Back to Auckland

I may have been a bit harsh on Auckland last time - admittedly the public transport is still non-existent and it is a bit of a sprawl - but we have grown to like it. It's amazing what a difference sunny weather makes to the appeal of a city!
We met up with our friend Scott and he took us to Mount Rangitoto, a volcanic island 30 mins boat ride from the city. We hiked up to the summit of this mountain on a glorious day, before visiting some caves made out of the dried lava. The island is thought to be be extinct, as it haven't done anything since it suddenly popped up out of the ocean 600 years ago. The views of Auckland from the top were stunning, as were the Lava Caves. Scott then took us on a driving tour of the suburbs of the city, so we can now see how it all fits together, and where all the rich people of Auckland live - there appear to be quite a few judging by the expensive mansions he drove us past.

During our time in New Zealand, we haven't been eating out in the evening at many interesting places - mainly pubs. So it was a relief on our final night in the country to get the best meal - at a Belgian Bar, of course. I had the mussels, Pie had the metre-long sausage, and Paul had the mixed platter. All washed down with good quality Belgian Beer.

Buoyed by our successful meal, we went back to celebrate our final night in the country by... doing a jigsaw. Which we didn't have time to finish. What crazy people we are.