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Published: November 15th 2015
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Beginning
Here we are at the start of the trek...little did we know we'd get lost as soon as we started! After a wonderful night's sleep, Jeff and I wake up with one thing on our minds...coffee! We didn't buy any coffee grounds at the store cause the apartment we're staying in doesn't have a proper coffee maker. No problem I say, we'll just do a drive thru...well...after the Google search it was discovered that maybe the Kiwis don't take coffee as seriously, frequently or as copiously as us Pacific Northwest peeps. But not to be deterred, we set out to find our magical morning elixir...1st place, not open even though the website said differently (damn the Internet)...2nd place again not open but wait! Jeff points out the McDonalds a block away. Now I had stated prior to the trip we would NOT be stepping into that particular establishment, or one like it, while we were here. But a mere 24 hours later there we were...upside is they have a specific counter for the cafe part and we were able to get coffee! Flat white for me, long black for Jeff. Properly caffinated we were ready for the day to begin!
On today's menu, the Coast to Coast Walkway. You can actually walk from one side of New Zealand to the
One tree hill
Beautiful pastures all the way to the top. See the little blue sign? Those were posted through out the walk to let us know we were on the right track. other in less than 1 day, it's only 16 kilometers long. (that's 9.94 miles for my imperialist friends out there!) We caught a bus from central Auckland to Onehunga to begin the trek back to Auckland. With maps in hand (and reading glasses) we find the starting point, take pictures of course to document this adventure's beginning, spoke to a nice man who just finished for his insights on the walk and we were off! And we got lost first thing...but only for about 15 minutes or so and then got promptly back on track! Hey, our recovery time was greatly improved from yesterday!
This walk takes you through neighborhoods, parks, commercial districts and Auckland University grounds. Bit of everything really. The stand outs of this particular venture was the summits of One Tree Hill and Mt. Eden. Quite the hike up but the views were amazing!
At One Tree Hill we were able to scratch one thing off the list of "must have New Zealand food," Hokey Pokey ice cream! (As it turns out, this was to be lunch but that's okay, our kids weren't there so screw good examples!) Hokey Pokey ice cream is very yummy
Jeff made some new friends!
Sheep were grazing all over the place...watch were you step! and we highly recommended it. Vanilla ice cream with a swirl of caramel and added toffee bits...good on you New Zealand, good on you!
After our exploration of Auckland was successfully completed, dinner was weighing heavily on our minds...so off to the 16 Tun Free House we went. We were starving so bring it on people! (Okay, so maybe just having ice cream for lunch wasn't the smartest) Jeff was all excited to discover if they really had free beer as the name implies...yeah, no...it has something to do with being able to have whatever beer on tap that they want to offer. Jeff handled this revelation with a bit of difficulty but he worked through it happy to report. I asked for the darkest on tap and was promptly told it was a Mushroom Oyster Stout...wait, what? Okay, that doesn't SOUND good, could it actually TASTE good? Happy to say YES! In fact, Jeff ordered one too. Beer and dinner were consumed and we were content but for one thing...chocolate! Off to Parnell district again to stop at the Chocolate Botique. Selections made, we headed back home with one thing occupying our thoughts, hot tub!
So these
View One tree hill
Yeah, we walked it...no driving here! two intrepid explorers were just a bit sore from the day's excursion. But not to worry, we had a hot tub waiting for us...and it felt good! Trying to talk Jeff into getting one for home...
Day 2 was completed and voted a success by all!
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Sundee
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So sitting here watching the Broncos down by 10 against the Chiefs. My cue to check in with the Butos' travelers. Your trip is off to a stellar start. Love that your sharing the trip. My kind of travel! Love you guys.