Sunday, 3 November 2013

Swinging Bridges to a long tunnel

We ended our three day long weekend with a don't miss experience --- the Karangahake Gorge!  Another look into the gold mining past of New Zealand led us to cross the rivers on amazing swing bridges with wondrous scenery and amazing trails.  These pictures will do the talking:






Are you thinking I really liked the bridges?  I just didn't know what was coming...


You want me to keep going?!  Now the flash lit this up but it was DARK and SPOOKY ---- I did have a torch (Kiwi's term for flashlight) with me.  This tunnel goes on for a full kilometer.  Oh Yeah!  David kept referring to me as "Panic Mouse" --- I don't know why.....


David heading out for a day in the mine!


I just love how silver these ferns look.

Before leaving the Gorge we happened upon the Scotsman's Gully where I found our new home.


The several tracks we were able to explore here at Karangahake Gorge were some of our best yet.  


I will fast forward to our next weekend and include a few photos from downtown Auckland.  A cancelled excursion with the Howick Travel Club turned into a full day of exploring downtown Auckland.  Boarding the bus in Howick we embarked on a full day.  Here are some highlights.


Waitemata Harbour


Sculpture along the North Wharf near the Wynyard Quarter.  We enjoyed a scrumptious lunch at Jack Tar's bistro along this wharf.


St. Matthew's Cathedral --- Central Auckland


Inside the Old Civic Theater


Beautiful Archway in Aotea Square


Popping Flowers Installation at the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki.  These flowers actually pop out and then deflate some -- pretty cool to watch.  This museum has a wide variety of art collections.  Currently there is an exhibition entitled Freedom Farmers with contemporary art from New Zealand artists exploring the ideas of utopia, sustainability and artistic freedom - some unusual and inventive art!

We completed our weekend with a long walk from Howick Beach, along Mellons Bay Beach and ending at Eastern Beach.  Yes the weather gods were on our side again!

And here the joys of springtime in New Zealand brought inside



Kia Ora

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