Bay of Islands and Auckland

We finally saw jumping dolphins - what a treat!

On August 18th, we left on a one week trip to the Top of the North Island, the Bay of Islands and Auckland. We landed at Kerikeri airport.
We took an amazing bus trip to Cape Reinga, which is at the very top of the North Island. The bus actually went on the beach and surf at the 90 Mile Beach. It was unbelievable - they actually consider this beach to be a public highway and all sort of vehicles travel on the beach.


Jo took a ride on a sand buggy board down the sand dunes. Izzy was the official photographer.

The beach at Cape Reinga.

Izzy at the lighthouse at the top of the North,

Surfer Jo.

Lunch at Marsden Winery at Kerikeri.

Marsden Winery.

Maori Art at Waitangi. This is the place where a famous treaty between the Maori and Queen Victoria was signed.

Evening view from the Sky Tower in Auckland - they call the interchange spaghetti.

One of our favorite wineries on Waiheki Island near Auckland.

Jo sampling a wonderful Chardonnay - note one of the 32 extinct volcanoes in the background.

Another winery stop (we actually do more than drink wine on these trips).

Hiking to Red Rocks

On August 4th we took advantage of a spectacular winter day and hiked the Red Rocks. This is on the West Coast about 20 minutes from our house. It is home to hundreds of fur seals - including one who almost bit me after I blocked his path to the sea.

The snow capped mountains in the background are in the South Island.

All the seals are so darling.

If they weren't sound asleep they were watching us.

I don't know this bird's name, but he was beautiful.

Here are some of the red rocks -

they were much more red in color than I though they would be.