M: Brekkie (Scope Cafe)

Here for Brekkie but it was disappointing. NZD 100 and it doesn't taste as fantastic as Restaurant Australia. We sat outside as Mum wanted alfresco dining experience, weather was good but mostly, we are too noisy.  

M: Rainy first day (Government Gardens)

It rained intermittently for the first day but no rain gets our mood dampened. This big duck ain't afraid of us. I think it's more of us being afraid of it. It wasn't planned but we did a little hike along the banks of Lake Rotorua. There was no carrying and perfect. Everyone got to experience the sulphur smells and saw bubbling mud. 

M: Off to New Zealand!

This trip is eventful. 

1. We booked almost 6 months ahead. First for us. 

2. I booked the wrong dates. I referred to 2018 calendar instead hence Slug and Fei missed school for a week. 

3. Bought an expensive luggage the day before we left. SGD 425. It's lovely but most expensive luggage todate. 

4. I got Jamera's name wrong on the air ticket. Paid USD 50 to get it amended. SQ informed there was a possibility of buying a new ticket because I didn't include her family name. Thankfully, it worked out ok. 

5. We got down to the waiting point late for the cab at The Alcatraz. Had a little Tiff with him and told him to leave. Paid SGD 80, refunded SGD 40. Got a Grab instead. Not as luxurious but it did the job. 

6. Abby peed in her pants. 

7. Box dressed only in tee shirt and shorts throughout the day. 

8. We used up the hot water in the Accident 135 litres water heater and had to boil water to bathe Box, mum and myself. 

All else was good. The flight was 10 hours but it didn't feel like it at all. The kids slept mostly and the boys woke up about an hour+ to Auckland and had some screen time. Abby slept through. 

Retrieved the car and spent an hour fixing the child seats. In future, I'm getting from Hertz. It costs more but less of such nonsense. Time is of the essence. We drove off from 315 pm. The drive was 3 hours and Mum and I struggled to stay awake. A couple of times, I veered off Lane. Thankfully, we reached safe and sound.