Rangitoto (28 September)

This is the day after my coast-to-coast Auckland walk so it was a bit tough to wake up early knowing that I had another full day of hiking ahead of me. Today, I met up with my friend, Chi, from work and we caught the 9:00 ferry over to Rangitoto Island. Rangitoto didn't exist until about 600 years ago when it was created by a volcanic eruption. It's just about a 30 min. fairy ride from downtown Auckland. We spent the day hiking up to the top of the volcano where there was a beautiful view of Auckland and exploring some of the lava caves on the island. Then we hiked around a bit over to the neighboring island, Motutapu, before heading back to catch the last fairy home at around 4:00. It was a beautiful day, but I was tired of walking all weekend and ready to get home. The island does not have any natural fresh water and apparently no place that sells water either. I brought a little water bottle but finished it within the first hour, and after a full day of hiking, I thought I was about to die I was so thirsty.

Me sitting on the lava rocks on Rangitoto Island

Exploring the lava caves on Rangitoto

At the top of Rangitoto with Auckland in the background

View of Auckland from the top of Rangitoto