In Better Spirits - Yesterday, a Lazy Sunday Afternoon

In Low Spirits...

It is not that at my new home in New Zealand I don't get depressed at times - I do - but now there is no better place I can think of to cheer me up... and that is a difference to how it was in Germany... Matthias

The pictures show a view of the Coromandel Peninsula, the Wairere Falls in Waikato, and surrounding scenery and landscapes.

Family Photo

Assimilation

We were so proud when we watched our son Luis (13) in this Haka competition of different schools. They made the second place among I think about seven different schools, although there were the only culturally and racially mixed team and many of them had never been taught the Haka before. Haka is the Maori war dance, but the performance also included welcoming dances. Luis was one of the dance leaders, and when he was about to perform his solo part we heard some of the audience shouting: Luis, the German!

Daniel's 8th Birthday

After many years of going to an indoor fun park, we have celebrated a true and classical children's birthday in our garden, for Daniel. We had a lot of fun! Unfortunately, and surprinsingly, Daniel afterwards said that he was disappointed that we didn't go to any commercial facility... Children of today, tststs....

Trip to Te Aroha, an old Spa Town, 50 km from Thames in the heart of Waikato

We strolled through this historic (more than actual) spa and climbed into the mountains of the Wairere Falls Scenic Reserve. This is how Elena and I celebrated our 18th wedding day.

Romantic View From Our Balcony

Here a few sunset studies, pictures taken from our balcony.