Spent yesterday on Rangitoto Island, just off the coast. It has no full time residents, just a few "baches" (small cottages) left. No building has been allowed since the 30's. Rangitoto is one of 5 volcanoes within Auckland. It's the youngest, having erupted from the sea only 600 years ago. There are still large lava "rivers" where plants have not yet colonized, so it's much rougher than the other volcanic places we've visited. Also intact lava tubes. It's a conservation area with only indigenous plants and animals being the goal. Beautiful views from the top, both of the city and of the many other small islands in the bay.
Today we spent walking around the downtown, with a stop at the Art Museum, which is a great building with a wonderful collection. Lunch in Food Alley - a bunch of stalls in an arcade. Tasty Indonesian fare was our choice.
So, at the end of two months I'm happy to say that Randy and I have done very well with all the togetherness. I liked Australia very much - highlights for me were the penguins on Phillip Island; koalas and kangaroos; Uluru; Daintree rainforest; and the Great Barrier Reef. I have loved New Zealand - it's been one continuous highlight. We've been to lots of beautiful places, but I've never been anywhere that is so consistently stunning.
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