I've just returned from an awesome weekend away with my eldest son in Tauranga (aka - my son was driving to Tauranga and he graciously let me hitch a lift to visit a friend and have a mini holiday!).

I've visited the Tauranga/Mt Maunganui area over 20 years ago when on a surf road trip with mates to Gisborne, so it was awesome to explore these areas again all these years on.

I had fun exploring the local shops and cafes... and after receiving a few cafe recommendations (thanks Laura!), got a bit carried away on a cafe crawl!

Our Auckland stop usually includes Bubble Tea on Queen Street and the best coffee supplies from Coffee General in Birkenhead!  In Tauranga, I'd highly recommend checking out Patio Rose Cafe for the most delicious (and beautiful looking) food.  Love Rosie Bakery has amazing baked good and delicious coffee as well.  If at the Mount, make sure you check out Cafe Eighty Eight where I had the most delicious Acai Bowl while Chelsea Winter sat at the table next to me!  If you are in Matamata, you have to visit Paddock - oh wow, such delicious goodies.

Apart from crawling all the cafes, my time in Tauranga included a bit of crochet whenever we were in the car...

So here's to fun roadtrips that serve as an amazing mental health holiday.  Here's to husbands and parents that don't mind you abandoning your adult responsibilities for a few days while they mind the kids back at home.  Here's to catching up with precious friends, and admiring our beautiful country while at it.  Here's to getting to the point where those tiny wee kids that you pour your life and soul and time and energy into while young, end up growing into fine young adults who even let you hang out with them for roadtrips.

Can't wait for the next one!