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Published: October 22nd 2017
Geo: -36.8474, 174.766
Hello all. We're in Auckland now, and headed out to Christchurch on the south island this afternoon at 4:00, and would you believe it? We found sunshine! Yay! We fled the northland the day before yesterday right in the thick of the storm. Here are some headlines from the local paper that we picked up to show you all: "460 mm of rain in 2 days" (which is the equivalent of about 1 1/2 feet); "Worst rain in 150 years"; "Motel in Haruru Falls floods and slides into ocean" (we were in Haruru Falls, by the way); "Girl nearly drowns"; "Schools closed; Parents have difficulty reconnecting with children." Yikes. The day we left, the highway flooded and closed, severing the northland from the rest of the island so we literally made it out just in time!
But, on to Auckland. We had glorious sunshine all day yesterday, which afforded us a stunning view of the harbor from the top of the Sky Tower (think Space Needle) where the city of sails rounded out the curvature of the earth. We also took the ferry out to Waiheke Island, walked 1 km from the ferry port, and found a picturesque beach where
02-Sky Tower Smiles
Auckland's Sky Tower at 328 meters--a mere 4 meters higher than the Eiffel Towerwe swam in the waves to our hearsts' content, combed the sand for shells, and bought organic spinach and homeade pasta at a local fruit and veggie mart for dinner. Oh by the way, when I publish that book and we become rich, we found the house we want to buy: atop a hill, hardwood floors, overlooking teal harbors, white sandy beaches, and a local vineyard. (Tried the wine by the way--no good.)
Today we'll fly to Christchurch, pick up a second rental car and drive at least as far as Lake Tekapo, maybe Twizel, and camp. Then it's on to Te Anau and Milford Sound to see Fiordland National Park, maybe orcas, and some sea kayaking if the weather holds.
Love and miss you all. Erin and Sean
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