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Published: November 13th 2010
Leaving the CBD
l-r: Sharon, Alex, Glynn & JudeRecently there has been a spate of new websites in NZ offering adventures and experiences at hugely discounted prices. One of the recent deals on www.grabone.co.nz was catching the ferry to Rangitoto Island for just $13 (half price). It's been 2 years since Glynn and I were there but our Kiwi friends Sharon and Alex had never been. With the public holiday scheduled to be a scorcher, we bought our tickets and booked our day out.
We boarded the 12.15pm ferry and arrived on the shores of Rangitoto volcano just before 1pm. The boat ride was fabulous in the sunshine, with stunning views of the CBD as we headed out into the harbour. We disembarked along with a huge crowd of daytrippers and beagn making our way up the rocky path. The baking sun was beating down on us and I couldn't help thinking that perhaps hiking up a steep slope during the hottest part of the day wasn't the best idea! Sharon and I took it slowly, relishing a rest in the shade whenever the opportunity arose. Alex and Glynn were off like rockets and it wasn't until we reached the lava tunnels that us girls caught up with
Auckland CBD
Deaprting Queen's Wharf on our way to Rangitoto Island. them again.
Glynn had remembered to pack the flashlights and we had fun clamboring through the low ceilinged tubes of solidified lava. The coolness of the tunnels was very welcome and we scrambled about like a group of Indiana Jones wannabes. Emerging at the other end of the tunnels, we continued our ascent to the apex of the volcano.
The kind people at DOC (Department of Conservation) have built a series of fabulous viewing platforms at the summit, ideal for photo opportunities and picnics. We each pulled out some tasty treats from our packs and picked a shady spot for a late lunch. We watched in amusement as a bunch of kids tried and failed to set a leaf on fire with a magnifying glass. Evidently no-one had told them it works better on dry leaves!
Heading back downhill was of course much easier and by now the heat fo the sun had eased substantially. We made it down in plenty of tiem to ensure we were on the last ferry back to Auckland and treated ourselves to a delicious gelato once back on dry land. It was a fabulous day, made all the better for having
Cheese!
Alex, Sharon, Glynn and Jude demonstrate their new hairstyles in the wind. great friends to enjoy it with. Thanks Alex and Sharon!
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