New Zealand

We have been residents of New Zealand for a full month now and it is amazing how quickly time moves by when you are busy moving to a place.  New Zealand is a country with so many things to offer;  cows roaming the city parks to fresh fish and chips daily (accidentally ordered grilled fish instead of battered because I couldn't understand the waitress and just said yes). Since the pace of the country is more laid back, all the stores close at 5pm except Thursdays and Fridays when they stay open until 7pm.  Although this is pleasant, when you work until 4:30 everyday moving can be much more difficult.  We have now found a lovely little house and can start to spend our evenings and weekends exploring. 

On my first day here Chris took me to Shelley Beach which lies at the beginning of what is now one of our favourite walks.  There is a little sailing club at the entrance and this was my first view of the ocean.

Shelley Beach at low tide

As Auckland is sitting on a disturbing number of volcanoes you can see them everywhere.  We visited the Mission Bay beach which gives a lovely view of Rangitoto.  This island is the top of a volcano and is covered by gorgeous hiking trails we can't wait to try out.  One week we are in snowy -20 degree London, the next seagulls are photo bombing our volcano pictures.

Mission Bay beach with Rangitoto in the bachground

Due to all the volcanic action the city is very hilly and very few roads go straight.  Chris seems to love this while cycling although I find it quite alarming.  When I went for a hike the other day, he went for a ride.  This was the start of his ride.  I told photos to show the "gentle" hill he needed to climb without any run up to it.

Chris and the "gentle" hill

The hike begins at Shelley Beach and works back to Hayley Lane (spelled just like that!).  The forests you walk through change as you walk from boardwalk over mangroves to pine covered hills.  Best hike within 20min of our new house.

View from a boardwalk

We visited One Tree Hill which now has many trees and an old dead stump of the last one tree.  From the top of the crater you can see the entire city laid out before you.  Not the best day to wear a skirt, almost pulled a Miss Monroe up there but the view was 100% worth it.

View from One Tree Hill

You can see downtown Auckland in the distance with the Auckland Tower standing tall above anything else.  We have been very fortunate and had wonderful weather while being here so far.  It has only rained a few times and even then it will start, go full throttle for 10 minutes then be done for the rest of the day.  My kind of rain.

As One Tree Hill is an urban park it would not have been right without livestock.  This was our first sighting of a New Zealand icon:

SHEEP!

These ones were fenced in.  Although you can just walk through the gate and go for a hike in that section of the park.  The really white one had his eyes on Chris the whole time he was taking pictures.  Maybe he thought Chris should be paying to photograph him.

We have just begun our exploring.  Since we would like to keep this as a travel blog and not a day to day life blog we will be posting infrequently when we get to explore and see things.  If anyone finds their way to Auckland, give us a shout!

Missing you all!
Love,
Chelsea
xoxoxoxo

Some birds for the road:

Pukeko

A large chicken sized bird which can be found everywhere.  They are hilarious but apparently locals don't think so.

Fantail

A cute, nervy little bird who likes to fly real close to have a look at what you are up to.

Eastern Rosella

Australian parrots who decided to stick around.  Beautiful creatures.  Had to hide in the tree to catch these photos.  And no, I am only a little crazy.