Happy Birthday, Queenie!

It was the Queen’s Birthday this Monday, which is really a very confusing holiday. Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday is actually in April, and New Zealand is really an independent country (though still a commonwealth, whatever that implies). The date marks, apparently, the start of the ski season. An additional treat is the giving out of the Queen’s Birthday Honors on this day. (A friend was telling about how her sister-in-law got an MBE this weekend; I heard “MBA” and asked where she had studied. Turns out she received the honor of being identified as a “Member of the British Empire” for her work in healthcare for minorities. The conversation ended up sounding like a new-fangled version of “Who’s on First?”) Coincidentally, it was also the first day of winter. Anyway, all that is important to most New Zealanders is that they have a three-day weekend.

For the three-day weekend, we accepted an invitation from Andy, one of Cory’s co-workers, to come with the family to their bach at Opito Bay up in the Coromandel Penninsula. A “bach”, initially known as a “bachelor’s pad” where mates might meet up for a weekend of fishing, is a holiday home that provides the basic comforts (a roof over one’s head, walls to block out the wind, and perhaps a fireplace) and might be comparable to a cabin in our lingo. (Interesting fact: In the South Island, the term “crib” is used in place of the term “bach” to refer to the weekend holiday home.) This particular bach also boasted running water, electricity, plenty of space, great views, and the company of a very charming family.

After Andy and Cory rounded Saturday morning, we headed up north. The drive was pleasant, with sunny skies, cool weather, and a nice stop for hot cocoa mid-way. The little ones, aged 4, 2, and 5 months, also got a quick play in on a great little playground before bundling back in the car.

We arrived at Opito Bay, where the scenery boasted the trademark Coromandel views. Green, rolling hills were lapped by the blue ocean waters. A few rocky off-shore islands broke up the horizon. A small beach offered a nice area for a walk or a play, as well as areas to park the tractors used to haul boats to the bay.

We arrived and began the chores: unloading vehicles packed with clothes, food, and toys for the kiddos; turning on water and electricity; starting a fire in the pot-bellied stove; and generally just settling in. After a great meal cooked on the grill, we turned in for the night.

Sunday morning we had some breakfast and then headed out for a walk. The boys donned their gumboots; everyone layered up; the baby was lifted into her frontpack; and off we went. Walking along the beach provided all sorts of entertainment for the two little guys, as well as the rest of us. We spotted shells and seaweed; jumped over puddles of water; found dog tracks and people tracks; and made our own paths in the sand. We even stopped for a go on a home-made swing tied to a low-hanging branch of a pohutukawa tree. A little further along, Andy spotted dolphins jumping and playing. We watched for a long time, before continuing the walk and commencing the climb up an old pa site (fortified Maori village). From the top, we could look down on the pod of dolphins, still jumping and racing about. We counted over 2 dozen and watched until our necks got tired of looking downward. We continued on, scooting down the hill to enjoy throwing rocks in a small little cove, before traipsing back across paddocks to the beach.

Everyone took a well-deserved nap that afternoon, and later in the day, Cory and I went out fishing with Andy. They were hoping to catch some snapper, and I was hoping not to hook either of them. My fishing experiences having been pretty limited (a fast drive home with a live fish in a cup of water after a childhood fishing outing and an annual trek with my students to a nearby pond to pretty much drown worms being about it), I was anxious not to mess anything up. Andy showed me how to let out line until the bait was just on the sand and how the line would feel if I got a bite. Cory got a nibble, but all I managed to do was pull up some seaweed before darkness settled in.

The next morning, we again bundled up for a wander on the beach, but, upon setting foot on the sand, Andy spotted dolphins. So we flagged the walk and hurried out in the boat. We spent the next hour or so cruising alongside them, as they zoomed, jumped, flipped, and generally just left us in awe.

And then, like that, it was time to pack up. I took the boys out for a last play in the sand while the others loaded vehicles, packed up foodstuffs, and shut up the house. We headed slowly back towards home.

It was a really wonderful weekend, with beautiful sunny days; cozy evenings; gorgeous sights; and the comfort of a family (even if it was a borrowed one). The weekend reminded us once again how grateful we are to the many fantastic people who have befriended us here and how excited we are to return to our family and friends!