Another Season has Come to Auckland

Days are getting shorter, and infact the time is changing at midnight on Saturday...so the dark days of Fall/Winter will begin. It is so hard to believe that Summer just roared past, and Easter is in just a few short days. I have completed my training at Tiritiri Matangi Island and now I lead walks on the Island once a week, sharing this very special place with people from all over the globe. It is such a rewarding volunteer position to hold. Everytime I see and learn new things, meet extraordinary people, and have a truly fantastic experience. (Well...one time I had a rough group of 15-16 year old girls who did not want to be there...but that was only once).

I am also volunteering at our neighbor, Margaret's school as a reading tutor for her year 2 students. I ride the ferry and then a bus out to Mt. Eden every Monday, and spend the morning working with small groups of students. I have had to learn a different pronunciation of the vowels...not allowed to teach them the American way. Hmmmn...I have to constantly practice this new way with words.The kids are really precious, and I enjoy spending my time with them.

Our very good friend, Anne and her partner Ed have visited since I last wrote. I picked them up at AKL at 5:20 am on Friday, March 26th. We had a nice walk about Devonport after we unloaded their luggage. They napped for a wee bit, and then Rob, Anne, Ed & me took the ferry over to the city to have a nice lunch at the Viaduct Basin. It was early to bed for all of us as they were needing sleep to catch up from the jet lag, and I was needing sleep to catch up from getting up so early. Going to the airport at such a early, dark time for the second time in a row was a challenge as there was yet another detour that I encountered. Luckily, I followed a taxi as I thought surely he would lead me out of this maze and to the proper route...it paid off. I can not wait for the road detours to the airport to stop!

Saturday, we got up and packed our car for a tiki tour of the Northland. We drove the scenic route to Paihia, stopping off in Mangawhai Heaeds and Lang's Beach before we arrived in Whangerei to pick up the keys to the bach we rented in Paihia. We had a lovely picnic at Whanerei Falls, and spent some time walking on the short track before getting back in the car for the final leg of our journey. We arrived in Paihia around 4:30...found the Crow's Nest, and were blown away by the views from our bach. (Bach = Cabin or Holiday Home).

We knew we wanted to get out on the water in the Bay of Islands on Sunday, but we hadn't a clue as to what kind of boat we wanted to take so off to the i-site (information booth) we went. We finally decided to do a 4 hour boat tour out to Hole in the Rock, that also stopped for an hour at an Island called Urupukapuka Island.We were guaranteed that we would also see dolphins. On Sunday morning the Bay of Islands was as smooth as a mirror, so we decided to take the boat ride in the morning, as calm waters generally are easier on those of us with sensitivity to sea sickness. It was such a pristine ride...and we did see dolphins!! We also saw heaps and heaps of fish out by hole in the Wall and the Cape Brett lighthouse. I don't know if we could have planned our trip any better!

After the boat ride we returned to Paihia and drove a short distance to Waitangi to see the Treaty of Waitangi, and look around the grounds and museum. It was all very impressive, however, it might have been better had we not been so exhausted from the boat ride...somewhere a nap was missed. Right...that is what I did during the 20 minute movie... :)And, I do not think I was the only one of us napping.

After the boys had a nap back at the bach, we caught the 6:00 Ferry over to Russell and walked around that tiny town before settling down for a beautiful dinner at Kamakura. Rob & I had been here with Ross & Emily when we took them to Russell after Christmas '08, so we knew this would be a great place to eat. The sun set over the water just as we were sitting down...no need for jackets as the weather was just perfect! It was just like Indian Summer back in Ca.

Monday we woke up, packed up our bags, and headed west to see the mighty Tane Mahuta. The largest known Kauri Tree in NZ. Wow!! It was so impressive...so huge! We also did a bush walk to see the grandfather tree, and the four sisters. The grandfather tree seemed bigger than Tane Mahuta...but only in girth. Tane Mahuta was taller. We drove, and we drove, and we drove, until we came to the Kauri Museum. Unfortunately, we needed 6-8 hours to really enjoy this museum, and we only had 1/2 an hour. It was incredible how much they had in that museum...amazing furniture, and amazing collections of the time period. Next time we will remember to allow more time to see this museum.

Before we arrived home to Devonport, Rob took a detour to show Anne and Ed the Mauhurangi Harbour. We had discovered this gorgeous piece of coastline after Christmas, and have made a few trips back to enjoy the gorgeous beach at Sullivan's Bay. As we arrived in Devonport, Rob took us up Mt. Victoria for an amazing view of the sunset.

Tuesday, Rob had to return to work, and Anne, Ed and I went off to Auckland City by ferry. We went to the top of the Sky Tower for some amazing views of the Auckland area. Anne & Ed were leaving on Wednesday, so they wanted to look around Auckland City & Devonport. We had a fantastic walk after dinner under the full moon out to Cheltenham Beach. It is so beautiful to walk here after dinner...and a special treat when it is clear and there is a full moon.

Wednesday morning...I sent Anne & Ed off on the ferry to catch the Airport Express bus, as they were flying to Queenstown for a little South Island adventure. Even though our visit was short...it was so great to have Anne and Ed stay with us. I'm gonna miss my friend tho...

So, today is Good Friday, and all businesses close as it is a major holiday here. Not even the grocery stores are open. Tomorrow stores will be open, and then closed again for Easter. We don't have any plans for Easter except to try to check out a west coast beach that we have never been to. Karekare Beach. Anne said it was the beach tha was filmed in the movie 'The Piano'...so maybe we'll rent the movie before we check out the beach.

Sunday there will be a five hour difference for us to the west coast of the US...so it will be harder to reach you by Skype...I'll just have to schedule my calls early in order to get through...Happy Easter to all of you!! I hope your Spring is gorgeous!