The hunters at sea

We usually spent our Christmas holidays at home so that we could stay fresh on Boxing Day morning. Every year we would rush to the malls on Boxing Day to get our hands on something that we had aimed for. Last year, we headed to Onehunga & Slyvia Park in Auckland on Boxing Day. I noticed that only Asians would flock these malls and tried to get goods at a bargain. Well, I told hubby that I was over shopping (ye la tu!), and I thought that we should spend the Christmas weekends at a beach house. It was rather difficult to find a beach house if you plan on a short stay. Most owners would ask that you stay for a minimum of three nights. Well, we don’t have much money or time to spend holidaying. We thought two nights would be feasible, and a “OK” for us on a budget holiday. I had difficulty looking for one suitable house. The prices of the house rents shot up during these peak seasons where everyone else in NZ was also planning on their holidays. Some owners would ask for horrendous other requests like paying a bond or cleaning fee, and bla bla bla bla bla. Alhamdulilah, we got one, which was not only reasonable but the owner was kind to our needs…

Some of us in the group left early that 24th Dec, but because hubby was still at work, we left quite late. But hubby decided we left that very day, so that he could plan his fishing outing with the guys the next day. Travelling to Coromandel late at night was a scary experience. The road was winding. It was very dark, and the only open shops/stalls/cafes were the bars. Plus, the tide was quite high and the waves from the high tide splashed on our car. It was actually quite nerve wrecking and I got sick with all these minus factors travelling in the dark.


Our rented beach house



At the beach...Look at how happy they were

They were even happier.....


The happiest of all....my hubby

Pohukutawa in bloom

Our holiday started on Xmas morning. Hubby said “today is going to be a family event…Let’s all head to the beach. While you swim, we’ll try and get some good catch for dinner tonight.” I wanted to have a dip in the clear, blue water…but the water was really cold despite the blaring sun. So I decided to just laze around and watched the kids and the guys fishing. There wasn’t any luck for them, of course…so the guys decided to change course. “OK, you stay put, while we try our luck to get a catch by the wharf”. Off, they left us….but that that was alright, of course. The kids were having a great time, and me…people watching & lazing around had a good time by myself. By 12 noon, we decided to drive home. But the guys…we didn’t have a hunch where they were! But they came back with some good catch. And before magrib, they guys went out again for another catch.....

The catch that night The guys' catch

Menu makan malam: Nasi putih with Ikan goreng cicah ayaq asam

Masak lomak cili api for dinner

Our 2nd morning was spent at home. Sembang tak berenti2, we only started our activity at around 11. The spot where the guys went fishing the night before was really awesome. Thanks to Nani who reckoned we took a trip there for its beauty!

The gushing water The guys trying their luck on the 2nd day
Everyone was all set to go
What a beauty! A view from the rocks



The group checked out of the house at 330pm, and we took a route home via Whitianga.

The guys posing in the house
while we decided to pose at the entrance of the house we rented that weekend

Nani suggested we took a ferry at Whitianga. I wasn’t excited about the idea as my kids are too big for this. But I followed along as we were doing this as a group, the least you could do is to support the group. While Nani, Fariza & Noorwan took the ferry ride from Whitianga to Ferry’s Landing, my family together with Fid and Aliyah spent our time watching them and others. It was a very relaxing thing to do.

Nani & the others taking a board on the ferry


We were walking back to our vehicles when we spotted many people by the beach, looking like they were doing something. I pointed out to Nani & Fariza...'Eh, diorg buat apa?" "Jom tengok!" But my kids, out of their laziness for an activity said.."that's going to be a far walk...Jauh tu ibu...!" That statement made me think twice..."I'm just too lazy to walk...." Then Fid said, "Jom, jom pi.." and so I went along...and watched them..."Jom kutip!" I hesitated for a while..."Errrrr...I tak suka la activity mcm ni...nanti basah..." "Jom, jom...best ni, banyak ni pipis...wow banyaknya...." And I tried putting my hands in the water, digging under the sand...and I got one...and I started digging again...got two, got more and more and more...wow...this was fun!

The shellfish we collected



We ended our holiday at Fid’s & Noorwan’s place. It was a great idea to cook this shell fish and eat them while they were really fresh. Kesian, Noorwan. He was really tired and getting ready to work the next day but had to comply with my hubby’s request. But having dinner from what the seahunters had caught that day was great!!! Thanks to everyone who made this holiday trip a memorable one!!!!

Sedap...fresh shellfish...