Mt. Rangitoto/Devonport

Beautiful sunny day before Easter, and we decided to climb a volcano. About 25 min. by boat from downtown Auckland is Mt. Rangitoto, a popular destination for day hikers. Here's some background on Mt. Rangitoto.  It was good hiking weather, which meant it stayed dry, sun at times, occasional cloud cover, a cooling breeze.  It was about 45 minutes to the top (260m above sea level) but felt longer to this very out-of-shape old gal.  

Rather interesting landscape, much of it black volcanic rock similar to the field near Terrace, BC.  The well-marked trail included some of this rock which challenged the ankles somewhat.  My younger and more fit sister practically ran up the hill and left me gasping in her jet trails.  Heh.  Well, not quite, but the extra age and weight did leave me huffing and puffing more than I liked.  The payoff however was worth it;  gorgeous vistas along the way and especially at the top. I tried a single tracking 360deg shot on video from the summit.  Didn't turn out badly, but not sure if I can post vid on this blog.  However, see pictures at blog end of our lovely day on Mt. Rangitoto.

Our leisurely ramble back down to the wharf included a short detour into some lava caves which were lined with ankle-busing uneven black rock.  Once we'd got halfway into first cave we decided less was more in our case.  We backed out after one rather than do the string of two or three.  Didn't help that we had rather weak torches (flashlights).  An old cheap Nokia phone does not throw off as much of a flashlight as an iPhone.  I will give Apple that.  Back at sea level, we Walked past a few of the historic bach's (cabins) near the wharf and hopped aboard the 3:45 ferry back to mainland.

Since the boat stopped at Devonport, a lovely little suburb I'd visited last trip, I convinced Estelle that a little wander might be in order.  We got some souvenir shopping in at a dollar store, found the Devonport Chocolate factory and a spiffy Irish pub called Patriot.  We enjoyed a Guinness (Estelle) and an Isaac's cider (moi) in a darling back courtyard/beer garden.  It had clouded over by then but was a perfect temperature (low 20's) for sitting outdoors.  I'd noticed earlier in day that a screw had fallen out of my glasses, so Estelle set about doing microsurgery with a $3 eyeglass repair kit from the dollar store.
We walked a bit more along the waterfront past some gorgeous old Devonport homes and hopped aboard the ferry back to downtown Auckland just after 6pm.

Back on shore we decided to stroll up Queen St. to find dinner.  After a few minutes I realized we'd save time by consulting Lonely Planet guide.  We soon found ourselves at a large Asian food court and enjoyed a fabulous chicken/veg plate at a Thai restaurant.  Friendly service and really fresh food for a whopping $10.  As I type this, hours later, I'm still feeling stuffed.

Getting back to 34 Symonds St. (Keg and Mary's place) was slightly arduous.  We decided to get as far as we could on transit, and fortunately were able to get right into our suburb (Onehunga) for free.  However, we were mapless and not sure how far it was to Symonds St. The convenience store clerk was not so helpful, and we eventually decided to phone a taxi from a nearby Countdown (grocery store).  We arrived home right around the same time as Keg and Mary.  Turns out they didn't go to a play as previously planned, but ended up in Devonport just after we'd left.

Estelle's cocooned in several blankets and a sleep mask, and I'll soon be in the land of nod.  What a lovely day we have spent..

flight & first day Auckland

I bought this spinner suitcase last year in San Francisco, haven't used it much and thought -- wrongly, it would appear! -- that this would be good for my New Zealand trip.  I experience the zipper malfunction above shortly before leaving for the airport.  After many expletives and a hurried repack into an old, salt-stained red suitcase, I hopped on Canada Line and met Estelle and her partner Leenane at the airport.

The flight was pleasantly uneventful and while I didn't get much sleep, I did get to watch my favourite New Zealand film "Boy" again as well as pieces of "Bridesmaids", between catnaps.  We arrived at Auckland International Airport about 20 minutes ahead of schedule, which was just before dawn on Good Friday.  After clearing customs (one question for me, zero for Estelle) I bought a new SIM card for the cheap Nokia phone I bought in Wellington back in 2010.

I had been in touch with friends of friend to stay over the weekend in Auckland before flying to Christchurch.  It was still awfully early when we touched down so E & I took a bus into downtown Auckland to wander about a bit.  Not much to see as it was early on Good Friday, so we found an Esquires (chain of coffee shops similar to Blenz or Second Cup) and tried to Skype Leenane back in Burnaby.  Welcome to the molasses-like broadband speeds of Aotearoa!

Around 9am we jumped in a cab to our hosts in Onehunga (southern suburb).  Keg and Mary are a wonderful American ex-pat couple with two children. I'd met them thought my friend Jaime in Bremerton, who went to grad school with Keg.  They've been so kind and generous and we're appreciating their hospitality and a place to regroup before hitting the road.

Mid-afternoon we headed out for a drive to Muriwai Beach, a black-sand beach on the West Coast near Auckland, and site of a gannet colony.  Sun was shining, it was about 20deg.C, and we had a delightful little walk down to the beach which was fairly busy with walkers and surfers.  I insisted that Estelle dip her toe into the Tasman Sea as a welcome to New Zealand.  I wasn't far behind, but got caught in what I call a "rogue wave" (not that serious) and somehow managed to get soaked up to my waist.  Doh! Embarrassing, but not that bothersome.  Glad I was able to provide a good laugh for all.

We walked back up to the car and headed for a nifty little brewpub and enjoyed a sample flight of beers, handily labelled 1 though 4 (plus a bonus glass of cider), plus risotto balls and pork belly.  I apologised to the server for the wet spot I left on the wooden bench. (see previous para.)

Back in Onehunga we had a wonderful evening of hanging out, drinking wine, and an early night.  Estelle was down for the count by about 7:30pm (local time) and I lasted until about 9:30.  Took melatonin just before bed and had a really good sleep.

Today we're up early and looking forward to a hike on Rangitoto Island, a (dormant) volcano about 25 min. ferry ride from downtown Auckland.

Here's a couple of pictures from yesterday.

one more sleep!

Today's weather in Vancouver:  Rain ending this afternoon then mainly cloudy with 40 percent chance of showers. Windy near noon. Temperature steady near 9. UV index 3 or moderate.


Today's weather in Auckland: High 25°C Overnight 15°C
Scattered rain. Strong southeast.


Hmm.  Well, at least it's warmer in New Zealand..

T-2

Yikes! It's already Monday, and already April.  Two more sleeps until departure.

Currently taking a break at work from task of cleaning away as much paper and duties as possible before I leave.  I'm fortunate to have highly competent and flexible co-workers to put out fires for me in my absence.
I'll be sure to bring something nice back for them.

If you're just tuning in, well -- kia ora and welcome!  These blogs are published in reverse chrono order, so flip way back if you want to read about my May 2010 trip.  This 2012 trip with my younger sister Estelle will be subtitled "two middle-aged Canadian women wandering about in rental car".  I did just fine with public transport my last trip but look forward to the flexibility of having wheels at our disposal.

Had a couple of those madly-packing-at-last-minute dreams this weekend.  Am doing my best to ensure those dreams don't come true!

a few more days

Kia ora! Getting closer to departure for the Land of the Long White Cloud. Yesterday my sister and I took a good brisk walk around Burnaby Lake, in the cold rain.  Considering the weather, it was very pleasant and quiet.  Skunk cabbages are just starting to peek up and look strangely like bright yellow orchids in their early bud stage. I do note that was a flat walk; I'll still be huffin' and puffin' on any kind of hiking involving a substantial change in elevation.

On the way home I stopped by the Daiso outlet in International Village called "Yoko Yaya".  Great place to pick up small travel odds and ends like, say, lip balm for men labelled "care your lips with men's lipstick".  Also in the men's section, a washing towel which promises to "thoroughly wash your manly body".

Today, contrary to yesterday's forecast, the sun is shining brightly.  The mountains are capped with fresh snow and the blossoms here at sea level are throwing off a lot of pollen.  Today's weather in Auckland is cloudy with a few showers, high temp forecast of 21degC.

Here's a view of Auckland and one of its harbours, taken from the Auckland Domain.
(original photo here, taken by Gary Korhonen in 2006).

one week to takeoff

Next Wednesday evening we depart for Auckland.  Until then our local weather forecast is for rain and more rain.  Par for the early spring course, and makes me long even more for scenery like above.

I just scanned a New Zealand weather website and it wouldn't appear that balmy temperatures are in store, but should be pleasant enough. Chilly evenings on the South Island. Hope we can shed layers of clothing as we progress northward, if only so I can wear the spiffy new lightweight t-shirt (polyester/wool) I bought at MEC yesterday.

Our itinerary goes something like this:
Arrive Auckland April 6 (Good Friday)
Fly to Christchurch April 8 (Easter)
South Island April 8 to April 18
Fly to Wellington April 18
North Island April 18 to April 29 (fly home from Auckland)

Thanks again to Gary for permitting me to post another of his 2006 photos.  I believe this one was taken near Picton, in the northern part of South Island.  This is the background on my work computer; a nice antidote to our dreary Vancouver weather. Original photo is here.

Countdown to departure T-9

Welcome dear readers! This is as good a time as any to reactivate this blog and start forming the habit of a daily entry. I'm in Vancouver Public Library central branch, which has very slow wireless access. Good prep I s'pose for New Zealand's notoriously dodgy wifi.

Looking forward to this trip very much, although ten days out (departing evening of April 4) I feel a bit underprepared. Still, we do have the first three days fairly well blocked out. First two days we'll be with friends-of-friend in Auckland - a lovely American family I met briefly at the end of my last New Zealand voyage. They travelled in on South Island earlier this year, so we look forward to their insider tips. We fly to Christchurch at noon on Easter Sunday, pick up a rental car on arrival, overnight approx. 85 km away in Akaroa. Our first night in a holiday park cabin and good chance to see how my sister Estelle likes that accommodation option.

Since I spent my entire time on North Island last trip, I'm very much looking forward to seeing the South Island. I don't even have too many memories from my first New Zealand trip (1983) as I didn't spend much time there. We were under deadline, as I recall, to get to Te Anau for a booking to hike Milford Track. (we made it, the trek was gorgeous, weather was perfect)

Today I'll sign off by thanking my friend Gary for the lovely penguin picture above, taken on the Otago Peninsula (South Island) in 2006. (original photo here)
We'll be on that peninsula fairly early in our trip and hope to see some yellow-eyed penguins too!