Auckland

I can't come to Auckland without running up Mount Eden.  Some clouds and rain, but plenty warm when running uphill!

Hit all my favourite beer spots.  16 tun below.

Great views from our apartment at the Waldorf.
 
And more sun for the second trip up Mount Eden.
  


We finished off at Galbraiths in the beer garden out back.  Always my last stop before heading to the airport.
 
After some time in the lounge we were on our plane back home!  Amazing trip!

Waiheke 2

We then made our way up hill to the road to head to Mudbrick.  Passed some alpacas on the way.
 
I guess this is the top!
 
Views down to Oneroa, the main "town" on Waiheke.

And arrived at Mudbrick!
  
After managing to get a cheese plate at Mudbrick (they didn't want to let us eat outside because it had been raining 6 hours ago?), we headed to Cable Bay next.
 
One of my favourite spots on Waiheke, sitting in the grass at Cable Bay, overlooking Auckland.
 
Bean bags are fantastic when you are drinking a few bottles of wine....

We headed back down the trail to catch the ferry eventually.  Wonderful day on Waiheke as usual!
 

Waiheke 1

Once again we escaped the clouds of Auckland and headed to Waiheke.  Beautiful day there!

We  did the coastal track to head over to Mudbrick vineyard.  Wonderful views along the track.
  
They also had new signposts since the last time I did this walk.
 
Hard to see in the distance, but there were multiple art installations along this track for the month of January.  Added bonus!
 
And plenty of trees hugging the cliffs along the way.
 
The trees often tried to take over the track!

We walked down to Church Bay, very windy black sand beach.
    
Looking back on Church Bay with Motukaha island in the center of the bay.

Rangitoto 2

More views from the summit.  It had gotten warm walking uphill, but got chilly pretty quick in the wind.
 
Great views of Auckland and devonport.

Rangitoto Crater.

Lunch and beer time!
 
More of Devonport.
 
We headed back down and passed one of the tractors for the tour group!

We had some extra time before the ferry returned, so walked over tot Mototapu briefly.
 
And then hung out at the beach near the ferry dock.

Found a couple oyster catchers with their baby.  This time I did not get attacked!
   
Great day on Rangitoto as we relaxed in the sun and waited for the ferry to be ready to head back!