We traveled to Auckland this week, NZ's largest city, so that Jody could meet with local Ministry of Education staff as part of her refugee resettlement research. As it was Sunday, we filled an awful lot of activity into our first day. After dropping off our bags at the hotel in the very early morning we wondered down to the harbor and had a wonderful brunch at a local restaurant. On the way we encountered this incredible tree and had to stop to admire it.
We then went to Auckland's Sky Tower which is the highest structure in the entire Southern Hemisphere. Comparable to Seattle's Space Needle. We had fun at the top as the pictures demonstrate.
The vertical line in the middle is actually the line descending downward for the sky divers (see below)
You could skydive off the building for $249.00. We would have done it, but not at this price. We preferred to sip Pinot Gris and watch them plummet from the window.
This was as daring as we got, standing on the glass floor looking straight down.
Yeah, I know - it's a rough life.
Jody took this great telephoto of a tall ship in the harbor from the Sky Tower. Without color correcting, it looks very moody with the tint from the glass.
After our trip to the Sky Tower, we walked back down to the harbor, jumped on a ferry, and cruised on the ferry to Devonport Island, home ot two extinct volcanoes. We took a bus tour around the islland and went to its highest point where we took the above and following pictures. Beautiful views on a beautiful day.
Rangtito Island which I plan to hike to the summit later in the week while Jody works.
Downtown Auckland.
At the trun of the century, NZ was fearful of a Russian invasion by sea. Thus, they erected huge gun in placements on the island. This gun was actually hidden in the ground on the top of the island and was elevated by compressed air. It was only fired once, breaking windows around the town. It was never fired again. Pretty funny.
After an exhausting first day, Jody treated me to an excellent dinner in the hotel. She was thrilled that they had her favorite soup, potato leek, an Irish favorite. Great end to a great day. Isn't she cute?
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