Category Archives: Uncategorized

May 20-21, 2021 In our last post we were climbing Mt. Wellington. In this post we are actually in Wellington, New Zealand’s capital. Arriving after a short flight from Auckland, we went for a stroll along the streets that we walked over thirty years ago when we were both fresh out of university and workingContinue reading “Wellington, New Zealand”

May 19, 2021 We have been on a quest to summit all of the great peaks of Auckland. So far we have climbed One Tree Hill (Maungakiekie), Mt. Eden (Maungawhau), Mt. Hobson (Ohinerau) and North Head (Maungauika). Today, we climbed Mt. Wellington (Maungarei). It is the youngest onshore volcano of the Auckland region, having formedContinue reading “Auckland, New Zealand”

May 13, 2021 From the hustle and bustle of downtown Auckland, it’s just a short ferry ride across the harbour to the laid-back suburb of Devonport. There has not been the same amount of development there as in many other parts of Auckland and many of the original villas and bungalows remain. In a wayContinue reading “Auckland, New Zealand”

May 12, 2021 Today we circumnavigated Mt. Eden (Maungawhau), taking the streets surrounding the volcano. With their larger houses and established trees, the neighborhoods reminded us of some of the Washington DC neighborhoods that we have explored. One of the largest of the houses is Tibbs House, a boarding establishment for boys attending neighboring AucklandContinue reading “Auckland, New Zealand”

May 10, 2021 On a drizzly day we walked downtown to the Aotea Centre to pick up some tickets for the upcoming Auckland Writers Festival. The Centre is Auckland’s largest performing arts and events venue. Opened in 1990, it is not a particularly loved building. First, due to poor acoustics, the main auditorium required aContinue reading “Auckland, New Zealand”

May 7, 2021 We started out today’s walk visiting Mal’s old school friend, Johnny, at his beautiful old villa in Parnell. Johnny and his wife, Jo, bought their house from New Zealand music legend, Neil Finn, of Crowded House fame and one of the bedrooms in the house used to be a recording studio. YouContinue reading “Auckland, New Zealand”

May 4, 2021 On a beautiful sunny morning we set out east from downtown along Tamaki Drive toward the inner city suburb of Parnell. Along the way we passed the Port of Auckland, New Zealand’s largest port. The three large cranes visible in the distance are a recent addition, costing $20 million a piece. EachContinue reading “Auckland, New Zealand”

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”