Wellington has a cable car (technically a funicular) that takes passengers from the Central Business District up to the botanic gardens.

It was a long drive from Rotorua to Wellington, so we took a playground break in Taupo.

The landscape was like something from outer space, and the boiling mud was really weird. It was very cool, but we were all happy to launder our sulfurous clothes at the end of the day.

Colin inevitably chooses stuffies as his souvenirs when we travel. Coco the Kiwi (maybe it’s Koko?) joined us today and Colin has already started teaching her to read.

First day of vacation started off well, with brunch at a restaurant that has a huge outdoor play area. Laura’s favourite was the inflatable obstacle course. This jump was at the end of the course.

Colin has a vision for a red velvet cake. When Laura and Cliff went to their show, we executed his plan.

This picture is not great because my camera needed cleaning, but the smiles shine through! Cliff took Laura to see Come From Away as one of her birthday gifts. She loved it, and he loved it again!

Some simple pleasures are eternal.