Auckland and the Bay of Islands. a little late

Well, I'm a little slow on this whole blogging game, so super sorry for that one! Auckland is my new second favourite city (London still holds the topspot. just.) Its the perfect size - big enough that you feel like one of the crowd, but not so giant that you can get lost by turning a corner. It reminds me a lot of New York - its the towering reflective skyscrapers, but its also a very green city. We visited the skytower (The Southern hemisphere's tallest building fact fans) and after zooming quite a few floors up (a little sketchy on the details here) the views were outstanding. Auckland is surrounded and built upon volcanoes (48 I believe) so its definately hilly - the calves had a good workout. It also has a beautiful harbour or two and from up so high you could see the many boats that were docked there. We had a hilarious bus driver from Auckland airport, German Chris, who regaled us with facts about New Zealand and Auckland. As well as providing the term "indoor bungy" to describe the bumps we experienced going over speed bumps (my new favourite phrase)he also told us of the Kiwi dream to have a quarter of an acre and a house. From the skytower you could see that even if most Aucklanders didn't quite get that much room, they definately had gardens big enough for a tree or two. The city has excellent shops (I'd managed two weeks without a purchase, I couldn't not buy anything. it was in the sale. plus, its a super cute skirt) is refreshingly clean - I barely saw any graffiti, and very little litter (thats a lot of t's there) and really, I'm just in love with the place.
We visted Waiheke Island, a 40 minute ferry ride out of Auckland, and where many a commuter lives. My inital impression was how Devon like it all looked. Bar the vineyards, and the blue sky, and the heat, it was like a second Salcombe. with decidely less Rahs. It was the green rolling hills and the boats that decided it I think. Did a fabulous and very jungley bushwalk through its regional park, visited a beach that rivalled Fiji in the beauty stakes, and decided that I would very much like to live there. If its was only a eeny bit closer to the UK. Back in Auckland we climbed one of the many volcanoes - Mt Eden, and got a second chance to see impressive views of the city. Along with the obligitory Japenese tourist clicking away on thier cameras (and really, I can't talk, absolutely any photographic opportunity and the camera's out. I took a photo yesterday of a supermarket. really)saw a number of very healthy beans who appeared to have running up a volcano as part of thier daily exercise plan. mad.
Whilst exploring Auckland we came across the university, which rivals and beats Exeter on the beauty stakes. Had a flick through a Masters booklet, they do my course. Its tempting! But the whole "on the other side of the world" thing means that at the momement at least, London still wins.
We spent 5 beautiful days in Auckland, staying in a cute-as hostel, for those Exeter goers, reminding me quite a lot of Hope Hall. Lantana Lodge for any coming Auckland way. I highly reccomend! It was quite a pull leaving, but visiting the Bay of Islands made up for it! Pretty! so v v pretty! We stayed in Paihia, a tiny beach resort which seemed to have more souvenir shops than it did permanent residents. The main draw, bar the scenic islands (we wanted to visit them, but felt a bit islanded out after Fiji and Wahieke) is for a dose of New Zealand history. Its where a treaty was signed in 1840 between the British and the Maori, giving, I think the Maoris British citizenship and protection from further invaders in return for recognition of British soverignity. I'm a little sketchy on the details - we visited the Treaty ground at Waitangi, and it was brilliant, but the introductory video was decidely dry and I rather terribly napped through it. Our hostel provided free mountain bikes, so we cycled up to Waitangi, which was alot of fun, especially once we figured out how to put on the bike helmets and adjust them (its New Zealand law kids)Also visted the Haruru Falls- pretty, but a bit of an anti-climax after a 90 minute walk. The walk was cool though, including a stroll across a Mangrove Swamp (wee bit smelly though)and more of Bushwalking! We spent a wet morning in Russell just across the Bay with our bikes, and saw the flagpole where the first New Zealand flag was flown, along with the first Police station and longest surviving church (New Zealand is, well, new. they're pretty big on how long things have been there) and er, oldest Hotel! impressive. It brightened up in the afternoon spectularly (I love the NZ weather, it changes so v quickly) and we had a gorgeous afternoon visiting Long Beach.
Oof, the internet is almost out! Better run, but we've all retained all our limbs, are keeping safe and having a truly amazing time!