Andy and Laurie were up until 3 am turning on and off our cell phone lights in search of mosquitoes. At least 3 times we were certain we had gotten them all and said goodnight, only to be startled again by either an itch or a buzz.

We were ready to throw in the towel. Andy went as far as drafting an email to the rental company to inquire about a partial refund if we return the van early.

The heat, the sand flies, the mosquitoes, the lack of sleep, the kids still being sick, the lack of ventilation in the van, the long travel days; it has caught up with us.

We have learned from backpacking that you never make a big decision on a bad day. You wait until things are better. And if you still feel like doing something different, that’s when you can decide to make a change.

Before leaving Whites Bay we finally convinced the kids to shower. We were able to wash Miles’ body and hair but unfortunately we ran out of water so Ani only got a lukewarm 15 second shower. At least their bodies were no longer sticky.

Twenty minutes after leaving Whites Bay we stopped at a playground that Andy had seen the day before. Sadly it was a bit run down and we didn’t stay long because the sun came out from behind the clouds and it got very hot very quickly.

We were about to leave when Laurie went down a bumpy slide with Ani and spotted a loquat tree. We picked a hat full prior to leaving.

Laurie then spotted a tire swing so Andy drove through the forest toward the beach. We had a few moments of carefree fun enjoying the breeze and lack of bugs.

Miles stayed inside the van to play with his Lego surprises so we opened the back doors of the van so he could at least see the ocean (not that he lifted his head once) and get some fresh air.

Our late starts are nice because we get to relax with the kiddos and enjoy a slower pace, but it means before we know it it’s one or two pm and we’re scrambling to get town chores done with a one or two hour car ride still looming.

Today was no different. We went into the town of Blenheim to resupply, and fill up on water and dump our tanks. Laurie helped fill the water tank while Andy dumped the cassette toilet.

With that necessary task done, we headed to Hedgerows Hydroponic Strawberries. Ani had fallen asleep prior to us getting to the dump station and was still asleep when we got to the strawberry shop.

Laurie and Miles went in to buy strawberries while Andy stayed behind to ensure Ani slept. Sadly, only after 10 minutes or so, Ani was having bad dreams and woke up crying and wanting mama.

Andy tried to console her to no avail, so he took her out to join the rest of the family. Once there she calmed down and enjoyed some amazing strawberries and strawberry ice cream.

After running a few more errands we finally hit the road to Kaikoura. We drove through grassy hills watching the wind create ripples and waves through the grass.

This is New Zealand’s famous Marlborough region. Vineyards cover the hillsides for kilometers. This part of the drive reminded us of the central coast of California.

Around 5pm we finally arrived at the parking lot for the seal colony. Once again, Miles needed convincing to get out of the car and explore. He protested and protested but eventually we peeled him away from the darn tablet loaded with cartoons and out into reality.

The kids enjoyed rock hopping toward the water and were excited to point to the seals when they saw them. Laurie enjoyed the cooler temperatures and the breeze.

We left the beach around 6pm and headed to The Pointe Bed & Breakfast campsite. Here we got to camp in a paddock – essentially a field which apparently is the kiwi thing to do. Miles was hungry and wanted soup so Andy reluctantly got to cooking.

His hesitation was that it would take at least 30 minutes to cook and while it was a lot cooler outside today, it was still warm in the van and cooking soup would only make it hotter inside.

Despite this he made the soup while Laurie and the kids were playing outside the van to the chorus of sheep baaa’ing. It was overcast and windy and Laurie was loving it.

After a while of playing soccer and tag in the grass, Laurie and the kids eventually got cold. It was such a welcomed feeling after days of hot stickiness. We came inside minutes before Andy had finished cooking. Miles proclaimed about a thousand times that he was hungry, making the wait for the food to cool even longer.

Once a satisfactory temperature, Miles ate 2 and 1/2 bowls and Ani ate a few carrots and onions. It was nice to see the kids eating something other than bread and butter and fruit and made the effort of the soup worth it.

After dinner the kids were rather dysregulated, causing frustration for Laurie and Andy.

Laurie wanted to shower and wanted Ani to get a proper shower too. Ani vehemently disapproved but Laurie wasn’t taking no for an answer and took her into the shower with her.

Ani cried intensely for the duration of the shower, bringing Andy to his breaking point. He absolutely hates when we cause unnecessary crying.

Ani fell asleep nursing wrapped in a towel from the shower. With a full tummy Miles was shifting trying to get comfortable with his blankie in the drivers seat. Andy called him over to the passenger seat and in less than 5 minutes he, too, was asleep. Finally, it was calm and quiet.

We basked in this moment, both holding a sleeping child. We texted to communicate, agreeing that we were not going to abruptly force the kids into doing things on this trip any longer.

Andy reminded Laurie of the importance of prepping the kids and making things fun rather than just powering through. We are constantly learning as parents and as partners.

Laurie cleaned off the bed so Andy could transfer Miles to it. But before doing so Andy wanted to have Miles pee.

He tried so hard to move gracefully but the van hallway isn’t very wide, nor are the doorways. Andy bonked Miles’ head twice and arm once en route to the bathroom.

Laurie couldn’t help but laugh while Andy was super apologetic to Miles. Thankfully Miles didn’t wake up and Andy was able to gently place Miles on his side of the bed.

Laurie and Andy were beat at this point and climbed into their respective beds without saying much and tried to go to sleep.

We’re hoping that with the cooler temperatures and the windows closed we avoid having issues with sand flies or mosquitoes tonight.