captured for prosperity ;)

Andrew's Birthday

While Andrew went on a large bike ride with Zuk and J, mandy went on a "beagle walk" with her mum and "the girls". Later in the day was a family dinner, where J and Andrew had a joint birthday celebration.

For Andrew's birthday, he received a basketball hoop from the Zuks, this was a huge mission to install on our concrete garage, but with Zuk's handyman abilities and Andrew's height they got it up there.

Beagle Walk


All the immediate family


J & Andrew - how romantic ;)


Louis and Emma


Ollie Entertaining us on the Piano


Installing the Basketball Hoop

Wiggen for Thanksgiving

Although the house was in complete disarray, Kevin managed to make himself at home, helping wash the salt off the windows and convincing us (yet again) to do a "once in a lifetime" activity - Heli-rafting on the Mohikinui river (south island). We also had a fun day at "toast Martinborough" a festival at the local wine region. Photos below:

Our new window washer (unfortunately needed stilts)


Toast Martinborough with Mandy's workmate Kim


It had snowed the night before!! Look at the hills!! While we were waiting for the helicopter.


Wiggen and Mandy on the way up in the Helicopter


Andrew helping to inflate the raft

Green Card

A quick visit back to San Francisco to pick up the long awaited green card, enabled us to see some friends, family, do some serious shopping, and a few hikes.

Hiking above Pacifica with Heuga and Wiggen


Hiking Mt Tam with Heuga - before we got lost in the fog ;)


Dinner with Andrew's Parents, Mike & Julie


Gatsby waiting patiently before eating the cookie on his head


Wiggen & Julie comparing their 6 month pregnant bellies