Auckland
I am posting this from the Auckland Airport – checked in having accomplished the primary objective on this trip – leaving on time. Except for the day down the Waitomo Caves and Rotorua, I stayed local in Auckland. Auckland is a major city – larger than I was expecting. Auckland is much closer in size and vibe to Brisbane than Christchurch with about 1/3 of New Zealand’s population living here. The weather was generally rainy and sunny with strong winds. The first couple of days, I mostly worked and did the hop on/hop off bus and Sky Tower. The Sky Tower did have a unique attraction – the Sky Jump – not a bungy jump but a controlled fall that was like going down a very fast elevator….the free fall was about 10 feet then constant speed to the bottom (and no bounce up). But closed due to high winds – but is something I’d consider in the future. Because of the weather, I would check the forecast each evening I plan the follow day – for Saturday I booked an America’s Cup sailing cruise and a night ocean kayak trek to see glowing plankton.
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Get a notice Saturday that the sailing trip cancelled due to winds. Too windy/raining for a bike ride – so I went to the New Zealand Maritime Museum in the harbor. It was well-rounded with history of New Zealand as well. Big exhibit on the Americas Cup and next to rugby it is the national sport. After I came out, I saw the kiosk for my sailing trip and they were selling tickets for a different sailing trip. Apparently the one I signed up for entailed being part of the crew – and they have a lower wind speed criteria as they are relying on the tourist to help. So I signed up for this lower key tour (and went and bought some rain gear) – we get on the boat and the captain says sustained winds at 33 knots – the criteria is 35 knots so we are good to go. He then says we are wearing lifejackets – first time his has done that on this cruise. We get out of the harbor and it is much smoother than I expected – he has the main sail halfway up and says if we do OK he’ll put it all the way up and we will over on our side going 15 knots. But immediately about half the passengers insist on standing up and walking around to take pictures – so never unleashed the main sail. Good trip with sun and rain….which created a great rainbow – the picture doesn’t do it justice.
Glowing Plankton
The night kayak trip was to find glowing plankton – I was a bit nervous with all of the winds it would be rough (and cold) but the guide took us to a protected cove and the wind wasn’t bad and the waves were manageable. For 65 degree air temp and 70 degree water temp and off/on rain – it wasn’t too bad (and glad I got the rain gear). The sky alternated between clouds and clear with views of the Milky Way and a crescent Moon. So pretty spectacular except for one thing – the glowing plankton were not what I expected – you had to put your hand in the water and splash and then they would spark. Like seeing fireflies. No glowing waves or even water. They advised not to bring your camera/phone because it is hard to photo – would be pretty much impossible. They also said they usually lost a phone or two a trip because people’s hands were wet and the phone would slip….so they heavily discouraged taking phones. Picture from google attached of what I expected versus what we got. Hard to rate (of course get a request before I even get home) as it was a great experience but I didn’t see what I expected.
Rangitoto Island
So in planning my last day (flight was at 7pm) – either a bike ride or ferry to a volcano and hike to the top – after some checking on weather, frequency of wind-related cancellations, and triple-checking the hike duration (so I could make it back for the earliest ferry – giving me plenty of time and options if I missed it) – I went with the hike. Glad I did as I got a great weather day – the signage indicated it was 1 hour each way – I was first of the boat and hustled up in 45 minutes (although I was passed by a lot of people), went around the crater rim and headed back down – although sunny there you could see rain all around. Rangitoto Island is a new volcano – formed just 600 years ago. The trail was mostly lava rock and I was focused on not falling because lava rocks hurts. I was ahead of schedule and taking my time when I caught my heel on a stairstep jamming my Achilles. Didn’t hurt but felt weird – so took it real slow and caught the first ferry back and a stress-free afternoon after that.
Between the South Island and North Island of New Zealand and Tasmania – I would rate the North Island 3rd – could be bias because of weather or I didn’t have my travel buddy. It is nice, but if you make it this far – South Island is one of the most spectacular places I have ever been.
Off to Houston for a layover and hoping I have time to get a What-A-Burger at the airport!
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