A long weekend in Auckland part 1; Rangitoto Island

We left Maunganui behind us for the 3 hour drive back to Auckland at just after 10 this morning. Again slightly late. We again did a run this morning, In which I didn’t leave Amelia this time, she’s slightly more happy with me (potentially). After hitting significant traffic leaving Maunganui we headed over to Matamata (Hobbiton way) then struck North to Auckland. We had planned to stop for lunch somewhere but, mostly due to my excellent driving, we arrived at the Airbnb in Posonby just after 2 so we parked up and headed around the corner to a conveniently located park to eat. There I saw a wild parrot. Never seen one of those in the wild before. Very colourful. 

Just after 3 we headed back round to the van to decamp into the Airbnb. It’s a beautiful traditional white bungalow, with high ceilings and a massively oversized shower. The beds were delightful. It’s a real bed. Wow. We unpacked and both had a proper wash in a real shower (a novelty) before Anna arrived at 5ish. Amelia was clearly delighted to have someone else to talk to (I’m not the most talkative person at the best of times...) so we all caught up for a few hours before heading out into Ponsonby for food and a couple of drinks. We went to a food market and had a delicious meal at Miss Istanbul (guess the cuisine) and had a drink at a very cool pub/bar called Hoppers. Very full and happy we headed back, with great expectations for an excellent sleep. This did not happen. I think I might have got less than an hour of actual sleep in, and then I was woken by my phone ringing with a cold caller from England (no). The windows were single glazed so very noisy, and at about 2/3 in the morning an incredibly invasive bird noise began, Amelia described it as sounding like a character from Saw (horror film). Absolutely horrendous. Earplugs are definitely required tonight. 

Our plan today was to catch a boat over to Rangitoto Island, one of the volcanic islands dotted around Auckland’s bay, and have an explore, before the girls were due a well earned catchup without me in the evening (and I get an evening in to myself). After a slightly (very) rushed start where we missed a bus, and when one did turn up we didn’t have correct change so I had to run to the dairy (NZ name for a newsagents) to change some money while the bus was waiting, then had to run for the ferry after getting our tickets at the terminal. Stressful times. Despite this we did actually catch the 9:30 ferry, and it was good we did as the last one to return left at 3:30 and we definitely needed that extra time. Rangitoto is a volcano, so the terrain there is black volcanic rock with lush forest growing everywhere. We first had a look at the lava caves, not recommended, before reaching the summit, very much recommended. From here you get panoramic views back to Auckland city, across the bay and over to the other islands further out to sea. We then headed on to Motutapu Island via a short causeway, before heading back to a beautiful beach where we felt like the only people on a paradise island. Here we ate lunch. We then had a relatively quick walk back via the ‘coastal path’ which was rough, rocky terrain, with very few sightings of the sea. Not really a coastal path at all. 

We were all pretty knackered by this point. The weather was again perfect so we indulged in some well deserved ice cream and headed back to Posonby on the bus. We chilled with a glass of wine on the veranda at the Airbnb for a bit, then the girls headed out for dinner and drinks while I headed to dominos for 2 pizzas (Hawaiian and pepperoni) for $10 and a bit of tv. Very nice to switch off and relax for a few hours. A brilliant day, certainly helped by the weather, but also but Auckland just being a great place to be. Tomorrow we’ve got a wine tasting day. I cannot wait.