Length of stay: 4 days
Visited: April 2025
The Northland is the northernmost region of New Zealand. It’s referred to as the Winterless North on account of its mild subtropical climate year-round. The region is famous for its winding roads, golden sandy beaches, beautiful coastal views and ancient kauri forests.
Day 1: Whangarei to Paihia
We spent the morning hiking in Whangarei. When our little one was due for a nap, we hopped in the car and headed further north to Paihia. Great timing because as soon as we hit the road it started to rain. It’s an hour’s drive to get there and it rained the entire time. Even though it was only 2:30pm, we checked into our motel and lounged around, waiting for the rain to subside. The rain let up later in the afternoon and we were eager to take a stroll along the waterfront. Paihia is located on the Bay of Islands. Even on a gloomy day it still looked beautiful.
Paihia a popular launching point to explore the Bay of Islands, which consists of 144 islands. It’s also has a beautiful sandy beach and offers several water-based activities. But on a day like today, not much was happening.
It started to rain again. Hard. So we raced back to our motel. The rain cleared up (for now) later in the evening and since M was in a good mood, we made an excursion to Haruru Falls, which was only a five minute drive from where we were staying. The parking lot was empty, but was full of chickens. Our little one had a blast seeing them all, especially the little babies. There’s a super short path that leads to a small viewing platform of the falls.
We headed back to our motel to double check the weather forecast. The next couple of days were not looking promising.
Day 2: Cape Reinga
After several months of the Northland being in a drought, the rain had finally arrived. It rained overnight and it was still raining by the time we woke up. And the forecast was calling for another 75mm of rain throughout the day. We took our time getting ready in the morning as we were in no rush to leave. We actually had a long day of driving ahead of us. If we were going to have torrential rain, it might as well be today.
We headed to Rainbow Falls where there’s a short paved path that passes three viewing platforms overlooking the falls. Much of the trail is through the forest, which provided some decent shelter from the wind. Once we looped back to the trailhead we decided to keep hiking to the Falls Pool, which only added about half a kilometre round trip, for another viewpoint of the falls.
From Rainbow Falls it’s another two and a half hours to reach Cape Reinga, the northernmost point of the North Island in New Zealand. It continued to rain throughout the drive. But the good thing about the rain is that it tends to keep the crowds away. We rolled up to the parking lot in the early afternoon and there were only a handful of other cars there. After eating a quick lunch in the car, it seemed like the rain was letting up, so we made a run for it. The wind on the other hand, not so much. It was no match for our umbrellas.
There’s a paved path that leads down to the lighthouse (1.8km round trip) and provides beautiful views of the coastline along the way. Technically Cape Reinga isn’t quite the most northern point in New Zealand. North Cape is, but it’s a scientific reserve and there is no public access. It is here where the currents of the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean collide.
There are other hiking options at Cape Reinga to enjoy the scenery, but we didn’t check them out on account of the weather. We hopped back in the car and headed to Kaitaia, making a detour to see the sand dunes along the way. This required driving down a gravel road with some muddy patches. It was a bit dodgy given the rain. The road ends at a small parking lot at the base of the dunes. We were contemplating whether to get out for a closer look, but then the rain became torrential. And so we headed to our motel.
It continued to rain for the rest of the evening.
Day 3: Kaitaia to Omapere
It was still raining the next morning, but very lightly. The forecast was calling for another 40mm of rain, mostly in the afternoon, so we got right to it. From Kaitaia we headed to the Taumarumaru Scenic Reserve. It’s located along Doubtless Bay and contains three historically significant pa sites, a fortified village or settlement built by Maori people in New Zealand.
Given the weather, we weren’t surprised that there were no other cars in the parking lot. We hiked along the Coastal Track to Coopers Beach then followed the Loop Track back to the parking lot. Much of the path is through the grass and along the coastline. Despite all the rain from yesterday, the trail was in good condition.
Located nearby is the Rangikapiti Pa Historic Reserve. There were no other cars in the parking lot here either. There are a few different trails to choose from. We opted for the Rangikapiti Loop Track which follows a narrow path through the dense forest and contains a few viewpoints of the harbour and surrounding area. We also made a detour to Kohekohe Point which provided access to the beach. It was rather blustery by the water so we didn’t stay long.
M was ready for a nap so we hit the road. It was for the best as it started to lightly rain. We headed west towards Omapere, a two hour’s drive away. Just before town we stopped to check out the Koutu Boulders where there is reputed to be a collection of spherical boulders. We parked at a small gravel carpark. At first we weren’t even sure if this was where we should be going as there was no signage. There was some sketchy path that leads down to the beach and it was largely flooded and very muddy. We ventured onward. The boulders are best viewed at low tide. We weren’t able to time it that way, but we still managed to see a few of them along the shore.
Within a few minutes of returning to the car, it started to downpour. We checked into our hotel since it was located nearby. We figured we could take a break, eat a late lunch, and hope that the rain would let up. It didn’t. It actually got worse. But the hotel we were staying at was very lovely and our room overlooked the ocean. And so we ended up having a quieter day and spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out in our room.
Day 4: Waipoua Kauri Forest and Mangawhai
The rain had finally subsided and we woke up to blue skies and sunshine. After having a quick breakfast, we packed up and checked out. We were eager to hit the trails and enjoy the coastal scenery. We headed to the Arai te Uru Nature Reserve to hike to the Signal Station Track Scenic Overlook (1.4km round trip). The wide gravel path was in great shape and contained beautiful views of Martins Bay, the harbour and the rugged coastline. There was very little shade, but we didn’t seem to mind the sunshine after dealing with all that rain over the past few days.
We hopped back in the car for a short stretch before pulling over at the Pakia Hill Overlook for another new view of the coastline.
We continued our drive along the winding narrow road through the Waipoua Forest. Many of the trails in Waipoua have been closed recently to prevent the spread of kauri disease, a soil-borne pathogen that infects kauri trees through their roots and restricts their ability to transport water and nutrients between their roots and leaves. It eventually starves the tree. And once a tree starts to show symptoms of being infected, it’s often too late for treatment.
The trail to Tane Mahuta, the “Lord of the Forest”, was open though. It’s the largest known living kauri tree in New Zealand. It is 51.5 meters tall and is estimated to be 1,500 years old. After passing through a shoe washing station, it’s a short walk along a wide boardwalk to the famous tree.
The other trail that was open was to Te Matua Ngahere (1.4km), the “Father of the Forest”. It’s estimated to be over 2,000 years old. It is 29.9 meters tall and is the second largest known living kauri tree in New Zealand. The trail mostly consists of a wide gravel path with a few boardwalk sections through the forest. It’s located in a natural clearing which explains why it got so big.
It was time for baby M to go down for a nap so we hit the road again. We ended up skipping the afternoon hikes we had planned and decided to go to Mangawhai Heads Beach to let M have some fun in the sand. And it was too hot for hiking anyway. The water was warm and wavy. It looked like a popular spot for swimming and surfing.
From Mangawhai it took us two hours to drive back to Auckland, in large part thanks to heavy traffic. It was a Sunday evening after all and the weather was lovely. After taking a shower to wash off all the sand (it’s amazing how dirty kids get), we had to organize and pack the suitcases again. The next morning we were flying into Christchurch to explore the South Island of New Zealand.
L
Such a thrilling adventure with challenging weather. All the photos are gorgeous, but baby M’s cuteness outweighs the rest. Hugs! Thanks for sharing, Linda.
The weather wasn’t ideal, but it could have been worse. A cyclone actually passed through the Northland a few weeks later that resulted in massive flooding, road closures and power outages. So I’m glad we weren’t there for that! Our schedule (and lives) revolve around our little one. Thankfully she loves being outside, possibly quite more than us! Thanks for reading Hazel. Have a wonderful weekend.
Finally blue sky by the end. It’s really too bad the weather was so bad in Paihia, it is so beautiful. I spent a couple of weeks there, many years ago. Thanks for memories. Maggie
When we were planning this trip we were debating whether we should spend more time in Paihia so we could take a boat cruise to see more of the Bay of Islands. We opted to stay on land as we weren’t sure how our little one would do on a long excursion. In the end I guess it worked out as being on a boat probably wouldn’t have been very fun given the weather. It looks like a lovely area though, even with the rain.
Magnifique!!! I was about to say the pic of the lighthouse was my fav till Junior hiker baby girl with dad and strolling on the beach and the lighthouse lost its place in a millisecond. Lovely share!!
Thanks Dawn! It’s crazy how big she’s getting. We made the most of the rainy weather and still managed to spend some time outdoors, much to our little one’s enjoyment. And I’m glad we finally got some blue skies on our last day in the Northland. It’s amazing how different the landscape looks when the sun is shining.
I know …the sun makes all the difference. Enjoy baby girl’s growth sprouts and development. She’s definitely learning to appreciate nature and the outdoors.
Thanks! I think she might actually have us beat in terms of wanting to spend time outside! She could probably play in the yard all day if we let her. It’s a bit hard at the moment given the extreme heat.
It’s hot there too uh?! Yeah she’s a good example of “apple not falling far from tree” and taken up a notch. 😉🙂😉
Absolutely beautiful pictures of the gorgeous countryside, Linda. Your last photo especially. A very enjoyable post. It’s a shame that the weather was so poor but it seems like you made the best of it. It’s one of the things that can happen when travelling.
Thanks! The locals were all very happy to finally have a decent amount of rain. It wasn’t so fun for us tourists though. You can’t control the weather. But we still managed to do quite a bit of hiking without getting completely soaked. And I’m glad we got to enjoy some sunshine on our last day in the Northland.
So many wonderful photos! It looks like a truly beautiful part of the country to explore, Linda 🙂 I love how there are stunning beaches, opportunities for outdoor activities and the fascinating Cape Reinga, which offers the ultimate northern New Zealand experience. Seeing two oceans collide and discovering the place of leaping, where Maori spirits begin their final journey, must have been very enjoyable. Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
Thanks Aiva. The beaches in the Northland are stunning. I’m glad we finally got some nice weather on our last day so we could actually spend time at one of them. Cape Reinga was also a lovely area despite the weather. We would have loved to do more hiking there, but the wind and rain was a bit too fierce, especially with our little one. Oh well, maybe we’ll make it back there someday. Thanks for reading. Have a wonderful weekend. Linda
All our favourite places Linda. So glad you made it there and that the rain stopped at times. We are trying to plan our route and one place we want to spend time is at Mangawhai, but may skip Cape Reinga in favour of Hokianga Harbour area. NZ has so many beautiful options. Enjoying these posts. Happy Thursday. Allan
The Northland is very scenic and the landscape is so different compared to the rest of the North Island. You’re right, there’s so many options. You could easily spend several weeks there. Mangawhai is lovely. We were initially going to hike part of the Mangawhai Cliff Walk, but given the heat and dealing with all that rain the previous days, we were all perfectly content to just hang out on the beach.
Oh my, so much beauty! The boulders, waterfalls, Father of the Forest and beaches all look stunning. The photo of your husband and daughter is adorable. Great post!
Thanks for your kind words. One of the main reasons we decided to spend time in the Northland was to enjoy the coastal views and see the ancient kauri trees. Even with the miserable weather, we were able to do both.
The pictures are amazing. What gorgeous scenery. My friend encountered a lot of rain when she was in the North part of New Zealand, but she still loved it.
Thanks! Despite the rain we still enjoyed the scenery and were even able to do quite a bit of hiking. This area is relatively dry in the summer, but typically gets a lot of rain in the winter. I guess the rain came early this year!
Oh my gosh, baby M is walking?!?! 😱 She’s growing so fast. It’s a bummer it was so rainy, but you sure did have lots of places to yourself. I’m glad the sun came out towards the end, because those coastal views with the blue skies are gorgeous!
Oh I know! When did she get so big!? She’s growing up way too quickly. I’m glad we went to New Zealand when we did, even with the rain, as this trip would have been much tougher now that toddler M wants to walk on her own! And she’s heavier now!
Baby M is so big now! What a contrast with the rainy pics compared to the sunny ones…glad the sun came out for you! A New Zealand camper van trip is definitely on our bucket list so will enjoy seeing your upcoming posts!
We were actually contemplating whether to rent a campervan, but figured M was a bit too small still. Seems like a wonderful way to explore New Zealand though. Baby M is now toddler M. It’s crazy to see how much she’s grown from when we took this trip.
They grow so fast! Just gives you an excuse to go back one day 🙂
Oh I know! And agreed. I’d love to go back to New Zealand someday! It’s too bad it’s so far away.
Imagine all that without clouds, or rain.. too bad the weather was not very cooperant. The beach looks gorgeous!!
I know! Such a bummer about all the rain. But we still enjoyed our road trip through the Northland. At least we got to enjoy some blue skies and sunshine on our last day. And hey, it could have been worse, a few weeks later a cyclone passed through here with even stronger wind and more rain. It led to flooding, road closures and power outages. So at least we weren’t there for that!
Oh noo, so you were lucky after all!
xx
Yup! And either way, we still enjoyed our time in the Northland.
What an incredible place. M is adorable and seems to be enjoying New Zealand too.
Thanks! New Zealand is pretty incredible. I’m so happy our little one enjoyed being outside as much (if not more than) us. The hiking and scenery were fantastic.
What beautiful sites, despite the weather!
Are the chickens in the parking lot are free for the cooking? 😂
Too bad about the torrential downpour but Rainbow Falls and Cape Reigna looked lovely. Lighthouses are so special and the view looking down to the beach is lovely.
Glad that you got beautiful sun and such amazing scenery on your 4th day. The Lord of the Forest is majestic!
Baby M is getting so big and love her growing hair and smile and the photo of her exploring the scenery on her own two feet!
Ha! I have no idea! But we saw chickens roaming around in a few other places too. So I guess it’s quite common in New Zealand.
The rain was awful. But thankfully there were breaks between the downpours and we were able to do a bit of hiking and sightseeing. It could have been worse though. A few weeks later a cyclone swept through here with even more rain. There was severe flooding, roads were washed out, and a bunch of people lost power. So I guess we didn’t have it that bad in comparison!
It’s crazy to see how much she’s changed from when we were in New Zealand. She had a blast playing at the beach. We’ve actually been meaning to take her to Lake Huron at some point this summer. Seems like a great way to tolerate this heat! Hope you’re staying cool! Enjoy the rest of the weekend. Linda
Adds another meaning to free range chickens! 😆
I’m glad you avoided the cyclone. That would not have been fun.
Ha! And agreed! I’m sure it would have made for a funny story afterwards, but I’d rather not be in the path of a cyclone! We sure could use some rain here though …
Such a wonderful nature country 😯🌷🙏👍🏻 Magnificent scene , beautiful light House , calm ocean, graceful getaway style
Waterfalls , there flora and fauna, watching time vibrant beauty of earth wonders 😍👌 Dad and daughter looking
Precious , walking her photography so sweet 💞😊 Thank you so much for sharing the adventure journey and
All The Best Wishes with so much love my dear friend 🥰💐👏
The scenery in the Northland is very lush and tropical. It was beautiful even in the rain. And our little one didn’t seem to mind it much. I’m glad there were a few breaks in the rain and we were able to spend some time outdoors. Thanks for reading. Enjoy the rest of the week. Linda
Thank you so much for likes my feedback and most welcome with love my dear friend 💞🌷🙏
Same to you. Have a lovely weekend.
I wonder what the story is with the chickens of NZ – we saw just so many of them along the road 😁. Yes, even in the rain, NZ has the most beautiful sceneries. Gorgeous photos of the lighthouse and sand dunes (that’s a little bit unexpected). And then sunshine on your last day – yeah!! It must have been a joy for your little one on the beach. Lovely photos, Linda!
I know! We were wondering the same thing because chickens don’t typically roam around free here in Ontario. Agreed, even with the miserable weather, New Zealand’s scenery did not disappoint. We would have loved to have done a bit more hiking near Cape Reinga, especially since it’s such a far drive to get to. I guess this means we’ll just have to come back someday!! It was so lovely to see some sunshine on our last day. It’s amazing how the landscape can look so different depending on the weather. Our little one had a blast playing at the beach. And so did we!
Well that took a bit of perseverance! Everything comes to those who wait…as my Nan used to say
Exactly!! It’s amazing how a bit of sunshine can lift our spirits. We had a lovely time in the Northland, even in the rain. But at least we got to enjoy some nice weather at the end and could go to the beach, something this region is known for.
Amazing pictures- I love that there is such a mix of landscapes with lush forest, sandy dunes, and rocky shores!
Thanks for your kind words. The scenery in the Northland is very different compared to the rest of New Zealand. It almost felt like we were in Maui. The lush tropical forests were beautiful. And I’m glad we got to check out the beach on our last day. The water was surprisingly warm.
With that gorgeous scenery one doesn’t need more to be “happening.” The thought of being there just after a rain sounds dreamy. Thank you for sharing your travels with us, dear Linda.
I couldn’t agree more. Nature is the star of the show in the Northland and we could easily spend our days (or even weeks) basking in its glory. Thanks for reading. Enjoy the rest of the week.
Thank you for the beautiful and thoughtful reply. 🌄🌻
Such a lovely setting for adventure. Thanks for sharing, I can’t get over how peaceful and inviting the locations you toured are.
Thanks for your kind words and for leaving a comment. The Northland was definitely very peaceful, but I wonder if part of that was because of the weather. It’s a lovely region and we could have easily spent more time there, even in the rain.
Beautiful landscapes and seascapes. Too bad about all the rain, though.
Thanks for your kind words and for leaving a comment. The rain wasn’t ideal, but I guess it wasn’t too surprising considering we were visiting during the shoulder season. And no wonder this region looks so lush and tropical!
That view of the vast ocean from Cape Reinga makes me think of the people in the past who managed to reach the North Island after sailing for weeks, probably months or even years, to reach this remote corner of the world. I’m surprised by the presence of the sand dunes as this type of landscape is not what I would expect to see in New Zealand. I’m glad the weather eventually improved, and those shots taken on a clear day are so beautiful. Those giant kauri trees must have been a sight to behold, especially given their age!
The landscape in the Northland is very different compared to the rest of New Zealand. It looked (and felt) very tropical and lush. It was pretty incredible to see the ancient kauri trees. The variety of kauri in the Northland can only grow in this particular region, which makes them even more special.
And you’re right, it does make you wonder what people must have thought when they reached New Zealand after sailing for weeks or even months! It’s a long journey to get here whether by boat or plane. And I’m glad we got to spend some time exploring this special corner of the world.
Wow the scenery is so beautiful, what a wonderful part of the world. Despite the rain it looks like you made the most of it, and looks like Baby M had a wonderful time on the trails and at the beach, very cute 🙂
It’s amazing how varied the landscape is in New Zealand. The Northland was very lush and tropical. And very humid. And rainy. Despite the rain we still enjoyed the scenery. And I’m glad we got to enjoy some sunshine on our last day so we could check out one of the famous sandy beaches. Our little one loved playing in the sand.
Hi Linda! So great to see your post about hiking in New Zealand. As I was reading about your travels and looking at your pictures, I thought how beautiful the scenery was, even in the rain. And then your pictures at the end when the sun finally made an appearance were even more spectacular! What a fantastic trip. Hope you are doing well 🙂
I’m so glad we got to enjoy a bit of sunshine at the end of our roadtrip through the Northland. But as you said, even in the rain, the landscape still looks beautiful. We had to cut some of our days short, but in retrospect, it was probably for the best as it meant our little one had more out of her car seat and baby carrier.
We’re doing well and are enjoying the summer. It’s crazy to see how much our little one has grown since our trip to New Zealand! And I can’t believe it’s already the end of July! Hope all is well with you.
It’s a pity about the rain, but it’s pretty much unavoidable in New Zealand. As soon as the sun returns, unspoilt nature is at its best.
Very true. And we knew the rain was likely given the time of year we were visiting. But I’d rather take a bit of rain over the crowds. It was glorious to see some sunshine on our last day in the Northland. And it made us really appreciate how beautiful the scenery is, especially along the coast. It’s too bad we couldn’t stay for longer.
Stunning scenery – bucket list!
It’s a long flight to get to New Zealand, but it’s definitely bucket list worthy! I hope you’re able to make it there someday. The scenery is beautiful and the people are so friendly.
Gloomy day photos are sometimes the best. What a cutie your little one is. She’s getting so big, you can really see it in the photo of Dad holding her.
Thanks! You should see how much she’s grown from when we were in New Zealand in the spring! She’s ready to start hiking some shorter trails on her own. Something I’m very thankful for considering how heavy she’s getting!
That’s exciting! Can wait to see her in action. 🙂
I really enjoy the tour and all your photos, with the wide variety of landscapes. Had to laugh about the chickens. There were free-range chickens on Kauai when we were there. They weren’t like ‘normal’ chickens that only crowed in the morning. These chickens crowed All. The. Time. Can’t believe how much M has grown!
Thanks for your lovely comment. Just wait until we get to the South Island and then you’ll see even more variety in the landscape! It’s funny that you mention Kauai because the Northland reminded us so much of Hawaii. And yes, baby M is has grown a lot since New Zealand. She’s now a toddler!
Thanks for sharing
Thanks for reading and leaving a comment. Despite the rainy weather we enjoyed our time in the Northland. And no wonder the landscape looked so lush.
I felt like I was right there with you, dodging downpours and chasing sunshine across the Northland. I loved the detail about the chickens at Haruru Falls —nothing like surprise poultry to delight a toddler (or honestly, anyone). Despite the soggy weather, you really captured the magic of the landscapes. But also of baby M running on the beach! She’s adorable. Looking forward to hearing about your South Island adventures—fingers crossed for more sunshine and fewer flooded paths!
Thanks for your kind words. It was such a bummer about the weather, although the locals were pretty happy to finally get some rain. We still managed to enjoy the scenery and do a bit of hiking. You’re right, our little loved seeing all the chickens, especially the baby chicks. She also loved playing at the beach. Thankfully we had better weather on the South Island. It was definitely starting to look and feel like fall there.
What an incredible adventure… The pictures are absolutely wonderful.. You all look so happy, peaceful, and blessed.
Little M’s joy shines through, and the beauty of God’s creation in every view is breathtaking.
God Bless you all, today and always 🙏
Thanks for your kind words and for leaving a comment. Despite the weather we still had a lovely time exploring the Northland and coastal scenery. And surprisingly enough our little one didn’t seem to be mind being out in the rain too much.
How stunning!! You’ve been blessed with the weather so far!!
We were travelling during the shoulder season and knew the weather would be unpredictable. Rain or shine the scenery still looks spectacular.
Wow, this area looks amazing. That is adorable with the chickens, and the nature areas seem absolutely spectacular!
It was very tropical in the Northland region, which was quite the contrast from when we went to the South Island in New Zealand. I was surprised to see so many chickens on the lose. Our little one loved watching them.
It looks so green ☺️. It is always harder when the weather is not that good but it is great that you still managed to take the most of your time there.
For sure. Hiking in the rain is never fun. And once you throw a toddler into the mix, it definitely becomes more challenging. While we weren’t able to do everything on our itinerary, it was nice to have a bit more down time. It also gave our little one an opportunity to move around more as she wasn’t confined to the car seat or baby carrier.
Aw baby M looks so happy to explore the beach!! These photos are amazing ! You’re making me want to visit New Zealand . The tree being over 2000 years amazes me. Great photo of it ! I love ancient forests and am so interested in visiting one. It blows my mind how they survived so long
We’re not typically beach people, but I think after all that miserable weather, all we wanted to do was soak in the sunshine. And the beach seemed like the perfect spot to do that. The ancient kauri trees are pretty incredible. Standing next to one really puts life into perspective. Even though New Zealand is a long way from home, it’s such an amazing place. I hope you’re able to visit someday. I think you’d really enjoy it.
Oh, the lighthouse! What interesting construction!
It was quite the drive to get to Cape Reinga, but it’s not like we were going to do much else considering the miserable weather. Thankfully the rain let up so we could walk to the lighthouse. It’s very charming. And the surrounding coastal scenery is beautiful with all the sand dunes and rugged cliffs.
I have found that poor weather can sometimes lead us to incredible experiences we might have otherwise missed. It looks breathtaking .
Very true. It can make for a funny story afterwards. And It also makes us appreciate the nice weather when we get it!
Yes! We tend to not appreciate weather as much as we should when it’s working in a favor !
Yup! It’s like that with a lot of things. We tend to take a lot for granted, especially during the good times. But speaking of nice weather, even though it’s been a bit rainy lately, I am enjoying the cooler temperatures. It is definitely feeling like fall. And I’ve had to pull out some of my warm comfy sweaters.
Sweater weather! Lucky you!!
I know! It’s delightful! And I’ve been sleeping so much better with the cooler weather.
Me too. My breathing is stronger in cooler weather. Enjoy!
Thanks! I’m sure the cooler weather will start to make its way to you sooner rather than later. We’re not too far north from you.
I’m enjoying brunch on the back porch today – it’s 61 right now and the high will be 66. THIS is my kind of weather!
Have a great weekend!
Sounds lovely! This is my kind of weather too! Enjoy!
I love how well you are balancing travelling with a youngin and still getting stuff done. It’s not an easy balance sometimes, but you make it look effortless. I am sure it’s NOT, but you look like you’re having a great time.
The rains were needed, but it can put a damper on a trip. However, your subsequent photos are stunning. So tropical and lush. When you say the north is ‘winterless’ I had to think about that for a moment… Right 🙂
Aww thanks. We definitely couldn’t do as much as we normally would while travelling and had to factor in nap times and how long M would be in the carseat or baby carrier, but we made it work. I think it would be much harder to do the trip now that she’s bigger and wants to walk everywhere on her own!! For the most part, we had a wonderful time, even with the rain and some torrential downpours! And yah, it’s a bit counterintuitive how their north is hotter. But then I have to remind myself that they’re in the southern hemisphere so it’s flipped and completely the opposite of what we have!
I remember those days. I wanted my twins to learn to walk, but then wait! Now they are running in two different directions. Good times. Yes, something to be said for younger kids who go with the flow, stay in their stroller, and don’t demand too much. The good news is soon she will be able to walk long distances., without a nap Then the fun really begins.
Once they start moving, the never seem to stop! Very true, I’m looking forward to leaving the baby backpack carrier at home. Our little M is able to do a bit of hiking on her own now, albeit at a slower pace, but can easily cover a kilometre before we throw her into the backpack. Not sure how I feel yet about nap times being over though!
1 km??? Nicely done!!! Keep it up. My girls did a 10 km loop at 3.5 years. Took about 3 hours, but it was well worth it. Getting baby M to do these distances distills great work ethic, and makes for a very healthy kid. You are nailing it!
That’s impressive! And you are very sweet. It’s amazing just how fit children are. Goes to show how the effects of being sedentary at work and even around the house really starts to accumulate and have a negative impact on us as we get older. All the more reason to stay as active and healthy as we can!