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Oct. 22nd, 2009
New Zealand 2009 Day 1
Oct. 22nd, 2009 01:52 pmIn which it is the David Family vs. the Volcano
We decided not to make any grand plans for the day since we had no idea, after yet another day of travel and yet another time change, how we were going to feel when we got up. We did sleep in so it was a good thing we didn’t push ourselves to get up as early as you have to get up for one of the local tours.
After looking at the books we had, we decided to take a short ferry ride to Rangitoto which is a volcanic island about 20 minutes away by boat. We walked to the ferry terminal and bought our tickets to the last boat out to the Island at 12:15. We were informed that the last boat back was at 3:30 and it was about a 300 dollar water taxi ride if you weren’t on it.
The walk up Rangitoto can take several ways. Most of them were over our time limit so we decided on the shortest route which is up the side of the volcano. To start with, we admired the scenery. Peter pointed to a mountain like structure and said, “Tell me that is not where we are going.” I told him I was a little unsure of where the path was leading. So we went on. As the hike got more difficult, we concentrated on our feet and not losing our footing due to the unevenness of the ground since we were walking on a path of lava rock. We passed through some gorgeous and lush forest and listened to the bird song within.
The last 15 minutes are trying. It is much more vertical and the rocks form steppes to go up. Caroline didn’t complain (much) but kept up with us asking to take occasional rest breaks. We made it to look into the crater which is covered in trees. Rangitoto is a very inactive volcano. So we, after a bit of a rest, walked the last 50 steps that take you to the summit which is the real reason to hike up Rangitoto. The view was, according to Caroline, Awesome! And I have to agree.
Down was easier and quicker than up but not by much since you still have to watch where you put your feet so you don’t go tumbling down the mountain. We made our ferry with time to spare and went back to Auckland feeling pretty good that we had conquered the volcano.
We had an early dinner and got back to the hotel and settled in for the evening since we are taking a very early tour bus for another adventure today. This evening is the cocktail party for the convention and then we are conventioning for a bit. I might take some time to take Caroline to the Zoo so she can see real kiwis as in the birds.
I am grateful that we made it up the Volcano.
We decided not to make any grand plans for the day since we had no idea, after yet another day of travel and yet another time change, how we were going to feel when we got up. We did sleep in so it was a good thing we didn’t push ourselves to get up as early as you have to get up for one of the local tours.
After looking at the books we had, we decided to take a short ferry ride to Rangitoto which is a volcanic island about 20 minutes away by boat. We walked to the ferry terminal and bought our tickets to the last boat out to the Island at 12:15. We were informed that the last boat back was at 3:30 and it was about a 300 dollar water taxi ride if you weren’t on it.
The walk up Rangitoto can take several ways. Most of them were over our time limit so we decided on the shortest route which is up the side of the volcano. To start with, we admired the scenery. Peter pointed to a mountain like structure and said, “Tell me that is not where we are going.” I told him I was a little unsure of where the path was leading. So we went on. As the hike got more difficult, we concentrated on our feet and not losing our footing due to the unevenness of the ground since we were walking on a path of lava rock. We passed through some gorgeous and lush forest and listened to the bird song within.
The last 15 minutes are trying. It is much more vertical and the rocks form steppes to go up. Caroline didn’t complain (much) but kept up with us asking to take occasional rest breaks. We made it to look into the crater which is covered in trees. Rangitoto is a very inactive volcano. So we, after a bit of a rest, walked the last 50 steps that take you to the summit which is the real reason to hike up Rangitoto. The view was, according to Caroline, Awesome! And I have to agree.
Down was easier and quicker than up but not by much since you still have to watch where you put your feet so you don’t go tumbling down the mountain. We made our ferry with time to spare and went back to Auckland feeling pretty good that we had conquered the volcano.
We had an early dinner and got back to the hotel and settled in for the evening since we are taking a very early tour bus for another adventure today. This evening is the cocktail party for the convention and then we are conventioning for a bit. I might take some time to take Caroline to the Zoo so she can see real kiwis as in the birds.
I am grateful that we made it up the Volcano.