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've seen since we arrived. Expertly following his nose rather than the map, Allard wound us around hairpin bends and through pretty little townships with houses hidden away at the top of driveways so steep, even 4x4 drivers were looking intimidated. Our first stop was at the Arataki Visitor Centre which may not sound very excitng but it actually has extravaganza of information
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