Karamea

During the trip Wren and Quinn have been asking what the "Christmas House" will be like and when we will get there. There's an allure to the house where Santa will visit. It was a long and winding road to get there...Wren will sometimes get carsick in Wellington so the road to Karamea was a doozy. We have taken to bringing home airsick bags from airplanes and stashing them in the car for her.

We went for a Christmas Eve hike along the beginning of the Heaphy Track, a forest of magnificent palm trees.

The Christmas House had a woodstove, which we used on Christmas morning, and all the comforts of a relaxing holiday.

A very traditional Christmas Eve taco dinner

The girls were excited to leave out milk and cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer. Our "Christmas Tree" in the background, a tripod with lights and ornaments.

When the Christmas activities had ended and we'd had a big breakfast we ventured out into the estuary next to the house. When the tide goes out, it goes out for miles...

Christmas was largely rainy and relaxing. For Christmas from Lucas and I, Quinn asked for an adventure book about foxes and I managed to find an oldie but a goodie. 

Christmas crackers

A hike right next to the house led through a stately forest

The next day we went to the cave complex that is 20 k down a dirt road

On the walk back we found a swimming hole in chocolate brown waters (tanins from the trees leech into the water).

A trip would not be complete without having to jump our car while out in the bush