A few weeks before my birthday he asked me to be home early the Friday before, his reason, so we can start the celebration early. No questions asked I was like sure, anything to start the weekend early, especially if it's my bday weekend! He then told me we would be going out for dinner the Thursday night, still no heads up, I thought it was just super special to start my birthday a few days before. But the Wednesday before I enquiries what the plans were, as I thought I'll need to get home, sort Darian and still get myself ready but I was told that the babysitter had been booked already! Wow, a night with just the two of us... What a treat! We never have that anymore, I was super excited.
So Thursday we headed out to Gengy's Japanese restaurant on Ponsonby Road, just the two of us!
Ashley, the babysitter arrived promptly at 6pm and Darian was happy to wave goodbye to his parents! We enjoyed a beautiful 7 course meal, a chance to try a different cuisine. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Sushi, sashimi, miso soup, tempura prawns and veggies, crispy Asian salad, honey soy salmon, teriyaki beef and for dessert tempura battered banana and vanilla ice-cream!
As we were enjoyed our meal I said to Cameron that he would have to drop Ashley off at home cos I wasn't in the mood to get home and still drive, he's response, "that's ok cos you have to go home and pack"! I was taken aback, what, pack?!?!? Why?!?! Where were we off too?!?! Needless to say he kept the surprise well. So I did just that when we got home, packed! All I was told to pack warm clothes, which wasn't much of a giveaway considering we're in the middle of winter. The only time the destination was given was when I had to find the place on the Navigation system, so he had to tell me. Paihia in the beautiful Bay of Islands, at the top of the North Island of New Zealand. I've always wanted to visit there and was super stoked we were going. It was a long drive, 3 and a half hours, but just beautiful. Darian was so well behaved so we didn't have to stop at all.
Upon check in at the gorgeous Copthorne Hotel & Resort, we were disturbed by a knock on the hotel room door. I opened up to find Lenny, Premika & Kajal at the door... so surprised! We then went for dinner at the hotel's Waitangi resturant. A bit of issues with Cameron's meal who seemed to have issues throughout the weekend with food. No matter where we went, something went wrong with his food and it left him very unsatisfied. He will not give anyone good food reviews after that experience. But for the rest of us, it was amazing food. We then headed back to the hotel room and enjoyed some pre-birthday drinks to see my birthday in. I had a massive headache for some strange reason but had to stay up til midnight.
The next morning, we went for breakfast then headed off to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. I love history and as we never learned about NZ history, I am very intrigued by it. This was where the Maori chiefs and British representatives signed a Treaty to live together, recognising Maori ownership of NZ Land. History points out some discrepancies with exactly what was agreed to, as to who had sovereign power, but the bottom line was that both parties agreed to live in peace. Standing on the same land where battles were fought for the freedom of NZ People, being in the same house that James Busby and his family built and lived in all those years ago, was something very special to me. I think NZ history is rich and as a mother of a child who will learn this history in school, I just wanted to absorb as much of it as I could. My darling husband knows me well and knew this was my thing, so allowed me to roam the house and the grounds freely, while he ran around after Darian, who was having a grand ole time.
Here are just a few pics of the Day:
An awesome view of the sun setting over a serene landscape as we traveled up North.
Upon check in at the gorgeous Copthorne Hotel & Resort, we were disturbed by a knock on the hotel room door. I opened up to find Lenny, Premika & Kajal at the door... so surprised! We then went for dinner at the hotel's Waitangi resturant. A bit of issues with Cameron's meal who seemed to have issues throughout the weekend with food. No matter where we went, something went wrong with his food and it left him very unsatisfied. He will not give anyone good food reviews after that experience. But for the rest of us, it was amazing food. We then headed back to the hotel room and enjoyed some pre-birthday drinks to see my birthday in. I had a massive headache for some strange reason but had to stay up til midnight.
The next morning, we went for breakfast then headed off to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. I love history and as we never learned about NZ history, I am very intrigued by it. This was where the Maori chiefs and British representatives signed a Treaty to live together, recognising Maori ownership of NZ Land. History points out some discrepancies with exactly what was agreed to, as to who had sovereign power, but the bottom line was that both parties agreed to live in peace. Standing on the same land where battles were fought for the freedom of NZ People, being in the same house that James Busby and his family built and lived in all those years ago, was something very special to me. I think NZ history is rich and as a mother of a child who will learn this history in school, I just wanted to absorb as much of it as I could. My darling husband knows me well and knew this was my thing, so allowed me to roam the house and the grounds freely, while he ran around after Darian, who was having a grand ole time.
Here are just a few pics of the Day:
Darian & Kajal on the way to dinner at Waitangi Restaurant, Copthorne Hotel & Resorts, Bay if Islands. I loved how they held hands everywhere we went!
View from our hotel room on the morning of my birthday. Weather wasn't great but the view was so beautiful!
A recreated version of the original Treaty hangs above the entrance to the Grounds.
Entry to the Treaty Grounds
Daddy & Darian
Mummy & Darian
Premika and I with the kids
The grounds where the treaty was signed. One of the traditional dancers walks across to the Marae
Cameron & Premika keeping the kids busy while I walk the grounds
The British Residency
The grounds
The Marae with traditional dancers performing
Waka Taua (Ceremonial War Canoe), the largest in the world, which sails once every year on Waitangi Day. The Treaty grounds Trust looks after this waka on behalf of all the tribes of the Far North Island.
After the morning at the grounds, we went into the town to see what it had to offer. Darian wasn't on his best behaviour and even though a Movenpick ice-cream cone kept him quiet for a while, the fact that mum tried to avoid drippage, resulted in a major meltdown and it wasn't the ice-cream that melted! We then walked through the town with a screaming child and went back to the hotel. Mr was asleep not long after that and everyone, besides the birthday girl had an afternoon nap.
Afterward we just hung out at the hotel and the kids and I played in the sand before the rain came down.
We then went out for birthday dinner at 35 degrees South, a beautiful restaurant with a 60,000 litre salt water fishtank. The kids were in awe and stared at the fish for hours. We had a great meal (most of us) and then headed back to the hotel for dessert - Room service anyone!
Once back at the hotel we thought we realised that one of my favourite movies was playing - Sister Act 2. So we all sat in front of the tv and watched it and ordered room service. A great end to a superb night.
The next morning, after a big breakfast we checked out and headed back home.
I am truly grateful for the blessings in my life and this weekend proved to me how truly blessed I am. With a family who loves me, a husband who spoils me and friends who are always there for me I realise that there is not much else in the world I could ask for.
So, 31 years have past. It's hard to believe but God has been by my side through it all. I've learned a lot of lessons in life and looking back, I see God's hand over my life, through every turn, every tribulation and heartache, with every smile, every tear, my life is filled with wonderful memories and bad decisions but it's my life. I wouldn't be the woman I am today without those experiences. I now have a husband who has been specifically chosen to be mine, a son who through all the tantrums is indeed the "Sunshine of my life" and my life is full of all the things I've dreamed of. I can only thank God for keeping me these 31 years and look forward to the rest of my life, wherever it may lead.
Corrinne
