Rangitoto Island
Wednesday, October 19th, 2005Today I went via ferry to Rangitoto Island. It was just about 20-30 minutes away. The island is situated in the Hauraki Gulf. It is a dormant volcano, which last erupted 600 year ago. The island is about 250m above sea level-almost the same height as the city’s Sky Tower, which I visited yesterday.
It took about a 1/2 hour to climb to the summit but unfortunately, it was quite cloudy and I did not get the spectacular view of Auckland I thought I was going to get. We then took a train/tractor through the Pohutukawa forest. The Pohutukawa is NZ’s Christmas tree. The whole island turns crimson when these trees flower. There were also lava trails and fern glens on the island. It was a nice day off the beaten track.
Okay, now here are some obervations I have made so far about Auckland:
-Every other person has a backpack.
-The McDonalds here is much nicer and has a million more choices than the one at home!!! (McCafe)
-I have seen every nationality but can count on one hand how many black people I have seen .
-There is no pollution in Auckland because there are no major industries. Tourism is the Big one for them. As a result, the air is so clean and fresh and cool, that I am exhausted by 9PM:)
-I have only met 2 Americans in the week I’ve been here so far-2 guys from California who are surfers. Most people I’ve met are English or Irish who are here on a working visa.
-All in all Auckland reminds me of New York, only cleaner.