Auckland

Arriving in Auckland I was able to check in early and I had a prime room on the 18th floor! Much better than my 3rd floor apartment in the same hotel :). Great views of the city. 

I went for a run up mount Eden.  Can't be in Auckland without running up a volcano! 

Fantastic views. A few ominous clouds but all was well. 

Only 13000km from Washington! 

Of course have to have a shot of rangitoto. 

And the mount Eden crater. 

That evening we went to 16 tun so I could sample all the new craft beers on Auckland! Beautiful afternoon wandering through the wynyard quarter. 

Had a nice flight of beers and then on to vultures lane. Finished at my apartment with a new beer I had gotten from galbraiths. Awesome day! 

For Tuesday we headed over to waiheke. A little time lounging on the beach before heading to the vineyards. 

First stop was te motu where we were the only customers. Enjoyed the tasting and stories about the vineyard. 

Right next door is stonyridge were we got a massive platter of snacks and a nice bottle of wine. Such a gorgeous day. 

Last stop was cable bay. I had hoped to watch the sunset but they closed early as it is still somewhat winter. But still got a bottle of wine in and some nice views. Met a French couple who felt sorry for us and gave us some of their Chardonnay when we finished out bottle and couldn't order any more :) 

Dinner at a fantastic Japanese spot off queen street. Hidden in the basement, the food was superb. 

Unfortunately my holiday in New Zealand had to come to a close.  The city gave me a wonderful sunrise for my last morning. With the super moon still visible. 

Now off to Australia for more adventures! 

Nelson

I arrived in nelson Sunday evening. I had a great room at a nearby lodge and then wandered over to a pub I had heard was pretty famous for craft beer. 

Apparently it is heaven! They had several good ones on tap and a nice open area. I stayed outside for a bit before it go too chilly after sunset. 

Some very friendly ducks. 

Who drink out of buckets....

I then heard some singing. I wandered into the yurt and found a singing circle. They invited me to join, and for the next two hours we sang a wide wide variety of songs. It was a truly wonderful experience. Definitely a big fan of Nelson! 

Pitt Head walk

I quite enjoyed walking without a pack on! The Pitt head look is 3k or so. First stop Te Pukatea bay. Gorgeous and deserted. 

The bay from above. 

Continued on around Pitt head. 

Anchorage bay from above. 

I headed back to the bay and settled in on the beach for more lunch and beers and my book. 

I got on the Aquataxi and was still on the water when I was apparently supposed to be picked up at 4 pm. Oops. Turns out I had been put on the wrong boat. No worries, they put me on a different bus! So all was well. 

Our boat driver expertly piloted the boat onto the trailer and then tractored us out. It was extreme low tide so we had a long way to go. 

Great walk and great time in Marahau off to nelson! 

Stillwell bay to anchorage

Across the bridge and continuing in the forest with intermittent views of the coast line. 

Such a gorgeous day. 

I stopped off at a lookout for lunch and a beer. I was carrying 3 and they were getting heavy! Adele island across the way, named by the first explorer after his wife. He was a frenchman called D'Urville. 

The astrolabe road is the channel in front, named after his ship. 

Next stop off was the watering cover, where D'Urville and his men stopped in for washing and met the local Maori. They were friendly luckily! 

And then up and over to anchorage, where my pickup would occur. 

Once at anchorage I had plenty of time before pickup. I was able to drop my pack at the picnic tables and go on a nice pack free walk around Pitt head.