Rangitoto and the Viaduct

I am afraid I am not feeling very witty ad interesting in my writing but here we go........So off I went for the day to see a bit more of the area of Auckland. I caught an early ferry over to Rangitoto and did the hike up to the top via the lave caves
Like many people I hoped it would be an open crater with bubbling lava, a completely unrealistic expectation but aim high. However while the views are stunning the crater is all vegetated now no orange lava or dangerous fumes. But to fair  it is pretty impressive.
As you walk up there are loads of Lava fields and bombs and then the further up you go the more vegetated it becomes. There are also some pretty cool lava caves that you walk through where molten lava would have flowed. Luckily I had my telephone torch which allowed me to explore these.

Apparently Rangitoto was used as a lookout spot in the war in case of New Zealand being invaded by sea and a Radio and Radar station were on top of it- though there was never a threat.
There is no running water or electricity on the island but there are a few houses known as bachs which are pretty cool

They use gas lamps and cool concrete larders and have remained in the same families for years. I can imagine it would be a great escape if a little isolated.

It was a full sweat on and I fully zonked on the ferry back. Once back in Auckland I mooched about the area known as the Viaduct where the old and new Americas Cup boats are based. $160 to go on one of the 2007 boats. I then had lunch with H and a nice glass of vino.

 

The day before I had headed to the beach with Chris, H and Harry and snuck a little surf on Hs lovely new surfboard...6' 8" the smallest board I have been on - more progress yay!
We then wet to the lake near Takapna so Chris and Harry cold go sailing

Off to cycle around an island full of vineyards tomorrow....I wonder how that will go!