Our perches for the next week in a VRBO cottage on a fruit farm on the wet (east) side of Hawaii Big Island. We can help ourselves to fruit, including a lone avocado on the tree to the left, taunting us, out of reach.
Category: Place
View from a Barstool
View from a barstool, Hilo, Hawaii Big Island.
Post-Shower Selfie
Post-shower selfie airside at Auckland AKL. I didn’t take my backpack in the shower, but maybe I should’ve. Today we hiked a coastal path on Waiheke Island. Warm weather, steep gradients, and three layers of sunscreen made the shower a treat. Tonight we fly overnight to Honolulu.
Rangitoto Island
A 20-minute ferry ride brought us to uninhabited, volcanic Rangitoto Island. As we walked for miles on trails through this nature reserve, downtown Auckland seemed far away.
Finding Quiet Places
Flew to Auckland and checked into a downtown hotel for two nights. Already, we miss the quiet places we’ve been staying. Installed the public transit app to figure out how to get out of town by bus and ferry for two day hikes.
Ferries and Boots
Hiked, took a ferry, hiked, took another ferry. Ended up back where we started.
Urupukapuka Island
We’re staying next to the Bay of Islands in New Zealand’s Northland. Today we took a ferry to the largest island, Urupukapuka Island, then hiked. Some of the trails were hard going, but we were often rewarded by gorgeous 360 degree views.
Twin Coast Cycle Trail
Rented bicycles, then cycled part of the Twin Coast Cycle Trail. The 54-mile rail trail connects the east and west coasts of New Zealand’s Northland.
On Golden Bay
We drove almost as far as we could to the northwest of New Zealand’s South Island to Golden Bay, named for the gold mining that took place here in the 19th century. Our VRBO (Vacation Rental By Owner) cabin stood on its own, above a beach, at the end of an unpaved road. En route,…… Continue reading On Golden Bay
Time to Refuel
Refueled after an undulating ridge trail hike above the Bay of Islands.