Author Archives: walkingward3

May 3, 2021 Paritai Drive, in the suburb of Orakei, is one of Auckland’s most exclusive addresses. The Drive follows around a point with expansive views of the harbor. The houses come in all shapes, styles and ages but only one size, extra large. Dwarfing its already large neighbors is one of New Zealand’s mostContinue reading “Auckland, New Zealand”

April 29, 2021 On a beautiful early Autumn day we went for a walk around neighboring Grey Lynn. In many ways it is similar to our own neighborhood of Freeman’s Bay with lots of white wooden cottages and villas. But there are also a variety of other types of houses, including this Spanish style home.Continue reading “Auckland, New Zealand”

April 26, 2021 Our niece, Debbie, joined us on a visit to the Sculptureum. Just outside of Matakana, it is the home of some of the most beautiful palms and weirdest sculptures you are likely to find anywhere. With giant green rabbits, pink snails and multi-colored meerkats, this is not a place to visit underContinue reading “Matakana, New Zealand”

April 25, 2021 The weather in the Auckland region is very changeable. The bad news is that you can set off for a walk in bright sunshine and five minutes later be drenched by a passing shower. The good news is that the region has more than its fair share of rainbows. Driving over theContinue reading “Matakana / Pakiri, New Zealand”

April 22, 2021 We headed across the Harbour Bridge to visit Takapuna, on Auckland’s North Shore. Taka is Maori for knoll or assembly and puna means spring. It probably refers to Lake Pupuke, a small lake lying about 200 meters inland which was created when a volcanic crater filled with fresh spring water. The beachContinue reading “Takapuna, Auckland, New Zealand”

April 21, 2021 We went along to the Van Gogh Alive multi-sensory experience with our friends Howard and Carolyn. It was a beautiful experience seeing the tormented artist’s work on huge screens in vibrant color with classical music playing in the background. The colors and texture of his works make him an ideal artist forContinue reading “Auckland, New Zealand”

April 19, 2021 Today we continued climbing the peaks of Auckland. At 143 meters high, Ohinerau / Mt. Hobson is smaller than Maungawhau / Mt. Eden and Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill (both of which we have previously blogged about) and a much easier climb. It has been extensively modified by human use, first asContinue reading “Auckland, New Zealand”

April 16, 2021 As the sun started to fall we joined our good friend Hamish as he took his two dogs, Bonnie and Chica, for their regular walk up Maungawhau / Mt. Eden. Maungawhau (mountain of the whau tree) is Auckland’s highest peak at 643 feet above sea level and at times the climb wasContinue reading “Auckland, New Zealand”

April 15, 2021 Today we walked along Karangahape Road, commonly shortened to K Road by the locals, over the Grafton Bridge and on through the Domain to the Auckland Museum. K Road was Auckland’s most popular shopping street during the first half of the 1900s and was home to many of New Zealand’s most popularContinue reading “Auckland, New Zealand”

April 13, 2021 The Auckland area is home to 48 volcanic cones, many of which are clearly visible standing above their surrounding suburbs. The most recognizable is Maungakiekie (hill of the kiekie vine) more commonly known as One Tree Hill. The hill got its English name from a solitary tree that stood near its summit.Continue reading “Auckland, New Zealand”