trip to the big smoke

Hows your school holidays going? I don't know about you but ours have half gone and we have barely done anything. I had loads of ideas to do but the baby hasn't been well and the weather has been crappy. BUT I was determine to take a visit to Auckland, the hub of the Rugby World Cup. I  needed to see what all the fuss was about "the cloud"; "plastic waka" all down at the waterfront.

So I gathered the kidlets and we took the 2 hour journey south to the big smoke.

After seeing Megs post about the French Deli...I was reminded that STILL haven't tried a Macaron...so that was on the culinary to do list. I accidentally found these in the "Cakeshop" in Takapuna. I had to try one of each flavour...well I did share with the kids..next time I'm having one all to my self! They were as good as people go on about. Those French and their genius culinary ideas!

Finding live crabs was on the to do list too as I haven't  had any crab curry in ages. So I decided to hit the "Fish Market" Down at the waterfront. Seriously, I'm usually the navigator when we go to Auckland, so having to navigate and drive was a bit hit and miss. And with all the changes going on around Auckland at the moment...I may have gotten my self a bit lost once or twice!
This is where I stumbled across the Wynyard Wharf. I found parking right outside the fish market, where someone was fixing the ticket gate and ended up getting free parking in the end, score! Turns out they didn't have any crabs :(

At the Wynyard Wharf the kids had great fun on the playground. There is also a tram that runs around that part of the wharf.

The foot traffic down there was amazing. It was great people watching. Obviously a lot of international visitors sight seeing after a great semifinal the night before.

We headed to the "Plastic Waka". It was in the headlines because a) It cost a lot of money for a temporary structure and b) It wasn't completed before the RWC began. So with all the talk of how much tax payer money went into it...I went to get my part of it. And it was great! If I didn't have a restless toddler in a push chair I would have spent more time reading all about the NZ Maori Rugby players. We stood in line and went in the back part which had a 3D movie. The kids thought it was a hoot! The 6 minute movie is about the LEGEND of Maui and NZ
 

We continued walking along to the Cloud, by then the kids were complaining about sore legs...blah blah blah. So we pretty much walked there and then turned to walk all the way back to the car. But at least we got to see something.

We left the city before peak rush hour to Papakura to surprise my Sister in Law for her birthday. The kids excitedly decorated the house with streamers and balloons all ready to yell "surprise" when she walked in after work.

We all went out for dinner to Denny's. My first time! And probably my last ;) There's something about a place that has "Home Improvement" on TV in the dining room that was a tad weird for me! Its all just mostly fried food anyway. Classic American Dining.

On the way home I caught up with some family and then stopped in on the Shore to check out my next Triathlon venue Narrow neck. 

I also managed to catch up with the Lovely Mon from Delissimon. Whoops I'm all chins in this pic...but Mon looks great... so its in. My kids had a great time playing with her youngest two while we had a chat over coffee and some of her yummy chocolate fudge cake.  Lucky me.

 I'm starting to really like that part of the city. Takapuna and Devonport is a lovely place.

On my journey I saw so many cars with flags...but this one took the cake. In front of the car in front of me was a white van with 4 Massive Tongan flags and two small ones! Even other pedestrians thought it was funny as. I don't advocate driving a taking photos! I was stopped at a red light!

And finally on the way home we stopped in at the Italian Cafe in Kaiwaka. Another thing on the to do list. Apparently they serve chocolate croissants, so I picked one up along with an almond one. OH my Gosh! So Good! Will be doing that again next time we pass through on the way to Auckland. 

Travelling with three kids on my own was exhausting but totally worth it.