Miles and I arrived to Auckland on Dec. 14 after a 6-week visit to
San Mateo. Seeing family and friends took up most of my time while
Miles worked full-time at Livermore Lab. I was especially happy to
spend so much time with my parents.
We had lots of fun, too: operas (thanks Larry and Rhonda), hikes, staying overnight in San Francisco, Thanksgiving, a weekend visit with Adam who came to San Mateo after a visit to Caltech, and many visits with extended family. Just wonderful!
Back to NZ.
Even though it's our 3rd visit here, we are still overwhelmed with the beauty of the scenery. The trees are big, bold and dramatic, the water is turquoise and clear and the flowers are bright.
People are so friendly and the pace is slow, things are funky which we love.
We
are staying, also for the 3rd time, in an apt. in the Old Government
House, an 1850s-era building that was converted to meeting rooms and a
few apartments. It's extremely convenient for Miles to go to work at
the Bio-Engineering Institute at the University of Auckland as well as for
me to hang out around central Auckland. The apt. is comfy and
old-fashioned: double taps, creaky floors, musty smell in the hall--we
just love it!
While Miles is working, I'm going to keep busy at the university gym, volunteering at the Auckland Mission, helping at the Auckland Summer Shakespeare show "As You Like It" at the end of Feb. and auditing a summer school university course which starts in January. Weekends will be for touring around.
A few days after we arrived, we left to travel around the south-western and the north-east regions of the North Island during the Christmas holiday season when the university is closed. We return to Auckland Jan. 2 and that's when I'll start with my activities.
Our first stop on our "vacation" was to re-visit Huka Falls near Lake Taupo, about a 3-hour drive from Auckland. We never tire of this amazing place!
While we were driving towards our next stop, we couldn't resist stopping at The Licorice Cafe--those of you who know Miles, knows he's a licorice junky and we bought some licorice to support his habit.
After
driving around Lake Taupo, we ventured on to "new" territory and spent 2
nights in Tauramunui, a small timber town located west of the
lake. We drove through amazing volcanic valleys with hills that looked
like they were covered in green velvet.
Our main goal was to hike along the Timber Trail, a newly constructed biking/hiking trail that goes for 80 kilometers. We hiked just a small portion and went over the Maramahata Suspension Bridge which was built in 2012 when they developed the Timber Trail.
We had lots of fun, too: operas (thanks Larry and Rhonda), hikes, staying overnight in San Francisco, Thanksgiving, a weekend visit with Adam who came to San Mateo after a visit to Caltech, and many visits with extended family. Just wonderful!
Miles, Dad, Adam, Gwen, brother Doug holding Forrest, niece Amy holding Micah, Mom, me and Jonathan
Back to NZ.
Even though it's our 3rd visit here, we are still overwhelmed with the beauty of the scenery. The trees are big, bold and dramatic, the water is turquoise and clear and the flowers are bright.
Dramatic tree in Albert Park
People are so friendly and the pace is slow, things are funky which we love.
Shark bus shuttle for the Kelly Tarlton Aquarium
While Miles is working, I'm going to keep busy at the university gym, volunteering at the Auckland Mission, helping at the Auckland Summer Shakespeare show "As You Like It" at the end of Feb. and auditing a summer school university course which starts in January. Weekends will be for touring around.
A few days after we arrived, we left to travel around the south-western and the north-east regions of the North Island during the Christmas holiday season when the university is closed. We return to Auckland Jan. 2 and that's when I'll start with my activities.
Our first stop on our "vacation" was to re-visit Huka Falls near Lake Taupo, about a 3-hour drive from Auckland. We never tire of this amazing place!
We LOVE Huka Falls!
Lake Taupo (pronounced Toe Paw)
Licorice Cafe
Pictures don't do this amazing landscape justice!
Our main goal was to hike along the Timber Trail, a newly constructed biking/hiking trail that goes for 80 kilometers. We hiked just a small portion and went over the Maramahata Suspension Bridge which was built in 2012 when they developed the Timber Trail.
Giant fern tree along the trail
Maramahata Suspension
Bridge
Don't jump!
Hold on, Miles!
View from the middle of the bridge
The top of this fern looks like a star when viewed from the bridge
Dense forest on the trail
Curled ferns (koru) before they become leaves
Lacy fern fronds
These kuro looked like snails
Glad you were able to spend time with your folks. After hearing about NZ from you and niece Jane it is definitely on our to do list.
ReplyDeleteWill pass on the licorice store. xxxooo M&M
ps in Hawaii they make a great salad from young, tender fern fronds. NZ version too?
What a lovely family photo. I am sure you enjoyed every precious moment of your family time in San Mateo.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing photo of that gorgeous tree in Albert Park! Your Old Government House Apartment sounds perfect and so convenient to walking around town.
Wish we had known about The Licorice Cafe when we were there. Miles, you must have literally been a 'kid in a candy store'. What fun. The Timber Trail hike and Maramahata Suspension Bridge look wonderful and OH THOSE LACY ferns are exquisite.