http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Auckland/Waitakere-Ranges/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Oceania , New Zealand , North Island , Auckland , Waitakere Ranges en-us Mon, 04 Jan 2010 13:57:49 +0000 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 13:57:49 +0000 cant believe already had a month hereSUN went to rangitoto island with fellow vols was brilliant tis the most recent erupted volocano of them all in North Island. Was beautiful massive Pohutakawa forest on the lava fields some bits a lil like iceland stunning weather aswell little hellish though as we marched full speed to the summit did an hours advised walk in 40 mins http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Auckland/Waitakere-Ranges/blog-335655.html JACK HAD FUN He just threw on his tight jeans and tshirt grabbed his glow sticks and danced the night away... kind of. No he did dance though. It was great There is this style of dancing from Australia that is all this fancy footwork like they are walking in place. It's hard to describe but it was really cool. Some of the people at the club were really talented. It was nice to see Aucklan http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Auckland/Waitakere-Ranges/blog-285269.html I have to appologize for the list we made That must have been a fun post to read right Bobbi When we had typed it up it was in columns and A LOT easier to understand. So we had a column for the item then a column for NZ and a column for the USA. So in the States a fanny is a butt while here it means a female reproductive organ in more slang terms. Older generations here would be offended i http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Auckland/Waitakere-Ranges/blog-284588.html Wow we have had anamazing two days The last time we posted we did wind up finding that beach It's called Piha and it's not too far at all from the house. We climbed a giant bluff called Lion Rock played with other peoples' dogs watched surfers found a cave found an even bigger bluff got sprayed by massive 20 foot waves I screamed took a bunch of pictures and climbed a sand dune We ha http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Auckland/Waitakere-Ranges/blog-284242.html It wouldn't be a normal weekend for us here in Auckland if we weren't treated to a day out with our surrogate mum Liz and her hubby Allard. Today we took off to the Waitakere Ranges one of Auckland's Regional Parks located in the mountains on the rugged west coast. Just a hour's drive out of the city it is an area of lush tropical rainforest with some the greenest most picturesque scenery we' http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Auckland/Waitakere-Ranges/blog-240195.html So we have not updated our blog for the past few days. We left the Bay of Islands to mixed weather so we decided to just eat up the journey as we would be charged extra for the van if it was late We stopped briefly at a gorgeous beach only for Graham to almost to lose his trainer in some sinking sand. We arrived back at R N's and quickly empted the van before scooting up the road with ju http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Auckland/Waitakere-Ranges/blog-230123.html After much anticipation Melissa's Mom FINALLY arrived for her visit. Her and Gary arrived at a very early 6 AM on a Saturday morning...but we didn't mind at all. We spent the morning catching up and having breakfast. They were very excited to see our new place and the life we have been building for ourselves. Around lunchtime we went out to take them on a tour of the city. We walked along Queen S http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Auckland/Waitakere-Ranges/blog-136844.html I MADE IT TO NEW ZEALAND One of my long time dearly held and most important dreams has finally been fulfilled I am soooo happy Had a very long journey from Bali to NZ via Sydney. It was an overnight flight and of course I didn't sleep so by the time we landed in Sydney I was on one of those jet lagged over tired crazy highs you get LOL...I sent about a million hyper active emails from S http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Auckland/Waitakere-Ranges/blog-104735.html After quite a rocky boat journey we arrived in Wellington on the North Island. First impressions were that we liked Wellington a lot but the weather was awful rain constantly Unfortunately it remained like this for the next couple of days whilst we were there so we didn't get to do a great deal.Our first evening there we spent driving around the city in the campervan so we could at least s http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Auckland/Waitakere-Ranges/blog-104235.html Last night we camped on the beach at Piha and watched the sunset over the sands and islands.Today we went Cayoning at Piha Shelley says sorry to Anna and get absoluletly drenched We abseiled down four waterfalls including a 50m pitch. We had to jump into lots of deep pools and swim back out and crawl under huge boulders gradually working our way downstream. The water was freezing A great d http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Auckland/Waitakere-Ranges/blog-103478.html Les collegues de travail de Nico Spotless et leurs partenaires on grimpe dans les arbres http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Auckland/Waitakere-Ranges/blog-87533.html Pihi is one of the closest beaches to the house and the one we went to most of the time.Its where i attempted to surf but also spent a few days out swimming in the 'blue pool' chiiling out on the beach or watching the surf comps held there. Had a few meals at the life savers club which i almost got thrown out of because i wasnt wearing a top that covered my shoulders had a few BBQ at Neil and http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Auckland/Waitakere-Ranges/blog-81021.html When I got to New Zealand Neil was looking at getting a boat with his mate Mark. After looking around a few second hand ones the drafted in another buyer Neils mate John they bought a new fishing boat Went out around Auckland harbour and out to a few islands in the Hauraki Gulf. Took a few day trips out to islands and went sea biscuiting fishing and wakeboarding. http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Auckland/Waitakere-Ranges/blog-81020.html Before I got to New Zealand the plan was to get a job at the Hardware caf but Neil and Paula mentioned Toby Restaurant around the corner that I hadnrsquot seen last time I was here. Handed my CV to both and the Hardware had enough staff but Tobys had just opened again after being closed down for serving minors Went for a trial there and met the staff and a few locals then got called into to t http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Auckland/Waitakere-Ranges/blog-81019.html About 10 minutes walk away from the house is Titirangi village. It has the usual supermarket dairy chemist library etc. The Hardware caf is a popular place throughout the day and night and also Tobys Restaurant where I worked behind the bar. I went to the village during the day to get some lunch or have a drink at the hardware occasionally at night to have a few beers with Neil and his mate Pe http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Auckland/Waitakere-Ranges/blog-81015.html The flight from Fiji was fine and once I finally got through customs was met by Paula and Ella my auntie and cousinWe drove back to their house and I put all my things in my room. Met Annie Joe and Neil when they all got back from school my other two cousins and uncle and stayed in with some champagne. http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Auckland/Waitakere-Ranges/blog-81014.html Americans V Brits BanterIrsquom tracking back a bit here to my time in Auckland but I hope you can forgive me as itrsquos one of my favourite subjects. In the company of my buddy Ken I should say lsquomy mate Kenrsquo before anyone confuses my country of allegiance who is a perfectly well rounded New Yorker you can imagine the banter rolled.For those of you who hold strong polit http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Auckland/Waitakere-Ranges/blog-59644.html Ok not really Auckland. I'm camped in my van at Karekare again. I thought it somehow fitting that my last night in the van should be the same place that I spent my first night. Besides it pretty here.The last week I spent doing mostly nothing in Rotorua with Erin Leslie and Jack. I hadn't planned on being there so long. I was supposed to be selling the van and heading to Whangarei to get the http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Auckland/Waitakere-Ranges/blog-56833.html Jughead UpdateI have been reliably informed by my brother that my ldquoJugheadrdquo research in my 2nd to last blog is a little dated. Apparently it was remiss of me to neglect the phrase ldquoAreet clackerrdquo Transl. how you doing mate which is the more contemporary substitute for ldquoareet yuthrdquo Transl. How you doing youth although it could be that my brother is no http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Auckland/Waitakere-Ranges/blog-53674.html Hello all We are very organised and have had a relaxing day with family and friends. Now off to the airport... See you in Canada.Jim http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Auckland/Waitakere-Ranges/blog-52852.html