Tuesday, January 17, 2012

New Zealand January 2012

Presently in Coromandel Town, New Zealand after 4 days in Auckland.

Arrived in Auckland last Thursday.... stayed with M's friend Paula, who lives in the beautiful Waitakere (West Auckland) rainforest. 
Friday explored the Waitakere region.  Hiking (aka tramping in NZ terminology), Piha beach (a beautiful black-sand beach) and driving around.  Hiking through rainforest with H in a backpack on my back was incredible, and lunch at Piha Cafe was great.
Saturday was H's first birthday, and a day in Auckland.  Auckland Art Gallery (the contemporary NZ art was really good) and shopping in and around High Street.  Horrible weather.  At night a dinner party at Paula's house with an interesting group of people.
Sunday more exploration of West Auckland.  Walked to Waitakere Dam (an extremely beautiful view of a very full, spilling dam) and a very, very steep walk back up.  Lunch in Swanson, various further explorations and a walk to another dam.  Got very wet.  Summer in Auckland has been non-existent this year, apparently.  We certainly experienced a succession of crappy weather days.
Monday breakfast on Ponsonby Road, then headed up to the Coromandel Peninsula.  The last 30-45 minutes of the drive were amazing.  A bit like the best sections of the Great Ocean Road, but with the road immediately next to the coast rather than elevated.  Staying at Driving Creek Villas.  V nice. 
Today the weather was particularly bad.  Drove to the very isolated far north of the Coromandel Peninsula.  Long stretches of unmade road, very few cars or people.  Amazing views of rushing streams, beach, clifftops, ...  An exhausting drive, but very beautiful.