One Tree Hill and Mount Eden

Well after laying around nursing a sunburn and waiting for the weather to rain like it said it would I Wednesday, I decided to call the weather's bluff on Thursday. It said rain but I headed out for a long hike anyway! It was not bluffing....

But I didn't melt and thankfully my camera case + backpack is pretty waterproof so no harm.

One Tree Hill - Maungakiekie

One of many volcanic cones in Auckland this location was for many years a Maori fortress as it overlooked the smallest part of the Auckland isthmus. All people traveling to the north part of the island had to pass through this area. Later it was purchased by the English and Sir John Logan Campbell is buried there. He had owned neighboring lands which now make up Cornwall park. In the park there are cows and sheep pastured as well as olive trees and several tea rooms near where the Sir Campbell had planned to build his home.  I found it very fascinating the way that there were sheep, cows, and even a rooster in the park. Not something you see here much!

 

Cows pastured around the hill.

 

One of the many storms moving through the city that morning.

View of Downtown from the walk up.  

 

Rooster out and about in the park, it was pretty funny watching the little sparrow like birds and pigeons walking around him. He thought he was a pretty big deal but they seemed to not care at all. Oddly he was the only chicken I saw!

 

The tree I huddled under while it was raining, worked pretty well!

 

This was the valley where the sheep had sheltered during the rain. A lot of them were still up under the trees. I am not sure why there were so many rocks but some people had gotten pretty energetic to move all of them around spelling names and what not.

 

There is in fact no tree on top of One Tree Hill, the last native tree to top it was cut down either for firewood or as an act of vandalism and the next tree that grew was cut down by the Maori as it was not a native New Zealand tree.

 



Mount Eden - Maungawhau

Another volcanic cone in Auckland, and this is actually the highest natural point in the city. It also was once a Maori fortress and has several terraced areas that remain from that use. It is also a prominent feature in the Coast to Coast walkway. Between both of these climbs (One Tree Hill and Mount Eden) as well as my Harbor and Auckland domain runs I completed all but the far west end of this walk.

 

Stairs leading into the park area.

 

Pathway towards the summit.

 

View towards the eastern harbor and beach area

 

Highest Point

 

CBD of Auckland

 

At the top there is actually still a crater. People are not allowed to go down inside of it anymore but you can tell that was once very popular to do.

Pretty great last day in the city despite the off and on rain. Ended up walking a total of 7.81 miles which was pretty great too. I still have several things I would like to do in Auckland but I have a feeling I will be back.

Surviving the First Week

Wednesday marked 1 full week of being in Auckland. It was quite the first week, when I look back at it I was surprised at how much I had done, how quickly it had gone by and all the things that I am still figuring out.

While talking with a friend she had asked me for a list of things I liked about being here and a list of things that I missed from the States (and yes, I have started to call it the States! That's what they refer to it as here!). Thought that was a good idea so here are three of each:

1. The Green. One of the things I am loving about New Zealand is how green and full of flowers it is! I have tried not to overload the blog with flower pictures but this was one of my favorites from Waiheke. I am not sure what kind of tree this was but it was amazing. The flowers were as big as my hand and almost covered the tree.
   
2. The Exchange Rate. While not something extremely different (and somewhat canceled out by how expensive things tend to be) it is pretty fun to pull up your credit card statement and see that things were less than what you paid for them. I got a travel card before leaving that doesn't charge any foreign transaction fees which is a huge plus if you are traveling.
3. The People. I have found it very fascinating how many travelers I have me and how few Americans there have been among them. It has made for such a huge variety of languages to hear, home countries to learn about and foods to taste. Not to mention just how nice everyone here has been. This includes the people I have met who are locals while setting up my bank account, cell phone and getting a library card. The  slower pace seems to really make people better at real interaction. I am sure that is part of what draws so many different travelers here.

On the other hand here are some things that we do better at home.

1. COFFEE CREAMER! So I have been to three different grocery stores and have not found a single drop of coffee creamer at all. Largely I have found free dried coffee and the only option to put in it is actual cream. When asked for at a coffee shop... you will get weird looks!
2. Left Side Driving.This whole driving on the other side of the road is quite weird. Even though I have not tried to drive yet I have definitely noticed it! For one when you are walking along a street and glance over to see a small child or someone reading a paper in the front right seat, or even worse it's empty, you tend to have a gasp reaction for a second. I am getting better but that is the side of the car I look to automatically still. This also affects crossing the street. To cross you need to look to the left to see if a car is coming, and I still am completely confused about where cars are turning. So I try to very carefully follow the crosswalk signs!
3. Smoking. While I was very pleased to find that New Zealand has also banned smoking in public buildings I was a bit shocked at how many people are smokers. New Zealand, like the US, taxes cigarettes a lot so I would have thought the prices would have been a larger deterrent.

I have decided I am going to keep track of my mileage while I am here in New Zealand and since I have heard you can't see my Garmin webpage without a password here are my totals for the first week.

         Running - 15.59 miles
         Hiking/Walking - 11.46

I am hoping to run over 1000 miles while I am here in New Zealand and have a goal to complete at least one half marathon while I am here. I would also like to climb a real mountain, something with snow on top. And as for biking, my goal is to bike the trail around Stewart Island and hopefully the new trail around Rotorua.

All in all its been a pretty great first week. Leaving everyone has been very hard but I am starting to get settled. I spent one more day in Auckland and Friday I travel to Palmerston North where I will be staying for two weeks.

Waiheke Island!

My treat to end my first week in New Zealand was a trip to Waiheke Island.




View Larger Map

Already I can see this will be hard to be choosey on the pictures! This little picturesque island is known for wine, beaches, sailing and beautiful walkways. It lived up to its reputation!

 

This massive cruise ship was docking and unloading that morning in Auckland. It dwarfs the ferry terminal next to it!

The ferry of course was flying the New Zealand flag as we cruised out of the Harbor.

 

One of the many sailing ships we cruised by. This one is sponsored by a New Zealand bank so it is probably a race boat.

 

I thought I was all ready for a day of sight seeing, however, I soon learned I should have packed sun screen. Despite the weather only being in the 70s and it being January I greatly underestimated the sun. I would pay dearly the next day with quite a sunburn.

 

The fairy headed back to Auckland.

 

While I waited for the tour to start I hiked up to the top of the harbor. It was a beautiful walk!

The Harbor from the tip of the headland.

 

 

Once I got back to the ferry landing we loaded up on a bus and the driver took us all over the Island. He pointed out a lot of the different beachs, olive and wine vinyards as well as some of the local attractions. This was one of the beautiful homes and tucked away beaches he pointed out. 

 

On the tour I met up with two other travelers, Anna from the Netherlands and Carl from England. We had lunch and a tasting of local wines at a café in downtown Oneroa overlooking the beach. Afterwards we took a bus outside of the town to a local vineyard that had a restaurant and winery to sample more local olive oil and wine.

The views from the winery were amazing!

 

As evening approached a storm started to come into the island from Auckland. It made for some pretty impressive looking skies. This doesn't do it justice! But the sea gull didn't seem worried at all!

 

Such a wonderful day trip! I might have to go back again before I leave...

Fun In Auckland

So the past week has been a bit busy and I am still getting use to this blogging thing. Sorry for the delay! I am going to try and get a couple posts done today to catch up. Much easier now that I actually have a whole house to myself!

To start with I have to say I am loving Skype! I have gotten to chat with several people during the past week and have really loved it. Seeing everyone has been great. It has also cut down on the doppelgänger sightings! It was funny during my time in Auckland just how many times I would be walking along and see and doppelgänger of someone from back home. I have never before really been one for spotting doppelgängers but since I am a HIMYM fan it made me laugh. I think it might have been a little due to how isolating it can seem coming to another country without knowing anyone. I was subconsciously searching for the familiar. So please keep up the Skype chats I do really enjoy them!  If you want to set one up or add me just email me and I will send you my Skype name. 

Well last Sunday was a bit rainy and cloudy in Auckland so I spent the afternoon in the Auckland Art Gallery. Fun fact the building itself has one first place recently at an international architecture conference and it is really just as beautiful as the art it holds. I was also quite impressed that it is one of New Zealand's Art Free Entry locations. They do free tours as well that are interesting as they focus on the New Zealand art that is present in the museum. 

 

 

A lot of the New Zealand art that they had which contained people you were not allowed to photograph. I did get shots of a couple pieces that I liked.

 

 



I heard that the amount of pictures was slowing the load time down a lot so I have tried to edit and pick my favorite pictures before posting. I am also trying to split up the posts so that I don't have quite so many pictures in each. Hope that helps!

Welcome to Auckland

Fun Fact about Auckland: It is HILLY.

Fun Fact about Auckland: It is HUMID.

When we put these together what do we get???? Killer runs! I am almost embarrassed to link up my watch to the blog after the two runs that I have put in here. But here is the link just because I am a glutton for punishment and I said I would let you all see where I had been running. The first day I at least had the excuse my legs were dead from the long plane ride. Not sure what my excuse is today!

http://connect.garmin.com/dashboard (if that doesn't link to my profile I am listed as karibethdaly).

I have also discovered today that when I walk around taking pictures I can wear the watch and categorize that as "hiking" or "touring" so that they are differentiated from my runs. I did not do that the past couple days thinking it would mess with some of the features. It will be nice to see just how far I am walking some days!

Enough about running (for now). I am four days into this adventure now and there has been a learning curve. To begin with there is the hostel, which has really been quite nice. I was wrong in that there are only 3 other girls in the room with me. It is a quite small room with two sets of bunk beds, a mini fridge and a hair straightener. The all girls section of BASE Auckland is called The Sanctuary, and the walls are bright pink I am guessing so no one case say they didn't know they were in the girls only section. I have also learned that your level of enjoyment is all about your "roommates" levels of respect... as well as whether or not they snore! Here are a few pictures from outside BASE Auckland.

Of note! I am testing out some photo editing software. I am going to post all of the originals in this post and after playing with them, I will post the edited versions. Any advice or commentary is welcome as this will really be my first attempt with editing.

Some of the things I have done in the past few days are pretty boring but very necessary for getting things started. I now have a local mobile phone, have submitted my application for a tax ID number for working here in New Zealand, opened a bank account, got a library card, and got my first house sitting job. I will be traveling to Palmerston North, New Zealand for to housesit the end of next week. I have meet two other girls that just arrived on Work Holiday Visas, one from Korea and one from China. The girl from Korea is incredibly brave considering she has only been learning English a couple of months. I would be lying if I said there haven't been moments I felt rather overwhelmed but I can't imagine how much more intimidating this would be with a language barrier. 

I have also managed to repack my suitcase and backpack since the way they were packed for airline travel is nothing like what you want to actually live out of. In doing so I did an inventory on what I brought and am sad to say I definitely overpacked!

My Suitcase and Backpack contain for Shoes and Clothes (for 1 year):

• 3 pair dress pants
• 2 skirts
• 9 nice tops (1/2 long sleeve 1/2 short sleeve)
• 5 sweaters
• 4 long sleeve shirts
• 3 long sleeve workout shirts
• 4 lounge/workout pants
• 4 cardigan layering tops
• 10 tank tops
• 3 pairs of shorts
• 6 workout shorts/capris
• 3 dresses
• 1 swimsuit and coverup
• 3 pair dress shoes
• 1 pair black boots
• 1 pair running shoes
• 1 pair sneakers
• 3 pairs sandals
• 2 hats
• 2 gloves (1 pair accidentally stolen from my mother!)
• 2 pair pajamas
• Multiple undergarments and socks

Yeah... That's just the clothing and shoes I brought!! Not to mention the 15 tubes of chapstick and 50 pens that  somehow ended up coming with me! (one of  the pens was also stolen from mom....opps x 2).

Well since I have been so productive I have also let myself have some fun time and go out exploring with the camera. I have a lot on the list for the rest of this week in Auckland so stay tuned. Here are pictures from around the CBD area harbor and the bridge as well as some from Albert Park. Really loving the trees, flowers and greenery here.

Hope these don't overload you and as they say here, Cheers!

Sky Tower

Viaduct Harbor

 

CBD Auckland - Sky Tower

Sunrise on the Marina

Auckland Harbour Bridge

Packed Marina

 

These people have it rough! Wouldn't you like to have your morning coffee there!

 

 

Just so many boats!

 

Fishing isn't just for the boats.

These are the weirdest looking trees, they look fake!

 

Such old beautiful homes overlooking the harbor

 

Albert Park

 



 

These trees were out of control, but so beautiful.

Clock Tower - University of Auckland

 



 

These are everywhere, so pretty!

Beautiful path and one of the many hills destroying my legs!