Auckland fun!

We are absolutely in awe over the beauty of this country! It is the end of summer right now, and windy, cool, hot during the day, sunny, gorgeous! We are typically in sundresses or shorts! Everything is new and an experience for the girls.

This past Saturday, we knew we wanted to find some city Farmer's Markets. I'd heard there was one near Jacob's office, which is a walk down Albert Street from Chifley Suites where we're staying. It was a sunny and warm morning, everyone revved up for the "daddy day" (heehee - the day Jacob's not working). We happened upon all of these tents! It was beautiful! The view of the water in the morning - Auckland Harbor - was so pretty! There were tons of little vendors. We told the girls they could walk all over - choose one thing to eat. Mae quickly decided a Hungarian Hot Dog. You could choose a french bun or regular bun, then all of these neat sauces, grilled onions?? She went for plain. Plainer. And plainest. She took a bite and fell in love. I took a bite and had to go back - I got mine with everything (keep in mind we'd already eaten at home haha) Onions, capsicum sauce (? gotta google that). It was heavenly.

Issa chose a smoothie, and didn't love it. Mae finished that off and then Jacob got Issa a hot dog too. We chose some cheddar bagels, kept walking all over.

There was a teeny Italian pattisserie-man? Selling all of these exquisite desserts. Flowers, peanut butters, fresh fruits and veges (that's what they say here!). It was so fun.

Then we walked on to the Viaduct Harbor, where we happened upon the Auckland Fish Market. One half is kind of like the Fresh Market, one half is like a HUGE fresh fish market. It was amazing. we chose some sushi for lunch, and the girls' favorite was the RAW SALMON - a beautiful art-looking piece with sticky rice tucked under it. There were these teeny little soy sauce containers that were shaped like little fish, the girls loved them.

We then walked and walked and walked. There are rugby stores everywhere. No football, Jacob misses watching football, but we have decided we could easily become rugby fans (Go Blues!). It is intense and all-contact, and fun! There is also TONS of Cricket on TV! Who knew?

We are *homesick* for home. (well let's get honest, the girls aren't... I'M homesick for my Mom!) But we are loving this beautiful, romantic country, with the seagulls in the city and the city sounds right outside of our window!