New Zealand & Australia!

So we finally got around to writing about our trip to New Zealand and Austrailia...I'm warning you now, it is a long one. We had such an AMAZING time...definitely a trip of a lifetime. We had a break from when Jeff started his job in California, and Jeff's sister Julie and her family live in Sydney, Australia...so we knew this was probably going to be the only time to visit them while they are down there so we decided to buy tickets from LA to Sydney (especially before we have to pay for Jamisen's ticket when he turns 2). They had amazing deals since it was off-season, and we were able to get a free stop over in New Zealand for two days on the way over. The only problem was the 13 hour flight. You see...our little guy Jamisen is a sweet little boy, but when it comes to plane rides he kind of turns into a demon, and up until that point the longest plane ride he had been on was 3 hours (which felt like 40 hours). You have no idea the amount of anxiety we had leading up to the flight knowing that we would be stuck on a flight with a baby for 13 hours. As we got on the plane...we got the typical "are you serious, I got stuck on a 13 hour flight with a baby" looks from the passengers sitting beside us...but we were able to get bassinet seats and Jamisen (by the power of prayer) actually did pretty well on the flight over. We took a red-eye from LA and that helped as he was able to sleep on the way and was able to keep his nap schedule. Actually the 13 hour flight from LA to Auckland, NZ, was better than the 3 hour flight from Auckland to Sydney...in which Jamisen screamed at the top of his lungs and we kept taking turns hiding in the bathroom trying to entertain him with the soap dispenser. But...we made it and it was SO worth it. We had an great time, both countries were beautiful, and we had the most amazing hosts in Jared and Julie and the kids! Thanks guys! Here are some pictures from the trip:

After the long flight to New Zealand we rented a car and drove out into the New Zealand countryside. I can't even to begin to describe how beautiful this country is. We kept saying that the easiest way to describe NZ is if England and Hawaii had a baby, New Zealand would be that baby.

Beautiful View of Piha Beach

Jamo loved Piha Beach

We climbed up the cliffs and had an amazing view

This is the view of Auckland from Mount Eden. So beautiful and green!

Our hotel was right next to the "Skytower". People bungy jump off the top of it

Jeff was a pro at driving on the other side of the road/other side of the car. He did really well, I was impressed. He did turn on the window wipers from time to time when he meant to turn on his turn signal...since those are opposite as well, but we will forgive him. He made it through two and a half weeks without crashing so I have to give him credit.

The famous "One Tree Hill"

We just have to write about this amazing place we ate at in the Parnell neighborhood in Auckland. Corn chowder and a chicken penne pasta dish were to die for!

We then flew to Sydney and one of the first things that Julie, Jared and the kids took us to see were wild kangaroos at a park not far away from their house. While we were watching them by a barn, Julie snapped this family photo which turned out awesome. Julie is such a great photographer.

Wild kangas! This one was huge.

Julie took us down to Sydney and we got to see the famous Oprea house!

Julie and I had to stop for a gelato break in Darling Harbor

Jeff and his sis

Aunt Julie and Jamo

I got to spend my 25th birthday in Sydney...not a bad way to spend it. We spent the day at Manly Beach in Sydney, went out to dinner with Jeff, and then had cake and ice cream with everybody at night. At Manly beach (above) we decided to get some lunch and saw a burger place not far away. Julie and Jared had warned us about the meat quality of burgers in Australia, but Julie and us thought this place looked reputable. Big mistake. We didn't get a picture of it, but the meat was rubbery and had a hard round edge around the burger. It would pop everytime you bit into it. We were all laughing at how nobody wanted to admit how nasty it was until Julie's daughter Lucy said that the burger looked yucky and would not eat it. Long story short...if you are ever in Manly Beach in Sydney...avoid "Burger Me". Jeff is pretty convinced we ate kangaroo meat.

My Australia flag cake.