Sitting in an internet cafe a few blocks from my hotel on this damp, cool and dreary Sunday morning. In a few hours, I'll take a bus to the airport to catch my flight to Bangkok, Thailand and the next leg of my trip.
New Zealand is a spectacular country, with upbeat people and natural surroundings that are truly stunning. My quick, 9-day tour started in Auckland, where I explored a few islands offshore and toured this clean, cosmopolitan city on the edge of a sparkling bay which harbors many other small islands that attract hikers and people in search of quieter shores. Raritonga is just a 20 minute ferry ride from the dock in Auckland, but it seems much further. I was told that it was formed only 600 years ago after a violent eruption from the sea which was witnessed by some local Maori people on a neighboring island. There are a few houses near the shore, but the entire interior of island is dominated by thick, black volcanic rock and dense forests, which rise steadily to a windswept summit with uninterrupted views of the city and bay in all directions.
I'll drop you all a note from Bangkok in a few days...looking forward to some warmer temps...
cheers,
keith
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