soft landing in Auckland

Having friends at one's destination has got to be the cushiest way to do foreign travel. The first day we just walked around Devonport with them; the second day they drove (TOO FAST ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD OMG) to a dramatic windward beach where we hiked across black sand and clambered up steep rocky hillsides to look out to sea; and on the third day, we fledglings borrowed their bicycles and struck off on our own.

So far we have explored an entertaining aquarium (penguins! camouflage sharks! gigantic spiny lobsters!) and the entire Auckland museum, and ridden and walked around town, and hiked on Piha beach and on one forest trail in the Waitakere park which led to a beautiful waterfall. We have also drunk a lot of wine and spent many hours catching up with Anne and Doug (who, as nice as it is to have them taking care of us here, we kind of wish they still lived in Colorado!) Today Jenine's coming by and taking us to visit her and Nat for a few days, giving Anne and Doug a few days' respite from us.

We haven't yet gotten out to the parks and big hiking and stuff yet, which we are both excited to do. But, you know, easing in slowly and all that.

ETA: 9 photos in the area around Auckland (mostly Piha beach, a few others)