On Sat. we drove west to the Waitakere Ranges, home to beautiful beaches and day hill hikes, about an hour away. First stop was at the Arataki Visitors Center to get info and also take our first "picture":
Miles being "framed"We then stopped by Karekare Beach which is where "The Piano", the Oscar-winning movie was filmed. The sand in this area is black, sparkly, volcanic material which absorbs radiation and was really hot on the feet. Ouch!
Karekare Beach with black, volcanic sand
REALLY black sand (and Miles' feet)
Close-up of the outcropping
Giant fern
Walk along Kitekite trail
FINALLY...Kitekite Falls
Surfer's Paradise
House in what we thought looked like a "broccoli" forest
Walk along Kitekite trail
FINALLY...Kitekite FallsNext stop was Piha Beach, another beautiful black-sand stretch with incredible rock out-croppings and great surfing beaches. The day we were there, I guess the surf was low and the surfers were hiding.
Piha Beach
Miles with cool out-cropping at Piha Beach
Piha Beach
Miles with cool out-cropping at Piha Beach
Surfer's Paradise
House in what we thought looked like a "broccoli" forestOn to Sunday. We got an early start and walked to the ferry that took us to Rangitoto Island. This volcanic island erupted from the sea in a series of dramatic explosions around 600 years ago--new! The landscape includes lava fields, native plants and sandy coves. There is no permanent population, except for a few brave souls who live in beach baches (cabins). And, no snack bars or visitor's center--only a dock for the ferry, a bathroom, a few shelters and a ranger who takes people on a paid volcanic tour. How refreshing and non-commercial!
The weather is so interesting and changeable. We got sun, drizzle, clouds, clear skies, mist...and this happen all during the day. They say that if you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes and it'll change.
We hiked all over for about 5 hours following the map to various spectacular sites.
Rangitoto Island from the ferry. We hiked to the top and you'll see a few pictures later of the view
You see lava fields like this everywhere. The rock is extremely sharp and you need really sturdy shoes to walk on it. We basically stuck to hiking trails.
Lava cave
Rangitoto Crater filled in with trees
View from the summit--you can actually see 360 degrees toward Auckland and various islands
Motutapu Island in the distance, sacred to the Maori. You can go there by causeway or ferry. Next time!
Me at McKenzie Bay
Miles on the beach
Kowhai Grove (spikey plants)
Me pointing out the curvy trees
Black back gull colony (you have to click on the picture to see the gulls. We couldn't walk any closer.)
Volcanic shoreline with bach
A private boat at the dock. Check out the water--color was just amazing.
The weather is so interesting and changeable. We got sun, drizzle, clouds, clear skies, mist...and this happen all during the day. They say that if you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes and it'll change.
We hiked all over for about 5 hours following the map to various spectacular sites.
Rangitoto Island from the ferry. We hiked to the top and you'll see a few pictures later of the view
You see lava fields like this everywhere. The rock is extremely sharp and you need really sturdy shoes to walk on it. We basically stuck to hiking trails.
Lava cave
Rangitoto Crater filled in with trees
View from the summit--you can actually see 360 degrees toward Auckland and various islands
Motutapu Island in the distance, sacred to the Maori. You can go there by causeway or ferry. Next time!
Me at McKenzie Bay
Miles on the beach
Kowhai Grove (spikey plants)
Me pointing out the curvy trees
Black back gull colony (you have to click on the picture to see the gulls. We couldn't walk any closer.)
Volcanic shoreline with bach
A private boat at the dock. Check out the water--color was just amazing.
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