tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10248462763717858622012-01-31T20:06:22.289+13:00Epsiodes from "close friends" in "questionable colloboration"Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.comBlogger1881100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-3642714440078504522009-08-12T17:21:00.003+12:002009-08-12T17:22:48.086+12:00

Believe it or not... The view from our window at the Hermitage, Aoraki Mount Cook :)

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-580850842532551492009-08-12T17:20:00.002+12:002009-08-12T17:21:52.463+12:00

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-70572828306683714682009-08-12T17:14:00.004+12:002009-08-12T17:19:12.499+12:00

What a stunning day on the slopes at Roundhill, 30 minutes drive around Lake Tekapo. We could see Mt Cook from the top of the mountain and, wow, we virtually had the slopes to ourselves for the day!

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-83837023792050947752009-08-12T17:10:00.005+12:002009-08-12T17:14:20.994+12:00

Wayne and I went away for a romantic winter holiday to the South Island... to Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook, and Waimate xx Dreams come true!

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-75495291212814032422009-08-12T16:52:00.005+12:002009-08-12T17:06:01.007+12:00

Yes we have enough yukata's to dress the whole family AND a takoyaki plate...

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-22966212415741567592009-08-12T16:42:00.002+12:002009-08-12T16:52:16.010+12:00

Our final adventure with Joey, Phil and Max before they moved back to the UK... A windy walk around the point at Bethel's Beach and then back across the black sandy wild beach. Oh we miss our cobbers!!!

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-30810670704400197022009-04-09T17:06:00.006+12:002009-04-09T17:21:30.071+12:00

Last night we shared Passover Seder with some friends from St Pauls. Passover is an ancient Jewish spring festival. It lasts eight days and is a joyous occasion. It commemorates the rededication of the Jewish people to the service of God each year, by recalling the exodus from Egypt, when the Jews were freed from slavery. During Passover no bread or leavened food of any kind may be eaten, and

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-42812561758844165922009-04-09T17:02:00.001+12:002009-04-09T17:05:33.062+12:00

I've just been away for another week helping international visitors film "video postcards" via our mobile film studio. You should definitely have a look at some of them... www.youtube.com/purenzhaveyoursay. 日本の旅行者からのメッセージ... http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=ACBB15ED5FE11F97

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-17041046076063779482009-04-09T16:57:00.003+12:002009-04-09T17:01:59.924+12:00

We saw two giant sperm whales! And a pod of several hundred dusky dolphins! http://www.whalewatch.co.nz/

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-37750438668753540062009-04-09T16:45:00.003+12:002009-04-09T16:56:43.991+12:00

We passed through Kaikoura (=Eat Crayfish) while I was working on the Have Your Say Mobile Studio so we did the inevitable, we stopped for crayfish for dinner one night. It was AMAZING!

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-17891221862771469322009-04-09T16:40:00.003+12:002009-04-09T16:45:20.071+12:00

While we were in Tauranga for Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival we kayaked 45 minutes upstream to the Waimarino Glowworm Caves. Thousands of glowworms lit our path! www.waimarino.com

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-30772879858241914902009-04-09T16:34:00.004+12:002009-04-09T16:44:41.451+12:00

I've been to Rotorua so many times since I was small, but I'd never been to Whakarewarewa Thermal Village until recently. And, wow, did it take my breath away! It's a living Maori village on the site of thermal hot springs... they bathe and cook in the natural heat. I'd like to go back and take my time wandering through the alleyways and chatting to the locals. www.whakarewarewa.com

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-28542090426233855742009-04-09T16:27:00.002+12:002009-04-09T16:44:23.001+12:00

We went adventuring like monkeys in the trees of the Woodhill Forest! www.treeadventures.co.nz

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-51221494881005099232009-04-09T16:17:00.005+12:002009-04-09T16:39:20.460+12:00

I couldn't stay away from Parachute '09 - the largest Christian music festival in the Southern Hemisphere. We joined over 25,000 others on Sunday for a day of fun, food, friends and... worship :)

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-83610510230641309682009-04-09T16:09:00.003+12:002009-04-09T16:16:57.766+12:00

This seems like forever ago! I'm sorry I've been so slack at keeping in touch! Here's some photos of a night away camping beside and then snorkling at Goat Island. It was incredible to see some many people out enjoying this natural attraction of marine wildlife!

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-415789437864289732009-01-20T21:14:00.004+13:002009-01-20T21:19:42.599+13:00

You've got to go there!

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-12788449517232175612009-01-20T21:06:00.003+13:002009-01-20T21:14:31.922+13:00

We're trying to make the summer last as long as possible! This weekend we camped with friends in Hahei. On Saturday evening we dug ourselves a hot spring at low tide at Hot Water Beach, Coromandel, as the surf tumbled in on shore.

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-53723101298166711582009-01-20T21:02:00.001+13:002009-01-20T21:06:32.664+13:00

Can you believe that I went to the Drag Masters for the second year running?!

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-88845374209899727302009-01-20T20:58:00.001+13:002009-01-20T21:02:38.038+13:00

Mum and Dad were our water taxi to and from our resort island. We stopped to picnic both ways in idyllic summer weather.

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-52540612620163842782009-01-20T20:55:00.001+13:002009-01-20T20:58:53.228+13:00

Camping at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island was just like being back on our honeymoon x

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-5890051608074884152009-01-20T20:48:00.003+13:002009-01-20T20:54:57.941+13:00

What a feast we had for dinner... and all freshly caught and gutted by our lads!

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-2856684998228641262009-01-20T20:45:00.003+13:002009-01-20T20:48:31.850+13:00

What a stunning day to picnic on Roberton Island in the Bay of Islands!

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-32421342124371444062009-01-20T20:33:00.003+13:002009-01-20T20:41:52.527+13:00

Driving north after Christmas we stopped to stay at Patrick's place in Mangawhai. It was just what we needed to start unwinding after a busy end to the year... We were released to chill as we pleased, reading, swimming, sleeping, eating.

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-73206045483546092152009-01-20T19:20:00.002+13:002009-01-20T20:33:34.847+13:00

We came across two humpback whales in the Hauraki Gulf an hour from Auckland City during our Christmas staff party!!! It was only the third time that humpback whales had been cited in our harbour since the 1960s! Wow, it was breathtaking to see their flukes rise in the air and to see them breach out of the water!

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-80905331036073972462008-11-10T10:25:00.000+13:002008-11-10T10:26:54.211+13:00

Following the problems in the sub-prime lending market in America nd the run on HBOS in the UK, uncertainty has now hit Japan.In the last few hours Origami Bank has folded, Sumo Bank has gone belly up and Bonsai Bank announced plans to cut some of its branches.Yesterday, it was announced that Karaoke Bank is up for sale and will likely go for a song, while today shares in Kamikaze Bank were

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-66984215078526099062008-10-28T19:16:00.002+13:002008-10-28T19:26:48.822+13:00

The Te Waikoropupu Springs hold the world record for fresh water clarity! Wow, the water was beautiful, like no where else we've ever seen before. Inside the magestic Ngarua Caves on the Takaka Hills.

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-32400399403003518342008-10-28T19:03:00.008+13:002008-10-28T19:45:16.173+13:00

On Sunday we drove across the notoriously twisting Takaka Hills to Golden Bay where we ventured out along Farewell Spit, a 26.5 km sandbar which extends from the tip of the South Island. The views were absolutely stunning!

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-23334637117815913582008-10-28T18:58:00.004+13:002008-10-28T19:03:40.508+13:00

Wayne and I went down to Nelson over Labour Weekend to attend the All for Life Conference where Focus on the Family launched New Zealand's first online counselling service in partnership with "Ask Chris." http://www.infocuscounselling.co.nz/

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-58320007521629681052008-10-22T21:06:00.006+13:002008-10-28T14:18:52.175+13:00

There seem to be no road rules in Shanghai! You have to walk in a straight line at a constant pace to make it across the road alive! But there was no stopping me tackling the streets by bicyle afer all those years in Japan... I borrowed a Kiwi friend's bike to explore the French Concession and Tai Kang Lu district of Shanghai. It was charming with exhibitions and craft shops scattered along

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-12991512327198148392008-10-22T20:57:00.005+13:002008-10-28T14:20:36.700+13:00

I extended my stay to catch up with a special friend from Kyoto Uni - Iku chan. We studied together for six years, and then both returned to our home countries about the same time to marry soon after. We explored Nanjing Road and Yu Garden, and ate lots of spicy food together :)

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-68798161702326341172008-10-22T20:54:00.002+13:002008-10-22T20:57:22.082+13:00

Close to our hotel was a massage place where all the people giving massages are blind. It was a great way to unwind after performing!

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-81931435045368485682008-10-22T18:57:00.004+13:002008-10-22T19:04:16.322+13:00

Before Katei flew home we squeezed in some sightseeing at a nearby canal town called Zhujiajiao. It was charming walking through the narrow streets lined with vendors.

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-32912843906658598102008-10-22T18:54:00.003+13:002008-10-28T14:22:13.673+13:00

After Katei's final performance at a Auckland University Alumni Reception we headed to No. 3 on the Bund for a celebratory cocktail. What an awesome view!!! I really felt the extreme gap between the wealthy and poor when ordering... a bottle of water costs 1.5 yuan at a convenience store, while a cocktail was 125 yuan on the Bund!

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-45804353435387550832008-10-22T18:46:00.004+13:002008-10-22T18:54:45.311+13:00

The Ministry for Culture and Heritage granted us funding from the Cultural Diplomacy International Programme to first and foremost take Hinewehi Mohi and Katei to Shanghai to perform at Tourism NZ's Opinion Leaders Lunch. We've had raving reviews and only positive feedback that they were perfect for our VIP audience :)

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-35628395760181776412008-10-22T18:39:00.003+13:002008-10-22T18:46:31.349+13:00

I was travelling with some great shoppers!!! I also did my share of bargaining... Today I'm wearing new sunglasses and a new bangle and using a new handbag!

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-53502740283369987192008-10-22T18:36:00.002+13:002008-10-22T18:39:01.887+13:00

Amongst many ancillary events last week was a performance at Shanghai Community International School. Hinewehi Mohi and Katei were fantastic with the kids who instantly wanted to be their friends.

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-30331739773340127572008-10-22T18:28:00.004+13:002008-10-22T18:36:00.667+13:00

Kiwi Link Asia took place in Shanghai last week and was attended by 45 NZ Tourism Suppliers and Travel Trade from China, Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, India and Malaysia. Katei helped welcome the Buyers to Kiwi Link.

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-20338098178283806102008-10-22T18:15:00.003+13:002008-10-22T18:28:43.550+13:00

On my first night in Shanghai I joined the "A Team", the Tourism NZ Asian staff, for an incredibly spicy and delicious dinner!

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-76858472055393936472008-09-29T21:07:00.005+13:002008-09-29T21:22:38.400+13:00

This weekend I helped host special guests at the Montana World of Wearable Art Awards Night and then to Nelson to visit the WOW Museum and the Abel Tasman National Park. What a stunning part of NZ!

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-51343899245253979922008-09-29T20:43:00.004+13:002008-09-29T21:07:09.681+13:00

My bro turned 30 last week! We celebrated his birthday on his land at Mangawhai with 3 spit roasts, close friends and family.

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-88766867806475326922008-09-11T21:48:00.003+12:002008-09-11T21:55:36.617+12:00

"Mitai"a Maori cultural performance and meal...

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-20719567118524255742008-09-11T19:29:00.012+12:002008-09-11T19:58:28.578+12:00

Earlier this week I was in Rotorua for the Maori Tourism Conference... Walking on Mokoia Island in the centre of Lake Rotorua and then in native rain forest surrounding luxury lodge Tree Tops I came across giant mushrooms like I've never seen before! I'm hoping to try the Giant Mokoia Mushrooms at Mokoia Restaurant next time I'm in Rotorua!We joined Charles Royal's Maori Food Trail at Tree Tops

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-35565959467500199302008-09-11T19:22:00.004+12:002008-09-11T19:29:07.961+12:00

Spring is here! On Saturday we headed an hour north to Matakana to enjoy the first sunny weekend in too long! Our first stop was the Matakana Markets for whitebait fritters, crepes, free range eggs and chutney. Then we went to Brick Bay Winery to find our friend's sculpture and stop for a picnic lunch along the charming 45 minute Sculpture Trail. Our final destination was Sandspit for a relax

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-29038485545645855912008-08-31T11:50:00.007+12:002008-08-31T12:01:53.134+12:00

Yesterday we had our winter gathering of City Lights - an outreach in South Auckland involving over 20 different churches around town. We had a record number of 200 volunteers taking part in projects such as putting on a fun day in Mangere; playing with orphans and foster care kids; DIY (do it yourself) on Mangere Baptist Church which hosted us, foster care properties and painting the fence at a

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-17394389925357478322008-08-31T11:35:00.008+12:002008-08-31T11:50:36.419+12:00

Recently I joined the other PR staff on a famil "down memory lane" in West Auckland. We stopped for coffee at a cafe in Titirangi where I bumped into the brother of my friend's husband who I met during my working holiday in Japan in 1995! We then ventured out to Karekare and Piha on the West Coast of Auckland to walk along the grand black sand beaches where I used to body board in the surf and

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-73884914517210104892008-08-18T20:55:00.006+12:002008-08-18T21:04:55.191+12:00

I found myself quite emotional when we arrived at the Church of the Good Shephard at Lake Tekapo on Saturday... I hadn't visited since travelling around the South Island in a campervan as a teenager with my family, yet I'd been captivated by the majesty and romance of the place ever since, incorporating it into friends' itineraries, and in one special case, honeymoon!

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-60503231099177258562008-08-18T20:51:00.005+12:002008-08-18T20:55:50.783+12:00

Check out the views overlooking Waimate from the Whitehorse Monument! The ocean, the Canterbury Plains and the snow-covered mountains looked beautiful.

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-61627749024683795592008-08-18T20:42:00.003+12:002008-08-18T20:49:04.664+12:00

We headed to Oamaru for lunch at Portside on Friday... What gorgeous limestone buildings line the heritage precinct of the city!

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-31033462722033398702008-08-18T20:35:00.002+12:002008-08-18T20:42:22.857+12:00

We've been in Waimate this weekend visiting Wayne's family. They run Waimate Knitwear which specializes in garments made from beautiful Possum and Merino. I came home with a new cardigan and beanie :)

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-10891022747719278262008-08-18T20:10:00.003+12:002008-08-18T20:51:07.317+12:00

Wayne and I hosted a couple from the Head Office of Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, last Sunday arvo. After Yum Cha we took them up Mt Victoria in Devonport and then the Sky Tower for some stunning views of our City and Rangitoto.

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-29869582645970126932008-08-05T21:47:00.008+12:002008-08-05T21:54:58.860+12:00

We made our way to Queen St before midnight a few weeks back to see the queues of geeks lining up to buy a 3G iPhone. My "mastergeek" (www.geekzone.co.nz) Wayne now has one too ... it's great fun being able to locate ourselves using the GPS to get directions and estimated arrival times while we're house hunting! Anyone else had a play on one yet?

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-70772881264709173792008-07-09T20:48:00.003+12:002008-07-09T20:52:39.724+12:00

The views above the native forest canopy as we soared on the Skywire were stunning! We hit 92kph going forward, but returning BACKWARDS at 75kph was the most unforgettable moment!

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-34935675306261612092008-07-09T20:39:00.002+12:002008-07-09T20:42:12.034+12:00

We visited Wollaston Estate for some wine tasting... funny seeing sheep wandering through the bare grapevines!

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-7169153483150151252008-07-09T20:32:00.003+12:002008-07-09T20:37:16.177+12:00

A group of us went on a reckkie to Nelson last week to orientate ourselves and experience the region so that we can promote it wholeheartedly. Unfortunately the weather wasn't the best and so we only spent an hour in the beautiful Abel Tasman National Park. I'd love to go back in the summer to walk and kayak the Park. Check out Split Apple Rock :)

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-24924015844945639832008-07-09T20:18:00.003+12:002008-07-09T20:31:44.620+12:00

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-69558382819182952412008-07-01T12:35:00.003+12:002008-07-01T12:44:20.160+12:00

What a rush! I didn't stop buzzing for hours after my 15,000ft NZONE skydive! It was absolutely awesome! I totally recommend it! There wasn't any time to freak out... we just slid out the plane door and soared free-falling for one minute at terminal velocity! We then drifted back to ground taking in the stunning views around Queenstown. My teeth were chilled as I couldn't stop smiling despite

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-4453774191460364332008-07-01T12:33:00.004+12:002008-07-01T12:44:57.669+12:00

We screamed with excitement as the Shotover Jet took us through the Skippers Canyon at speeds of up to 80km/h!

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-84936576876050143692008-07-01T12:28:00.004+12:002008-07-01T12:32:41.515+12:00

I helped host several journalists at the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival over the weekend. The town was packed with thousands of tourists there to see the fireworks, go to the Jazz Night, enjoy a cabaret show, see the parade, hit the ski slopes etc!

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-52613078753032334932008-07-01T12:24:00.002+12:002008-07-01T12:28:18.462+12:00

Before hosting journalists at the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival I stopped over in Lake Wanaka to visit Wayne's aunt and uncle, and stay with my buddy Renee. Wow, what a stunning region to live in! I can see why there's a slow exodus from Auckland to Central Otago :)

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-79973613161097067162008-06-24T13:54:00.004+12:002008-06-24T14:35:02.845+12:00

I recently heard about the unfair conditions that many people experience to bring us chocolate and it’s left a bitter taste in my mouth.Chocolate comes from the cocoa bean. Most of the world’s cocoa is grown in West Africa – predominantly the Ivory Coast, and then Ghana, Nigeria and the Cameroon. The conditions for those working on cocoa farms are often terrible; poverty is extreme, hours long

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-33355226779905531522008-06-24T13:31:00.008+12:002008-06-24T13:53:30.617+12:00

On June 5, 2008 NZ hosted World Environment Day in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The theme was climate change with a focus on moving towards a low carbon economy and lifestyle. "Kick the Habit" (the carbon habit) was the international slogan for the event.I have since been prompted to think more seriously about decreasing my “carbon footprint” and about how

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-19484493869801198052008-06-22T18:04:00.005+12:002008-06-22T18:22:33.431+12:00

Mum redeemed her Mother's Day voucher today to dine at "Carter Kitchen" with Patrick, Fleur and I cooking for her at Paddy's pad on Carter Road, Mangawhai. We served venison, cockles, beef, lamb and vegies all hunted, gathered, farmed or grown by the three of us! Dad is now the official Mangawhai Table Tennis champion!

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-14224268717324471162008-06-22T18:03:00.001+12:002008-06-22T18:25:35.467+12:00

Wayne's parents are in town this week, visiting from the South Island :) Last night we feasted together at one of our fav restaurants DonDon Rikka behind the Olympic Pool in Newmarket.

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-56445577419992904072008-06-11T22:36:00.004+12:002008-06-11T22:45:56.999+12:00

We took the media out into the Bay of Islands on Dolphin Discoveries. Unfortunately we didn't see any dolphins (**the trip does come with a lifetime dolphin viewing guarantee), but we did see some New Zealand fur seals, some blue penguins, gannets and other birdlife. It was superb weather - sunny and calm - for us as we went out to Cape Brett and through the Hole in the Rock. I reminisced

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-59329600926020785192008-06-11T22:34:00.004+12:002008-06-11T22:48:15.902+12:00

Check out these sand dunes in the Hokianga! ...

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-26487754027191188542008-06-11T22:02:00.013+12:002008-06-11T22:34:02.266+12:00

I've been out of town hosting international journalists and photographers visiting New Zealand to celebrate World Environment Day and Matariki - Maori New Year. We took 14 of them to Northland for the weekend, and spent a wonderful afternoon at Motuti Marae on the northern shores of the Hokianga Harbour across from Opononi. We were warmly welcomed onto their living marae with a traditional

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-17511503404604266342008-06-11T21:52:00.005+12:002008-06-11T22:02:14.756+12:00

Last week I re-visited Maori Treasures at Waiwhetu Marae in Lower Hutt with Flat Earth Tours. Maori Treasures is the culmination of the dreams and life work of Rangi Hetet and his late wife Erenora Puketapu Hetet. We walked through a series of studios where different Maori arts and crafts were demonstrated. It was moving to have this kiwi feather cloak placed over my shoulders - usually confined

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-6953227033171759132008-06-11T21:29:00.004+12:002008-06-11T21:51:32.497+12:00

On June 1 St Paul's had "Cluster Sunday." Instead of gathering together for our usual celebration at Symonds St, we met in Clusters (4-5 small groups) at different locations across Auckland. Different Cluster activities included a walk and lunch at Piha, a film festival movie, a mid-winter Sunday roast, mini-putt, a soak at Waiwera hot pools... Restore Cluster which Wayne and I belong to headed

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-77979390704843555802008-06-11T21:16:00.002+12:002008-06-11T21:23:05.172+12:00

The family squeezed into our place for nabe to celebrate Mother's Day. We cooked two flavours... one with fish stock to dip into a sesame sauce, and another packed with kimuchi to make it hot and spicey.

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-38463435362203849082008-05-29T20:01:00.001+12:002008-05-29T20:04:12.445+12:00

I've upgraded to KILLER SUDOKU! The rules are simple... The rules for regular sudoku apply, with one additional rule: the sum of the cells in a cage must equal the total given for the cage.

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-60215327311414088762008-05-29T19:49:00.006+12:002008-06-11T22:51:57.670+12:00

St Paul's RESTORE Cluster has committed to supporting a poor rural community in West Bali, Indonesia. We're not doing this with handouts, but by partnering with TEAR Fund NZ to give small business loans that enable 27 families to work their way out of poverty.Meet the man behind TEAR Fund Micro-enterprise, David Bussau, at St Pauls on Friday 6 June from 7.30pm!Recently named Australian Senior of

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-272436300307499372008-04-27T22:59:00.003+12:002008-04-27T23:13:25.113+12:00

Next we were cocooned into specially designed hang gliding harnesses to Swoop. Thank goodness Wayne was designated to pull the ripcord, because I certainly couldn't have as we towered 40 meters sky high! What the staff inside called my "good set of lungs" were exercised as we plunged towards the earth at 130kmph!

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-70852785087140461372008-04-27T22:49:00.003+12:002008-04-27T22:59:32.242+12:00

This morning we learnt to fly with Freefall Xtreme at Agroventures! I just couldn't stop smiling as we flew up to 4 metres high suspended on a wind tunnel of up to 180 kmph!

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-4558814848473748942008-04-27T22:42:00.004+12:002008-04-27T22:48:49.951+12:00

Recently someone commented that our blog is made up of travel and eating and they seem to be quite right! ... Last night we dined at Seismic Gastro in Rotorua to enjoy our favourite meal together so far! I had Rack Of Wild Venison (pictured above), and Wayne had Rack of Lamb, both absolutely superb!

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-45643675811306392732008-04-27T22:29:00.004+12:002008-04-27T22:41:57.750+12:00

After mountain biking we found some natural soda pools in a river past Lake Rotoiti. What a charming spot that we plan on keeping secret squirrel! Then we went for a soak at the Wai ora Mud Baths and Spa which was an absolute treat!

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-75407320881968004742008-04-27T22:22:00.002+12:002008-04-27T22:29:01.731+12:00

We continued on down to Rotorua for the weekend to celebrate our first year anniversary x What an awesome first mountain bike ride we had together in the Redwoods! Wayne has done a lot of biking before... I'd never imagined myself riding through forest trails, but going to the gym regularly over the past eight months had built up enough strength and confidence for me to follow grade 2 trails for

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-21394660136384128692008-04-27T22:13:00.003+12:002008-04-27T22:21:42.190+12:00

Another gorgeous couple - Angelene and Ian - who met while studying at Bible College were wed in Hamilton on ANZAC day. We were honored to be there to witness their vows and help celebrate with them :)

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-84494791479375041932008-04-23T18:30:00.008+12:002008-04-24T08:01:55.661+12:00

Mike and Angelica joined us for dinner on Saturday night at our fav local Chinese restaurant on Ponsonby Road - SKY :) Try the Shredded Pork with Peking Sauce wrapped in pancakes! All the regulars recommend it! Home to watch The Bank Job projected up onto our lounge wall. Based on a true story and definitely recommended!Photos: Courtesy of Mike :)

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-5018519488231562112008-04-20T21:34:00.003+12:002008-04-20T21:42:23.260+12:00

Even though I was all set to sky dive on Friday morning before it clouded over, for some reason I just couldn't bring myself to even consider doing the Shotover Canyon Swing! But many of the other adrenaline junkies loved it!! They dropped from the world's highest swing 109m above the Shotover River to a pure freefall of 60m into the canyon before the ropes smoothly pendulum them into a giant

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-53525232662402291512008-04-20T21:28:00.003+12:002008-04-20T21:33:59.860+12:00

The Wilderness Safari then took us on a spectacular 1 1⁄2 hour Jet Boat ride further up the Dart River where we we were awed by more Lord of the Rings backdrops - breathtaking mountains, ancient native forest, plus jet spins!

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-89416254482908332392008-04-20T21:16:00.004+12:002008-04-20T21:28:14.259+12:00

A few of us joined Dart River Wilderness Safari which initially took us on a 4WD coach via the Mt Aspiring National Park, where we heard stories about the surrounding countryside and stopped to view scenery that served as the backdrop to many international films, including ‘The Lord of the Rings.’ I loved walking for 30 minutes or so through an ancient native beech forest at Paradise imagining

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-14853338604254824932008-04-20T21:13:00.003+12:002008-04-20T21:16:12.797+12:00

I have longed to go to Glenorchy for years!.. ever since we starting promoted the region as a film location for Lord of the Rings :) The sunset was stunning as we drove around Lake Whakatipu to Kinloch Lodge for a relaxing evening and hot tub.

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-5314488901527645802008-04-20T20:50:00.006+12:002008-04-20T21:12:47.496+12:00

I opted to go heli biking with Fat Tyre Adventures and WOW it was awesome!!! We took an amazing 12 minute flight over the remote Nevis Valley (where you can do the Nevis Highwire Bungy 134m above the rugged Nevis River!) to beyond the Remarkables Range and landed at 1700m on the rocky moonscape-like terrain of Old Woman Range. Our guide Greg did a fantastic job patiently teaching me the

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-37490616377574836892008-04-20T20:43:00.003+12:002008-04-20T20:50:11.188+12:00

I headed to Queenstown for a few days last week with a great team from TNZ to discover new hooks and angles to use when promoting the region to international media. We found Queenstown dressed in green and gold - stunning Autumn colours - that left me reminiscing about Kyoto during the same season.

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-42645161036876959992008-04-06T21:00:00.006+12:002008-04-06T21:16:55.015+12:00

Last night I was awarded my Graduate Diploma in Theology from the Bible College of New Zealand. It was a fantastic night! Wayne, Mum, Dad, Grandma, Christine and Andrew were among my wonderful supporters there to witness my graduation after supporting me through my long hours of study :) Thank you xx We went out for a Japanese meal afterwards to celebrate - something Mum, Dad and I have done

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-601075254924862392008-04-06T20:42:00.006+12:002008-04-06T20:59:53.100+12:00

Last week I joined 11 others from the Auckland, Wellington, Tokyo, Mumbai, Bangkok, and London offices to be inducted (back) into Tourism New Zealand. We had an awesome three days learning about the different departments of the organization, and hearing from the Ministry of Tourism, a Regional Tourism Organization, and two tourism operators. On our first night we stayed on Waiwhetu Marae to

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-32607378893457854162008-03-31T21:56:00.003+13:002008-03-31T22:06:35.436+13:00

An ice carver drew a large crowd at the AMEX Queenstown Winter Festival launch in Auckland on Friday. He did a fantastic job racing the heat as the ice melted in our lingering summer weather. The Winter Festival is one of the events that Tourism NZ is involved with this year in a sponsorship role :)

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-85195709675826723142008-03-31T21:52:00.003+13:002008-04-20T21:46:57.250+12:00

On Easter Saturday we took the car ferry back across the harbour to hunt down a kauri tree Dad used to visit when he was small, stopped by a cheese factory, and headed for our final destination - the Kaikohe Demolition derby! It was such a hoot joining the locals for their annual speed racing!

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-75492448038887596442008-03-31T21:45:00.004+13:002008-03-31T21:52:12.573+13:00

We headed up north over Easter with Mum and Dad. It was wonderful to get out of the city, and away from any temptation to continue with our ever-consuming house hunting! The time away gave us space to reflect on an offer we'd put on a two bedroom unit a few days before... We've since withdrawn that offer having decided to look for a three beddie to give us more space for longer :) On Good

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-21899398593472593602008-03-31T21:35:00.004+13:002008-03-31T21:44:56.952+13:00

We went along to witness and celebrate the marriage of a guy who was recently renting space from Wayne. What a stunning day to be married in Cornwall Park! Most of Wayne's staff and their families come along to join in the festivities :)

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-3954574985384900902008-03-05T21:18:00.004+13:002008-03-05T21:25:20.681+13:00

We just had a fabulous long weekend in Sydney travelling and fellowshipping with special friends. It had been ten years or so since I was in Sydney and I just couldn't get over how beautiful the city is with it's rugged coastline, extensive harbour, and well established old suburbs. These photos are dedicated to you Tomomi x

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-87522228391629397052008-03-05T21:12:00.003+13:002008-03-05T21:18:24.142+13:00

It was wonderful to see Wendy in Sydney last weekend!!! I shed tears of joy as we worshipped together at Hillsong on Sunday morning after more than two years since seeing each other in Japan. The three of us went for a delicious Italian meal at Bondi Beach the night before where we talked for hours about settling back "home." I can't wait to see Wendy again, hopefully in Auckland next time :)

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-88058229124587841512008-03-05T21:06:00.002+13:002008-03-05T21:09:12.049+13:00

Wayne and I have been to lots of lots of local beaches this summer! Here are photos we took with a few families at Muriwai Beach, just an hour from the centre of Auckland on the west coast. I was so surprised at how packed the long black-sand beach and the surf was! There's a gannet colony just around the corner too.

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-20287176442035800542008-03-05T20:59:00.006+13:002008-04-23T18:25:05.720+12:00

Earlier in the year we took the ferry to climb Rangitoto - my favourite landmark in Auckland. Rangitoto is an uninhabited dormant volcano which looks the same from whichever direction you view it from. The hour climb is a definite half day trip for locals and tourists!

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-27449037130505811022008-01-10T23:01:00.000+13:002008-01-15T17:26:11.250+13:00

I nearly forgot to upload some photos of us Cave Rafting in the Paparoa National Park on the West Coast! Wow it was awesome fun! We took a train ride into the forest, walked with our tubes across a river and up into some limestone caves for about an hour, then rode our tubes down rapids back down the river to our starting point :)

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-86965405568703966352008-01-10T10:57:00.000+13:002008-01-10T11:03:29.831+13:00

Yesterday I went to Butterfly Creek for my God-daugther Katrina's 6th birthday party. Everyone had great fun visiting the farm animals, walking through the butterfly house, eating chocolate cake, riding the train and playing on the playground :)

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-21825824968943673282008-01-10T10:51:00.000+13:002008-01-10T11:08:17.756+13:00

We travelled directly from Northland to the Bombay Hills for an incredible show case of fast and noisy cars at Drag Masters 2007!

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-90704356392863198462008-01-10T10:48:00.000+13:002008-01-10T11:10:41.882+13:00

In the new year we headed north to Whananaki for a few nights with other newly-wed friends from St Pauls. Thank you for such a restful time swimming, reading, watching DVDs and eating delicious food!

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-56149683581267405542008-01-10T10:43:00.000+13:002008-01-10T10:48:32.579+13:00

We spend New Years Eve with wonderful friends at Maruia Thermal Resort nestled in the stunning Lewis Pass. As the Resort is owned and managed by a Japanese couple, we were able to enjoy nabe for dinner in our yukata, then a count down to 2008 soaking in rock pools. What a fantastic start to the new year xx

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024846276371785862.post-45073250320956133752008-01-10T10:37:00.000+13:002008-01-10T10:43:11.133+13:00

After a great night at Global Village Backpackers in Greymouth we jumped on some bikes to find a cache on a local bush track, went to Holy Trinity, and then headed to Shantytown for some gold panning. Yes, we came away with some gold flakes to treasure :)

Carly and Wayne Mulqueennoreply@blogger.com0