just outside auckland

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Alright so its officially day 5 of New Zealand and it's only getting better and better! 2 days ago we met up with Angie and the four of us (Elise, Ang, Hill and I) got on a tour bus and headed into the lush outskirts of Auckland. We went with a group called Mojo Surf tours, and headed west of Auckland to the KareKare waterfalls and Piha beach. The drive was fairly short and we had a lot of stops to take some gorgeous photos of the view points. On our trek to the waterfalls we were blessed with a traditional Maori blessing that praises valuing the life and world around you as well as living every day to the fullest. The swim in the waterfalls was quite chilly (yes I did get a few cold rashes) but it was so refreshing from the hike - and we even got to sit under the falls! Next was the black sand Piha beach - one of the most dangerous surf beaches in New Zealand due to the rocks and crazy undertoe strength (even we were falling over trying to beat it and we were only swimming near the shoreline!). After that jam packed day we did a pub crawl with the rest of the hostels around Auckland.
Yesterday was Big Day Out. Need I say more? For those of you who aren't familiar it's a one day music festival at the Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland. We saw 9 different shows starting it off with the oh so talented Ratatat. Followed by Lupe Fiasco, Wolfmother, John Butler Trio, Bloody Betruits, Iggy Pop and the Stooges, LCD soundsystem, TOOL, MIA. Hands down to John Butler Trio - best show of the day. Today we rent our car and start our 9 day road trip to some glorious beaches! Until then, love from us all!

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Photos

Post Swimming
Elise, Angie and Hillary

Angies Friend
The birds were hungry for her chips

The cave
on the walls of this cave you could see the different layers of rock and judge how far up the tide had been. Apparently surfers actually swam through here at high tide to get back to the beach

Big Day Out
Just after Ratatat in the boiler room dance tent

Big day out
the main stages! ask me to see some videos when I get home - the crowd was WILD

Auckland Trees
no kidding that they filmed lord of the rings here

Sky City
the tallest building in Auckland. Coming from Vancouver, we weren't really that impressed

Maori Museum
making maori intimidation faces in a traditional house

Maori Museum
Hillary shows her affection for large penguins

Museum
this marks the beginning of the long walk back to our hostel through the forests and streets

Walk home
A short cut through the forests in Auckland with a french girl, Elise, and a half greek half german girl that we met at our hostel

En route to Piha
On our tour to the waterfalls we stopped at this lookout. Angie, Hillary, and the star of the photo Elise.

Our tour guides
silly Kiwis

Piha Beach
one of the most dangerous surf beaches in New Zealand

Under the falls
Angie, Elise and Hillary

Comments

[goldentravelers]

RESPECT
see this comment?? this a straight PROUD comment rights here. just look at it. screaming pride. didnt know pride could look so fine. Stay Up!