Jeanine and I arrived in Auckland at 5 AM this morning. We cleared customs quickly and then spent more than a short while configuring our phones with travel data plans. Unable to contact our rental car agency for pickup, our first hike in New Zealand was to the rental car agency in the rain. Fortunately, it was only a 15-minute walk and we packed light. Our first destination was Mount Eden (Maungawhau), a volcanic peak with hiking and jogging trails leading to views over the Hauraki Gulf. Despite a slight drizzle and heavy cloud cover it was a great way to wake up our legs as we hiked up to and around the ancient caldera. Afterwards, we treated ourselves to coffee and pasteries at a French bakery that Jeanine described as the real deal.

In light of the rain, we decided that our next stop would be indoors and chose the Auckland Aquarium. I was most captivated by the jellyfish displays, although I could have easily spent the entire day watching the penguins in their very realistic habitat.

By noon, the rain stopped, and the skies cleared, so we set out for Waitipu Beach on the western coast, about an hour’s drive from the capital. We practically had the entire black sand beach to ourselves but opted not to go into the water after Jeanine discovered dozens of Portuguese man o’ war washed up on the sand. Their sting will not kill you, but are said to be excruciatingly painful.

Jeanine opted for shore combing while I put up the drone for some aerial photography.

We arrived back in Auckland by 3 PM and visited Auckland University before checking into our downtown hotel.

Jeanine found a lovely Italian restaurant within walking distance, and we enjoyed a stroll there that afforded us a nice view of the Sky Tower.