We have officially settled down in Auckland and firmly adjusted to the slightly wetter climate. It quickly became apparent that it had been nearly a whole week since we visited a beach. So, to remedy this we drove an hour to the west coast of Auckland to see the black sand beaches of Piha.
The drives aren't as scenic in Auckland as they were further north. Most of the journey is spent sat in traffic or following the dodgy direction from the less than helpful sat-nav that Jas affectionately named Gwyneth.
At the far end of Piha beach is a small sign pointing towards some makeshift steps leading up the side of one of the dramatic cliffs. After travelling Asia and Australia you become very weary of these types of paths. They can be 10 minute strolls or, they can be three thousand steps that you start with big smiles that quickly descend into faces of desperation as you stubbornly tell yourself "ive come this far" but really you are less than half way to the top. As it turned out it was a brisk 10 minutes to the top.
The views were, as we have come to expect in New Zealand, incredible. We even pushed on further and found another side to the beach that turned out to be a bit more adventurous and a little less crowded.
Once we made it back to the car and realised we didn't pack any water. Gutted. We decided to stop off at the Kitekite waterfall on the way home. This proved to be a big mistake. To start the walk from the car to the waterfall was longer than expected and as we were already tired and dehydrated it seemed to go on for ever. The views from the top were stunning and with the previous adventure going so well i though i could get closer to the edge and grab a great picture. It proved a little harder to reach the edge but I stupidly realised this when it was too late. My "unsuitable for climbing waterfalls" running shoes happily slid off a rock and plunged me fully clothed into the water.
Picture this. We are peerlessly close to a big drop and almost certain death and from behind Jas sees me fall into the water and get dragged to the edge Safe to say she thought i was going over. In fact i was fine i just saw a rock in which i could pull myself out. My biggest worry, much to Jas' disproval, was that my $500 IPhone that i bought a month ago was in my pocket! Very Gutted! Jas was just happy i was alive.
To top it all off on the way home jas left her bag and phone in a petrol station. She didn't realise until half an hour later. So we were left driving around Auckland with no phones and soaking wet in the dark trying to find Jas' bag.
HAPPY TRAVELS AYE?
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