Jim, sushi, sashimi, nigiri and fun a filled week!

Jim returned to Auckland on Monday late night to spend a few more days with me before returning home.  It was a fun, FUN, few days and not nearly long enough time together! 

Jim was working from here so while he worked, I continued with my missionary/nursing duties.  Tuesday afternoon I took a departing sister to the airport.  After I returned and Jim had finished work for the day, we began our quest to find the best sushi in Auckland.  I won’t give a day by day report of our search, but I will post some pics of our finds.  Sorry to say, we found good sushi, but not anything that we could “rave” about.  It seems that people here prefer sashimi and nigiri over sushi because that is mostly what we found.  The sashimi/nigari was good so we can’t complain.  We had fun in the search.

Wednesday was the day the new missionaries arrived in the mission so I was at the church by 7:30 ready to begin interviewing the new arrivals.  That is always a pleasure to get to know the “newbies.”  They are tired but excited to be here.   Orientation occurs after everyone arrives and the interviews are finished. 

Wednesday after Jim finished work and I returned from my orientation meeting, we drove to Coromandel.  The Coromandel Peninsula extends 85 kilometres north from the western end of the Bay of Plenty, forming a natural barrier to protect the Hauraki Gulf and the Firth of Thames in the west from the Pacific Ocean to the east. It is 40 kilometres wide at its broadest point. Almost the entire population lies on the narrow coastal strips fronting the Hauraki Gulf and the Bay of Plenty. In clear weather the peninsula is clearly visible from Auckland, the country's biggest city, which lies on the far shore of the Hauraki Gulf, 55 kilometres to the west. The peninsula is part of the Thames-Coromandel District of the Waikato Region. 

The peninsula is steep and hilly, and is largely covered in temperate rainforest.  The roads are fairly narrow with more “S” curves than one could count.  BEAUTIFUL!!!

Jim rented a great place for us to stay on the peninsula.  

Thursday morning we went to Cathedral Cove.  We got our exercise for the day with the up and down walk/hike to the site.  I swear it was up both ways but it was worth the exertion.   Here is a link to some information about the cove.

We had planned to stay two nights on the peninsula and return on Saturday morning, but I had forgotten about an appointment I had made with a missionary to go to a doctor’s appointment on Friday morning, so we hurriedly visited Hot Water Beach before heading back to Takapuna.

Hot Water Beach is a beach on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula.  Its name comes from underground hot springs that filter up through the sand between the high and low water tidal reaches. Within two hours either side of low tide, it is possible to dig into the sand allowing hot water to escape to the surface forming a hot water pool. The water, with a temperature as hot as 64 °C (147 °F), filters up from two underground fissures located close to each other. These natural springs can be found on the beach opposite the off-shore rocks. Visitors often dig large holes and relax and soak in the thermal water. Many visitors bring a spade and bucket with them. Spades can also be hired from the nearby surf shop.  The bucket is used to carry cold ocean water to cool the hot water enough to sit in it.

We didn’t take shovels nor have the time to dig but if you just stand in
the surf and wriggle your feet, you sink in far enough to scald yourself!!

Thursday evening we went into Auckland for dinner.  Jim found a highly rated restaurant where we  were to end our search for the ultimate sushi.  When we looked at the menu, we instead opted for the 5 course tasting menu.  It was good.

This ice cream was heavenly!!

Instead of asking for tastes to choose the flavor you want, you are given little metal cups
of each flavor for you to enjoy before pains-takingly choosing just one flavor. 
(The samples more than fill you up.)  The cones are huge and are creatively made.
Here is a link if you are interested.

   

Friday after Jim finished work and I returned from the doctor, we decided to take a walk on the beach and then went to Devonport to hike up Mount Victoria to watch the sunset.

Saturday morning we drove to the ganett colony which is about 45 minutes north of Takapuna.  I visited the colony about 5-6 weeks ago when the birds were first arriving.  There were more there now and I found them fascinating.  They are still building their nests but I will go again before April to see the new babies.

Here is an interesting video about these “missile” birds.

After watching the ganetts, we went to Mount Eden and climbed to the top to get a different perspective of Auckland.   

Lonely Planet:  From the top of Auckland’s highest volcanic cone (196m) the entire isthmus and both harbours are laid bare. The symmetrical crater (50m deep) is known as Te Ipu Kai a Mataaho (the Food Bowl of Mataaho, the god of things hidden in the ground) and is considered highly tapu (sacred). Do not enter it, but feel free to explore the remainder of the mountain. The remains of pā terraces and food storage pits are clearly visible.

Jim’s return flight home was coming up way too fast but we had to have one last good meal before he left so we opted for BBQ pork steamed buns and dumplings.  It was a tasty choice. 

We finished the meal with a frozen delight at a nearby fresh fruit creamery.

Mixed berries in Greek yogurt like a soft serve

It was a sad, sad, tearful departure.  It was so fun having Jim and Jenna come to visit me.  I can’t wait for more family and friends to come see me. 

My family is my life.   I listened to a BYU Devotional talk today given by Peter M. Johnson.  He talks about family: 

“Having a solid family relationship is imperative in helping us to understand the principles of forgiveness, service, and selflessness. President Spencer W. Kimball, our 12th president of the Church, suggested that it is through families that we master the teachings of the gospel of Christ. He stated:

Spirituality is . . . nurtured in our actions of patience, kindness, and forgiveness toward each other and in our applying gospel principles in the family circle. Home is where we become experts and scholars in gospel righteousness, learning and living gospel truths together.2

Families come in all shapes and sizes. Some children are raised in a single-parent home, some are adopted, and some are taught and raised by grandparents and other relatives. I was raised by a single parent. My mother always taught me to have faith, and she helped me to understand the workings of God in our lives.

Now I am married and have been adopted into Stephanie’s family. I continue to learn a great deal from my in-laws and how important grandparents are in raising and teaching our children.”

If you would like to read/listen to the entire speech, you may do so here. 

It gives insight into faith, family, and friendship. 

I love my Savior.  I love you my family and friends.