After a quick 30-hour layover in Los Angeles, (thanks again, Frankie and Joel), we arrived in Auckland and are cozy in our apartment-hotel near the University of Auckland/Bio Engineering Institute where Miles will be collaborating with colleagues and doing research.
Auckland is a funky mix of a city. There are some 19th century buildings next to modern ones. There is a large Asian population and are countless restaurants and shops that cater to this community. Along the main downtown street, there are youth hostels, fast food joints, cheap shops along with Prada and Coach. People are so friendly and helpful. The pace is slow...we just love it.
It's wonderful to be re-visiting our old haunts from 5 years ago and I love just wandering around checking out the local scene. Since it's Christmas and summer time, there are many events and activities happening in the next few weeks. Miles is going to the University on a regular basis and I joined a gym and the library. I also want to volunteer and give free English lessons. Auckland has many English language programs and attracts a lot of foreign students. This may be because it's cheaper to come here than Australia.
On our first weekend outing, we took about a 10-kilometer walk to Mission Bay. We saw that the streets near the harbor had been transformed into a giant pinball inspired drift track for an international competition. What is drifting, you ask? Drifting is a driving technique where the driver intentionally over steers causing loss of traction in the rear wheels or all tires, while maintaining control from entry to exit of a corner. It was wild to see these race cars careening around corners among the cheering crowds.
Drifting competition
Rangitoto (600-year old coned-shaped volcanic island in the background)
Mission Bay beach
At Mission Bay, we happened upon a large Hari Krishna celebration. We were asked to join them for lunch (cottage cheese), but politely declined.
Hari Krishna celebration
On Sunday, we hiked the Coast to Coast Walkway, a 16-kilometer route which goes from the downtown Auckland harbor to the Manukau harbor, basically criss-crossing the city. It was fantastic and a great way to see the major parks.
Instead of the harbor, we started at the Domain, Auckland's largest park which is closer to our apartment. We love this park and Miles walks around it every day for exercise. Besides the location of the Auckland War Memorial Museum, there are many gardens and a huge cricket field.
Grandstand for viewing cricket matches
Sculpture in the Domain
Hey! A Domain menorah!
Our next main stop was at Mt. Eden, a dormant volcano whose summit, at 196 metres (643 ft) above sea level, is the highest natural point on the Auckland isthmus. It is the highest non-man-made point in Auckland and provides good views in all directions over the city.
On this particular Sunday, there was an event at Mt. Eden called Love Your Mountain Day. Cars were restricted from driving to the top and we saw many walkers. There were several events on the mountain, some of a spiritual nature. We left a message at the Wish Tree:
Wish Tree
Mt. Eden crater
View from Mt. Eden to Rangitoto Island
View from Mt. Eden--Sky Tower
We detoured a bit to explore the Government House Gardens. We were lucky once again: these gardens were opened to the public for one day only per year as part of the Love Your Mountain Day. This house/gardens are where the Governor-General comes when he's not in Wellington, the capital.
Government House
Gov't House gardens
It's good to be Governor-General!
Right next to the Government House was Eden Gardens, a wonderful 5.5 acre award-winning public garden. Again, this was free today because of the Love Your Mountain Day. Talk about good timing! We were SO LUCKY!
Eden Gardens
Sculpture in Eden Gardens
We left Mt. Eden and along the way, saw this cute plastic dog and guess what? It's a receptacle for dog poop! How civilized!
Doggie doo dumpster
Onward: after walking through some lovely residential neighborhoods, the next destination was Cornwall Park. This vast and beautiful park was filled with families picnicking. We commented over and over again about the amount of huge, green parks/fields in Auckland. This is clearly a country with lots of open space! And lots of water and a love for parks!
Entrance to Cornwall Park
Cornwall Park grounds with One Tree Hill monument in the distance (more about this below)
View of Cornwall Park from the info center
One more destination to go: Maungakiekie/One Tree Hill is a 182-metre (597 ft) volcanic peak which is an important memorial place for both Maori and other New Zealanders.
A beautiful tree stump on the way up to the memorial (see Miles?)
After nearly 6 hours of walking, we decided not to continue to the 2nd harbor, which wasn't too far away. Oh well, maybe next time. We were REALLY tired!
On our way back down the hill to the bus stop, we passed through a field with sheep. Doesn't get more Kiwi-like than this!
Are you ever troopers with all that walking. Kol Ha'kavod and very admirable. Once again you have captured the essence of a city so beautifully. The parks and wonderful vistas are delightful and you have only just begun. How fortunate to be able to get into the Government House Gardens. They knew you were coming! Leave it to the Kiwis to create 'Love Your Mountain Day'. Love those sculptures in Eden Gardens. What an unusual sport Drifting is. Love those photos.
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