Our First Christmas as Mr. and Mrs. in Tauranga, New Zealand

Merry Christmas to all of our family and friends! It's been pretty crazy having 80 degree weather and sand between our toes on Christmas. However, there are still plenty of Christmas trees, santa hats, and "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas" even plays overhead in our hotels. What better way to spend our first Christmas as Mr and Mrs Thunberg than in the amazing country of New Zealand?!

Our morning started off by heading to the world famous Polynesian Spa in Rotorua. We donned our swimsuits and soaked for 45 minutes in four different outdoor mineral pools overlooking Lake Rotorua. Beautiful. Since we were in Rotorua, we thought we should have a spa treatment that we aren't able to get in Minneapolis. We both had a Rotorua Mud Wrap and massage. Due to how thin the earth's crust  is there are numerous mud pools in this city and both their geothermal springs and the mud are shown to have positive effects on the body. They smeared mud all over the entire body and wrapped us up for a good 20 minutes. We then got to shower and end with a massage. It was so nice!! They even gave us these huge green fluffy robes to wear around....very comfortable but still not sure how I felt about my husband in it. He thinks I'm weird but a man just shouldn't wear a fluffy green robe.....let's try black.
We had a short drive of about an hour and spent the afternoon and night in Tauranga, a definite beach city. Tauranga is next to Mount Maunganui which is built on a narrow peninsula and we plan on heading up the mountain, or part of it, tomorrow. The trek is supposed to be something "not to be missed" so it should be fun. We went down and hung out on the beach this evening for awhile and the beach is unbelievable and stretches far beyond what the eye can see. It's a busy town for all the Kiwi's on their holiday so it's nice that they have so much manicured beach space. Lots of fun pubs and cafes, awesome shops, tons of adventerous activities outside, and the beach plus 80 degree weather = my type of trip! Just when I love one city, I come upon the next and love that city just as much. I'm pretty sure I could see us retiring here...like at age 30. Better go buy ourselves a lottery scratch-off ticket.
Despite the awesome time we've been having we do miss our family, friends, and Rocky. We are thinking of you all during Christmas-time and wish you all a very Merry Christmas! Safe travels on the roads and stay warm!!!
p.s. a couple of you guys have mentioned that the site doesn't let you comment. it is just cuz you don't have a google account. don't worry about it....just glad i have friends who care to read my chatter:) love you guys.