This photo was taken from Bastion Point on November 8th.
After another fabulous buffet breakfast (and putting our bags in storage until we needed to leave for the airport this evening) Bryce and I made our way down to the wharf to catch our twenty-five minute ferry ride to Rangitoto Island and enjoy our last adventure in Auckland before we caught the plane home to Melbourne.
For $55 NZD we booked an excursion which included the return ferry ride and a two hour tractor-tram ride around the island with a great commentary about the island, before stopping at the boardwalk where you are able to climb to the summit before returning to the tractor tram and then on to the wharf for the return ferry home.
The facts about Rangitoto Island, it is a volcanic island 5.5km wide in the Hauraki Gulf near Auckland and a visible landmark. It is the largest and youngest of fifty volcanoes in the Auckland volcanic field. Rangitoto Island is a reserve that has virtually no streams on the island, and relies on rainfall to support the largest forest of pohutukawa trees in the world, as well as 200 species of trees and 40 types of fern.
Māori myth exists around the island whose name means 'Bloody Sky' comes from the full phrase Ngā Rangi-i-totongia-a Tama-te-kapua ("The days of the bleeding of Tama-te-kapua"). Tama-te-kapua was the captain of the Arawa waka (canoe) and was badly wounded on the island, after having lost a battle with the Tainui iwi (tribe). Another myths is that of a 'tupua' couple, children of the Fire Gods. After quarreling and cursing Mahuika, the fire-goddess, they lost their home on the mainland because it was destroyed by Mataoho, god of earthquakes and eruptions, on Mahuika's behalf. Lake Pupuke on the North Shore was created in the destruction, while Rangitoto rose from the sea. The mists surrounding Rangitoto at certain times are called the tears of the tupua for their former home.
The tractor-tram was an experience, fun but bone shaking and a little noisy but the only way to see the island if you are not walking it, and although not huge the rugged terrain of
Rangitoto makes for an intensive hike which we didn't really have time for, however there was plenty of time for the .8km climb to the summit and the views were worth every labored breath and aching knee that it took to get up the steps. (it probably wasn't that bad but my fitness level is not as high as it should be at the moment but if I want to do all I want to do on my to-do list I better improve it.)
The views on the way up are amazing including that of Motutapu Island which is linked to Rangitoto by a causeway and the many other islands around Hauraki Gulf and into the distance Auckland City and the Sky tower.
I was pleased when I got to the summit, not so pleased five minutes later when wandering around taking photos and I find the only rotten
board on the deck and fell through (well one leg did) and I have a massive bruise, cuts and scrapes, and that knee that was a little sore is now completely swollen...and all this to prove that I made it to the summit (unfortunately there are no souvenir shops on Rangitoto Island to say 'I survived...." ). I hobbled back down the mountain, happy, despite the aches and pains, that we had spent such a wonderful day on our last day in and around Auckland.
A ferry ride back soaking up the sights, sounds and sea-spray on Auckland harbour (and
one last ice-cold L&P) before heading back to the hotel to pick up our bags and head to the airport for our flight back home.
It was at the airport that I finally realized that while I was in Melbourne I had been thinking about fish and chips in New Zealand and had not eaten it once, (yes I had seafood but that came in my Mexican meal) so I decided that fish and chips at the airport would be my farewell to Auckland and I was not disappointed, the food was delicious and a fitting end to a wonderful weekend away in Auckland.
Thanks to Bryce and his wonderful birthday present which allowed me to do some reminiscing and discover new things, have new adventures and recreate old ones and all with that sense of wonder that I hope will never ever leave me.