I had a FANTASTIC time on my first ever holiday with my humans!
Broekhaven Cottage, Rotorua
It was a special surprise that Paul arranged for Hsin-Yi because it is her birthday this week and she had always wanted to go on holiday with me…but it is difficult to find places to stay that allow humans to bring their dogs - especially a huge one like me! 
Then Paul found a wonderful place called Broekhaven Cottage which is on a little farm in Rotorua - a place not too far from Auckland.
(Paul and Hsin-Yi when they visited Rotorua in 2001)
Rotorua is very famous because it has many holes in the ground where hot water comes shooting out or pools where the mud is “boiling” and the air there is very stinky, like rotten eggs.
Humans like to sit in some of the pools of natural hot water – they say it is good for their skin and for other sicknesses.
Paul in a natural mineral hot pool
Rotorua is also famous because it is the “home” of the Maori people.
You can learn many things about them here, like their music and dancing and food and weapons…and the beautiful things they make from cutting holes in a hard greenstone called “pounamu” (jade).
(for more information, please visit: www.nzmaori.co.nz)
But us dogs don’t care about sitting in stinky hot water or looking at pretty stones – the best thing about Rotorua for us is that there are lots of lovely forests to walk in and beautiful lakes to play in!
It was really exciting on Good Friday morning when we were getting ready to leave…Paul and Hsin-Yi each had a bag and I also got my very own bag to carry my stuff!
My doggie travel bag...
Oooph! I think I packed too much...
You know my humans sold our big car machine when they thought we were leaving New Zealand last year, so now we only have our little car – and there was a bit of a problem fitting everything in…especially my huge beanbag bed!
But we were soon on our way – it was such a beautiful day…
We stopped quite a lot so I could stretch my legs, because it was a bit squashed for me in the back!
It took a LOOOOONG time to get there because there were many other car machines on the road – ‘coz everybody else had the same idea and wanted to go on holiday too! Paul says it usually takes 2.5hrs to drive from Auckland to Rotorua but it took us 5hrs that day!
Finally we arrived at Broekhaven Cottage - yay!
It was such a lovely little cottage…
…and there were sheep…
Baa-aaa-aaa!
Am I looking like a sheepdog already? Am I? Am I?
…and rabbits & chickens…
…and even 2 farm dogs, called Nick & Tipp!
We had arrived just in time to feed the animals…
I tried very hard to help Hsin-Yi feed the sheep (well, OK – help the sheep eat the bread…)
Paul and Hsin-Yi were really excited because the nice humans who live at Broekhaven Farm were going to give us eggs from the chickens, fruit from their garden and DELICIOUS freshly-baked bread every day!
Mmm-mmm...freshly-baked bread...
Ooh, after all the excitement, I was really happy to have my bed…
The next morning we got up bright and early – ready for our 1st adventure! Hsin-Yi had checked with the Department of Conservation to see which parks allowed dogs and they also asked the humans living at Broekhaven Farm.
We decided to go to Hamurama Springs, which has natural cold water coming out of the ground which then becomes a river. It was so beautiful and the water was so clear – it was like glass!
It was also an amazing blue colour in some places – (my humans say these photos have not been “retouched” in any way – this is really the colour it was!)
We walked along beside the river…
…and then into a forest of HUGE trees!
These trees are called “redwoods” and humans brought them from a faraway place called California and planted them here in New Zealand.
And then finally, we found the hole where the water was coming out from. It looked very deep!
Hamurama Spring source
Whew! After all that walking, we were all starving!
So my humans took me into town and we found a really nice Japanese cafe to have lunch. (We later found out that dogs are banned from Rotorua town centre…but we didn’t know at the time!)
I am supposed to do a Down Stay beside them until they finish eating but I know that if I look very sad, with big eyes, humans will often feel sorry for me and give me some of their yummy food. This doesn’t work so well with Hsin-Yi ‘coz she is really strict about not feeding dogs from the table but Paul is easier – he is much kinder and always feels sorry for me! Hee! Hee! Although this time, Hsin-Yi did let me have some food too – she said it was an “exception” because we were on holiday. But she only gives me the leftover bits that she doesn’t want – whereas Paul saves big pieces of chicken for me (and tells Hsin-Yi that he is not hungry anymore!)
The River Monster Japanese Cafe, Rotorua
Then we went back to the cottage and spent the rest of the day lazing there. Nick, one of the farm dogs, came over to say hello…
…and I really liked to watch the rest of the farm from our big glass doors – my humans said it was like my personal TV!
Wait until you see what adventures I have the next day!
(continued in Part 2)
Wow, looks like you had a wonderful holiday! The photos are gorgeous, and I bet you enjoyed meeting all the animals!
Happy birthday Hsin-Yi! Did you get my message? I’d like to write a story about you and Honey for New Zealand Women’s Weekly, but they would like to do it as soon as possible. Have you got time for a chat? Let me know.
Looks like a wonderful place for a holiday. So nice you could have a real family holiday this time!
What a great place to holiday! I love the colour of that water and those trees are so big they make you look tiny!!
Amazing holidays! The pictures are wonderfull and Honey looks really small next to the trees!:)
Hi Honey,
You had a superb holiday!! Paul is a great human, as he organised the trip for you and Hsin-Yi!
We would love to stay at Broekhaven Cottage. Cookie has been on overnight trips before, but Cinnamon hasn’t.
Did you bring K9 Natural’s freeze dried dog food with you? We usually eat K9 Natural’s raw food, but we have never tried the freeze dried one. It looks convenient when you go on a trip. Did it taste good?
We are sorry we couldn’t pass a reward you had given us onto seven other blogs, as we didn’t have so many blog friends yet. But, we listed honest things about ourselves anyway.
Well, we look forward to the part two of your holiday story!
Cookie and Cinnamon
Sorry. There was a mistake in our comment. “A reward” should be “an award”!
Hi Honey!
Tibby
It looks like you were having a fabulous time on your vacation! So many neat things to see! I can’t wait to see what adventures you had next!
Oh my!
What a lukhky Dane Girl!
My mom is still fixed on the kholours!
I am stunned by your beaWOOty!
I khan’t wait to see what else woo got to do!
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
Hi Honey
What a beautiful place to visit. The water looks so clear.
Can’t wait to see what’s next.
Love Ruby & Penny
What a great place for a vacation Honey! A beautiful setting and farm animals too. I love sheep. Can’t wait to see more photos.
Your friend,
Niamh
What beautiful pictures. Happy birthday Hsin-Yi! I’m glad you all had a good time. I can’t get over how beautiful that place is. Looking forward to more pictures! Those sheep are sooo cute.
Wow your holiday is looking like so much fun!!! Can not wait to read tomorrows post. =)
Hi Honey!
Tibby
You left some questions on my bloggy so I wanted to stop by and answer them for you. My Owners and I rent a room from Owner Boy’s Mom in her house for now!(But we are looking for our very own house and hope to find one by the end of the year!) Chip lives in the same house too but she belongs to Owner Boy’s Mom and Step-Dad. We all take care of each other though so she is more like my cousin or something! And Owner Girl’s little sis, Zoe was adopted from China in Dec of 2007. We all love her so much and are very happy to have her in our family!
Honey
What a magnificent place!!!
It looks like pawadise. those watews awe amazing. I’m so glad you got to go along and see all the booty and the animals and spend time wif youw mom and Dad.
I can’t wait to see the west of youw adventoowes
smoochie kisses
ASTA
Happy birthday Hsin-Yi! Sounds like a lovely holiday! Rotorua is beautiful!
Hi Honey – we’ve been looking forward to seeing your holiday snaps and you certainly haven’t disappointed, they’re great! You look like you had a great time and I bet Nick and Tipp really enjoyed having you around. We know EXACTLY what you mean about Paul being kind – we always get more treats from our male human and like Paul he also pretends he wasn’t hungry so he might as well pass the tasty titbits onto us, he he he! It never seems to work with CJ though, she can always resist our puppy dog eyes, she must have a heart of stone! We can’t wait for part 2 of your adventure – tail wags, JD and Max.
Wooooooooohhhooooooo Honey!
what a super duper holiday you had!
the place looks beautiful!! Paul did a great job peeking it. and you’re so lucky to go everywhere with your humans
lot´s of licks!
PS – Sara was born in Macau (near Honk Kong), she lived there until she was 16
Hi Honey,
Thank you for telling our mum about your raw diet! We wish we could have meals with lots of variety like yours, but that won’t happen soon. It seems it will take time for Mum to be ready for it, because she thinks it would be sometimes difficult to find the time to go shopping to get different ingredients for us although she is interested in getting us on a diet like yours.
Thanks again for your kindness!!
Cookie and Cinnamon
WOW, Honey!
What a wonderful trip and such lovely lovely pictures! We’re so glad Paul managed to find such a boootiful place! You guys look sooo happy!!!
Keep posting!
PS: My Mum needs to speak to yours about me… can we e-mail you??
Love
Pipa
WOW It looks like you had a pawsome holiday Honey! Mummy is trying to get Daddy to take us to Margaret River to stay at a place that allows us doggies too
She is going to show him these photos to convince him BOL
Big licks to you
Suzuki
xxx
What a beautiful place for a holiday! Looks like you had fun.
I didn’t know you had Redwoods in NZ either. I’m sure they bent the rules for you in town since you’re such a sweet, well mannered girl!
Hey Honey!! We be so glad you are back, we missed your great blog!!
Looks like you had a wonderful time on your holidays with your humans!!It looks like a very special place to go on holiday.
We have been a few times with our mummy and daddy on holiday, although Hazel hasn’t yet. Daddy is taking mummy and us three away for her birthday in May, but he hasn’t chosed anywhere yet!! Oops!
We is also having a whole week away with them in September. We can’t wait. That is on a farm, like your holiday was.
Really looking forward to the rest of your holiday adventures!!
Love Scott xxxx
Looks like you had lots of fun Honey! My momma says that she has been to see the California Redwoods in the Giant Forest of Sequoia National Park. They make us Great Danes look very small!
Woo! What a beautiful vacation spot!
LUv,
Dave
Thanks for writing back! Mommy went to watch when they held Therapy Dog tests this last time. She’s pretty optimistic about most of the behaviors she’s just worried that I may not be socialized well enough. She wants to practice having people walk up to me and pet me and brush me, but she doesn’t know many people on the area who are knowledgeable about dogs.
As far as the pivoting goes my Mommy says I’m slow. Thanks for telling me I’m not.
You could try using a foot stool with rubber grips on the feet. It might help with the sliding and because of your size the extra height shouldn’t hurt anything. My food bowl does cave a little under my weight but it pops right back. My Mommy tried using the yellow pages too, but I would hit it so fast I would shoot right off the other side lol!!
I will definitely check out your Therapy Work page. Don’t know how I missed it the first time. Thanks again for writing.
What a SUPER holiday!!! First, tell Hsin-Yi Happy Birthday from us!! Tell Paul he sure knows how to plan great trips.
That place you went looks so nice….fresh bread, fruit, and eggs everyday….OMD! And not to mention sheep and dogs and other critters to play with. You must have been so happy!
Were you SO excited when you saw your very own travel bag?
That is very neat that you have Redwood trees there. I have visited the ones in California with my humans….they are SO big! We didn’t really get to explore deep into the forests though as dogs were not allowed…BOOHOO! There was one place though where dogs could go so we took full advantage.
Can’t wait to hear about the next part of your holiday!
Love,
Nala
What a fantastic trip! You are really dwarfed by those redwood trees. They actually make you look small. Perhaps you should pack one to take home.
Hey that place looks sooper neat! My Auntie K stayed in New Zeeland fer three months last year and she went to Rotorua too. She sed New Zeeland wuz so much fun and she bringed back soooo menny pitchers.
Here in Teksus we does not have so much trubble going places with our hoomans but the places are not neerly as nice!
Yer pal Dozer
Woowoowoowoowoowooooo!!!!
What a wonderful Holiday you had dear Honey!!!
Great place…we love watching your photos about what you’re visiting….
would like to have a bath into the hot hole…and the forest…..Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh…so big tree…even you look very very little!!!!Waawawwawwaaaaaa……small honey!!!!
and congrats to your dad to have found so beautiful cottage for you and your mom!!!!
HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY HSIN-YI!!!!!!!!!!
Have a very special day with all your family!!!
We love you a lot dear friends….
can’t wait to see your second holiday part!!!!!!!!!!!
SMACKKKKKKKKKKKKKK
Hi Honey,
Sorry for our repetitive comments.
Mellons Bay is in Howick, at the end of Mellons Bay Road which is kind of an extension of Ridge Road starting at the end of Pakuranga Road. Althoug the beach is more than large enough for smaller dogs like us, you may find it a littel small for yourself. But, it has beautiful views! You can see Musick Point, Rangitoto Island, Waiheke Island, and so on!
Our mum has ordered a target stick with a clicker attached at the handle, as well as a separate clicker. She is thinking about starting clicker training once she get them. So, she might ask you to show her how to do clicker training!
Honey!! Your holiday looks fabulous girl! You’re so lucky getting to go away with Hsin-Yi and Paul, we have to go to kennels when our folks go away (which rarely happens!) You look so sweet looking out at the farm, watching everything….and you look positively dainty in the Redwood Forest!
We can’t wait to see part 2!
Happy Birthday Hsin-Yi (very late, we know!)
Slobbers xx
wauw honey
your a very lucky dog!!
i hope you enjoy the rest of vacation
Big hug
from
Sanne El’bow (english mastiff) & Hauwii (small munsterlander)
from Belguim
First of all, Happy Birthday Hsin-Yi!!!!! Sounds like you and your family had a fabulous time!!! What a sweet guy Paul is to take you to such a wonderful place for your birthday, too!
We live where the redwood trees came from , but Mom and Dad haven’t taken me to see any yet.
Honey, what an incredible holiday for you, with lots of new things to see. You are very lucky to get to go.
Did your mom and dad read those books to you???
your friend, Behr Behr
Aww!!! Honey! What a fantabulous holiday! Mom has been to Rotorua many years back and she loved it tons! She went river rafting and played the luge, it was one of the most memorable trips for her! The farm you stayed in is super awesome! Really wished I could be there too! Love all your pics! Look forward to the 2nd part of your holiday! Love, Dino
Oh!!!! And Happy Happy Birthday, Hsin-Yi! May you be blessed with good health, happiness and lots of love all year round! Love, Dino and family!
Hi Honey, you are one gorgeous pup!!! What a wonderful vacation site – so much to see and do. We think they made those big tall trees just for tall pups like you. Khyra told us about you so we thought we would stop by to take a peek. We like what we see, so we will be back.
Tail wags, the OP Pack
Oh Honey, I know what you mean about kids. I am not as easy going as you and I get very scared when people let their kids run up to me.
Momma says one of the best things about pee-wee is that when she walks him she is almost invisible and doesn’t have to worry about people running up or making rude comments.
You were very gentle with that little hedgehog. I hope he makes it OK. What a lovely holiday.
Slobbers,
Mango
P.S. I never knew how hard weave poles were!
Hi Honey
I think youw holiday was simply pawfect. Such bootiful natoowal sowwoundings, and you made evewything look even nicew by being thewe. Stoopid hoomans who give us doggies bad wepootations by not being wesponsible in picking up aftew us and not teaching little hoomans how to be polite . You w Mom is vewy smawt and we admiwe how she handles all that.
I think the thwee of you having lunch in that bootiful gawden is mmuch bettew than any cafe would have been.Hope you got home safely
smoochie kisses
ASTA
Honey,
I thinkd yu have a grayte life! Yur mommee and daddee also takes reely good piktures. I think I want to comes and lives with yu…sh…don’t tells my mommee and daddee..they wuld be reely sads. Pleese add me to yur blog list and I’ll add yus to mine.
Yur nu frend,
Tank
How thoughtful of Paul to organized the type of holiday that Hsin Yi likes – with you. You’re lucky there are some places in NZ that are pet friendly. Where I come from Dogs are not allowed in public places – Ever – we’re not counting the strays. Even if we’re on leashes.
Happy Birthday Hsin Yi and many many happy returns of the day!
Licks and Wags
The Dog Woods Pack
WOW. This looks like a fantastic trip! The water at the spring is sooo beautiful! Looks like you had a wonderful birthday, Hsin-Yi!
Wuv,
Gus and Waldo
(and Dog Mom)