In late November we had the opportunity to combine a trip north for a baptism with a visit to the beach and a great dinner with some senior missionaries. Our course took us north out of Wellington to the west coast of New Zealand and up the coast about 50 miles. Our desinations were Paraparaumu (just like it looks) and Levin.
I don't think that I've every shown a picture of our little Toyota. Well, here it is. No, stop, the drivers side is on the far side of the car! Actually, it gets us around just great!
As you come out of Titahi bay, you come to the west coast in front of you. This is a small community on the coast!
You proceed down to the coastline and then follow it north for a number of miles to Paraparaumu.
Here's what the drive along the coastline looked like from the drivers side!
Oh, back above the little community on the coast, I thought these trees were very interesting in that they show the severe wind conditions being blown all the time!
ALthough the weather didn't look all that bad, the ocean (Tasman Sea) on the west coast is pretty unpredictable so you've got to be prepared for the worst at all times.
This doesn't appear to be as rough, but don't let it deceive you!
Once in Paraparaumu, we had a little time on our hands prior to the baptism so we headed down to the beach...in our suits and dresses. This is not Malibu for sure!
It does however have it's unique beauty! Like these flowers mixed in with the weeds!
Up close you can see the real beauty of these flowers! Mollie, do you like the color?
This was sort of neat. The circles are made from the straw being blown around and around in a circle.
This Red-Billed-Gull was having a wonderful time in the sand.
Ann wasn't so sure of the beach in the dress, but did look forward to the baptism and dinner!
On the hill overlooking Paraparaumu and the Tasman Sea is this statue that stands some 46' high. It's known as "Our Lady of the Lordes".
Ah, our destination! The little chapel in Paraparaumu.
Here are four of the five children of the Samoan family that was baptised.
Ann's getting back into the roll of grandmother!
Then after the baptism, we drove about 30 miles further north to Levin and had a great dinner! I had venison that was outstanding. Around the table from me you have the Brazzeals, the Patchetts, the Overtons and Ann.
We already have a plan in January to return here because it was so good!
Looks like a couple of great trips! Thank you for posting the updates. All the best- Tom
ReplyDeleteMy last area was Paraparaumu in 1988. At the time it was part of the Wellington Stake (not sure if it still is). The full stake presidency had just moved there in order to get the branch started up again. We had about 10 people attending the branch (including the elders) in the building we rented out. So neat to see they have a small building to use now.
ReplyDeleteI remember hiking up to the statue a couple of times on PDay. This brought back a flood of memories. Thank you for sharing.
Paraparaumu Ward is part of The Porirua Stake. I also served in the Paraparaumu Branch as my last area in 2005. I ended up shifting here after my mission in 2007 and in November 2009 I saw the branch organised as a ward.
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