Coddiwomple Stardate 171111
We arrived at Auckland on time to a very wet day so never got to see anything until later after our 3 hour snooze. Our first venture into Auckland took us through an old pioneer cemetery with the grave of William Hobson first Governor of New Zealand who died in 1842. The cemetery is fairly run down but still and interesting walk (and if you have an over active imagination it would be cool to go to at night).
So after tramping (just trying to fit in over here) through the CBD then down to the wharf and back to our apartment following part of the 16km Coast to Coast walk, It felt like after a six hour flight to get here the plane had just dropped us back in Perth. Same cars, same shops and same Kiwi & Asian accents. They even have Woolworths here but its called Countdown. One major difference you can pay for food & alcohol in the same checkout. (How advanced is this country).
Devonport - we woke later than usual and headed to Stray (hop on hop off bus) to ask some questions. Headed to the Quay to get the ferry across to Devonport (my new home). Took 12min and felt like a completely different place to Auckland. So pretty. Went up Mount Victoria and then walked to Maungauika which is a volcano forming a headland called North Head, it has been an important lookout and defence site for centuries. First for Maori inhabitants and latter for European settlers. Walked back through the back streets to the main strip for fish and chips for a late lunch. Ferry back to Auckland and ice-cream time before heading back to accommodation
On Friday we made our way over to Waiheke Island instead of Rangitoto Island which was formed 600 years ago by underwater volcano. We had seen Rangitoto Island from North Head and decided apart from hiking there wasn't anything else to do. After a 35min ferry trip we arrived just in time to get the first Hop on Hop off bus for the day. When we arrived, quickly realised we should of stayed with the original plan and spend the day hiking on Rangitoto Island. There were a dozen tourist buses lining up to take passengers from the ferry, our HoHo bus couldn't get in to pick us up. So once on the move with our commentary on board found out the island has a population of 6000 people 40,000 in peak times. The car parks were absolutely full, the roads packed with parked cars and any available space filled with cars. Apparently 2000 people commute everyday to the mainland for work. So even with 2000 cars parked it left thousands more to choke the roads. So everything about the island is about food, wine & wine and a couple of craft breweries. Beautiful coves to wander along the beaches and some walking tracks around the edges and through to the various wineries. Green, lush and totally gorgeous. it can be totally touristy or get off the beaten track to enjoy the scenery in a different way. Something for everyone.
I checked out Mt Eden today (Sharon has broken herself again) which is a volcano that last erupted 15,000 years ago and named after George Eden 1st Earl of Auckland. If you ever come to Auckland it is a must to walk up. It gives you one of the best views that take in all Auckland and you realise where 1/3 of New Zealand's population lives (1.6 million).
Off to Thames tomorrow our first Stray Bus venture.
So after tramping (just trying to fit in over here) through the CBD then down to the wharf and back to our apartment following part of the 16km Coast to Coast walk, It felt like after a six hour flight to get here the plane had just dropped us back in Perth. Same cars, same shops and same Kiwi & Asian accents. They even have Woolworths here but its called Countdown. One major difference you can pay for food & alcohol in the same checkout. (How advanced is this country).
Devonport - we woke later than usual and headed to Stray (hop on hop off bus) to ask some questions. Headed to the Quay to get the ferry across to Devonport (my new home). Took 12min and felt like a completely different place to Auckland. So pretty. Went up Mount Victoria and then walked to Maungauika which is a volcano forming a headland called North Head, it has been an important lookout and defence site for centuries. First for Maori inhabitants and latter for European settlers. Walked back through the back streets to the main strip for fish and chips for a late lunch. Ferry back to Auckland and ice-cream time before heading back to accommodation
On Friday we made our way over to Waiheke Island instead of Rangitoto Island which was formed 600 years ago by underwater volcano. We had seen Rangitoto Island from North Head and decided apart from hiking there wasn't anything else to do. After a 35min ferry trip we arrived just in time to get the first Hop on Hop off bus for the day. When we arrived, quickly realised we should of stayed with the original plan and spend the day hiking on Rangitoto Island. There were a dozen tourist buses lining up to take passengers from the ferry, our HoHo bus couldn't get in to pick us up. So once on the move with our commentary on board found out the island has a population of 6000 people 40,000 in peak times. The car parks were absolutely full, the roads packed with parked cars and any available space filled with cars. Apparently 2000 people commute everyday to the mainland for work. So even with 2000 cars parked it left thousands more to choke the roads. So everything about the island is about food, wine & wine and a couple of craft breweries. Beautiful coves to wander along the beaches and some walking tracks around the edges and through to the various wineries. Green, lush and totally gorgeous. it can be totally touristy or get off the beaten track to enjoy the scenery in a different way. Something for everyone.
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