Look Who Came To New Zealand!

We welcomed Colleen, Jared, Ben, Lydia, and Felicity to New Zealand. Colleen is our daughter and they came to visit for 8 days from Taylorsville, Utah. We were so happy to finally have some of our grandchildren come to see us.

They didn’t have much time with us so we decided to not let them rest much. Here we are at the Cornwall park near One Tree Hill and Felicity trying on one of our flower leis we have at our flat.

This is also at Cornwall park where sheep roam freely amongst the visitors.

We took off the next day to visit the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves. Of course we could not take pictures inside the caves as that would disturb the glow worms and they wouldn't glow for awhile. Felicity was afraid of the glow worms. Seems someone told here their fishing lines were poisonous.

After the glow worm caves the grandchildren wanted to see the famed Kiwi bird of New Zealand. Well they are a nocturnal bird so we had to go to the Otorohanga Kiwi House where they have a simulate night time. The Kiwi come out in an enclosed area, but they have special lighting so you can still see them. We were lucky enough to get there when they were feeding the Kiwis so it was great. We also saw many other birds that are native to New Zealand. It was fantastic.

The next stop on our adventure was the Marokopa Falls and the Mangpohue Natural Bridge. They are some of the most beautiful places we have been in New Zealand. It is like stepping into another world.

We stayed the night in Hamilton at the Temple apartments and took the opportunity to go to the Temple. Our grandson Ben was able to do Baptisms in the Temple. I was able to perform the Baptisms. Luckily there were some young ladies from Las Vegas, Nevada in New Zealand for their Senior Trip so we just joined them. He was able to be baptized for 23 people.

Sister Bartlett was able to spend the morning with Lydia and Felicity while Jared and Colleen went through a session. What a wonderful experience.

This is one of the few buildings still standing from the original Church College in New Zealand. We are pretty sure that Sister Bartlett’s father visited here many times while he worked for the Church Education System.

We had lunch at the Temple View Dairy and takeaway. We just couldn’t resist these cool ice cream bars for the grandchildren.

Next stop was Rotorua and here we are enjoying a walk around a steaming hot lake fed by hot springs. We also enjoyed going to the Tamaki Maori Village for a Cultural Experience.

On the bus ride out to the village they ask for volunteers to be the chief of our bus tribe so we shouted out Jared’s name to be our chief. He reluctantly played his part well. He had to accept the peace offering from the welcoming tribe and give the traditional greeting which was the touching of noses. At right the men of our tribe were given the opportunity to perform the Haka. Ben, Jared and Elder Bartlett were no exception.

Of course after the Maori performances we were treated to a traditional Maori Hangi. They had vegetables, chicken, lamb, kumara (sweet potato) and wonderful sauces. The Hangi is cooked in underground ovens lined with hot rocks to cook the food. It was delicious. Even the grandchildren found something they liked.

The next morning we decided to visit Lake Rotorua and there found some beautiful black swans which were very friendly. Probably because people feed them which it says not to. They have pretty red beaks and red eyes.

Ben is at Hobbiton and getting ready to go on an adventure.

These cute little hobbits I found in Hobbiton.

I am not sure whether these are Hobbits, Elves, Dwarfs, or maybe a fellowship of the ring.

I believe this little Hobbit is having second breakfast.

After we were done at Hobbiton, we made our way to Coramandel. This is us on a hike to the Cathedral Cove. Cathedral Cove is a very unusual place.

We did have a beautiful day at the Cathedral Cove.

We were all in awe of the natural beauty. We even found this cute little waterfall.

We also found this cute little swing by the Hahei beach near our hotel.

A few kilometres from Cathedral Cove is Hot Water Beach. At low tide you can dig pits in the sand and they fill with hot water. Some of it so hot you can not stand in it. We had fun but it is lots of work.

Such beautiful scenery but it was time to go back to Auckland where Missionaries need us for bikes and illnesses.

We found this cute little waterfall right in Auckland.

We also had this great photo moment on a dormant volcano named Mt. Eden.

We also fed the goats, sheep, and pigs at Embury Park.

We took a quick trip to the West side of New Zealand to the Waitakere Range to see the Karekare falls and Piha beach.

The last stop on their incredible journey was at Red Beach where we found these great caves and lots of shells. We had a wonderful time with Colleen, Jared, Ben, Lydia, and Felicity. We did have to finally say goodby and cried as they went through security at the airport and now we have homesickness once again. We didn’t have much time to be homesick before Mission life once again set in. We have been going to doctors appointments constantly since they left. When we are not at doctors appointments we have to go fix bikes.

We have also had heaps of rain since they have been gone. Every once in a while when the sun breaks through we get these vivid rainbows. Sorry we had to get this shot while driving. Funny thing is where the rainbow ends is at Rainbows End, a local amusement park.

We loved having visitors and even though we will miss them all dearly we know that this separation is only temporary and the time is flying by. We love you all very dearly and are enjoying our service for the Lord.

Love Elder and Sister Bartlett