To The Lake We Go!

The sun gently peeked through my soft pink curtains as I squinted under the covers and positioned myself comfortably. I cheered softly as I realised the school holidays had just begun!

At  7am my Mum rushed in and woke me up to get ready for training! I groaned and moaned as I discovered that we had our Waka Camp that week! This meant we went to go to train everyday in the morning but we had a choice to stay at home or at Coach’s house (who happened to be my Mum!) Once ready we would await for the other members to arrive!

When everyone was finally ready to go, we slouched and slowly made our way into the silver van dragging our gears behind us. Squeezing in tight mum flipped on the heater and started to drive to Lake Ngatu. Still half asleep my Mum supplied us with 7 Hot Chocolates in total for a big energy boost! They were the best! Warm, coconut milk and fluffy pink and white marshmallows filled the cup as we left her job.These cups of coco-goodness is what woke us up for the big training ahead!

At the lake we shivered as we stepped out of the oven-like van and into the winter wind! We grabbed our paddles, headed down to the waka and said karakia before rushing out into the icy-cold water! We paddled slowly to warm up over the crystal clear, calm lake. The reflection of the surrounding mountains and bush leaving us in awe. The mist lining the shore sent chills up our spine and the ripples from our paddles sent a long, slow chain reaction!

Then begun our daily training, the goal to paddle 20 km everyday and our time getting faster and faster. If we didn't achieve this goal or slowed our time then our punishment was to run around the lake twice! This continued daily from Monday through to Friday.

The morning mist and charcoal sky was all I saw as we drove past the dark silhouettes of thick bush. It was the last day of training and we decided to go for an early morning swim at the nearby Te Rangi Aniwaniwa swimming pool. 6:30am came and we dove into the pool swimming like fish, the hour flew by as 7:00am arrived and we marched headstrong to finish our goal!

Luckily we beat our time each day and a punishment was NOT required!

Still celebrating we spent our time relaxing in our well-deserved beds. I spent 3 days with my cousin laughing and watching movies after the hard, rewarding training. Feeling accomplished we rambled about what we achieved throughout what was meant to be our school *holidays* but then my family was to venture from Kaitaia to Hamilton for a surprise last-minute gathering for my Aunty's 40th Birthday!

I was so excited I bounced off the walls! We packed our luggage and sped off into the morning distance. Stopping regularly we had to make sure to let our little dog Awhi out just in case-she was well known to run away often so we couldn't afford to lose her while we were gone. The only other option was to bring her with us! Due to her small size she was rather cute company!

Pulling up into the hard, gravel drive way joyful chatter was echoing down the street as we greeted one other happily! Hugs, laughter and quick unpacking commenced as we entered the great house. The large house was fitting for us to cram in and for the first time in a very long time all 8 moko's, 3 Aunty's, 2 Uncle's and 1 Nana were all gathered together under the same roof!

Over the next and final 4 days we filled our shopping carts with fun stuff and face masks for the girls, we went to time zone and played with the VR headset along with winning hundreds of tickets (due to so many of us!)

We watched movies together and cherished the little time we had together. We played with the baby and went bowling! This was the best time ever!

On the last day we went to see my cousins in their new house in Hamilton nearby as well Rico! We had not seen them in 6 years, so we took our chance for we don't know when the next gathering would be. As we approached their house the giant property left us in shock! A giant brick and cream-wood lining. A fish pond, a disappointing (not so deep) well and incredibly large rooms! After taking a tour around the house and eating some dinner we decided to play spot light! Chasing and calling around the house outside in the dark was all to be heard, then when the honk of a car sadly surprised us and we left.

Returning home late and sleeping in, my dad repacked the van and we all followed home to Auckland then separated from there!

Now only 9 more weeks to go before we can finally meet up again!