Went to Port Douglas, Queensland for CHP Australia annual company conference. Stayed in the Sea Temple Port Douglas.
Friday:
Tim went white-water rafting on the Barron River with CHP. Good fun, good screaming from a few people.
Sophie went for a short walk in the Mossman Gorge. Pleasant undemanding walk, about an hour through rainforest with occasional pretty views of an overgrown rocky stream in the gorge (with overgrown rocks to match).
Saturday:
Sailed on Sailaway IV to the Low Isles for snorkelling at the edge of the Great Barrier Reef (http://www.sailawayportdouglas.com/). Saw lots of green turtles, giant clams, and some funky fish. Mostly soft coral, ie. greens and browns, at Low Isles - think the other trips further out would have given us more bright colours and more wildlife variety.
Sailaway IV was a good fun 60' cat and they let Tim helm the boat home :)
Monday, 28 July 2008
Sunday, 20 July 2008
19th July 2008 - Coast to Coast walk
16km walk on Auckland's Coast to Coast route, from Viaduct Harbour to Onehunga. http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/whatson/places/walkways/coasttocoast/index.asp
With Mark and Justine Moriai who flew in a couple of days before. 16km walk taking in Mt Eden and One Tree Hill.
Pleasant, easy walk through suburbia and parks, with good views from the two hills. Had a delicious lunch at the cafe in Cornwall Park, which seemed to have a dedicated tea waiter.
Couldn't properly touch the sea at Onehunga due to motorway between us and the sea proper. We did touch the lagoon though. Probably could have touched the sea had we bothered to walk 10 minutes east or west.
Nice to have done once, but not bothered about doing it again - mostly it was through residential streets.
With Mark and Justine Moriai who flew in a couple of days before. 16km walk taking in Mt Eden and One Tree Hill.
Pleasant, easy walk through suburbia and parks, with good views from the two hills. Had a delicious lunch at the cafe in Cornwall Park, which seemed to have a dedicated tea waiter.
Couldn't properly touch the sea at Onehunga due to motorway between us and the sea proper. We did touch the lagoon though. Probably could have touched the sea had we bothered to walk 10 minutes east or west.
Nice to have done once, but not bothered about doing it again - mostly it was through residential streets.
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
4th - 15th July 2008 - around Auckland
Sophie arrived 4th July.
5th July - ferry to Waiheke Island with Steve Saxon. Went for a short wander & a beer overlooking Oneroa Bay.
Lovely peaceful bay. Must go back and spend longer, walking and/or wineries.
6th July - ferry to Devonport with Steve Saxon. Tea in a lovely tea shop on left side of Victoria Road, with conservatory & jazz-themed room at the back. Climbed Mt. Victoria.
Pretty village-like feel with older, more pleasing buildings. Must go back for a longer walk around the place, though suspect we saw about half of it in 45 mins.
12th July - day sail on Spirit of New Zealand tall ship (http://www.spiritofadventure.org.nz/). $60 each, well worth it. Sailed round Rangitoto & Motutapu, came home through a yacht race.
13th July - drove to Waitakere Ranges park. Saw Piha & Karekare beaches, an hour from Auckland.
Beaches beautiful - must go back to Piha for picnic & surfer-watching when the weather is warmer.
Walked Zion Hill Track, Buck Taylor Track, Zion Ridge Track from Karekare - all forested with occasional stunning views. 3 hours round trip.
More walks in Waitakere Ranges definitely worth doing.
5th July - ferry to Waiheke Island with Steve Saxon. Went for a short wander & a beer overlooking Oneroa Bay.
Lovely peaceful bay. Must go back and spend longer, walking and/or wineries.
6th July - ferry to Devonport with Steve Saxon. Tea in a lovely tea shop on left side of Victoria Road, with conservatory & jazz-themed room at the back. Climbed Mt. Victoria.
Pretty village-like feel with older, more pleasing buildings. Must go back for a longer walk around the place, though suspect we saw about half of it in 45 mins.
12th July - day sail on Spirit of New Zealand tall ship (http://www.spiritofadventure.org.nz/). $60 each, well worth it. Sailed round Rangitoto & Motutapu, came home through a yacht race.
13th July - drove to Waitakere Ranges park. Saw Piha & Karekare beaches, an hour from Auckland.
Beaches beautiful - must go back to Piha for picnic & surfer-watching when the weather is warmer.
Walked Zion Hill Track, Buck Taylor Track, Zion Ridge Track from Karekare - all forested with occasional stunning views. 3 hours round trip.
More walks in Waitakere Ranges definitely worth doing.
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